Michael dashed outside when he heard the glass shatter and Joey scream. The Master sent Lost Souls to Celtic River. He knew what they were trying to do and would stop at nothing to terminate the plan.
Joey lay in the street surrounded by glass. With the exception of a bruised arm and several minor cuts on his face, he seemed in good health.
Michael dragged Joey to the side just as the Lost Soul leaped from the window, landing smoothly.
Michael shook Joey. "Joey snap out of it! We�ve gotta run now!"
The Lost Soul dove at the two men.
Michael side-kicked the beast in the abdomen.
The Lost Soul stumbled but caught Michael�s foot. Michael lost his balance and thudded onto the street.
Joey hook punched the Lost Soul with his right arm.
The Lost Soul twisted Joey�s arm, spinning Joey until he pressed against the monster.
Joey felt its hot breath down his neck, its red eyes�
"Time�to�go�to�the�master�"
Michael whipped the gun out of his robe and fired three rounds into the Lost Soul�s head.
Joey stumbled away while the monster shrieked in pain. It collapsed and became mute.
Michael and Joey stared at the dead animal. More like the bloody brain mess which had once been its head.
Some of the blood splattered onto Joey when the gun fired. He shivered in revulsion.
Michael dropped the gun. "You okay?"
"I�ll live."
The body mutated into its human form. Although the face was barely recognizable, Michael knew who he was.
"Reese Quinn, the tavern owner."
Joey looked at Michael.
"I think we�d better get out of Celtic River."
"I think you may be right."
As they trudged through the town, Joey retold his results of the search. Michael broke into a run when they neared the church.
"Hurry! There�s not a moment to spare!"
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The Master summoned Dorothy to the Fear Chamber. Dorothy gazed upon JC�s body.
"What shall I do with him, master?"
"My time is limited. Take JC to the dungeon. I presume he�s dead but I haven�t examined him yet. I�m granting you that job. Meanwhile, tell my two slaves to bring Chris."
He sneered. "It�s his turn."
Dorothy unchained JC�s wrists and ankles and lifted him off the rack. 2 Lost Souls dragged in a struggling, tear stained Chris.
They were wrestling Chris onto the rack as Dorothy exited the Fear Chamber and carried JC to the first floor. She could hear Sparrow speaking to the blond prisoner in the living room.
Next to the iron stove in the kitchen is the pantry. Or, what was presumed to be the pantry.
Dorothy opened the door to a tiny room surrounded by stone walls. No windows or lights, so once the door shut, the cell would be plunged into total darkness.
Dorothy eased JC�s body onto the floor. She checked his pulse.
Amazement blew her mind. The man was alive! He�d actually survived the mental and emotional torture. How? This had never happened before.
Dorothy leaned against the wall, filled with anticipating dread. What would she tell the Master? He would be furious. JC would be thrown into the Fear Chamber again. The odds of him surviving a second round were impossible.
Dorothy forfeited all feelings when the evil converted her 300 years ago. Yet, when she gazed down at JC pale face, something rose inside her. Sympathy? Something demonic such as herself didn�t feel, didn�t love, didn�t care, but hunted and killed for the sinful pleasure of blood. So why did she take pity upon JC?
Dorothy locked, bolted, and chained the dungeon door. Oh, what did it matter? Either way, JC would die. He�d starve to death in the cell. Even then, the Master would be able to feast upon his soul.
Dorothy told herself that she wasn�t taking pity upon him. Simply delaying death and making it less horrible.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Michael and Joey switched their flashlights on. Michael opened the Bible on the podium, pulling out a key.
Joey aimed the flashlight at the walls until he found Jesus�s portrait.
"Michael, quick!"
They heaved the painting from its guarding position and stared at the door. Michael inserted the key and unlocked it.
Joey pushed the door open, gasping. It was pretty heavy.
The door swung open.
A Lost Soul jumped out.
Michael froze when the monster leaped at him. He fell to the ground. The Lost Soul pinned his shoulders and ribs.
The ambush occurred so fast that Joey�s reflexes needed a second to react.
Michael screamed, "HELP!"
The Lost Soul tore at his robe.
Joey pulled the trigger of his gun.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Joey�s arms shook on impact.
Inside the room, below them, he heard Justin yelling for help.
Michael shoved the dead beast off him.
"Well, let�s keep going."
"GUYS!" Justin shouted. "I�M DOWN HERE!"
Joey put his gun away while Michael shone the flashlight into the secret room.
"HEY, THE STAIRS COLLAPSED!"
"YEAH! GUESS THEY COULDN�T TAKE MY WEIGHT!"
Joey pointed the light beam down the hole. He saw Justin sitting on the pile of the stair�s remains, covered with wood chips and dust. Justin coughed and looked up.
"JOEY, DOWN HERE!"
"YOU HURT?"
"NO! HURRY! YOU�LL HAVE TO JUMP!"
Michael swung his legs over the side and jumped. He thudded beside Justin.
"Ouch."
Joey balled his fists and counted to three.
"1�2�3!"
WHOOSH! BAM!
"Ouch!"
Joey, Justin, and Michael rubbed their backs and struggled to their feet. Michael and Joey tapped the flashlights. The beams lit.
In the center of the room stood a round table, encircled with candles. In the center of the table sat a red book.
Joey and Justin aimed the flashlights at the book. Michael flipped through it.
"This is it! This is our ticket to safety!"