DUMBWAITER
The dumbwaiter door creaks in protest as you open it, and even the tumble of the Lodger’s luggage to the floor seems unwilling. The cool, dusty darkness of the dumbwaiter shaft tugs at you, and the sudden sense of falling almost sweeps you off your feet, before you shake it off and tear your gaze from the hatch.
You carefully pick up the Lodger’s luggage from the floor. The only thing remaining inside is a sole newspaper clipping regarding an incident that happened regarding Mr. Emmett.
As you handle the luggage, a fine mist rises from the floor, forming into the apparition you know as Emmett, the Lodger.
“Please tell me you can save the child.”
“If I knew I’d be there myself trying to save her! But I’m no good for nothing anymore save appearing from the ether like I did, and sometimes, if I try real hard, I can rattle a doorknob or flicker some lights. You can feel it though, can’t you? There’s a mighty cold hatred flowing around us, and that’s what’s gotten Miss Elsie. That’s the only thing powerful enough to do something like that.“
“At first, I couldn’t remember much past getting home and going to my room, but… it’s starting to come back to me. Remember when I said we all went inside the house to warm up a bit? Mrs. McDermott brought out some hot cocoa, and we all partook to shake off the chill. When it seemed like we wouldn’t be doing no more choring for the night, I decided to make my exit. I snuck off to my room and grabbed my bags. I started to feel a bit nauseous, and a sickly taste was in my mouth. Something told me I needed to get out of there ASAP. I grabbed what I could and stepped out of my room, clenching my stomach. I remember seeing Virgil in the hall, wide-eyed with shock and fear, just as I dropped my bags and everything went dark real quick. I reckon that’s what it feels like to be poisoned.”
“Well, yes, I suppose I have. Not the way the papers wanted to tell it, though. I’m no murderer. I’m a teacher, and was considered a darned good one. Kids liked learning from me. It takes a light and subtle hand to get kids interested in their education, and part of being a good educator is allowing room for the next generation to expand their minds. I overestimated a particular student’s knowledge of chemistry and they paid the ultimate price, but it was purely an accident! I’m no poisoner, and I’m certainly not a murderer!“
You carefully pick up the Lodger’s luggage from the floor. The only thing remaining inside is a sole newspaper clipping regarding an incident that happened regarding Mr. Emmett.
As you handle the luggage, a fine mist rises from the floor, forming into the apparition you know as Emmett, the Lodger.
“Please tell me you can save the child.”
“If I knew I’d be there myself trying to save her! But I’m no good for nothing anymore save appearing from the ether like I did, and sometimes, if I try real hard, I can rattle a doorknob or flicker some lights. You can feel it though, can’t you? There’s a mighty cold hatred flowing around us, and that’s what’s gotten Miss Elsie. That’s the only thing powerful enough to do something like that.“
“At first, I couldn’t remember much past getting home and going to my room, but… it’s starting to come back to me. Remember when I said we all went inside the house to warm up a bit? Mrs. McDermott brought out some hot cocoa, and we all partook to shake off the chill. When it seemed like we wouldn’t be doing no more choring for the night, I decided to make my exit. I snuck off to my room and grabbed my bags. I started to feel a bit nauseous, and a sickly taste was in my mouth. Something told me I needed to get out of there ASAP. I grabbed what I could and stepped out of my room, clenching my stomach. I remember seeing Virgil in the hall, wide-eyed with shock and fear, just as I dropped my bags and everything went dark real quick. I reckon that’s what it feels like to be poisoned.”
“Well, yes, I suppose I have. Not the way the papers wanted to tell it, though. I’m no murderer. I’m a teacher, and was considered a darned good one. Kids liked learning from me. It takes a light and subtle hand to get kids interested in their education, and part of being a good educator is allowing room for the next generation to expand their minds. I overestimated a particular student’s knowledge of chemistry and they paid the ultimate price, but it was purely an accident! I’m no poisoner, and I’m certainly not a murderer!“