This was going to be part of the last chapter, but it ran on too long and became a creature of it's own.
Jerry was selected for the hats and plants. That area was cleared, so best to keep the people with guns to other areas. He didn't mind. Some may have resented not being picked for the riskier jobs, but Jerry knew to never turn down the easy job when offered.
Jerry nearly gagged at the sight of the bathroom. He now understood what the Corporal was talking about. He avoided stepping in any puddles too. He wasn't too concerned about the blood, that was part of the job, but he knew where that water was from, and it wasn't the bath. He noticed a doll floating in the water of the tub. He thrust his blade into it, spearing it like a fish. He then smashed it against the wall. He washed the blade in the sink. Thank God for stainless steel. There were three planters, that was easy enough at least, there were three. He headed for the dressing room for the hats.
There were five of them, a bowler hat, two top hats, and two women's bowler hats. Jerry took the time to try all of them on in front of the broken mirror. He then stacked all of them atop each other and placed them on top of his drum to carry.
As he was headed back, he remembered Jonny mentioning that the ghoul they'd killed earlier had killed a life-sized doll earlier, when he asked for more details about the dolls. He decided to see it for himself.
The scene at the top of the stairs was a gory site. Doll limbs had been scattered around the room, which was painted in blood. The head lay at the top of the stairs. Jerry spotted a small doll in a red dress on the red couch. The doll eyed him with suspicion. He drew his knife, dropping his hats in the process. The doll suddenly leaped from the couch and soared through the air at jerry. He deftly maneuvered his knife in the path of the doll, who's eyes went wide as she was speared through the chest. He collected the hats and moved on.
He passed Jonny on his way back.
"What the 'ell's all this then?" Jonny said, eyeing the pile of fancy hats.
Jerry tapped on the edges of his drum.
"Uh huh, yeah, 'to keep track of 'em' sure. So, what's the number, eh?
Jerry held up two fingers.
"Two? You needed those 'ats to remember 'two'?"
Jerry smiled Sheepishly.
"Right, just 'ead back to your post, the others should be back soon."
Jerry tapped on his drum again, reminding Jonny that technically, he outranked him.
"…Right, sorry. Do whatever you want then?"
Jerry smiled and nodded, before heading back to his stand anyway.
Reginald and Aya cautiously entered the cafeteria, weapons drawn. Fortunately, the room seemed empty, save for a large crow on the dining room table. It was a decent sized table, with two chairs on each side padded with white leather. Another chair sat at the head of the table. The only thing particularly ornate about the table was the diamond patters carved into the wood and the lace cloth that ran down the middle where the dishes were placed for the guests, which had a candelabra in the center. The large red carpet it sat on more than made up for it though. It had gold trim and everything. The Far wall had a large hearth with two more candelabras on either side of the hutch. A window with curtains closed sat on either side. Over the fireplace was a portrait of Aya's Grandfather. It seemed to be stained with blood.
There was a decorated china cabinet to the left topped with a red cloth. Two vases containing purple flowers sat on either side of a candelabra. The right wall had several candelabras mounted in it with several crystal decorations. To the right there was a hallway with a golden picture frame with some family member or another mounted on a corner wall, leading to the kitchen, where a strange munching sound could be heard. Aya and the Corporal eyed each other nervously.
There was one thing noticeably absent from the room, however. Barrels.
"Were they moved recently?" Asked the Corporal.
"I don't think so. I doubt Father would do that without changing the memo."
"So, zero it is then."
Aya and the Corporal decided to inspect the room further. The Right window contained nothing of note. The left, however, had a faint glow emitting from it. Aya walked over to it, and noticed that the portrait of her grandfather seemed to follow her movements. The Corporal saw too, apparently, as a shot promptly rang out, striking it in the center of the forehead. Snowball tensed up at the sound, and jumped from Aya's pocket to hide under the table.
Aya stared at the corporal, who just shrugged. She continued to the window. As she expected, there was yet another gem. She pocketed the gem, but as she did, a figure emerged, staring into the dining room from outside. It was another ghoul, its face covered in blood. Even more so after the Corporal shot it.
Another loud bang echoed through the dining room. Snowball was shaking now. Aya walked over to the table to coax him out. They didn't want him running into the kitchen.
It took a while, but Snowball finally calmed enough to hop over to Aya, who placed him back into her pocket. He sat upon the ever-growing horde of gems like a dragon.
Ultimately, Aya and the Corporal did decide to investigate the kitchen. They'd have to eventually. As they entered, the munching grew louder. The kitchen was small and cramped. Boxes and barrels lined the south wall, as did two pots, one full of oil. Cabinets lined the west wall over a cluttered countertop next to the path to the storehouse. The top right corner had a sink with two bronze spouts, over which dished hung to dry. Between the sink and counter was another glowing object. There was a door to the top left, next to a small Steel oven with pots and pans hanging over it and a table with a knife and cutting board. Dried herbs and spices hung above it. In the center of the room was a table with baskets of produce, utensils, and dishes. There were also several vials of cooking oil.
Perfect! Aya thought, remembering her plans for arson in the basement. There was fire in the storehouse too if memory served.
There was one obstacle, however. Between the table and the oven, there was a dog feasting upon produce scattered upon the black-tiled floor. The dog had several patches of flesh removed, exposing sinewy muscle. Near its left her, a portion of skull was visible. Aya wanted to vomit.
The Corporal raised his gun but Aya stopped him. The poor thing had suffered enough, there needed to be another way. Aya and the corporal headed back into the dining room.
"What's the plan?" The Corporal asked in a hushed tone.
"I think I can sneak on by if I stay quiet and stick to the south side, behind the table."
"You think!? No! Absolutely not! I cannot allow you to take such a senseless risk, mistress!"
"Please Reginald!" Aya pleaded. "You can cover me from the entrance, if it spots me, then you can shoot!"
Reginald sighed. He wasn't going to win this one. "Fine! Why is this so important to you anyway?"
"I… I've killed animals before. By accident. I-I was trying to help them… they were hurt! But… I didn't know what I was doing." Aya looked down in shame at the memory.
"I see… Okay, we'll do it your way, but if it makes any sign of attacking, I must take the shot. Do you understand?"
Aya nodded reluctantly and they made their way back into the kitchen, leaving Snowball in the cafeteria so as not to alert the dog to his scent. She removed her shoes as well, so as to move more quietly.
Aya crouched down and cautiously took her first steps. She took each step deliberately, making sure not to make a sound. She made her way to the table and grabbed a vial of oil. The glass made a sound as it slid across the table. The dog's ears perked up.
Aya cowered in fear and braced herself for the oncoming shot. But the dog simply disregarded the noise and returned to its meal.
If it had just looked a little to the left…
She made her way further to the storehouse. There were crates full of ingredients piled against the walls alongside several sacks of flour. To the left was a floor mat similar to the one in the bathroom, albeit larger. Next to it was a pile of firewood.
Aya grabbed a log from the pile, then went to the sacks of flour. She cut several long strands from a sack and tied it around the log. The flour would be good for the flame. She then cut several more strands and pocketed them.
These'll make god bandages if we need them.
She glanced at the torch. The rags hung loosely from the log. She needed something to better secure them to the torch.
I think they kept some wire in the storehouse cellar.
Aya then pulled up the mat, revealing a large metal cellar door. It may be a good idea to check it later. Aya opened the door as silently as possible, and gazed into the inky void within.
Yikes… It's pitch black… I can't go down there…
Aya shut the cellar door and made her way back to Reginald, dipping the torch in the oil along the way. They collected Snowball and made their way back to the others.
The group had gathered into the master bedroom for the moment of truth. The Corporal had just finished dispatching a specter stalking inside the bed.
Aya entered the code.
Four… two… eight… zero!
The safe's lock clicked and Aya opened the door. Inside was a collection of items belonging Monika. The safe reeked of her perfume. Aya was filled with nostalgia at the scent.
One item in particular stood out. A lantern. That sure would have come in handy earlier!
Aya picked up the lantern.
Just borrowing this, mom.
As she finished filling the lantern, a glass vial fell from the dresser. Jerry picked it up and inspected it.
"Mom's perfume!" Aya exclaimed, taking the vial. She inspected it closely. The sweet scent filled her nostrils as she was flooded with memories from years past.
Unfortunately, this memory was not a great one.
Three years earlier
Aya walked down the hallway to the Lab. She wanted to talk to her father about something or another; she couldn't remember. She reached the door and called out.
Is he still at work?
"Father?" No response. She listened more closely and heard voices coming from inside the lab.
"…ve you, Maria"
"Doctor…"
It was her father, and Maria, his assistant.
"…Eh? F-Father?" Aya called out, concerned now.
"Aya! There you are!" Monika called out from behind her. Aya looked towards her mother, confused.
Doesn't your father always tell you not to go into the basement?" Her tone was stern and irritated. This was not the first time she'd been caught down here.
"M…Mom…" Aya said, weekly. She couldn't find the words to explain what she'd heard.
Monika headed over to the door. As she looked in, a look of indignant anger appeared on her face.
"He… I knew it! He's cheating on me with her! I can't believe this… Some girl he picked up off the street!" Classist as her comments were, she had a point. Maria was only ten years older than Aya was. He was far too old for her.
Monika stormed off back to her room. Aya followed.
Monika tore the perfume bottle from around her neck. She hurled it across the floor and shouted.
"This stupid thing!"
The bottle landed with a *clunk* on the floor outside. Aya walked over to it and picked it up. Later, after Monika finally left the room, she put it back on the dresser.
That was one of the few memories of Monika where she was angry. She was like a different person, almost. Aya clenched her fist around the bottle. She hated Maria. She hated her for bringing her family apart. She hoped the monsters had gotten her.
"You alright, luv?" Jonny's voice snapped her back to reality. She loosened her hand and took a deep breath.
"Bad memories, eh?" Reginald spoke. The soldiers knew little of the family drama, but they knew Monika's last few months weren't the happiest.
Aya smiled, much to the soldiers' collective surprise. "This perfume…. I put it back on her dresser after that but…" The solders remained silent. They let her have her moment. "So, she took care of it…. That's good. After all, mom got this from father on their anniversary…"
"I'll take it as a good luck charm, alright mom?" Aya turned towards the dresser as she spoke.
The soldiers were feeling increasingly uncomfortable. It felt like they shouldn't be there for this. Aya turned to them and smiled. "Sorry about that. I guess I got a bit carried away."
"It's alright, we get it." Reginald responded. "You alright?"
Aya looked back down at the bottle. "Yeah, I'm fine."
With that, they exited the room. Aya lingered for a moment, looking back at the dresser. She gave one last smile as she walked out the door.
I figure if I need to have backtracking, I may as well make it funny.
Alfred is one creepy motherfucker.
Stainless steel was invented in 1871, so I figure the Drevises are rich enough to own it by whenever the game takes place (I'm guessing 1880s-90s or early to mid 1900s since at least one room had a radio and most likely the 20s since they have motorized chainsaws).
Edit: Forgot they moved the couch.