I laugh at anyone who thinks this is going to be the climax of my story.
Chapter 12: Not a Drop to Drink
Manna cursed herself silently as she sat nursing her foot. She had really walloped it hard. It would be a wonder if it didn't swell up. After a few minutes, Manna stood back up carefully and began to make her way through the maze of sleeping bodies once again. She tiptoed carefully; her foot was still a little sore. Imagine, all this hassle just to get a glass of water...
Mary had stopped shaking, but when she heard the footsteps resume, she quickly buried herself back into the warm safety of Grey. But, why then did she feel so cold and vulnerable? The near noiseless padding of the footsteps came closer and closer. Mary held on to Grey tightly. He continued to sleep like a log.
To Mary, Grey seemed to possess even less life than her old teddy bear she used to have. Had she been younger, she would have taken comfort in his presence just like with her old teddy. But this was nothing. He might as well not even be there. If his body wasn't moving slightly as he breathed, Mary would have reckoned him dead. She tried to quell that thought quickly, but it was no use. A quiver ran down her spine and she slowly pulled away from him. He was alive of course, but still... Mary curled herself up into a ball over to the side... It just didn't feel right.
Mary would face her death alone, but she would stand up and face it head on. For once in her life she would stand up and fight for what she wanted. If she was going to die, she was going to die fighting. It would be so romantic, just like in the books. Standing up face to face with death and giving it her all. She would be remembered for her valor. The footsteps were almost upon her. She was ready. As soon as he reached down to get her, she would jump and fight her best.
The steps stopped right next to her ear and Mary froze. Fear gripped her. She couldn't move a single muscle in her body. She stared hopelessly at the ground. Some hero she was. Then the footsteps resumed on the other side of her. The murderer just walked right by her. She was safe. Mary wasn't going to die today. She could have taken him. Mary knew it. The guy was a coward and knew he couldn't fight off a raging Mary. Yeah, that was it...
Carter sat there in the bathroom and looked in the mirror. This was shameful. He was so much better than this. Here he was, the priest of Mineral Town. It was his duty to help the citizens of the town. He may not be Harris, but he sure was Carter, and that was very good. Harris! Carter had forgotten all about him. He had promised to trade shifts with him.
He crept over to the door and peeked out. "Good," Carter said to himself, "Nobody there." He was more confident in himself now. Imaging, getting spooked by shadows. Now how childish could he get?
Manna was in the kitchen finally. There were a lot of people in the Inn tonight. This was absurd. Maybe she would just sleep in the kitchen tonight. She walked over to the sink and fumbled around for a glass. She yawned deeply as the she turned the faucet. As the water filled her glass, she thought she heard a door give a slight creak as it opened and was quickly shut. She took a sip of water and turned around...
Carter began walking back down the stairs. Getting scared by lightning and shadows, that's just plain ridiculous. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Something wasn't right. Something was very wrong. A cold breeze ran across his cheek. Over there, was a quickly growing puddle of water. Why? A window was open. The murderer snuck in through a window while Carter was upstairs! He went over and shut the window against the roaring storm outside. Footprints, wet footprints. They led somewhere. Where did they go? Carter quickly followed them. Into the back room! The murderer was in the back room where everyone was sleeping. And Mary! Mary was back there! If Jack was the murderer like Carter thought, he'd certainly go after Mary!
Jack quickly brought his hammer up into Manna's face as she turned around. Blow after blow he rained down quickly. He finished her off just like he had done with Harris. He really was getting quite good at this. As Jack stood over Manna's broken body he laughed silently to himself. Try and make up a rumor about this one and spread it around why don't you?