Chapter 3: In Over Our Heads

Crow's words hung in the air, and while they were probably intended to comfort everyone, they did the exact opposite, especially for Abby. The reason that Abby had always been so successful was that she only paid attention to fact, using logic to get her out of problems, never letting her emotions take over. Now she couldn't trust the things she relied on the most, her own two eyes?

The others followed Crow into the mansion. The first thing they noticed was that it was covered in dust. It looked like it hadn't been cleaned in years, if not decades. There were cobwebs in every corner, cluttered with dead spiders. The next thing they noticed was the ceiling. Chad noticed it first, and signalled to the others to look up. The ceiling had actually been painted. It was a gruesome, gothic painting of several people being tortured to death. Everyone shivered except for the Tears of Blood. Either they were hiding their fear, or they had gotten used to things like this.

So you decided to come after all. Wonderful, said the eerie voice. A tall, thin man came out of nowhere, a smile on his face. He looked thirtyish, very handsome, with waist length platinum blonde hair and vivid blue eyes. He was dressed like royalty; he was even wearing a long red cape.

"What do you want us to do?" asked Crow.

I want to see how long you can last in this mansion before you die, he replied. He hadn't moved his lips at all, save for the eerie smile he gave them.

"Well, so much for playing Rainbow Monkies," said Hoagie. "

Here are the rules. In one hour, I will launch these warheads and cause destruction like you have never seen. Unless, of course, you can kill me first.

Chad whipped out his magnum and shot the man in the head. The bullet passed through him like he was a ghost. There was no sign of a wound on his forehead. The man raised his eyebrows in surprise, and then smiled again.

"Well, figured it was worth a try," sighed Chad, placing the gun back inside his pocket.

"Like I said, don't trust anything you see," repeated Crow. "This guy's messing with our heads. He's an illusionist. Nothing more than a cheap magician."

A cheap magician? asked the man, indignant. I'm Lord Alcarin. I am the greatest sorceror this world has ever seen. And as for illusions...well, don't be so sure that everything is an illusion, Crow. He waved his hand, and the sound of barking filled the room. It sounded like a mad dog was on its way. Everyone tensed up except for Crow and Wally. Crow was convinced it was an illusion, and Wally was sure he could beat up anything this Lord Alcarin threw at him.

"Yep, you've got me terrified now," mocked Crow. The barking grew louder, and a giant dog the size of a grizzly bear burst into the room, barking and snapping its jaws. It's grey skin clung tightly to it's bones, and there looked like their was no flesh between the two, like someone wrapped skin around a skeleton. Everyone drew their handguns, even Kuki, who was trembling.

"I've got this one," said Crow, standing face to face with the dog.

This is one of my hellhounds, Howler, explained Alcarin.

Crow simply glared at the slobbering, snapping dog. Then the dog leapt at him, pinning him to the ground, digging it's claws into his shoulders. Shit! This isn't an illusion! thought Crow. And that feeling of terror that he hated so much rushed back into him, mocking him for his cockiness. The hellhound reared it's head back and prepared to bite his head off. Crow extended the claws in his left hand and stabbed the dog in the throat. It fell onto the ground, howling. Crow got to his knees and poured black flame on the dog, until it was nothing more than ashes.

Still think I'm an illusionist? asked Lord Alcarin, staring at Crow from behind. The others were also staring, wondering what the hell had happened. He shakily rose to his feet and turned around. His face was a mixture of fury and fear, and he was shivering.That thing...it nearly killed me. Blood was oozing from his shoulders, staining his coat. The others saw his fear, and grew frightened as well, for this was the first time they had ever seen Crow truly afraid.

"I'm going to kill you," spat Crow, the fury on his face overcoming his fear. "I'm going to burn you alive." Without warning, he hurled a fireball at Alcarin. The flame passed through him and hit the wall, catching it on fire. Alcarin looked at him impassively.

"And I'm going to enjoy every minute of it," continued Crow, his voice barely above a whisper.

Well, we shall see, won't we? asked Alcarin. Anyway, I think I should make this hunt a little more interesting. It's no good having you all clumped together like this. Let's divide you into pairs, shall we? He snapped his fingers and dark orbs engulfed Crow and Cree, and a moment later they were gone.

"Cree! What did you do to her her!"Abby shouted, turning on Alcarin. He chuckled at her, and again his lips remained still. He snapped his fingers and dark orbs consumed Abby and Hoagie.

You people should learn to relax, he soothed. Two more snaps of his fingers, and Nigel and Chad, as well as Wally and Kuki, disappeared.

"What happened?" asked Cree, groggily. She shook her head to clear herself, and noticed she was in a dimly lit sewer. She saw Crow striding ahead of her. "Hey, hey Crow!" she called, running up to him. "Crow, what happened? Where are we?"

"I don't know," he replied, not looking at her. That same look of rage was on his face. He stared straight ahead, hoping for some sign of Alcarin. This guy's for real. I could feel that dog of his tearing into me. We're in way over our heads. His thoughts were interrupted by Cree, who apparently had been trying to get his attention.

"Hello, earth to Crow! I said, we've got to find the others. We don't stand a chance against this guy if we're alone," said Cree.

"No. If he separated us, that means he doesn't want us together, and there's nothing we can do to change that. Now shut up, I'm trying to think."

"Don't tell me to shut up!" retorted Cree, hurt. "Just who the hell do you think you are!" she shouted.

"Dammit, I don't have time for this," he muttered. "Leave me alone." He started walking faster.

"Hey!" She grabbed his shoulder and wrenched him back to face her. "What's the matter with you! One minute we're fine, and now you're being an ass and treating me like crap!"

"Will you just shut the fuck up!" he screamed. "Don't you get it! We're in over our heads, Cree! This guy's unstoppable! I dragged in some fucking toddlers to help us out, and now they're all going to die!" He collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily. "I've killed them all," he whispered. And to Cree's shock, tears poured from his eyes. Had she ever seen Crow cry before? If so, she couldn't remember it.

"I've killed them. It's all my fault. They're going to die because of me."