Chapter 3
"And you Mr. White... what a pleasure." Warren exclaims with a smirk and looks at Jack. Jack glares at him. "And Herbert." Ryan also glares at him.
"And of course it's wonderful to allow me... Sergeant-Major Morris...into your lovely abode." Warren lets out a laugh and walks over to Micki.
"Mrs. White...you're looking lovely tonight."
"You-" Micki begins and is interrupted when Warren pulls her close to him.
"Hey." Ryan responds. Jack touches Ryan's chest to stop him.
"So... what is it you wish for Mrs. White?"
"Stop calling her that, her name is Micki Dallion she's from Chicago." Ryan blurts out.
"Wait...Ryan wait..." Jack whispers and pulls at Ryan's arm. "Remember what I said...we'll have to play out this story...at least long enough for one of us to grab the paw."
Ryan nods.
"Shall we go in the sitting room?" Warren asks cockily. "After you Mrs. White."
Micki glares at him and walks past him. Jack and Ryan follow suit. As they all take a seat in the sitting room, a large fire is burning. Warren sits down and holds the monkey's paw out and swings it back and forth.
"You know, The Monkey's Paw" is a tragedy, the story that deals full of fear, doubt, guilt, and loneliness. The story of a fool who makes a foolish wish and pays the price...but of course you would know all about that wouldn't you Mr. White?"
Jack stares at him, then looks at the paw.
"Yes...if I remember correctly Mr. White...err...I mean I wanted a large sum of money to keep this house together..."
Warren smiles.
"However...I have a different wish in mind...I'd like to buy that paw from you..."
"Of course...just like that book says...and then Mr. White purchased the paw...but just so you know...once you do old man... you can't hide your wish from the paw...the paw grants it even if you know it or not."
Micki breathes heavily and looks at Jack. Warren looks into Jack's eyes. Ryan's eyes shift from Warren to Jack.
"That's right... I can see it in your eyes...you've done made your wish."
"Jack...Jack!" Ryan shouts and shakes him.
"Jack...I...I don't know who that is...Herbert." Jack says softly and looks at Ryan. "Herbert why don't you go get my change, so I can pay Sergeant-Major Morris for the paw."
"Jack...it's me it's Ryan."
"Stop playing games with me Herbert now do as I say."
Micki looks from Jack to Ryan. Ryan sighs and leaves the room.
"How about you Mrs. White...something you wish for?"
Micki stares at the paw then looks up at Warren.
"Anything at all... you're a lot smarter than your husband here."
Micki looks at Jack. Jack has now fainted. Micki looks back at Warren.
"Maybe...you'd want your son back hm?"
"I don't have a son." Micki states sternly.
"Oh come now Mrs. White... you're just in denial...you lost your son in a factory accident remember?"
Micki shakes her head then slowly nods.
"I...I remember...Herbert."
"That's right..."
Micki trembles.
"And your wish is?"
Micki looks into Warren's eyes and suddenly tears just stream down her face.
"What a wish." Warren says with a smile. Micki chokes out a sob and continues to tremble as she stares at the paw. Warren swings it back in forth in front of her face.
"That's some wish, Mrs. White."
Micki whimpers and continues to stare at the paw, she lets out a small sob and begins to break down.
"Get away from her!"
Warren turns and Micki faints.
"Micki!" Ryan screams.
"Well...well Herbert...back from the dead?"
Ryan glares at him.
"What did you do to them?"
"Simple...I gave them what they wanted... see right now...they are living the dreams they've always wanted...their wishes are being carried out...as Lucifer takes their souls."
Ryan breathes heavily and runs over to him. He grabs Warren's hand in an attempt to take the paw. Warren groans and kicks Ryan. Ryan grunts and falls over a coffee table.
"Micki!" Ryan screams again. "Jack! Wake up!"
Warren picks up Ryan by the collar and slams him into a bookshelf.
"Now it's your turn boy..."
"No...No." Ryan breathes as the paw swings back and forth in front of him.
"Make a wish." Warren whispers.
"No...No!" Ryan screams, and suddenly blacks out.