I'd believe it, pinxjellybean, but I don't think the people took too kindly to that.
Chapter Nine
The miniatures clustered beside Tally, drafting plans of action which they hoped were clear and concise, but who knew with the Mayans and Civil War guys in the same room. Jed and Octavius were working toward a common solution when Tally took a step forward and instantly lunged for Ahkmenrah.
The report of a pistol shattered what once was the silence of the museum up to that point.
Kahmunrah had just gotten himself and his brother, who was aided by Tally, out of the way as the bullet tore through the chest of the wax man nearest to where they stood, and the exhibit was no more. "That was close," Tally breathed, turning to face Mrs. Tinsley.
"This isn't something you can get away with, Tally."
Larry bent down and addressed Jed and Octavius directly, describing in some detail the idea which formed in his mind after the rant Ahkmenrah had launched into about blocking the sun. The two miniatures nodded when it was appropriate. A few seconds after Larry shut up, the lightbulb lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Yeah, sure, Gigantor. We can do it," Jed said.
"Easier said than done," Octavius whispered in Jed's ear.
Larry directed his attention toward Tally, Kahmunrah, and Ahkmenrah, who all stood at the ready, watching Mrs. Tinsley. She cocked the gun again and took aim, just as a series of arrows of all sizes embedded themselves in her flesh. Some of the arrows were tied to ropes, and they were used to pull a struggling Mrs. Tinsley to the floor.
Tally threw the sword aside and grabbed the gun that had fallen out of Mrs. Tinsley's hands as she was pulled to the lobby floor. She struggled still, and Tally looked around to see who, besides the Roman archers, had fired arrows, though she could only glimpse Sacajawea and a few Native American companions.
Tally took direct aim at Mrs. Tinsley's skull as the latter struggled free against an unwielding force of miniatures several thousand strong. "I'd ask if you had any last words, but I have a feeling I know what you're gonna say." With that, Tally pulled the trigger.
The report shattered her eardrums, though at the same time it seemed to be nonexistant. The gun fell from her hands and clattered on the floor. While Mrs. Tinsley was no longer moving, she couldn't help but wonder. Her eyes drifted from the gun to the curator, who was staring at her, shocked, but unscathed. Her legs gave out, and Ahkmenrah caught her and lowered her gently to her knees.
"You really should improve your aim," Kahmunrah said nonchalantly.
"No, this is a good thing," Tally breathed in reply. "This means I'm not going to jail for murder."
"Which means she's still alive."
"She's still alive because there's a more complete way to kill her," Ahkmenrah said.
"You better have a good plan because it's exactly...eleven forty-five and fifteen seconds," Tally said, having to check her watch.
Upon hearing the time, Mrs. Tinsley tore free, grabbed the gun and notebook, which lay on the lobby floor where Tally inadvertantly left it, and rushed toward the door. "As soon as she's out, Tally, help me lock all the doors," Larry called. Tally shot to her feet and handed the key she'd carried with her to Ahkmenrah.
"I'm trusting you with this for obvious reasons. Make sure you destroy it after you lock the basement as best you can." Ahkmenrah nodded, and Tally rushed to lock every door she could think of that hadn't been locked previously. By eleven fifty, she was sure Mrs. Tinsley was outside, so she ran to lock the front doors against the moving shadows which had tried to eat their souls.
Ahkmenrah ran down to the basement, looking for the door labeled '13'. He shoved the door shut and locked it, checking it twice and barricading it with the nearest series of crates to be sure. He could hear banging on the doors, and he was certain it was close to midnight.
He rushed to the boiler room, broke his way in, and threw the key into the boiler before leaving as quickly as possible.
Tally watched the shadows press on the front door, almost damaging the glass as they spread. She grabbed her flashlight and turned it on, aiming it at the shadows, who showed no reaction. She turned the flashlight off and tucked it away again, proceeding to check her watch. Okay, she thought with a sigh. Three minutes to show time. She looked at the door again, where Mrs. Tinsley stood, the gun held high above her head. She cocked it, pulled the trigger, and waited. And waited.
Tally dug out the bullet from where it had been buried in the floor, waving it between her fingers in a taunting fashion. "Last one," she said. Mrs. Tinsley bashed the butt of the pistol against the glass, cracking it twice. Tally checked her watch again. "Don't think your soul-stealer buddies'll like you much in thirty seconds."
Within seconds, the shadows began to dissipate, and again, Mrs. Tinsley bashed her pistol against the glass, in vain. She was claimed by a column of shadow, and it left no trace save the pistol and notebook. Tally carefully unlocked the front doors, walked out, and picked up the notebook, flipping through it. There was not only the entry on Basement Thirteen, but another entry, describing the soul-stealers in all the gory details necessary for horror fans to even pick up a copy.
She walked back inside, both items in hand, locking the doors behind her.
