In the Kitchen

"Oh my," said Cynthia, eyes widening. "Well, then it's a good thing Lisette packed extra. And I suppose the bright side of everything looking dead outside is that we needn't worry about being attacked by animals. Unless that horse was one of the four horses of the apocalypse. Hmmm. Perhaps we should go investigate."

Cynthia stood up from the table and took a handful of allergy pills, washing them down with the last of her coffee. "A good offense is always the best defense."

In the Kitchen

"It's always best to face what's going to kill you head-on. Being killed from behind is, quite frankly, the most embarrassing way to die," Anna said and followed Cynthia.

"Get out, repeated indefinitely it seems...." Malcom said looking over Neal and Jeff's shoulders. Part of his college "hobbies" was breaking various codes with his friends. Well, only two other people... both working for the Burg government who had hired him "off the record" to test codes for the Feds. Morse was the most ancient and still his favorite.

"I'd hate to meet the poor soul that scribbled this together."

--------

Neal eyed the newcomer before putting his part of the map away. Quickly surveying the group that had formed in the conservatory, the Darkling decided to make a judgment call. I do hate having to do this so much....

Hopping back up on the rim of the pool, Decker adjusted his black duster before addressing the congregation. "Alright, we need to figure out what's going on here and preferably before more bodies start piling up. To make this go quicker, we need a couple of groups. One to stay in the Mansion to look for this key, if it exists, or any other clues to what's going on. Another to look after the bodies and make sure they don't go anywhere and finally one to accompany me on venturing outside again." he paused long enough to make eye contact with Delia. "If that is permissible, madame."

Neal eyed the assembly again before continuing. "You, you and you. Come with me." he said pointing to Selena, Malcom and Jeff. Sensing he was picking two fellow unnaturals (or at least Gifted) along with a less desirable though still possibly useful, Decker turned to exist the conservatory.

"Oh, and someone watch that horse-thing..." he said over his shoulder while passing Cynthia and Anna.

-----

Selena glanced at Lawrence and shrugged before following the gruff, fedora fellow.

"Excuse us..." Malcom said to the others before following his companion. "Not sure how I feel about this guy." he whispered to Selena once he had caught up to the younger woman.

"I think he's O.K... at least for now." she reassured her friend.

Delia shrugged.

"Sounds fine to me," she said. "Lead on, skipper."

Jeff grinned a grim smile, happy that someone was finally taking charge. The murderer was counting down the number of victims, anyone could be next. Now was the perfect time to act, to get something done.

"So what exactly are we looking for?"

"This, if it exists." Neal produced the second map that had been found and pointed to the upper lefthand corner with a picture of another building. "There's a good chance we won't find anything but I still want to have a look. Besides, maybe we can see something new in the daylight."

Jeff rested his hand on his now exposed blaster, "I like it. Lets go."

"Are we going on a hike?" said Cynthia, appearing in the conservatory. "I'm hardly dressed for it, but I suppose I will manage. Next time you Ditto Town folk plan a fundraiser, you should advise your guests to bring galoshes."

With a nod Neal opened the front door and stepped out into the dead world. Everything seemed to be the same as it was last night, just brighter. The clash of the bright, friendly mystery light with the ghostly landscape gave even the Darkling an uncomfortable feeling.

"Alright, I guess spread out and look for this..." Decker said to the group pointing to the building he had shown Jeff earlier. "Also if you find anything else of note, let the others know. Good luck."

After walking for about ten minutes, it was just about impossible to miss the structure depicted on the map, even when it was still off in the distance. Amidst the dead trees and withered vegetation, the healthy brown, perfectly vertical fence stands out as conspicuously as if it had been painted neon green. The wood has been polished and varnished so much that, at least compared to its surroundings, it almost seems to shine—though, upon closer inspection, it’s clear that all the care put into it can’t counteract the old age of the wood.

Within the fence, however, is another story. The fence is just short enough that anyone of average human height can easily look over and into the yard—the honest-to-goodness yard. There is actual, living grass—grass of an unhealthy, yellowing color, but alive nonetheless. The lawn has been meticulously groomed; the path leading from the fence to the house doesn’t have a blade of grass on it. The house itself is in similar condition; its faint, off-white paint is in pristine condition, the stone steps leading up to the door devoid of any dirt or plant matter. Almost the entire outside of the house looks brand new—with the exception of the light brown roof, where at its highest points, clear signs of weathering have begun to set in.

Just then, the front door opened, and out stepped a woman. She was short, barely taller than a child, and rather round, in both face and body. Though her hair was still dark brown, tied firmly under a red scarf, the rest of her face indicated she was an older woman, enhanced by the spectacles she wore low on her large nose. As she exited the house, the only indication she gave of seeing anyone outside her yard was a brief squint from her gnomish eyes, as she peered out through her glasses. After that, though, she dismissed whatever she saw, and began furiously sweeping the stone steps.

The small house really was quite striking against the barren landscape, in an extremely literal sense it was a sight for very sore eyeballs. Still though, the very fact that it existed was spooky enough for Jeff to remove his weapon from it's holster and to use extensive caution when approaching the chocolate brown fence.

"Hello there!?"

"Hello yourself." Given that the little woman didn't even look up at them, it was hard to tell whether she meant that sincerely or not. She continued sweeping up the stone steps a few moments more, before glancing up again, and realizing that the group was still standing there.

With a heavy sigh, she called out, "If you come in, don't you dare leave the path! I just cleaning out all the mess in the yard. And don't touch my fence!" With that, she moved on to the next step and started sweeping again.

Kai had followed Death, Neal, and Selena into the conservatory. She was about to call to them when she noticed a young woman looking up from the pool, looking at the three with a bewildered look. Kai hid behind some tall plants in the conservatory that looked like those ostentatious ferns that people kept around for no apparent reason. She watched Officer Evans examine the body and give a summary of his death.
"Too bad we don't have a medical professional around," she thought.
Suddenly, the wild-looking woman by the pool jumped up, and in a flash with many loud sounds and a stomp, turned into a horse. Kai jumped back, nearly knocking the extensive hosta collection behind her.
Once everyone had gotten over their surprise and the horse had settled down, Kai listened to the others' description.
So someone was killing others off in ironic crimes. And there was the matter of the number 12 and the chart. She found the Morse-code laden paper laid on a desk off to the side by the kitchen. She lifted it up and examined it further.If the message said "Get out," wasn't it kind of strange that a key--to get in, presumably--was on it?
She saw that the kitchen was empty except for Anna... and.. Anna. She raised her eyebrows. Would she get much out of this conversation? She sat down next to Anna, who seemed to be finishing her breakfast.
"Sorry about my abrupt leaving earlier this morning. They found this," she laid the key chart on the table, "in the conservatory, where Mr. Dint died. They think that the key's in the mansion." She looked up at the Annas, expecting a reaction.

To actually find the house that was on the map was one thing but to find it so close was another matter entirely. Also, the fact that nothing had been there the previous night. Nothing... just the wide expanse of dead ground, dead trees and the residue of dead grass. "Creepy...." Decker muttered under his breath.

---------

"Well, she seems nice enough. A bit on the peculiar side admittedly but most older people are... ouch!" Malcom's observations were cut short by a well aimed elbow to the arm by Selena.

Taking a few steps forward to stand beside the fedora man, Selena eyed the cottage again. "There's water here." she finally said. "Only here. Not even in the well back in-front of the Mansion."

"It's all too convenient but there's nothing else for it..." taking his fedora off and running a hand through his dark hair, Neal stepped up to the fence and proceeded to walk up the path. "Excuse me, Ma'am, but can my friends and I come in for a few minutes? We've traveled a long way and are kinda lost."

Not exactly the truth, but not a lie either. Hopefully the gnome lady wouldn't mind... much.

"Well, if this is the only place with water, and poor Mr. QED drowned in an empty swimming pool..." Cynthia muttered to anyone who would listen. "Keep your eye on the old lady; that's what I think."