"There seems to be another house or possibly a stable near by. If the drawing is to scale and not just a child's doodle." Neal said pointing to the upper lefthand corner of the paper. "Keeping the casualties to a minimum would be appreciated."

"If it was to scale, I think we would have seen it when we went outside," Delia mused. "Still, it can't hurt to check it out--but tomorrow. Not tonight."

"He was trying to fix the lights," Mr. Quigley Earnest Dint added, placing a hand gently on Mrs. Baxter's shoulder.

“Electrocution?” Angie glanced around, but no evidence of electricity could be seen. Perhaps Dan had been electrocuted but still failed to restore the power. It seemed unlikely but she was willing to grasp at straws right now. But he was always careful around electricity.

She gave a nod of thanks to Mr. QED. Fixing the lights sounded like something Dan would have tried to do.

Without waiting for any further comment, Angie rose to go to the basement. The walk seemed like the longest of her life, but it was only a moment before she was kneeling at her husband’s side. She couldn’t be sure but had no reason to doubt the officer’s statement of cause of death. Yet the fuse box was empty and the power switch was clearly turned off. What could have happened? And there was the strange mark, F13, branded into his skin. What did it mean? It was clearly not natural. Who would deface her dead husband this way?

It was all rather suspicious, but for the moment she would keep those suspicions to herself. But then another thought crept in. What if Dan were only the first? What if…no, she couldn’t go down that road. Still, she was grateful they’d made arrangements for Grace’s care should the unimaginable happen.

Delia watched Angie for a moment, then softly went up the stairs into the main room.

"I know this evening hasn't gone quite as expected, but I think it is best that everyone remain close by until we know what is going on. Given that it is dark now, it will be best for everyone to remain in the mansion. Also, everyone will need a buddy. Find a buddy, and please make your way upstairs and settle into a room. Once it is light out and there is less of a need for candles, we will regroup and move forward," Delia said, giving a curt nod and then heading back out. She stopped, and then popped her head back in. "Oh, and there will be no room service. So take care of yourselves and do try not to burn the place down."

With that, she exited again and made her way back downstairs, crouching next to Angie and putting her hand on her shoulder.

"I am truly sorry, Mrs. Baxter, but...until everything can get sorted out, it will be best if everyone try to get a bit of sleep. I understand that you are grieving, but...I think it would be best if you shared a room with someone else tonight, just for safety's sake. Are you okay with that?"

"Guess it's time to find a room..." Lawrence said as he stood, extending a hand to Selena.

"Preferably a room with a view, if you don't mind, sir." the younger woman said in her best high class-mocking voice.

"I'm a billionaire, playboy and part time hero.... not Jennings." with that, Malcolm began leading the way out of the hall and through the mansion. The layout of the place was thankfully similar to most other abodes of such type he had been in, so finding their way around wouldn't be too horrible.

"And here is a room perfect for us. A bed and a sofa with a wonderful view of the midnight moon. Oh, and a fireplace." Lawrence added as he inspected the old contraption. "Better not use it, though. Seems to have a lot of soot stuck in the chimney. Doubt it's been used in the last century."

Selena was busy examining the room herself when she noticed the vintage decorations and beddings. "I doubt this entire room has been used in the last century, Lawrence. Still, it's in remarkably good shape..."

"As long as it sleeps fine, I really don't mind." Malcolm replied as he went about lighting the oil lamps in the room.

--------------------

Never being particularly good at consoling people, Neal merely stood off to the side while Mrs. Baxter had her moment with the late Mr. Baxter. Fortunately no one had started hurling accusations around as to what or who had killed Dan, though thanks to pass experience, the Darkling knew that couldn't be too far away.

Angie looked up at Delia. “Thanks. I think that’s a good idea.”

She looked down at Dan again. Part of her wanted to remain, to keep vigil and say goodbye to her lost love, while another part wanted to get away as soon as possible.

Angie rose to her feet. After a moment she decided to share her concerns with her hostess. “I’m not sure who might want to share a room with a newly-made widow though. I just met everyone else tonight, and while everyone seems quite pleasant they’re still all strangers.”

“You’re welcome to room with me tonight, if you wish.”

“Thanks a lot. And please, call me Angie.”

Mr. Quigley Earnest Dint decided not to follow Mrs. Baxter. "Miss Delia will take care of her, but Milady is all by herself." He took a candle and headed toward the conservatory.

Mr. Quigley Earnest Dint stepped on something that felt a little like a pipe. He slipped on it and fell, dropping his candle.

"I'm alright!" Mr. Quigley Earnest Dint yelled back down the hall, rubbing his head.

He must be looking for me in the conservatory. She crept into the hall. I knew I should've kept that valet around...

Seeing that there were no lit candles around (and no eyes to see by them), she made a dash for the conservatory.

Just as she entered, she heard a splash.

Mr. Quigley Earnest Dint lay at the bottom of an empty swimming pool, soaking wet. He saw a woman leap down into the empty pool (not young, but still untouched by old age), scrambling toward him with tears in her big brown eyes. She wore a rather expensive-looking blanket like a robe. He smiled.

No

"Milady...you're beautiful."

She threw her arms around him...but nothing happened.

Mr. Quigley Earnest Dint died.

"No!" she screamed.

It had been a while since Mango had needed to share a sleeping space with someone. Still, as long as the guy stayed quiet he would manage. Who to pick though? Not seeing anyone who seemed like a good choice, he decided to go with one who wouldn't be a bad choice, so long as he didn't mention his profession. He walked up to the cop and looked up at his face.

"Mind sharing with me?"

Time jump to the next morning

Selena awoke somewhat groggily when the warm light began flooding in through the window of the bedroom. Looking out the window she noticed the world they were in was... petrified, almost. Even more interesting was the sun, er, lack of a sun. It was light out, the kind you normal get when the sun is shining in the fall... but there was no sun.

Glancing over at Malcom, who had made a makeshift bed on the sofa near the old fireplace, the young miss Browning quietly opened the bedroom door and made her way downstairs.

The rest of the guests appeared to still be asleep as Selena made her way into the dining hall. The tall, rugged man in black was still in the room and apparently asleep in a chair. At least, he was leaning back with his fedora covering his eyes. Not wanting to disturb him, Selena existed the room and meandered towards the far end of the mansion.

As she reached what appeared to be a conservatory, Selena thought she could detect water... no, more like moisture or residue from something. Still, it was liquid. Cautiously entering the room, she noticed a large, empty swimming pool in the middle of the room. "Odd place for one of those..." she thought as she moved closer.

At the bottom of the pool was a woman, one that Selena had not seen before at the mansion, laying beside a man. After watching the two for a moment Selena realized that the woman was asleep... and the man was dead.

"No thanks bub, I don't think I'll be getting much sleep tonight."

As it turned out, Jeff one hundred percent correct as he didn't sleep a wink that night. Instead he found a nice, secluded exterior balcony and studied the midnight sky. At this time of night he should have been able to pick out his favorite constellations, but tonight he found the view overhead missing any point of light besides that humongous moon.

When Jeffery finally checked his watch, he saw that it was almost six in the morning. Then, as if on cue, the light began to fade in. At first, it was just like any other sunrise. Unlike any other sunrise however, the sun never followed. This world had light, but no sun.

"There is something very, very wrong with this place." Jeff concluded, before deciding that coffee was in order. Coffee made everything better. Thus, he headed off to the kitchen.

Angie had trouble falling asleep that night, and if it weren't for awakening to the wonderful aroma of coffee she might have doubted she'd slept at all.

She looked to see Delia already awake, sitting in a nearby chair, watching her.

Angie knew Delia was the hostess for the place and so was immediately apologetic. "I'm sorry for keeping you from your duties," she began. "I'll be fine if you need to tend to things elsewhere."

"It's no problem," Delia replied. "I wanted to make sure you were all right."

"Thanks," Angie said in a whisper, the previous evening's events crashing around her again. "I think I'll be okay."

"As long as you're certain." Angie nodded and Delia left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

A few moments later Angie followed her nose down to the kitchen.

Jeffery was midway through the first sip of his second cup when Angie entered the industrial sized kitchen. Thinking quickly he grabbed a clean mug and poured it for her, leaving of course, enough room for creamer and sugar.

"Coffee?"

Somebody was in the conservatory.

She sprang to her feet - and promptly fell down again. How can I still be in this form? My whole body aches.

Selena watched as the strange woman tried to stand, then fell down. Well, there's nothing else to do now.... "Hello? Are you O.K, ma'am? Do you need any help?"

--------

The somewhat nutty aroma of... coffee. Yep. It was coffee. Apparently someone had found the kitchen and was busy making breakfast or at least brewing something to drink. Neal stirred slightly from his slumber in one of the chairs in the great hall. "Huh, at least we actually have daylight here." he mused aloud to no one as he noticed the morning light pouring in through the windows.