The Games Begin!
#2 of The Manor
*(Long) AUTHOR'S NOTE (For which he apologizes): Well, it's been a long time coming, but it's finally here! The debut of the manor. for you new folks, I'm AK16. I already have two series on this site. So after this go check those out. For those familiar faces I say welcome back! Glad to have you reading my story again. So I know this took FOREVER to get up here, but life happens :(. Still, I hope you will find this is well worth the wait. Now a few things before we get started. I'm going to be honest with you, this is not a mystery you're meant to solve via the story itself. So what I decided to do to (hopefully) keep things interesting is to include some hidden clues for you all to find within the story. These clues will point to the killer's identity in some way. They will be somewhere in the story or in my notes so keep your eyes open ;) You never know what you might see. Also, when someone is dead, they're dead. No coming back or faked deaths here. Things will get violent and things will get messy, so consider yourself warned. So will you be able to find the hidden clues? Can you amateur sleuths capture a true professional? Or will the killer hang you out to dry? Good Luck, and please Rate, comment on what I can do better and what you liked, and above all... ENJOY! :) - AK. *
_The raffle itself was simple enough. Enter your name in a contest and win a two-week paid vacation to a fabulous island manor. It was a chance to get away from the daily stress of daily life with no internet, no phone connection, and no worries. Or at least that's what I thought. _
- Statement of the survivor of the Manor to Law Enforcement.
Angela sat sipping a mimosa in the main foyer of the Manor. Marble tiles lined the floor. A large fireplace stood towards the side of the room. Over the fireplace hung a large television that looked to be turned on, but there was no picture. Before her sat several platters of hors-d'oeuvres sat welcoming the guests to the beautiful home. Of course, Angela would have much preferred to be the only person here. These plebian people always grated on her last nerve.
From the side hall, an older man came shuffling in. Angela observed that the suit he wore had seen better days. It almost hung off his body, much like his green skin hung off his body. He smiled an awful smile.
"Excuse me, Ma'am," he said to her while pointing to the seat next to her, "is this seat taken?"
"Not at all." Angela said, despite the man's revolting appearance.
"Thanks. Name's Eugene by the way."
"Angela."
The Peacock's disgust was plain to see, but Eugene didn't care. When you lived to be his age, you stopped worrying about who thought what of you. While a part of him really wanted to tell her off, he believed in being a gentleman.
"Nice place, isn't it?" He said.
"Yes it is." Angela said, disinterested.
A servant came over to the two of them.
"E-excuse me, sir," she said trembling, "is there anything I can get for you?"
"No thank you, dear." Eugene said.
"A-and you, Ma'am? Is there anything I can get you?"
"No." Angela said.
The servant bowed to both of them and left the room, still shaking.
"She seems...afraid." Eugene said.
"Probably just her first day on the job."
Eugene smiled politely. That had to be the reason. After all, what could anyone here be afraid of?
***
A pair of rimless glasses sat on Curtis' face as he glanced at the business section of the newspaper. Yes, he may be on vacation, but the stock market was not. Investments could rise and fall at any moment, and he needed to be on top of that. He wished he could turn on the TV that was in the room, but it apparently had no connection, or so the servant said before almost spilling hot coffee in his lap.
He did not take his attention of the paper until he heard more footsteps coming towards him. He glanced up to see a female giraffe walking towards him.
"Pardon me, sir," she said to him, "may I steal the arts section if you are done with it?"
"Doesn't bother me." Curtis said.
"Thank You. I'm Carmen by the way."
"Curtis."
The Golden Retriever extended his hand towards Carmen. Carmen took it warmly and sat down to her paper. For a few moments, the two sat quietly reading their respective newspapers. Still, it was not like Carmen to sit in quiet for so long.
"Investor?" She said, breaking the silence.
"I am." Curtis answered. "How about you? What do you do for a living?"
"I'm a Professor. I teach English. I'm afraid I don't know much about the stock market."
"Don't worry. Most stockbrokers don't either."
Carmen chuckled, but she couldn't tell if Curtis was joking.
"Do you know much about literature?" she asked.
Curtis shrugged.
"Shakespeare. Lots of murder and death." He said.
"Oh yes! Great fun isn't it?"
"Mhm."
Carmen was not entirely convinced that Curtis was living due to his rather robotic nature. Still, having a robotic nature did have advantages. Advantages that Carmen thought could come in handy.
***
Christina tilted her head back and enjoyed the warm waters of the large hot tub. This was the life. No annoying photographers or runway "experts" gawking at her. She was even thankful the TV in the room was turned off. As a model she knew people would stare at her, but still occasionally it was too much. Sometimes she wanted to rip their eyes out and...
"Excuse me, can I join you?"
From the husky sound of the voice, Christina fully expected to see some hideous beast of a man standing by the hot tub. When she opened her eyes, she found she was correct save for one detail; the person standing by the hot tub was a female; a sow. She wasn't the most hideous person on the planet, but she was close. Still, the ugly people can't help the fact they were ugly.
"Sure, come in. The water is nice." Christina said.
"Thanks." The sow said as she hopped into the hot tub. "My name is Louise."
"Christina.
Louise lowered herself into the warm water. From the moment, the stick-like vixen laid eyes on her, Louise could tell she was being judged. Not that she cared, she'd be judged her whole life. She would never be a mechanic because she was a woman; she could never have a family because of how she looked. Now with her own shop, husband, and two beautiful kids, who could stop her now?
"So what do you do for a living?" She asked Christina.
"I'm a model." Christina answered. "Yourself?"
"Mechanic."
It was fun for Louise to see the pretty little thing joining her in the hot tub squirm. All beauty and no brains! This girl would never survive in the real world.
Christina shifted her body to put a little more distance between herself and Louise. There was something about her that was just...off-putting besides her looks.
***
Adam sat quietly in a room with a bunch of bookcases all filled. He figured it must be a library, despite the TV which hung on the wall across from him. Still, it was quiet. That's what most attracted the leopard to the room. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a deck of cards. A couple of games of solitaire would be perfect before he could scope out this place in full. The door behind him opened. Adam looked over his shoulder to see a large bull in a tweed suit enter the room.
"Forgive me," the bull said, "I was looking for a quiet room to read." He said.
"This room is plenty quiet." Adam said. "That is if you don't mind the occasional sound of cards shuffling."
"Cards, as in playing cards?"
"Yeah. It's what I do. Poker tournaments, Blackjack, you name it. Adam's the name by the way."
"Francis." Replied the bull.
Adam smiled and went back to shuffling his cards. Francis watched the man for a moment. He had seen this before. Another lost soul, gone down the path of sin and lies. It was his job...nay, his duty to send this man back down the path of righteousness.
"I think you should do some reading son." Francis said as Adam began dealing out the cards.
"Not a book person." Adam answered.
"There is one book that everyone should read." Francis said as he placed the book in front of Adam.
"The Bible? Yeah, no thanks. I mean, if you like it that's good for you. Hope it helps you. But me, I'm not so sure about God and all of that."
Francis shook his head and picked up the book.
"You never know when it's your time son." He said. "We all have a time to go. For all you know, you're time will be up soon. Do you want to risk the fires of Hell?"
"Well, I am a gambler after all. What's life without a little sin?"
Francis sighed and left the room. He was just wasting his time trying to save the leopard's soul. Adam smiled. There was no way he'd be conned. He made his living counting cards and reading faces; he wasn't about to lose to some preacher man.
***
Stephen drank deep from his cup of coffee. He had developed a bad habit of it while on the force. Still, as a NYPD detective, it was hard not to get addicted to something. Especially when you saw what he had to. Coffee provided sweet relief, even now in his retirement. He was glad the TV was not working.
He heard a door open and turned his eyes to it. A ewe walked in the room wearing a pinstriped pantsuit with an American flag pin on her lapel. She also held a steaming mug in her hand. The two saluted each other with their mugs.
"Hello." She said. "My name is Deborah. Pleased to meet you."
"Stephen. And likewise."
Deborah took a seat next to the bear. He was close to her age with a gruff exterior. But she was used to people like that. After all, when you're in politics being gruff is sometimes the best defense mechanism.
"So what is you do, Stephen?" She asked.
"Retired actually. I used to be a detective. NYPD."
"I see. Pardon me for saying but I could tell where you were from with your accent. Let me also say that I am greatfull for all that you have done to protect your community."
"You sound like a politician." Stephen said with a laugh.
"Well I am a councilwoman, but please don't think that's the only reason for the compliment."
"No worries. I always thought cops and politicians have a similar job. They need to keep people in line."
"I agree. And because of a few bad apples, we always get an unfortunate image."
"Well, at least the two of us fight...or in my case fought the good fight."
Deborah nodded at sat down across from Stephen. The two of them each drank their coffee thinking the same thing about the other; very good at their job, but perhaps a bit too naïve.
***
Geoff couldn't help but admire the mouse girl who jumped off the diving board. While he did feel guilty at staring, he couldn't help it. She was the perfect kind of nerdy cute. He took a deep breath. Now was not the time for nerves. He was going to have to be calm; especially if he was going to make it a full two weeks like this. As he was ready to walk to the pool, he felt a powerful bump send him stumbling to his side.
"Oww. Sorry." He said as he struggled to keep his balance.
"Watch where you're going." Growled a loud voice.
Geoff regained his composure to see a large hyena, young and incredibly well built glaring at him. He was a far better physical specimen compared to the young rabbit who stood before him. With a sneer, the hyena continued his way to the pool.
From the pool, Kristen sighed. There was no reason to be rude. After all the rabbit did apologize. But then again, there was also no reason for him to stare at her either. Still, having some people compete for her attention might just make a fun two weeks. Would be better then watching the TV located on the shed next to the deep end of the pool. When the hyena came to the pool and threw the towel onto a chair. He was a hunk, to be sure. Kristen couldn't help but gawk a little.
"Name's Drew." He said to Kristen. "I saw your move into the pool. You have great form. You a diver?"
"Not really." Kristen said. "I just like to swim and stuff. How about you? You have the build of an athlete."
"I play Linebacker for my college." He said booming. "Coach keeps telling me I have what it takes to make it in the big league."
"Good luck with that."
Kristen saw the rabbit boy at the end of the pool also place his towel down on a chair.
"Hey you." She called out. "Come here, why don't cha?"
Geoff walked over a bit timidly.
"Hi." He said. "I'm Geoff. What's your name?"
"Kristen."
"I like that name." Drew said like a predator who cornered his prey.
"Didn't catch yours." Geoff said rubbing his side.
"Drew. No hard feeling about that eh?"
"Yeah sure."
"Are you a student too, Geoff?" Asked Kristen.
"Yeah. I took like two years off after high school, but I'm still studying."
"I'm just about to graduate. What are you studying?"
"Drama. I kinda want to be an actor."
"Nice. What was your best role?"
"I played Hamlet last year."
"Heh. Shakespeare, really?" Drew said
"What? Murder and insanity too dull for you?" Geoff replied.
"Not at all. But I wish the damn guy could write in English."
Geoff was about to say something, but a quick look from Kristen told him it would be pointless.
"Well come on in boys." She said. "Plenty of room for all of us in here."
***
That evening, the thirteen guests sat around a large dining room table. The furniture was beautifully designed. Everyone introduced each other and talked about what they did, and how fortunate they were to win the contest which brought them all here. The meal served was esquisite. Clearly, no expense had been spared to ensure they had a spectactualar time.
After the meal was done, Francis took a butter knife and glass and called for everyone's attention.
"Allow me to propose a toast." He started.
Everyone grabbed their glass, some happily, others a little more relecutnantly.
"May the next two weeks be filled with laughter and merriment. And may God keep you all close to Himself."
Everyone participated in the toast and the evening seemed to be going well for everyone.
"This might be a silly question," Carmen said, "but has anyone else noticed that all the servants have ankle bracelets on?"
"I did." Drew said. "I had to wear one of those things for a little. It was awful."
"Dare I ask what for?" Stephen said.
"Party got out of hand. Neighbor was a cop and busted me. Always had a problem with me after he caught me and his daughter...well you get the idea."
"Well, I for one think it is great that our host is allowing people to reform their lives." Francis said. "Perhaps more of us should seek the road to redemption."
Francis glared at Adam as he spoke, but was largely ignored.
"Yes." Deborah added. "It's never too late to change."
"I don't know about that." Angela said. "Can we really trust them? They will be handling our things. Cleaning our rooms! For all we know we could be robbed blind...or worse. You shouldn't trust former criminals."
"I agree." Stephen said. "Then again, I used to be a cop so I am biased."
"I mean, for all we know they could be parking tickets or something like that." Geoff said. "Not necessarily anything like theft."
"Either way, it is odd." Curtis said.
"Can we change the topic?" Christina offered.
"I agree." Added Eugene. "How has everyone enjoied their stay so far?"
"Just fine for me." Louise said. "Hot tub is wonderful. You should all try it out."
"Hot tub you say?" Adam said. "Maybe I will."
"Could always use more company." Christina said with a glare to Louise.
"The pool is nice too." Kristen added. "The three of us were swimming for most of the day." She added pointing to Geoff and Drew.
The conversation about the finer points of the manor was suddenly interrupted by a large blast of static that came from the TV located in the corner of the dining room. Everyone turned their attention to the monitor. Red letters appeared on the screen along with a computerized narrator speaking.
"GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. I HOPE YOU ARE ALL ENJOYING YOUR STAY. I HAVE SOME IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR YOU ALL, SO PLEASE PAY ATTENTION."
There was complete silence from the gathered guests as the screen turned black and new words came on.
"I SEE YOU HAVE ALL ENJOYED YOUR TIME HERE THUS FAR. I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT. FOR THOSE WONDERING WHERE I AM, I WILL CONFESS THAT I AM AMONGST YOU RIGHT NOW, SITTING AROUND THE DINING ROOM TABLE. LET ME FIRST CONGRATULATE YOU. YOU HAVE ALL WON A CONTEST WHICH HAS BROUGHT YOU HERE. THIS CONTEST WILL CONTINUE. OF COURSE, ONLY ONE OF YOU WILL WIN THE PRIZE. BUT FIRST, THE RULES."
"AT SELECT TIMES, VARIOUS MEDALLIONS WILL BE HIDDEN AROUND THE HOUSE. THEY WILL LOOK LIKE THIS."
A picture of the medallion appeared on the screen.
"YOUR GOAL IS TO TRY AND FIND THESE MEDALLIONS. THERE WILL BE ENOUGH FOR EACH OF YOU, SAVE FOR TWO. AT MY CHOSING, ONE OF THE TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO DOES NOT POSSESS A MEDALLION WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM THE GAME. AND NOW FOR THE PRIZE. THE PRIZE YOU WILL ALL BE WORKING SO HARD TO WIN IS..."
The screen went black again. Everyone waited on baited breath to see what they could be playing for. They all leaned in, eager to see their reward. When the red letters appeared again, they couldn't believe their eyes.
"YOUR LIFE."
There were nervous glances and gasps of panic as the television continued to fill with text.
"HERE ARE SOME BASIC RULES TO FOLLOW AND RULES THAT I WILL ADHERE TO. 1) ANY ATTEMPT AT ESCAPE WILL RESULT IN YOUR IMMEDIEATE DEATH. 2) SERVANTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ASSIST YOU. AS I EXPLAINED TO THEM EARLIER IF THEY TRY TO HELP YOU OR TRY TO LEAVE THEMSELVES, THEY WILL ALSO BE EXECUTED. 3) EVERY ROOM IS BEING RECORDED SAVE FOR YOUR BATHROOMS. I WILL NOT INTERFRE WITH YOUR PRIVATE BEHAVIORS UNLESS I THINK YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO VIOLATE THE RULES."
"THE GAME SHALL BEGIN TOMORROW MORNING. YOU WILL ALL BE TREATED TO BREAKFAST IN YOUR ROOMS BEFORE THE HUNT FOR THE MEDALLIONS STARTS. BEST OF LUCK EVERYONE."
The screen shut off and the panicking began.
"What kind of sick joke is this?" Deborah asked. "I demand answers."
"Me too!" Yelped Curtis.
Francis began quietly praying to himself. Yelling and accusations began flying across the room. Stephen slammed his fist on the table, silencing everyone.
"Look, we are not going to get anywhere by panicking. Let's all try to stay clam."
"How can we stay calm!?" Christina shouted, tears and mascara running down her eyes, "he's going to kill us! Didn't you read the messages?"
"For all we know She could be trying to kill us." Drew said.
"This can't be happening." Geoff said, his head buried in his hands.
"Oh God, I don't want to die." Kristen sobbed.
More frightened voices filled the room.
"OKAY ENOUGH!" Yelled Adam who obtained silence. "Now I agree with everyone. I don't know what is going on and this is guaranteed the worst scenario any of us have been in. But it is clear there is only one thing we can do."
"And what's that?" Asked Louise.
Adam drained his full glass of wine in one gulp.
"Simple." He said trying to remain calm. "Whichever one of us is the bastard responsible for this wants to play right? Well, that's exactly what we have to do. We have to play."