Enchantropy
Chapter Two
The Recurring Language of the Grotesque
The Duchess wakes up suddenly, scared and then meditative... A knock on the door.
-Excuse me my Lady, are you in here?
-Yes... You may enter Forrester, I am two clothed' dressed.
-Forgive my intrusion, but I have been looking for your grace for almost half an hour.
-What happened?
-I believe we've been drugged or captured in surprise, and brought to the inside of the manor. I woke up, probably no more than an hour ago... in a different room...
-...What? But I don't remember anything... Is it still high day?
-No. I found no accurate clocks in the house, but I believe it to be almost morning now.
I've searched the man that accompany us, but I haven't found him. I am bound to presume that he bears some responsibility in this...
-May be... You took this long to find me. He could be lost anywhere, a victim as we are...
-...No doubt, this mansion is huge and confusing, a labyrinth type construction. I could swear I crossed the same hallway and doors more than twice...
-We must leave this place at once. (scarily looking around) Where is the rest of my clothing?
-Here my Lady... (takes the only dress and secondary undergarment parts in the closet) Same situation as mine...
-Who dares undress a lady like this!? You must find a slave to punish him immediately!
-I am afraid I couldn't find anyone, my Lady. No one responded my pleadings throughout the house.
-Which parts of this house have you seen illuminated? (leaving calmly the four panel dressing screen fully clothed)
-Only a few... (looking through the moldy window) Curiously it seems to follow a strange prime number type rule. But it is to vast for me to verify for sure... and it could just be the order in which I enter the rooms... or a coincidence...
-No, that was a good notice. I am sure it could be a piece, or a part of this crazy grand scale riddle...
-...What? A puzzle...? You mean... a game?
-Yes, obviously. What other reason for our captor to use our wit, if not to kill us...
No reason for us to be breathing now that we are witnesses. Unless it wishes only to test our suffering deduction, until we break... (seriously concerned) Of course it is a game... ! A twisted game I wish to leave!
-...Couldn't it just be the work of ghosts...? (ironic)
-Don't be an idiot... no ghost or spirit could carry a human body around like this. This is a mortal' doing...
A scream screeching the walls beyond the grade of sounds, begins to echo the serenity of fear...
-Heavens pity lane! Can you identify where is this dreadful sound coming from Forrester?
-...It seems downstairs. (erratic) But I haven't found a way of reaching the lower floors... except through the barred windows of course...
-Damaging property? A little respect for the ethical laws of morality, Forrester...
They both open the double door to leave the room, but find a verdant and richly decorated interior garden – with fountains and small scale type waterfalls – instead of the obvious hallway.
-...What madness? Are we still under some psychotropic effect?
-Resulting in the exact, same illusion? ...Highly unlikely, this must be the real thing, Forrester.
Just try to be careful where you step... These puddles may hide trapdoors...
-...But, I don't understand... Is it, some sort of time or spacial illusion?
-Maybe both, or none. (carefully examining the surroundings) Maybe mechanical... Are you sure you entered through a hallway?
-Positive, my Lady... just a few minutes ago, I am sure... (confused and babbling)
-...Let's proceed then... Let the spirits be merciful of our chance in this invisible maze...
They advance through the interior garden until they find a clearing. A table with a dead rose in a jar next to a simple frame rested over and next to it.
-What is it, my Lady?
-...Seems nothing, just a photograph of the ruins between the graveyard and the manor... But it looks distorted... and this here, seems to be... (examining closely) ...a child... floating the skies in spirit form... but this is impossible!...
They hear another scream, louder and closer than the previous... a dead man's scream...
A black curtain – hidden behind the table – abruptly opens, showing a new room... A dark den, completely separated from the garden, and more resemble to an old opium room... Dark, until the decorative candles in the room, suddenly ignite a heavy flame of blue...
-Ah! Finally! Mortal presence at last... Please enter, distinguished guests...
A slightly open iron-maiden, dripping the blood of a recent victim, lies next to the throne like chair of the mysterious man that calls them in.
-Recognize your friend? He screamed all the lies in his heart and soul with little delight...
...But I imagine thee as civilized people... loose of all secrets... perhaps even worthy of my asphyxiating personal treasure...
...And surely capable of answering the simple riddle I propose... Hopefully, with better luck than all that preceded thee...