HOTEL LEX - FLOOR 5 (30/?) (Patreon)

You kick at the mice while dashing towards one of the railway entrances. They part ways to avoid getting stepped on while still squeaking loudly. You peer into a complex system of rails that lead in every direction. The narrow space is inefficiently set up but still seems to function without clockwork toys crashing into each other. You spot a few large carts being pushed along and decide it might be the fastest way away from the Timekeeper. They are speeding toward you and you decide to jump into one.

You grab Emmett who is extremely hesitant about the plan. You tell him to hold on to you as the carts barrel toward the two of you. With a single leap, you land in a pile of metal jars and shoot off.

The cart sways left and right as you ride this rollercoaster to God knows where. At least the Timekeeper might not be able to find you so easily now. You watch as the cart travels through some narrow tunnels and then slows down automatically to a stop before being lifted by hooks. You find the opportunity to tumble out of the ride just before the cart disappears into the ceiling. You find yourselves in a room built along a large line shaft with rope bridges along each metal contraption. The room is less of a room and more a suspended platform; below, you see the first floor. The front of the clocktower is trashed with broken shelving and scrap. You do not see the Timekeeper or the Baron but that doesn't mean they aren't chasing you. You look across the space and see stairs leading further up.

As soon as you take your first step, the bridges start to turn at various angles. You step back, unsure how to cross the suddenly changing environment. You hear a squeak behind you and turn to see another mouse rapidly jumping up and down. It won't be long before they find you again. You wait for the largest gear on the line shaft to turn before making your next jump onto a platform. You turn to hold out your hand for Emmett but the platform shifts and you lose balance.

"Percy!" Emmett calls from out of view.

You are hanging on by just a hand, dangling over the side of the platform. The gear turns again and you are sent away from Emmett. You hear him yelling but you're focused on getting yourself back up.

"Need a hand?" A claw digs into your arm and you shout out in surprise.

The Baron's claws tear at your fabric, stuffing spilling out as he lifts you with one arm. He holds you face-to-face with him; his glasses are cracked and he is bleeding from his head but he is sporting a wide smile. You lift up the scrap gun weakly but he knocks it aside.

"It doesn't matter where you run, your soul is leaving a trail wherever you go. It's only a matter of time before I find you. Now, let's get that beautiful little thing into something less slippery."

The Baron pulls out a small faceless wooden doll from under his torn coat and presses it against your chest. Your senses immediately weaken as you look into his now-spiralling eyes.

"Yes, that's it, follow my words." His voice fills your head. You try to shake it off, fighting to stay in control. The sensation is almost as if you are a clam and he has cracked open your shell and is now teasing out the pearl of a soul inside you. Your eyes droop and your mouth hangs open, your body going limp as the doll pressed against you starts to feel more and more like you.

The tower shakes violently as the giant clock above strikes. The booming sound startles everyone and the Baron loosens his grip for just a moment. You feel yourself regain some motor function and you kick at your captor. He stumbles backwards, and you quickly grab the gun. You dig into your pocket and find the closest thing that feels round and stuff the die into its chamber. You point at the falcon, but as you raise the gun, a moving platform knocks him off.

"He is MINE," roars the Timekeeper who has climbed up from the side of the wall and is now leaping onto a large gear on the line shaft. His cloak is torn to bits and his thin body is revealed. He jumps onto a nearby platform but the large cog turns and everyone's position shifts once more. You find yourself on the other side of the hall and next to the exit. You spot Emmett who is frantically climbing up the side of a rope without anyone noticing. You look for the other two and see the Timekeeper much closer to you than the Baron who is still reorienting himself from being knocked down further back.

> Shoot at the line shaft.> Shoot at the Timekeeper.> Shoot at the Baron.> Make the jump toward the exit.

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