HOTEL LEX - FLOOR 5 (35/?) (Patreon)

You reach over to a red valve and twist it hard. The built-up pressure finds escape through the knob which breaks off before shooting out like a bullet. It rips through your hand and grazes the Timekeeper's face. He stumbles backward and howls in rage as steam pours out into the room. Then another pipe nearby bursts and suddenly, you're in a mist too thick to see through. The heavy dark silhouette stands visible in the spotlight of the sun as you drop to your hands and knees. Then you hear a yell— a yell that does not sound like a broken radio but the cry of a fellow companion. It is followed by the sound of splintering wood and metal. The engine howls in rage that is cut short by glass shattering. You squint your eyes to observe the situation and walk blindly into the fog.

Emmett pants heavily as he drops the hammer and rushes toward you to hug you. You are slightly taken aback by his presence but you comfort him by patting his head with one arm. You walk toward the pile of rubble where the shadowy figure once stood. The mice are crowding around the bits and pieces of broken wood and gears, scurrying over the body like fresh meat. You look at your companion who has his eyes shut and is bawling into you.

"Y-Your arm!" He manages to squeak out.

You tell him you don't feel any pain, just numb. You reassure him that you still have the thread that may be able to fix you. He stifles an apology and you hold him tight as you look around once again. The pipes have stopped shooting steam and now a peaceful haze hangs in the air reflected brightly by the sunlight. You hobble toward a nearby railing and support yourself.

"Oh, oh my goodness!" Emmett says, wiping his eyes suddenly. "T-there's an elevator in the rafters, w-we need to hurry!"

You look up and see a faint red light that sticks out like a sore thumb from the shadows. You hang onto his shoulder as he pulls you toward a ladder. He takes the lead and you weakly hang on, hoping that your seams hold lest your arm rips off. You both clamber along wooden beams toward an open elevator. You take one last look below you at the destruction that happened and shake your head. Somehow, through it all, a couple of plush toys have been able to make it past the mechanical jaws of a beast relatively unscathed. Emmett drags your body into the sleek metal elevator before collapsing onto the floor next to you. You look at the interior of this portal and it is much bigger than the previous one; there are front and rear doors and the layout is a rectangle rather than a box. You look up at the interesting form language that feels alien to the world you just visited. Its 45-degree angular cuts and sectioned panels remind you of space movies. Some black liquid seeps down the side of a vent and you scoot away so as not to stain your own white fabric.

Emmett takes off his glasses and polishes them between his paws. He looks over at you and musters a weak smile before leaning his head back against the wall. You peer down at your own arms; one is empty of stuffing and ripped apart, the other sports a hole where the valve ripped through at high speed. You tie your right arm into a knot to conserve the limited amount of fluff you have. It is highly unlikely that wherever you are headed next has replacements.

"S-Should we get a move on?" Emmett finally breaks the silence.

You nod your head and look over at where the elevator buttons would be. Instead, there is a tablet of sorts. You stand up and tap the screen but it is locked. You look over at Emmett who stands up to investigate. You tap the screen again and a lady's voice speaks up.

"Access denied, administrative override required."

You blink and tap it again. "Access denied, administrative override required." And again, "Access denied, administrative override required. Security lockout in two attempts."

You hear gears scattering across wood as if someone just kicked a pile of scrap and you both jump. You cover your mouth, trying not to make a sound as you exchange looks with Emmett who is also covering his mouth. You listen carefully as the wood creaks with every footstep. It wanders around on the floor beneath but then stops. The silence is deafening as you press yourself against a wall to hide.

"You're drifting..." you hear the Baron say. "Your soul needs a new body to possess..."

You jump back in fright as a claw slams into the side of the doorway. A falcon's head appears from the darkness, his eyes glowing bright with rage and hunger.

"I have missed this chase, a chase with prey that won't give up."

The clock tower suddenly shakes as the minute hand meets the hour. You look up at a terrifying sight; perhaps it was the vision of prey being hunted by a predator, perhaps it was just the Baron who stood before you. Either way, his tenebrous silhouette steps into the light of the elevator and trembles in fear. His glasses were once the only thing between his eyes and yours; now, his piercing gaze finds its target with ease. He is panting, blood dripping from his talons, his coat ripped apart from the fight. He pulls out the faceless doll and holds it before him like a chalice raised in a toast.

"Nowhere left to run."

Emmett dashes between you and the Baron and holds his arms out.

"G-Go away!" he says, terror in his voice.

The Baron laughs before grabbing the bunny and holding him in front of you.

"The easy way? Or the hard way? Your choice."

You grit your teeth as you watch his talons extend into Emmett's neck.

> Attempt to hit the tablet again. > Surrender. > Throw yourself at the Baron.

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