The door was plain with a brass handle, hinges and fastenings, big enough to fill the entirety of the hallway and apparently thick enough to block off any sound from the other side. Luke looked down at Cory, who was leaning up with both paws against the door and meowing plaintively. “Alright, cat, I get it. I’ll open the door for you.” Luke replied, clearing his throat quietly as he twisted the doorknob and pushed the large wooden door open. As soon as it was opened enough for him to squeeze through, the feline darted through the opening.
Apprehensively, the former bank branch manager followed after Cory, pushing the door all the way open and swallowing hard at the sight that greeted him. Marianne and two other white robed figures were lying on the floor of the room beyond at odd angles, red seeping through the abdomen of the robes, unmoving. Quickly, Luke hurried over to Marianne and knelt down beside her, pressing two fingers to the pulse point on her neck. She had a pulse but it was faint as was the shallow breathing pattern her chest rose and fell in. “Marianne, can you hear me?” He whispered, watching the priestesses eyelids flicker in response and then snap open. |