Birchwood Manor

BM24 Part 2

Entering the Manor

Tim, Angela, and Carl dug out their cellphones and turned on the flashlight as theyy entered the manor.

Tim flipped the switch on the wall to no avail. “We should find the breaker box.”

. Jodi pulled a battery lantern out of her bag and set it on the mantel of the fireplace. “Somone should build a fire.”

There were two large coolers and a few large boxes next to the fireplace. The contents were some snack foods and makings for sandwiches. There was bottled water and soda in the other cooler. The boxes contained sleeping bags, pillows and blankets. There were also some utensils to cook in the fireplace.

Doug was looking in the boxes. “Here we go, fireplace matches. Looks like someone supplied us with wood too.”

“Carl, why don’t you and Jodi go searching upstairs. Angela and I will take this floor and the basement. See if you can find any heat sources, food, and running water." Said Tim.

They split up and began searching. Carl led Jodi up the broad front staircase.

“We should claim our rooms while we are up here,” said Carl.

“I can see why Tim didn’t send you and Angela together.” Jodi opened a door, glanced inside, and shut it.

“Oh, why is that?”

“You’d be flirting instead of searching.”

“Why wouldn’t I flirt with you?”

“I’m not in that league.”

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Taking charge

“Who died and made you the leader anyway?” asked Angela.

“Someone needed to do something,” said Tim. “We should check the basement for breakers.”

“I’m nt going in any creepy basement,” said Ange;a.

“Fine. Stay up here and search this floor.”

“Why do we have to search at all? We should be looking for a way out of here.

“Don’t need $25,000? Leave. I don’t care. Why'd you come at all?”

“I was curious. The brochure said this was a grand manor; not a scrap heap.”

“Well, I’m going down. Just go help Doug or something.”

“That grumpy old cripple? I’d rather read one of his books.”

“Whatever.”

Angela rolled her eyes and headed back to the foyer.

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Fire

Doug had a modest stack of wood in the fireplace and got matches out of the box. He struck a match. Wind blew it out and it was yanked from Doug’s fingers.

“Here, let me do it,” said Angela.

Angela reached for the matches but they flung across the floor spewing under the couch.

“What did you do that for?”

“I didn’t do it.”

“Well, what the hell.”

Angela tried but every match she reached for rolled away from her.

Doug sat with his back to the fireplace. “I guess they are all going to blame this on me.”

“You did throw the matches.”

Doug rolled his eyes and groaned.

The fireplace roared to life catching the edge of Doug’s jacket. Angela pulled him away from the blaze helping him out of the jacket and stomping it out on the floor.



Word count 496

Total words 1199 rup 1200