Snippet #1695955

Guess. Guess what! Always with the guessing. He got enough of that at home with his kids. But the familiar question still brought out the familiar reaction of a pleasant smile and he turned to look. Guess at what? He didn't care. It was more of a reflex than anything. Still, it didn't help that James had had to point her out before Tom had notice or figured out what she was saying. He simply hadn't noticed. Oh, horrors.

For a moment, his attention was held by the butler. So, there were three passages into each room? The first was the door, of course. The second was the vent. Oh yes, now he remembered. Deget had showed him and he had almost gone up in one. Until the creepy ghost found him. Maybe he really should tell Deget what he had seen...

What, and have her realize how crazy he was? Tom shook his head. No, he simply could not tell her yet. He did not feel like losing a friend simply because she believed he belonged in a sanitarium. He wasn't crazy. ...Yet.

And the third way? A trapdoor in the wall. Tom immediately investigated only to find it impossible to use. He couldn't fit through, and even if he could he would only hurt himself. No sane man would try to fit through. No crazed man would either, actually. Not unless they were really, really far gone. But he made sure to remember its location. It might come in handy, later.

The butler yawned and Tom glanced over. It was only natural that the boy would be tired. Poor child, Tom couldn't remember when James had slept last. Come to think of it, James hadn't slept at all. But the butler was still needed and he needed to explore. He covered his mouth to hide a yawn before approaching Deget. "Deget..." Hesitation. What was he going to say? 'Hi! Want to come explore with me so I can set up traps and make the other contestants kill each other so I won't be guilty of actually hurting anyone'? He opened his mouth to say more, but then she began babbling about her latest find. A secret tunnel? Oh, this was important. If he could find out where that path led, and to which rooms it connected...

If he could map the vent, he could rule the entire mansion! He'd be the phantom of the mansion! No one would know, it would his - and Deget's, mustn't forget her - secret! Grabbing her shoulders, he gave her a gentle shake and locked eyes with her. Probably not the most pleasant experience for the poor girl, but it would make sure she listened. "Deget! Do. Not. Tell. Anyone. Ever!" No one must know. "This will be our secret. If we find a way out, then we tell everyone. But until then, no one must know. Understand?" Yes, he didn't even have to tell her his plans. If she was trusting enough... If he could gain her trust, he just might be able to use her.

No one must harm Deget. Ever.