"Aunty Em! Aunty Em!"
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 6882
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The road was built out of yellow sandstone. Long ago, it might have been
divided into brick shapes, but erosion had blurred the lines, so that now
it was just a faded yellowish dirt path. It was lined by lush green grass,
and now a few wizened apple trees. All was quiet. "Waaaaaaah!" "Will you please, please, please, be quiet?" "Waaaaaaah!" "Look, I told you, I'm a professional, alright? I'll be fine!" Avery sniffled. "Promise?" "Yes! Now, please tell me where this place is? I'm--" "You're lying! Everybody I meet always leaves me! Dad, Mom, all my sisters and brothers--" "That's because your "Aunty" killed them! Avery," he gripped her by the shoulders, "this is important. Where is your Aunty?" "I- I can't say," she stammered. "Where is she dammit!" He shook her, hard, several times. She screamed. Then he stopped, drew in a slow breath, and asked in deliberate, dangerous tones, "Where...?" Avery's lip quivered. "Where?" he repeated, his tone harsher. She swallowed. That way," she pointed roughly southeast. "Thank you," he smiled, and took off in the direction she'd pointed out. He stopped at the treeline. "You can go home now," he added, almost as an afterthought. He ran into the brush. Avery gathered herself up and stood, brushing the dust off her dress. A few seconds later, Fred's head appeared from behind a bush. "Thanks," he said curtly and ran. Belboz walked into the room Normy had led him to. It was thus far the cleanest room he'd seen in the entire building. Dust was at a minimum, and it was actually quite well-lit inside. The decorator, however, had done something odd. On one wall, dominating the room, was a painting, entitled "All work and no play make Norm a dull boy". It featured nauseatingly realistic depictions of snapping tendons, fractured skulls, twisted guts with entrails strewn across the whole thing for good measure. It was signed, "Normy." "Have a seat," Normy suggested, hefting a massive sledgehamer onehandedly. Belboz sat as directed on an uncomfortable wicker chair. Suddenly, a door Belboz hadn't noticed when he entered, creaked open. "Whaddya waiting for? A frickin' invitation? Go in!" Norm ushered him with both enormous hairy arms. On the inside, was an great stone chamber with a huge tall wall in the center on both sides of the wall were stairwells, and near the roof was a balcony. In the middle, appaearing to be waiting for him, was a sweet little old lady holding a tray of muffins and tea. Pushing the tray to him, she spoke, "Ah, now. You're finally here. No, don't ask questions. It wouldn't do to keep Em waiting, dear." She hurried up the stairs. Belboz finished off the snack quickly, and waited. And waited... For a long while, Belboz was uncertain what was to happen. He noticed Norm was looking up at the balcony, waiting. Belboz looked as well and waited. And waited... Wouldn't do keep her waiting, he thought sarcastically. Hah! After some further waiting the old lady shuffled out onto the stairs. She opened her mouth. Better get an apology, sniffed Belboz. The room dimmed, and a chill settled in. Then a voice boomed, almost knocking him to his feet. "I AM EM, THE GREAT AND POWERFUL!" Belboz looked skywards, impressed. There was some top-of-the-line magic going down here... He looked up... It was the little old lady.
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The Inquisitor
12/31/1999 8:28:57 PM
Extending Enabled
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