PADS #5

Elms deftly stepped out of the way of the lumbering giant and Wyse decided to hold onto his breath in case it was needed for the impending emergency. Before he could utter the oath which had sprung to mind, the gentleman had passed him without incidence and disappeared from view up the spiral staircase

‘Sorry, about that.’ said Elms, ‘didn’t expect him to turn round so fast, he caught me off guard. He didn’t hurt you did he?’

‘Of course not,’ said Wyse dusting down his shirt, ‘I was more concerned for you. What did you do to make him charge off like that?’

‘Nothing, he just went all silent, I mean a lot more silent than he was and that’s when he turned.’

‘Well, what’s he doing now?’

‘He’s waiting for us at the top of the stairs,’ said Elms peering round the coiled banisters.

‘Come, now. Friend here,’ came the voice from upstairs.

Wyse motioned Elms to follow.

Elms initial hesitance was quickly overcome, mounting the stairs he stood opposite the friend on the other side of a single door at the top of the landing. To try to out wait Mr. Wyse was futile and this way he had decided all by himself to follow the murderer without being told.

‘Mr. Wyse, he’s opening the door,’ said Elms questioning the wisdom of his reasoning.

‘Yes, I can see that,’

Looking upwards towards the expanding darkness of the unknown room, Wyse could feel his heart pounding. Steadying himself he knew there was of course no need to rush and was assured Elms had agreed with him upon this course of action.

‘Mr. Wyse, I really do think you should see this,’ said Elms gesticulating wildly towards him.

Preparing to give him his full support, Wyse resolutely held onto the handrail as if it was to give way at any moment. Reaching the top of the stairs an uneasy truce between the three hung in the air supported by the hallway light.

‘Well, what is it?’ asked Wyse.

‘It’s very dark in there.’ said Elms.

‘I can see that, but what can you see?’

‘Nothing really it’s just very, very dark and well he’s not saying anything, so I thought...’

Holding up a hand Wyse nodded at Elms to proceed who simply answered with a deeper nod back towards the man. Knowing he would have to verbally reprimand Elms, a flash of movement distracted him.

The friend suddenly lunged himself at Wyse

‘Watch out!’ shouted Elms, who reacted instantly this time and moved to intercept the lurching colossus.

            A scream cut through the air.