Chapter 17 - Trapped
603 Words
"Hey, Stephen. Look at this?"
Stephen walked over to check out what Tyler had found. There was a lot of dust by one of the walls. In the dust were swirling patterns that led from their setup to the wall. It was as if a little tornado had gone through the place.
"This just keeps getting more and more weird. It looks like Val's portal to hell was very real. I wonder what they found in the footage."
"I'd say more questions than answers. I have to say, this had turned into an interesting evening."
Stephen didn't find this interesting at all. It was damaging his calm. He decided to update the followers.
"Hey, everyone. We're still here in Turner Street Place. We've had to stop walking the place to investigate something weird we've found. The infrared showed a swirling pattern that resembled what can only be described as a portal to hell. Val and Evan have gone to check out the recordings. If you've just tuned in, we've been at this since nightfall. We came looking for the paranormal and instead found a mystery. We're one Daphne and a Great Dane from being Mystery Inc. I know I'm overdoing it with the Scooby Doo references today. I guess I was hoping to unmask a ghost today. I'm really feeling a bit uneasy. I hope you guys are really appreciating this. We refuse to give up now! We will bring you more as we start to unravel this madness."
They looked around for any other traces of the supposed whirlwind, but it only appeared next to the one wall. After a couple minutes, they came across a hollow section in the wall. There was a release hidden close by. Stephen pushed it, and it popped the panel loose.
"If this were any more cliched, I'd think we were on a hidden camera show."
"Maybe we should avoid this door," Tyler attempted to back away.
"Are you insane! This is exactly what we needed to find. I'm sure we will find a logical explanation for all of this. On top of that, it's what our viewers would want!"
"I understand that, but we have no idea what is in here. I certainly don't remember THIS from my childhood. We should be prepared."
"Stop worrying so much. It'll be fine."
And with that, Stephen walked into the tight opening. It was a small entrance, about two feet wide, but enough that they could manage sideways. After about six yards, they came to what appeared to be a*****e room. Stephen immediately found an object of interest.
"Look, Tyler! It's a spinning spotlight and a wind machine. The heat of these lights couldn't cool out an infrared camera, and the wind machine created the whirlwind pattern on the main room. Seems pretty elaborate, though. Someone else had to have been in here. Let's see what else we can find."
They found costumes and mannequins. It looked like a secret lair for a master of disguise. This was becoming a cartoon. There are so many props and gadgets.
"Alright, ghosted fans. We've come across a secret room. We think this equipment might be responsible for our strange readings. We might have some pranksters within these walls. I'm hoping their practical jokes don't end up ruining our investigation. Thanks for sticking with us, everyone. We better get back to Val and Evan."
Tyler went back into the passage. He got to the exit, and it had closed.
"Stephen, we have a problem."
"Now what?
"The door is closed, and I can't find a way to release it …"
- Writer
