dematerialized while responding, “Ask her.”
George took a defensive posture and faced his ex-mother-in-law. She now had a large wooden spoon in her hand, and she was stirring a sizable bowl of macaroni and cheese. She glared at George, and a calamitous grin appeared on her face.
“What’s so damn funny?” George sneered.
Instead of responding, his mother-in-law burped up chunks of meat and spit them into the bowl. After giving it a quick stir, she lifted the delicacy and tilted it toward George.
Taking a few steps forward to peek in, George saw the partially digested pieces of meat turn into miniature pigs. He became sick to his stomach as the tiny swine devoured the macaroni.
George was now more unnerved than ever. “What the hell is going on here? Don’t make me ask you again! You better start talking!”
The woman dropped the container to the floor. As it hit the tile, the bowl shattered. What was left of the macaroni took form and added to the number of pigs.
George tried to avoid the tiny swine as they swarmed between his legs and attacked the soles of his boots. Many chunks were torn away from the leather and an equal number of swine were crushed beneath his feet before the rest darted across the room like mice and disappeared through a hole in the wall.
Finding his ex-mother-in-law’s eyes, he watched her laugh as she lifted her hand and pointed toward the table where Abbie had been sitting. She hissed, “Your daughter is in danger, George! She’s in danger!”
George’s heart sank as he watched an image of Abbie appear, only to vanish again. A chill ran through his body as every hair on his arms stood on end. Before he could utter another word, the image of Abbie’s grandmother also faded. The kitchen melted away, leaving behind the darkness of the cave, lit only by the torch he had dropped on the floor.
He moved to pick it up. He shoved the flame forward in order to light the way ahead. “Hello!” he shouted. He took a few steps, moving the torch from side-to-side and circling to see if he was alone. “Abbie, where are you?”
George felt lost, helpless, and terrified. “Abbie! Daddy’s here, baby! I need you to call to me! I’ll find you!”
He took a few more steps, continuing to move the flame from side to side. The light from the torch found the edges of what appeared to be an altar, similar to the ones Sam and Shalee woke up on back at the temple. The glow of the altar intensified, shedding light throughout the cavernous room. He could see everything, and laying on top of the altar was the staff he was after.
As he approached, his mind went wild. He stopped and took note, realizing the only way out of the room was through the red door he had entered, which now sat more than 30 paces away. As if triggered by his attention, the door dissolved and revealed the way back to the rest of the cave.
George rushed to the opening and shoved the torch through it. Beyond, there was nothing but the long corridor. He shouted again, “Abbie! Abbie! Answer me, baby!”
He stood still for many long moments and waited for a response. Nothing. As he turned around to face the altar, the room went dark. The only thing that remained lit was the staff resting at the center of the altar and his torch.
George fought to clear his mind, his blinding love for his daughter was making it hard to focus. The sight of the staff, and the way it was lit, toyed with his mind.
His thoughts raced. Am I sane?
He lowered the torch to check out the soles of his boots. As the flame lit their surface, nothing was out of the ordinary. It was as if he had never been attacked.
He moved to where his weight had crushed the pigs. There were no remains. I’m losing it.
After many long moments of turmoil, George convinced himself it was all an illusion. He turned his attention back to the staff. I hope you’re real.
He boldly walked over and reached out. As his hand made contact with the object, he quickly pulled it away. Crap ... it is real! He took a few steps back. Now his mind was racing in a whole new direction. If the staff is so powerful, it’s got to be booby-trapped. I could die if I take it. That’s it. It’s rigged. The staff is