Chapter 40
Even though something in your gut is telling you it’s a mistake, you follow Mr. Wentworth up to the top floor.
This staircase is just as long as the other one, and about five times on your way up, you consider telling him you want to turn around and go back.
But at this point, you’re committed. You’ve made the decision.
When you finally get to the top of the stairs, there are two closed doors before you. Mr. Wentworth leads you to the first of the two doors.
“This,” Mr. Wentworth says, his hand on the knob, “is our deluxe guest room.”
He throws open the door like he’s leading you into a grand banquet hall. So you’re a little surprised to find that the only things inside the room are a small cot covered in dark red stains, a mini fridge, and a bucket.
“Um, do you get a lot of guests?” you ask.
“Oh, loads,” he says. “They say it’s like staying at a mini spa.”
It doesn’t look like a mini spa to you, although it is, admittedly, a little nicer than your own bedroom at home.
He closes the door to that room behind him, and then you proceed to the final room. Mr. Wentworth is now positively beaming.
“This is my favorite part of the tour,” he tells you. “Prepare yourself.”
Then he opens the door. And you have to admit, you’re pretty surprised by what you see before you.
The room is filled with animal cages.
There are at least half a dozen cages, but only one of them contains an actual animal.
It’s some sort of wolf-like creature with a heavy build, white fur, and razor-sharp fangs.
It deeply pains you to see any animal locked in a cell, so your heart goes out to this poor wolf.
You can’t even imagine how awful it must be to be locked in that tiny cage in a rich guy’s attic.
Plus—let’s face it—Mr. Wentworth is probably going to eat the creature.
“This,” Mr. Wentworth informs you, “is a dire wolf.” He gazes at the animal with reverence, and possibly some hunger. “Isn’t she spectacular?”
“A dire wolf?” you repeat. “Aren’t they extinct?”
“Oh, no,” he laughs. “My dear, you need to brush up on your history.”
Mr. Wentworth opens his mouth as if he’s about to give you a little impromptu lecture about the dire wolf, which you are almost 100% sure is extinct, but before he can, a male voice calls up the stairs.
“Mr. Wentworth.” Carson materializes at the top of the stairwell, his expression grave. “Your immediate attention is required in the kitchen. The oven is having a malfunction.”
“Oh dear.” Mr. Wentworth shakes his head, distressed. “I’ll be right down.”
Carson waits for Mr. Wentworth to start down the steps, and then he follows behind him. But before he disappears, Carson casts one last look over his shoulder at you. The warning in his gray eyes is unmistakable.
Once the two of them are gone, you are left alone in the attic. Well, just you and the dire wolf.
That poor wolf! She looks so sad in her cage. No animal should be trapped in a cage. It’s wrong. Just looking at her is physically painful for you.
That’s when you notice a key hanging from a hook mounted on the wall of the room.
You suspect the key must open the cage. After all, what other purpose could it possibly serve? If you want, you could set the wolf free. Nobody could stop you.
But maybe that’s not such a good idea. After all, the wolf has very sharp teeth. And she looks hungry.
What should you do?
To open the cage, turn to Chapter 41 (page 100)
To leave the carnivorous animal with sharp fangs secure in her cage, turn to Chapter 42 (page 102)