Chapter 14 ~ You Thought Wrong ~

• ~ You thought wrong ~
• The tour of the Lancashire Mansion had come to a close. Everyone had gathered in the foyer, beaming at the crowd, "Now, Aiden will take over going over the rules!"
• Smiling briefly, he scanned the location to make sure all eyes were on him. "Thank you, Bridget!" Aiden's tone was laced with honey.
• Aiden had stepped in as Bridget shifted the task over to him. All eyes were locked on Aiden. The Game Master cast a keen eye across the room with a smile on his face. The second he spotted Rosa, his expression matched Rosa's temperament.
• Rosa's arms defiantly crossed over her chest as she leaned against the wall. Her eyes scowled over at him. Daring him to make a move.
• Aiden stood at the front, "I am pleased to welcome you to Lancashire Mansion!" He smiled as there was an explosion of cheers. His voice was steady and clear as he laid out the rules of the Mansion and the thrilling contest that awaited them all. "The only floor you are forbidden to enter is the top floor!" He made it clear to the competitors. "At any time, a contestant may leave. At all times a car will be waiting out front to escort them away from the property. Accommodations have been arranged for those individuals at one of our hotels. Come Friday evening, everyone will be taken to Sharon Airport and from there they will be flown back to Canada!" He had finished off with his speech.
• The Game Master slowly moved away from the group, standing beside Rosa and harshly whispering, “Can you pretend to be excited to be here?”
• Rosa kept her sight locked on Aiden, loud enough for only The Game Master to hear her, “Remember this, Travis … I am not here for your enjoyment.” She briefly looked at Aiden, then back to The Game Master, who was trying to control his temper. “This little challenge of yours … I am not playing! In fact,” Rosa fixed the multi-coloured jacket The Game Master had on. “Once I am, done fucking with you, I am leaving!” She forced a smile as she watched The Game Master's shocked expression.
• “You can’t do this … I need 20 contestants!” The Game Master stuttered.
• “Oh Travis darling, that is your problem!” Rosa sweetly smiled. “Really honestly, I am not sure how you made it this far. Your channel sucks! You advertise for a grand prize, promisses of adventure and thrills with the same boring plot line. Predictable outcome ... the last contestant of the game comes stumbling out of the front door. Pale and frightened stating they will never go into the building ever again! You have a few shadows in the background … A lot of heavy breathing and screaming but there is no investigation. Ten years ago you were the channel that everyone ran to!” She patted him on the face. “Your days are numbered!” Rosa walked away from the wall as she joined the group.
• With his acute hearing, William had caught the conversation, “Have you forgotten the rules?” He asked in a low tone the moment he was standing beside The Game Master.
• The Game Master's jaw bobbed open and closed, “I have not, sir! Rosa is just ... being difficult ... She is trying to ruin me!” His heart rate had increased as he noticed the nasty glare William was giving him.
• William gave The Game Master a toothy smile. Flicking off a spek of dust from his shoulder. Narrowing his sight on Rosa, “You either convince her to be the 20th contestant, or you will be taking her place.” He widened his shoulders and stance.
• The Game Master had fear written all over his face, “but boss!?” He knew what the hunt installed. Stammering, "I will get her to be the 20th contestant!"
• William's nose was flaring as he pondered on the situation. A nod upward toward Aiden and the speech to the guests had come to a conclusion. "You are free to wander the grounds. Your meal will be ready in less than an hour." Aiden watched as everyone began filling out of the location.
• Aiden caught William's gaze, and for a moment, they both silently observed as Rosa gracefully exited the foyer. The only bodies in the foyer were Aiden, William and The Game Master. The Game Master was about to leave when William shot his arm out. Wrapping his fingers around his throat. "Your carelessness in bringing Miss Erickson here has cost you a lot!" William's eyes were glowing red.
• "I swear ..."
• The Game Master's words were cut off, with William tightening up his grip. "I am going to list off the things you have done wrong. Travis," He patted the side of The Game Master's face, "You are going to listen! You brought 'kin' to the hunt!" He placed one finger in the air. "Rosa is a 'fecking' fathlia who is in my house!" Another finger went up into the air. "And you picked Rosa ... to pay off a debt! That is the opposite of a random contestant!" Three fingers were placed in The Game Master's face.
• "I ..." The Game Master stuttered several times. "Yes, I paid Rosa off with the ticket. And for that I am truly regretful for my lack of thinking. But Rosa has no social media. Only a website for her business. A low key operation I am sure of it. She has no life ... I just figured ..."
• "You thought wrong!" Each word spoken was laced with venom. "Leave!" William ordered.
• The Game Master swallowed the saliva that was in his mouth. Moving his feet as quickly as possible, "she is going to screw me over!" He whispered in a shaky voice.
• Aiden watched as The Game Master exited the room. "Just to make this clear," he was nervous about hearing the response. "Is Rosa on the menu?"
• William glared at Aiden as if he had asked the most ridiculous question, "of course not!" He snapped!