Chapter 2 ~ Present Date ~

• ~ Present Date ~
• The Game Master stood in the middle of the aisle. With his head held high, he commanded attention from those who had joined his contest. He raised his hands in the air as he got ready to address the contestants. The chattering of the crowd slowly died down. He loved the rush of being the center of attention.
• "As you already know, we are heading to the famous Lancashire Mansion. There, we will have access to the latest merchandise that hasn't even been released to the market yet!" The Game Master paused, allowing the anticipation to build among the audience. The Game Master cleared his throat. All eyes were on him, raising his hands in the air, "I know! it is exciting, right!?" His smile had reached his eyes as he absorbed all of the fame he was getting.
• Rosa did not need to look around to see doe eyes glaring at The Game Master. She could feel the energy around her as he continued, "Our skills will be pushed to the limit. Thrills, excitement, and dangers await us!"
• He paused dramatically. "Lancashire Mansion is said to be the most dangerous ... haunted place to be." He changed the tone of his vocal cords to match the tale he was spinning. "With tragedy, murder, and lives cut short, you will encounter benevolent hauntings and, worst of all," he paused for dramatic effect, "malicious demons!" His tone was low as if he were trying to frighten the listeners.
• 'The only danger to these people is your piss poor acting skills!' "Pssht!" Rosa gave The Game Master a sarcastic look.
• Mutters erupted while some of the contestants gasped. The Game Master's theatrics were working on his audience, who were whispering to one another and spinning their own tales of horror.
• Meanwhile, Rosa rolled her eyes at the Game Master, 'Whatever!' Rosa mouthed to The Game Master.
• The Game Master glared briefly at Rosa, narrowing his eyes to silently signal her to stop and not spoil his fun. A mischievous smile grew on Rosa's face as if to challenge him, 'What will you do if I don't?' She silently chuckled.
• "Five days!" The Game Master held up his hand. "That is how long you have to remain at the mansion. As you all know, there is a grand prize for those who can stay in the Mansion the longest. I have also been informed by the Earl of Lancashire that the contestants who remain ... will also be allowed to take home the merchandise used in this competition. All of the ghost-hunting equipment will be yours. The only request is that you leave a comment in the product review." The Game Master basked in the cheers that erupted.
• Rosa suppressed the bile that threatened to erupt from her mouth. 'You have to be kidding me!' she thought to herself as The Game Master narrowed his gaze on her once again. 'The son of a bitch is loving the attention they are giving him. Self-absorbed, egocentric little twit!' She curled her lips into a snarl.
• Everyone stopped chattering as the sound of a male clearing his throat could be heard. "This is your captain speaking!" The passengers had calmed down to listen to the announcement. "I ask that all passengers find their seats and buckle up. We will be taking off in five minutes," the male voice said.
• The Game Master took the seat beside Rosa, his eyes never leaving her as he buckled himself in. He watched as Rosa filled her lungs and then slowly released her breath.
• While Rosa and The Game Master engaged in their staring contest, the pilot went over the safety rules of the jet, making sure not to overlook anything the passengers needed to know. "Thank you, and enjoy your flight with Sharon Airline!"
• Gritting his teeth, The Game Master said, "You better not be a pain in my ass, Rosa!" His nostrils flared. "My job depends on your compliance!"
• "You should have thought about that beforehand!" Rosa plastered a smile on her face that did not reach her eyes. "Travis ... this is your screw-up!" she said sweetly but only loud enough for The Game Master to hear. "I am here strictly because you owe me money. I get a free trip to Ireland, and what I do after we land ... that is my own business!"
• The Game Master was breathing rapidly, panic written all over his face. He knew that Rosa wasn't going to do as he wished. Once his master found out, there would be a price to pay.
• Leaning over, she said, "Sorry, Not Sorry!" using her tag name, she darkened her gaze. Rosa then sat back in her seat as the jet began to move.
• Looking out the window, 'it has been 10 years since the last time I had visited Ireland. I wonder what has changed.' Rosa closed her eyes briefly, only to glare daggers at The Game Master once again.