When Manny Ashcroft aka Richard Hitchcock told himself he would someday have loyal friends, it wasn’t an empty promise.

6 Months before Abby, Beth, Charlie, Daphne, and Ethan arrived at the mansion…

“Is it almost complete, doctor?”

“Just about, Mr. Hitchcock. Do we have a test subject?”

“Bring in Sadie, Micky!” Richard shouted from the entrance of the cold dank cellar.

A moment later, Micky, along with another of Richard’s assistants pushed a gurney along the dark corridor, the sound of the gurney’s wheels echoed as it was being rolled in a cave. On the gurney laid a blond-haired woman, about Richard’s age. Her eyes were opened wide, as if she was in shock.

Richard gently ran his hand down her slender cheek. “Oh Sadie, you know I wouldn’t be doing this is you’re not one of my many favorite people.” Sadie’s eyeballs rolled in horror. She was injected a paralyzer a short while ago and though she could still roll her eye and feel the touch of Richard’s cold hand against her skin, she couldn’t do anything except endure it. “And it’s because you are one of my favorite people that I’ve chosen to immortalize you, to have you live among my treasures forever.”

A tear leaked from the corner of Sadie’s right eye as Richard smiled and patted her on the shoulder. “She’s ready.” Micky nodded and pushed Sadie and the gurney into the room where the doctor was situated.

“It won’t hurt a bit, Sadie,” Richard assured her as the doctor prepared her for the operation. “After this, you won’t feel a thing.”

Back to the present…

A loud knock jolts Richard from his thoughts. “Come in, come in, Micky.” Mickey enters breathless. “What is it, Micky? What’s getting you all worked up?”

“The girl, Abby, she had discovered your treasure room.”

“What?” Richard gasps. “How could you had let this happen?”

“I thought the door was locked, sir. I made sure of it this morning right after breakfast after getting your message about the gang want to explore the mansion. I don’t know how I can miss room ten.”

Richard grabs his cane, “Where is she now?”

“She’s down in the cellar, sir. I used the stun gun on her, knocked her out temporarily. She should come to in a matter of minutes.”

“Well, we need to eliminate her now.” Richard snaps. “Hurry, get the good doctor on the phone, have him come asap.”

“Um, where are you going, sir?” Micky asks as Richard steps out of the room.

“Where else? To the cellar.”

Theme: The Mystery of the Millionaire Mansion

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