Episode XXII

Marla Stewart thought that once word got out that the monster had been captured, people would stop being afraid to come to Acid Resort. The trouble was that word failed to get out. After a few days had passed with no newspaper headlines, it occured to her that there had been no headlines about the monster in the first place. Puzzled, she called the D.S. Scientific Studies Lab. They denied having spoken to her before, and claimed to know nothing about any acid monster.

She thought about calling a newspaper, but didn't for two reasons. Firstly, being in the Witness Protection Program, she didn't want to draw attention to herself. Secondly, what reporter was going to believe a story about a government conspiracy involving an acid monster? One from the National Enquirer, maybe, but even they would probably want a photograph. Oh well, rumors about the creature had spread without the help of newspapers. Without further sightings to keep fueling the rumors, they would die down. Eventually she would gain new employees and customers.

Later that day, two men walked through the front door. Marla put down the book she was reading and greeted them. They looked like locals rather than tourists, so she thought they were probably seeking employment. But there was something odd about them. Nothing extreme, but their movements seemed slightly mechanical, and their eyes had a glazed-over look. Later she couldn't decide if they reminded her more of zombies or drug addicts.

"Can I help you?" She asked. One of the men pulled out a gun and pointed it at her. Marla just laughed. "What makes you think I have any money? I've had only one customer in the past three weeks."

"We don't want your money," the man replied.

"What do you want, then?" She pushed the silent alarm.

"You have displeased Lord Acidity. You will come with us."

"Lord Who?"

The man not holding the gun walked around behind the counter. "If you resist us, you will be harmed."

"Wait a minute. I've seen you guys before."

"Do not resist." He began tying her hands behind her back.

"You two were with the group of scientists that captured the acid monster!"

"You will not refer to Lord Acidity as a monster!" The man with the gun yelled angrily.

"So that's his name, huh?"

The other man finished tying her hands, and put duct tape over her mouth. Then he blindfolded her, and led her out of the building, putting her into the back of a van. She couldn't tell how long they drove, but it must have been at least a couple of hours. She slept for part of the trip. When the van finally stopped, they pulled her out and led her into another building. Finally, one of the men removed her blindfold, and she saw that she was in a small bedroom, inside what appeared to be a log cabin, since one of the walls was made of logs. The room was furnished with a bed, a nightstand with a lamp, and a chair. The man untied her hands, and locked her inside. She removed the duct tape from her mouth, then explored a little.

The room had two doors besides the locked one. One of these belonged to a closet containing a few old coats, and the other led to a small bathroom with a shower. No windows, however. And no obvious means of escape. A few minutes after being locked in, she heard the van start up and drive away.