“The Doom Statues” — Chapter 46

Emily’s hard at work on her mural throughout the tour. She doesn’t find the presence of others the least bit distracting — on the contrary, she enjoys the warmth they bring to this environment. And if nothing else, it’s another attraction for luring and stimulating these guests.

When Denise materializes at her elbow, in the course of making random rounds all over the property, Emily’s only half paying attention. Even as her sister rambles on at length about some conversation with that witty kid from the Fairlawn Diner. In actuality, Emily is focusing to a much greater extent upon Tom’s latest workshop, to a classroom full of adults, in the front room down the hall.

“…yes and so as you can see, it’s a good practice to rub several coats of linseed oil into the canvas, allowing a couple of days for each coat to dry,” he is explaining, while Emily herself paints away, having by now moved onto the likeness of Liam Blodgett.

“Are you even listening?” Denise questions, “he said there’s a reason we don’t have any locals living here.”

“Hmm? Yeah, of course. But he’s not really telling us anything we don’t already know. And did he give any specifics, anyway?”

“What do you mean he’s not telling us anything we don’t know!?” Denise protests, “I never thought about this before. You’re saying you have?”