IC: Ch. 9a: The Great Escape (Eddie, Alyssa, Aunt Loosa)

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm glad you two made it back," says Eddie. "Let's not mark our trail after all, then. That trapdoor would be easy to seal from above, but not so much from below."

OOC,Are there handles on the underside of the trapdoor or something? I'd like to slide something through them or tie them down to keep the trapdoor from being pulled up.

[BenTheRat]

You see there is a handle on the bottom side, and the door lifts up.

[Mr. Handy]

"Anyone got anything sturdy we can slide through that handle?" asks Eddie. "If it juts out past the trapdoor, that'll keep it from opening. If we have to, we can use my nightstick or Aunt Loosa's cane, but we might need those."

[Tabs]

"Righto," replied Alyssa, placing her compact away.

Mr. Smith, you made it back to us!" She looked at Richard and she gasped when Norman told of cultists.

OOC:   Alyssa has a satchel--for her camera kit--(I think so, anyway), can its strap be tied from the handle and round something sturdy?

[BenTheRat]

Looking at the trap door you could tie a strap or rope to the handle and then tie it around one of the ladder rungs. How long that would hold you aren't sure, it could be a very long time or only a matter of a few minutes. And they maybe opening the door any minute, if they were as close as Norman said.

[Mr. Handy]

OOC,I think we're better off just sliding something sturdy through the handle so that it juts out past the edge of the trapdoor. That only takes seconds, and it will keep someone from pulling it up. If [b]Aunt Loosa[/b] isn't willing to give up her cane, I'll use my nightstick, but I'd hate to lose it.

[Tabs]

"Auntie's cane is too flimsy," thought Alyssa, "but surely she needs it to walk? It's going to have to be your nightstick, Eddie ... or my strap." She looked round quickly, aware that the cultists could be on them at any moment.

[Mr. Handy]

Eddie slides his nightstick through the handle so that the end juts out past the edge the trapdoor, making it impossible to open from above. "You're right," he says. "We don't have time to tie it down. Let's get moving fast. That'll delay them, but eventually they'll either break the trapdoor open or enter the tunnels some other way."

[BenTheRat]

You slip the nightstick through the handle and almost immediately it bangs as the trapdoor is yanked upwards. The Stick holds but it is a little loose not being an exact fit. It could come loose given enough time, but for now it is holding.
The door is yanked up again, "There is no where to run," you hear yelled down from above. "You are trapped, like rats in a maze. You will all soon be joining your friend you left abandoned out here all alone."

[Mr. Handy]

Eddie puts a finger to his lips, indicating to the others that they should not make any noise. Drawing his revolver, he leads the way down the tunnel to the south.

[Tabs]

Alyssa shepherds the prisoners after Eddie.

"Sounds as if Scott is gone," she whispered after they had walked away from the trapdoor. "These people, they are truly abominable. Maybe it's wicked of me to say this, but if one was in my sights I wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger."

[BenTheRat]

OOC:   Everyone make a listen check

[Silver Priest]

"I w...won't let any of them harm you." Norman assures Alyssa.

Spoiler:

[dice]0[/dice]

Despite his panic, Norman hears something.

[Tabs]

Alyssa Listen check [dice]0[/dice]

[Mr. Handy]

Eddie thinks he might have heard something, but he can't quite be sure.

OOC,Listen roll (55% skill) in the tunnel: [dice]0[/dice]

[Papa Gateau]

OOC,Listen[25]: [dice]0[/dice]

[BenTheRat]

Norman,You hear people coming down the ladder and splashing from up ahead.

You travel south down through the passageway. The splashing of your feet cover up most sounds, though you can hear them still struggling with the door behind you trying to get the nightstick to fall out of its locking position.

[Silver Priest]

Norman stops the group. "I hear people coming down the ladder, and sounds of splashing from up ahead!

[Mr. Handy]

"If we go back, we'll be caught between them," whispers Eddie. "If we rush forward, we may surprise them before they're ready for us."

[Tabs]

Alyssa began saying the Lords Prayer over and over again inside her mind.

"Let's go surprise them," she said brightly.