Play@YSDC

There's nothing in the bathroom that looks like it would be hiding the key.

"Was there anything in the medicine cabinet?" asks Harry.

"What's that dork doing?" Shirley says out loud when there is no answer from the boy. "Louis!" she tries again.

Shouting down the stairs, Shirley doesn't hear anything from Louis. Then there's a crash of thunder, a flash of lightning through the landing window, and the wind roars, howling through the boards and shutters on the window, slamming doors. As the wind dies down again there's a moment of quiet. And from somewhere nearby there's a sound of scuttling and scratching, coming from the wall by the bathroom, or above the wall, overhead. Something scuttling overhead.



The silent reverie is broken by the west door bursting open, and Roger striding out. 'So you freaks finally made it up the stairs.' He pokes Ian in the chest, 'I hope you didn't piss yourself, little Baby Pickett.' He says the last bit in a sing-song baby voice and Ian quails. Then Roger looks around. 'Hah, where's Shitburger gone? Hiding in a corner crying for his momma I reckon.'

Roger looks twitchy, the skin on his face even twitches, you can make out some scars you hadn't noticed before.

Hard Notice (60% / 2 = 30%):
d%

"He's coming right up," Shirley covers for Louis. "What happened to your face?" she frowns and tilts her head as she takes note of the weird features.

Harry thinks to himself that maybe Roger was born with his face looking like that, but he's smart enough not to say so in front of him.

Notice Stuff roll (40% / 2 = 20% skill) upstairs:
d%

Notice stuff: 40%

Kyle as soon as sees Roger simply hides behind Harry and don't notice anything.

Notice 40:
1d100

Darren is too busy calming Ian down."its ok, dont listen to him, he'll get whats coming to him."

Facing the bottom of the stairs Darren shouts down, "Louis!!"

'Nothing compared to what's gonna happen to your face if you don't shut up,' he spits at Shirley.



Ian clings to Darren, 'Why's he so mean?'

Roger just laughs harshly, 'You ain't seen nothing yet crybaby,' and he kicks the wall as hard as he can, his sneaker punching through the plaster and sending a few startled brown rats scurrying out of the wall space. 'Anyone want some?'

"Because he's a jerk and a bully!" Darren tells his.brother.

"We should go find Louis," says Harry.

"Y-yes, let's go find Louis"- says Kyle that just want to leave Roger and goes to the stairs.

Clearly rather pleased with himself, Roger stomps off to the other end of the hallway and opens a door to the north, slamming it behind him shouting 'I hope Shitburger didn't get eaten,' with a cruel laugh.

-----

From the top of the stairs, Harry, Darren, and Kyle don't hear anything from downstairs, certainly not Louis. There's no movement from the entry hall, and any sounds are faint and unidentifiable.

Shirley shuts her mouth with a frown not wanting to antagonist Roger any more. "Does he seem more of a jerk than usual?" she asks the others as she turns to head back down the stairs.

It was weird that Louis was not answering back. He was right behind them and the house is not big enough for him to not hear their calls.

"Hopefully, Louis didn't fall through the floor or something."

"im getting worried about Louis he should've answered back, maybe we should go get him?" Turning to Shirley "He always a big jerk, a right turd burglar!"

"I think he's always been like this," says Harry, following the others down the stairs. "He has gotten uglier, though."