2 Expiration Part 2

Bentley and Hudson had made it to the front of the mansion. They stood on the stone doorstep underneath a gaping stone arch. In front of them stood a ruddy colored door with large black iron knockers. Hudson reached forward, gripping the door knocker in his fingers and slamming it upon the metal surface with a clang to be sure that the occupants heard. As they waited to be invited in, Bentley looked up to the tall arch sheltering them from the sky and wind. Above them was a large wrought iron lamp with intricate metalwork and aged glass panels along its side. While Bentley was gazing at the dark loom above, the lantern's light flickered to life. The warm glow of the light cast down upon the doorstep, providing welcomed solace to the brothers after a long stressful night in the dark. Bentley looked back at the door in expectancy of it opening. The boys waited, and after a minute or two, Hudson put his ear up to the door to try and tell if there was movement coming from inside. With a frown and hearing nothing, Hudson stepped away from the door, looking upon it with disappointment. Bentley was beginning to become impatient when he came across an obscure handle attached to a chain. Bentley clutched the cold handle and pulled it down towards his feet. Hudson jolted slightly in surprise at the ring of a low-pitched bell. The unseen bell rang three times, reverberating in their ribs and sending slight chills up both the boys' spines. After the foreboding ring of the bell stopped, the brothers heard clanking from behind the door, the door was being unlatched. Slowly, the heavy dark red double doors creaked open to reveal a short old man in a butler's uniform. The old man raised his head with a slight shake and looked into Hudson's eyes, then at the bag at Hudson's feet.

"The master has been expecting your arrival." He said in a hoarse voice.

The old man stood to the side holding a candelabra, waiting as Hudson threw the body over his shoulders. Hudson moved to cross the threshold, his brother following right behind him, but as they did so, the dim light glowing above them sputtered and flickered before going dark. With the darkness once again overpowering the doorstep, Bentley quickly followed his brother into the mansion. They stood in a large foyer, the floor beneath their feet and the railings that crossed the ceiling from the second floor were mahogany. Stain glass, paintings, sculptures, and detailed woodwork was everywhere in good taste; to the boys, it was otherworldly. The butler blandly asked for the boys to follow him, leading the brothers through the elegant maze and into a living room. The living room carried the same theme as the rest of the mansion, with dark wood walls and floors, and warm welcoming furniture. A figure rose from the armchair beside the fireplace and faced the new arrivals. The man was dressed in a dark brown vest and pants and a cream-colored dress shirt underneath. Other than that part of his attire he looked off. His black shoes looked as though there was an odd film on the outer edges, shoved in his back pocket was a pair of black rubber gloves, his white and gray hair looked as though he tried to comb it but ultimately failed, and his face was weathered but looked as though it had once belonged to a young handsome man. His storm colored eyes fixed on Hudson, "Ah my boy, you have brought the desired prize of the night!"

Hudson nervously smiled, "Colton McCoy, yes."

The old man turned to Bentley and leaned in to get a better look at him, "And who might this be?"

"This is my brother Bentley... Bentley, this is Mr. Hamilton." Hudson responded curtly.

Mr. Hamilton straightened his back to its former position, a smile on his face as he looked down at the brothers, "Well I'm sure you'll want to be one your way soon, so if you'll follow me."

Mr. Hamilton grazed past the boys, glancing down at Hudson before exiting the living room. The boys once again wove through the maze-like house, finally pushing through a two-way swing door and into an operating room. The brothers were instructed to lay the boy out on the steeply inclined operating table, as they did so, both brothers let out a tiny breath they didn't know they were holding. Mr. Hamilton stepped forward and started to inspect the ten-year-old before him, "Well he seems to be in very good condition."

He then turned to look at the boys, "Since everything is satisfactory, how about you two stay for tea before I send you off with your pay?"

Hudson smiled nervously, "Oh no, that's quite alright. We wouldn't want to impose, but thank you for the kind offer."

"You wouldn't be imposing at all! Now come! I am interested in hearing more about you and your brother." He smiled broadly looking down at the brothers.

Mr. Hamilton exited back through the doors, and the brothers hesitantly followed.