Masked

Chapter 17

Robert held his breath, his jaw clenched, hoping he selected the right key slot to shut off the device. He looked up at the monitor and gasped at the fact the timer stopped at two seconds. The light from the device blinked once and became a solid green. He laughed, brushing off the anxiety. He knew Captain Cambell was safe and the hot yellow wax mixed with rubber ceased in disbursement.

The monitor switched back to Devin. He looked at Robert with his cold brown eyes under that golden Mask. "Well, done Detective Maxwell! You selected the right key slot to save Captain Cambell's life."The sound of the door clicked. "Now we will start with your third trial." 

"Enough with your fucking games!" Robert said. 

The monitor screen went dark, leaving static sound. Robert walked toward the green door lit by a red light bulb above it. He had his gun ready as he opened the door slowly. Robert walked forward until he came into contact with a dark curtain. The smell of rubber and hot wax was in the air. He pulled it back to discover a black polished wooden floor that looked like a stage on Broadway in a local Redwood, Washington theater. There were heavy stage lights that shined bright above him.

Robert glanced to his right and saw red chairs in three rows. All of which contained one hundred mannequins. Fifty-two victims were among them that Devin had killed. They were all well preserved to be his special project. He wanted to show a display as a work of art. Each of the victims was well-dressed men and women. Devin admired his accomplishment. Rattling Robert to the core, testing the limits.

The putrid smell of formaldehyde alone forced Robert to cover his nose. He looked up and noticed a glass cylinder that contained Captain Cambell, hanging fifteen feet upside down in mid-air by chains on two large distinct dark pulleys attached to the ceiling. To Robert's eye, it resembled a coffin. He pointed his gun around to make sure no one else was around to catch him off guard. 

"Help! Help!" Captain Kate Cambell screamed and rattled with fear as she banged against the glass. Her hand poised from exhaustion.

"Don't worry, Captain I'm gonna get you down," Robert said, touching her shoulder.

Robert searched all around. He spotted the chains. He ran toward them and yanked them down, causing the cylinder to move in a downward direction. "Just hold on Captain!"

The moment the cylinder hit the floor. Robert looked for any object he can use to smash against the glass cylinder open. He picked up a long metal pipe that was on the corner. "Cover your eyes," Kate covered her face with her hands as Robert banged against the glass until it went into pieces. Each shard fell against her skin down inside the contraption. He leaned in and grabbed Captain Campell out of the cylinder. She hugged him, tears ran down her face. For the first time in her life, she felt vulnerable. Her legs were shaking. 

"It's okay, Kate!" Robert said, reassuring her. "Come on, let's get the hell out of here. Can you walk?"

Kate nodded her head. Her eyes spoke only fear and uncertainty. 

"Good, come with me, "Robert said, holding her fidget hand. "Don't worry, I won't let that crazy son of a bitch get you. We are gonna come out of this alive."

Hearing those words breathe a sense of comfort compared to the confines of being inside that container, knowing her final moments were upon her. "Do you know a way out?"

"Yeah, I have some ideas. Let's just hope our ride is still there," Robert said. "We better get me moving to escape this psycho and the fucking trials."

"What trials?" Kate asked in confusion.

"Trust me you don't want to know," Robert explained.

"Right, I will follow your lead," Kate said.