Powers to Control from an Artifact

I was new to this sleepy little town. I had moved here from the Midwest and now found myself in a quiet little town where everyone knew everyone else’s business. News spread quickly around town that a stranger had moved into the old Mason Mansion on the knoll overlooking the entire town below.

I was settling in and unpacking boxes that I had carefully labeled by room to make the transition easier. I had several boxes of books that I decided to move down into the cellar of this old house to store and unpack at a later date.

I had already made several trips down the dusty old stairs carrying a box at a time.

On my last trip I decided to carry two boxes at once so I wouldn’t have to make another trip down those unstable stairs.

I had descended about three quarters of the way down the flight of stairs when I loss my footing, which caused the top box of books to slide and going crashing into the brick wall just at the foot of the landing.

Clouds of dust bellowed upwards from the box of books hitting the wall and ripping open and scattering across the dirty floor. I was chocking from the dust and covered my mouth with my sleeved arm.

I went back upstairs to look for a flashlight and allow the dust to settle somewhat. I couldn’t find anything but a candle and some matches. I descended the old stairs again taking my time. At the bottom of the landing was the mess of books that had spilled every which way.

I had nearly gathered all the books and was working on the few remaining ones against the brick wall when I notice one of the old bricks had been knocked slightly out of place by the impact caused by the box of books hitting that particular spot.

I reached my hand out to examine the brick and felt a cold draft of air coming from where the mortar had been chipped loose from the blow received in the accident.

I retrieved the candle to examine the odd draft of air and when I brought the candle close to the dislodged brick the draft of air sucked the flame from the candle leaving me in an eerie state of total blackness and I was un-nerved and taken back some.

I took a quick intake of air, which left the taste of nasty dust in my mouth and I forgot about my surroundings for a moment while trying to re-light the candle.

This time I shielded the candle from being put out by the draft and examined the old brick. After several moments of pulling and tugging at the brick I was finally able to remove it completely.

I could feel a strong pull of air being sucked through the opening but I knew if I tried to look into the opening with the candle it would surely be suck out with ease.

Instead I reach my arm into the opening as far as I could and felt nothing but bone chilling cold air. I muttered to myself for not finding a flash light, which meant I’d have to leave my discovery and return later.

Back upstairs I failed to find the box I had packed the flashlight into and resolved to just go to town and purchase another cheap one in the morning. I finished unpacking two more rooms of goods and was too exhausted to continue my efforts.

I lite a fire in the fireplace, put on some soft music and laid my head back to relax while sipping the sweet red wine I had brought with me for this occasion.

I woke from a dead sleep to the sound of a screeching sound and was slightly startled but decided it must have been the wind or an ole owl in the nearby trees outside the old Mansion.

I was chilled and covered myself with a quilt my mother had made several years ago. I appreciated the warmth the quilt offered and reflected on how well it would look covering the King size bed in the Master Bedroom I was going to occupy.

I had nearly dozed off again when I unmistakably heard the sound again that had awoken me earlier. I arose to my feet and made my way to the door leading down to the cellar where the sounds were much louder now.

I mentally kicked myself for not going to town before dark and getting the flashlight and now it would be too dangerous trying to navigate those old stairs.