Treading lightly through the maze of candles and piled paper, the team moves with deliberate caution, their steps barely making a sound.
Foundation Staff Member I: There's something off about this wind. It sounds creepy, like someone's heaving a sigh. Don't you think, Joshua? Aren't you scared?
Foundation Staff Member II: You're joking, right? Joshua's one of the St. Pavlov Foundation's top investigators, William. I mean, after what happened at Green Lake, I thought everyone knew about him.
Horropedia: Uhh. Let's try not to pigeonhole people, Millie. And why don't we keep that bit of info under our hats, eh?
Horropedia: Once this investigation's wrapped up, that'll be the time for the lead to exit stage left.
He squats before the iron door and runs two fingers along the floor.
Horropedia: This dust is pretty built up. I'd say the disappearance happened much earlier than we originally thought.
Horropedia: And look at all these bills and advertising flyers.
*thwack*
Horropedia: Hey! Jeez, that hurt! Who smacked my head?!
The landlady, her hair a mass of curlers and a toothpick wedged between her teeth, is looming behind him with a rolled-up newspaper clutched in her hand.
Landlady: What do you think you're doing sneaking around my property? And you—yeah, you with the glasses! What's up with you, huh?
Landlady: Creeping around with those shifty little eyes ... Just you wait. I'll have the cops here before you can say "unlawful entry"!
Foundation Staff Member II: Ma'am, we've already informed the local police. We've got official permission to investigate this building.
Landlady: Investigate what?! There's nothing wrong with my building! And don't you even think about messing with my tenants, unless you're looking to get reported!
Millie flashes the St. Pavlov Foundation's investigation permit.
Landlady: "St. Pavlova Foundation"? What're you, some kind of Australian dessert police?
Foundation Staff Member II: We're currently looking into the disappearance of two members of the Paranormal Affairs Bureau.
Foundation Staff Member II: Your tenant, Ms. An-an Lee, is one of our freelancers, though it's been a while since we last heard from her.
The landlady walks between them, doubt still coloring her face.
Landlady: This door's been broken for ages. You'll never get it open.
Landlady: But hey, she still hasn't paid the rent, so why should I bother getting someone in to fix it?
Despite her warning, the door creaks open after a gentle touch.
Foundation Staff Member II: ...!
The gum that was holding open the door lock drops to the floor.
The landlady spits out her toothpick and struts smugly into the newly opened office.
Landlady: Hah, nice try. You wanna play, little girl? Let's play!
The others go inside, but Horropedia remains by the doorway. He crouches down to take in the disarray around the entrance.
Foundation Staff Member II: Joshua?
She follows his gaze until her eyes land on the floor. Among the crumpled newspapers and scattered flyers, a single piece of white paper catches her eye.
Horropedia: What time is it now?
Millie shrugs and glances at her watch.
Foundation Staff Member II: Almost midnight. Any new orders from the Foundation?
Horropedia: No. We need to go. We need to go now! We're running out of time!
Finally, the significance of that white sheet of paper dawns on the two Foundation members.
Foundation Staff Members: ...?!
Landlady: Well? What are you all standing there for? Come in already! I didn't go through all this trouble for nothing!
Landlady: Hold on a second. You're not leaving just like that! If she's on your payroll, you need to pay me her rent!
As they hurry off, a gust of wind suddenly slams the door shut.
Landlady: About that rent ...
Landlady: Hey! Hey, wait up! I'm not done yet! And this door's still messed up!
She bangs on the metal door like a deranged housecat.
Landlady: Hey, come back here! I'm locked in! Four-eyes! Come back, you ungrateful jerks!
But their footsteps continue to grow more distant.
Foundation Staff Member II: Sorry, ma'am! Things aren't looking so good right now. We don't have time to break you out!
Horropedia: We'll be back before you can say, "Get me out of here!"
The landlady clenches her two great fists.
Landlady: Get me out of here!! Agh, bunch of good-for-nothings! Next time I see you, I'm reporting you to your boss—no, scratch that—I'm gonna sue you for ten times the rent in emotional damages!
As her eyes adjust to the darkness, she finally notices the stark piece of white paper on the ground.
She picks it up and squints as she reads each word in a slow and measured tone.
Landlady: "Lighthouse, midnight, get there before two heads roll."
...
Her head throbs. It feels as though it could split open at any moment as her surroundings twist and blur.
A stream of blood runs down her forehead and splatters onto the floor.
???: We meet again, kiddo.
An-an Lee: Uh ...
An-an Lee: Who ...
She lifts her chin, finding a stubbled face and a pair of weary, sunken eyes before her.
The man's collar is stained yellow with neck grease. As he crouches, his grimy underwear peeks out from his slouchy pants.
One hand scratches an ankle to a foot jammed in a loose and tattered flip-flop.
An-an Lee: Sifu?!
