Read Online The Phenomenals: A Game of Ghouls by F E Higgins - Free Book Online
Authors: F E Higgins
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to his feet. ‘What the Hades was that?’
‘
That
was a Pluribus,’ said Folly grimly.
‘I thought you said you blivved it,’ he gasped, still catching his breath.
‘It must be another one.’
‘Two? In one day?’
‘Exactly,’ said Folly. ‘It’s not a good sign. It’s time to get out of here.’
Together they hurried downstairs. Folly, at Vincent’s side, allowed herself a short burst of laughter. ‘Blivved it,’ she said. ‘I’ve never heard it called that
before.’
Citrine and Jonah were waiting at the bottom, very apologetic about their cowardice, but Folly praised them for their good instincts. ‘You don’t hang around when a Pluribus is on the
loose,’ she said. Citrine fussed over Vincent, cleaning off remnants of slime with her pocket handkerchief, and for once he didn’t object. Jonah went to pat him on the back, but stopped
in mid-air when he noticed the ghouze.
‘There’s something you should both see,’ Vincent said, and went to the window by the main door. Folly, tuning in to his unusually serious tone, hurried across and peered out.
Her face remained expressionless. A single Pluribus, palpitating, like a still-beating heart plucked from the chest, was standing just feet from the glass.
‘We really have to go,’ said Folly firmly. Jonah pulled on her arm and pointed slightly to one side, where there stood a dozen or more of the creatures. Degringolade Manor was
surrounded by a horde of shivering Pluriba.
‘So, now can I have a Blivet?’ asked Vincent.
C HAPTER 10
F ROM THE
D EGRINGOLADE D AILY
Earthquake Rocks Degringolade!
Reported by Hepatic Whitlock
Last night, just before Mid-Nox, in an unusual twist of geological fate, this great city of Degringolade was shaken to its core by an earthquake! It is believed at this time that it
originated somewhere on the outskirts of the city and lasted almost thirty seconds. A few minor aftershocks have since been reported, but experts say that the likelihood of another major event is
remote. The last recorded earthquake in Degringolade took place over two centuries ago. Historically the province of Antithica is not prone to seismic shifts at all.
It has been posited that the recent inferno at the d’Avidus Tar Pit might have brought about the earthquake, but this has been dismissed. Dr Winthrop Rayleigh, on a serendipitous
visit to Degringolade from the Antithica Institute of Geology, said, ‘Seismic shifts take place at great depths below the earth. There is no evidence anywhere that a trauma so close to the
surface, unless it was a significant force, could bring on an actual earthquake. I am confident that the timing of this event so soon after the fire at the Tar Pit of Degringolade is nothing more
than a coincidence.’
There were reports of unusual animal behaviour prior to the quake. People gave accounts of mice, rats and other small creatures running wildly through their houses. The large flock of
gulls that nests on the rocks around the lighthouse was seen to be very disturbed and the lighthouse itself is now leaning and has been declared unsafe.
Unfortunately there has also been some structural damage around the city, generally to older brick buildings. Fortunately the funicular railway that runs up to the Governor’s
Residence at the summit of Collis Hill came through unscathed, much to Governor d’Avidus’s relief.
It has also been reported, though not confirmed, that the contents of a warehouse at the Capodel Manufactory were destroyed. Edgar Capodel, owner of the Capodel Chemical Company, has
assured this newspaper that no chemical containers were damaged in the earthquake and that all such equipment and stocks are kept in secure conditions. Rumours abound that Mr Capodel is
developing a food cooling system at the factory, but this is a story that Mr Capodel will neither confirm nor deny.
Chief Guardsman Fessup has warned citizens to be on the lookout for looters and in particular to be alert
‘
That
was a Pluribus,’ said Folly grimly.
‘I thought you said you blivved it,’ he gasped, still catching his breath.
‘It must be another one.’
‘Two? In one day?’
‘Exactly,’ said Folly. ‘It’s not a good sign. It’s time to get out of here.’
Together they hurried downstairs. Folly, at Vincent’s side, allowed herself a short burst of laughter. ‘Blivved it,’ she said. ‘I’ve never heard it called that
before.’
Citrine and Jonah were waiting at the bottom, very apologetic about their cowardice, but Folly praised them for their good instincts. ‘You don’t hang around when a Pluribus is on the
loose,’ she said. Citrine fussed over Vincent, cleaning off remnants of slime with her pocket handkerchief, and for once he didn’t object. Jonah went to pat him on the back, but stopped
in mid-air when he noticed the ghouze.
‘There’s something you should both see,’ Vincent said, and went to the window by the main door. Folly, tuning in to his unusually serious tone, hurried across and peered out.
Her face remained expressionless. A single Pluribus, palpitating, like a still-beating heart plucked from the chest, was standing just feet from the glass.
‘We really have to go,’ said Folly firmly. Jonah pulled on her arm and pointed slightly to one side, where there stood a dozen or more of the creatures. Degringolade Manor was
surrounded by a horde of shivering Pluriba.
‘So, now can I have a Blivet?’ asked Vincent.
C HAPTER 10
F ROM THE
D EGRINGOLADE D AILY
Earthquake Rocks Degringolade!
Reported by Hepatic Whitlock
Last night, just before Mid-Nox, in an unusual twist of geological fate, this great city of Degringolade was shaken to its core by an earthquake! It is believed at this time that it
originated somewhere on the outskirts of the city and lasted almost thirty seconds. A few minor aftershocks have since been reported, but experts say that the likelihood of another major event is
remote. The last recorded earthquake in Degringolade took place over two centuries ago. Historically the province of Antithica is not prone to seismic shifts at all.
It has been posited that the recent inferno at the d’Avidus Tar Pit might have brought about the earthquake, but this has been dismissed. Dr Winthrop Rayleigh, on a serendipitous
visit to Degringolade from the Antithica Institute of Geology, said, ‘Seismic shifts take place at great depths below the earth. There is no evidence anywhere that a trauma so close to the
surface, unless it was a significant force, could bring on an actual earthquake. I am confident that the timing of this event so soon after the fire at the Tar Pit of Degringolade is nothing more
than a coincidence.’
There were reports of unusual animal behaviour prior to the quake. People gave accounts of mice, rats and other small creatures running wildly through their houses. The large flock of
gulls that nests on the rocks around the lighthouse was seen to be very disturbed and the lighthouse itself is now leaning and has been declared unsafe.
Unfortunately there has also been some structural damage around the city, generally to older brick buildings. Fortunately the funicular railway that runs up to the Governor’s
Residence at the summit of Collis Hill came through unscathed, much to Governor d’Avidus’s relief.
It has also been reported, though not confirmed, that the contents of a warehouse at the Capodel Manufactory were destroyed. Edgar Capodel, owner of the Capodel Chemical Company, has
assured this newspaper that no chemical containers were damaged in the earthquake and that all such equipment and stocks are kept in secure conditions. Rumours abound that Mr Capodel is
developing a food cooling system at the factory, but this is a story that Mr Capodel will neither confirm nor deny.
Chief Guardsman Fessup has warned citizens to be on the lookout for looters and in particular to be alert
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