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    142 Results in the "Burned Cover" category


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      07 – i – The Art

      07 – i – The Art Cover
      by Tower Curator — What a mess. First, The Castle and The Puppet. Now this? The Art surveyed the subway utility tunnel with a vacant expression. The doll-like porcelain face she wore couldn’t emote. If it could, she imagined it would have been twisted in a disgusted snarl. At the very least, her nose would have wrinkled from the foul stench lingering in the air. Like rancid sewer pipes. The Art didn’t find it all that unpleasant, if she were being honest. It was almost… fragrant. Her senses and…
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      06 – Seeing Double

      06 – Seeing Double Cover
      by Tower Curator — In a game of spot the difference, Erika figured the best solution involved blurring her eyes—going cross-eyed like she was looking at a Magic Eye illusion—at which point the differences would jump out. In a picture of a room, the potted plant overlaid on top of a stack of books became obvious when they were laid on top of each other. Not that she was an expert. Erika doubted she had done a spot the difference puzzle since elementary school. Now, eyes flicking back and forth between two cells…
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      06 – Recovery and Righteous Indignation

      06 – Recovery and Righteous Indignation Cover
      by Tower Curator — Varn’s felt different without anybody around. Erika spent all of a Tuesday morning tidying up around the old arcade, cleaning a few of the neglected cabinets, organizing the stock of tokens that would replace quarters, and setting out the prizes. The boarded-up windows had been replaced with proper glass, though they were shuttered at the moment; between the light coming in through the windows and the new lights throughout the arcade, more dust than ever was visible on nearly every surface. The King…
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      06 – Haunted

      06 – Haunted Cover
      by Tower Curator — Erika strolled into Varn’s Friday evening, glancing behind her every few steps for any sign of pursuers. Her eyes found every reflective surface, every glimmer of movement, and every flutter of white cloth. She slipped past the sparse crowd and, with nothing more than a wave to Daniel as he manned the arcade’s prize counter, barged into the back room. Glassware rattled on the table as she clapped her hands to its surface. Sofia, present for once, jolted back in surprise. Rick and Anna turned away from…
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      06 – Breaking Bonds of Words and Promises

      06 – Breaking Bonds of Words and Promises Cover
      by Tower Curator — Erika did not panic. “The Analyst and I appreciate The Eclipse’s cooperation with this matter.” She wasn’t sure if she could panic. There was a moment, right when she heard the word stop, that she felt that spike of adrenaline. But it was gone now. “Of course. The Emperor was most invested in this project. She will be pleased to hear it turned out well.” The Hanged Man and the worn-out accountant were talking. Erika couldn’t turn her head, but neither had moved out of her view. At…
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      06 – A Proper Investigation

      06 – A Proper Investigation Cover
      by Tower Curator — “So, I call you on a Friday, and you can just come right out and hang?” Daniel shifted in the passenger seat of the old pickup, looking uncomfortable. “Sorry,” Erika said, not taking her eyes off the road. “Didn’t mean to imply that you had nothing better to do. But… did you not have anything better to do?” “My… family likes to go out on Friday nights,” he said, still looking distinctly uncomfortable. It was probably the worn seats—though the passenger seat wasn’t half as…
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      05 – Pedway

      05 – Pedway Cover
      by Tower Curator — “Subways are creepy enough,” Sofia said, peering into a darkened tunnel. “Underground walkways that lead on forever… gives me the shivers.” “Don’t forget the monsters,” Erika chirped, swinging her flashlight back and forth. She had been in the Chicago Pedway one time, walking the short route from the Red Line to the Macy’s State Street. It had been clean, brightly lit, wide enough to accommodate a dozen people side-by-side, and moderately empty. Not a lot of people used the…
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      05 – i – The Eclipse and The Puppet

      05 – i – The Eclipse and The Puppet Cover
      by Tower Curator — He adjusted his necktie as he stood in the elevator, watching the floor indicator slowly increase. Even though the building was only ten floors, the aged elevator took its sweet time. He occupied the time by picking off small bits of lint or dust from his suit—most were probably imaginary specks, but a clean suit made for a clean mind. A single chime accompanied his arrival to the final floor. Picking up the long black case at his feet, he stepped out into the old Gilmore Building’s…
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      05 – i – Daniel King

      05 – i – Daniel King Cover
      by Tower Curator — “I don’t think we’re getting anywhere on this one,” Daniel said, snapping a book on ancient death cults closed. It joined the stack of dead-end books, leaving him with only one last book to skim through. But he knew that if he didn’t find something relevant, their search would go nowhere, and he hated feeling helpless. Bethany, leaning back on the rear two legs of her chair, absently balanced herself as she scrolled down her phone. “Maybe you should figure out what you’re looking…
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      05 – Fortress of Doors

      05 – Fortress of Doors Cover
      by Tower Curator — Erika stalked down the halls of the asylum, accompanied by The Butler, The Maid, and one of The Mind’s creepy monster things. “Ahead, next left hall, immediate left door,” the monster spoke, words dripping from its maw. “You should find yourself in the atrium.” Should, he said. The hostile architecture of the asylum fought against its owners and was only kept stable by The Mind, from what Erika had heard—but she still would have preferred a little more confidence. “What about…
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