Death Mask Read Free

vengeful, master plan for extending life in which to continue his persecutions after death.
    Of interesting note, another, more reliable, source mentioned a cult-like following of the mask during the early 1900’s immediately after its creation and another again in the 1960’s with the appearance of the Hippie culture.
    After another day of research, the Lieutenant’s investigation concluded with no real evidence to contradict his original hunch that an elaborate practical joke had been perpetrated against the museum’s curator by a person, or persons, with knowledge of the mask’s mysterious background. Per his orders, the case was to remain open for thirty days in the off chance of catching the pranksters. After the thirty days had passed, the case was to be immediately closed with no further action taken.

Chapter 5
    Juan Gonzales is a proud worker. He is living in the United States on a Worker Visa from Ecuador. No one takes his job more seriously. He shows up everyday, thirty minutes early without fail, to perform his duties as the night security guard at the Atlanta Museum of Curiosities. On the night of Andria Walker’s incident, since she planned to work well into the night, he was given the night off with full pay, in part to ensure privacy against leaked photos before the grand opening of the Death Mask exhibit the next morning, and also, as a reward for his previous good service. He thought that living with the guilt of not being on duty that night to protect Andria was his worst nightmare come true.
    He was wrong.
    On the third night after the mask had spoken to Andria, the police were finally done with their investigation and had removed the Yellow crime scene tape blocking the entrance to the main exhibit room. During the second pass of his normal rounds around the museum, Juan gathered the courage to poke his head into room. With the coast clear, he felt confident enough to continue all the way inside for a peek at the infamous mask.
    He was apprehensive at first, working his way in slowly before stopping about ten feet in front of the podium. Being a man of Catholic faith, and knowing the recent history surrounding the mask, he made the Sign of the Cross before committing to his final approach.
    Impressive, he thought, but eerie.
    He stood and stared at the stark white face a good thirty seconds before he noticed it slightly turning side-to-side. The length of the turns seemed to increase with each twist as if the mask was gesturing— NO .
    Juan crooked his head back. If not for the knowledge of Andria’s encounter a few days before, he probably would have reacted the same as she: to panic and run away. Instead, he was mesmerized and continued watching. The mask’s head gesture got gradually more pronounced then abruptly ended with the mask mouthing something that was mostly muted by the glass dome sitting over the top of it.
    Spurred by curiosity, Juan reached forward and lifted the glass then gently sat it on the floor beside the podium. With no barrier to block its voice, the mask took full advantage of the opportunity.
    “Why were you praying, are you afraid of me?”
    “Si, señor,” Juan said.
    “Why?”
    “Because you scared Miss Walker.”
    “There’s no need to pray. It won’t help against me anyway.”
    Juan didn’t respond, just stood there frozen in place.
    “What’s your name?” the mask asked.
    “Juan Gonzales…What is yours?”
    The mask smiled at Juan’s innocence, then quipped. “That’s for me to know and for you to find out.”
    Juan stared in silence then bent down to pick up the glass when he was interrupted by a request from the mask.
    “Can you leave that off for a bit?” the mask asked, employing its best plaster “puppy dog” eyes. “It’s hard to breathe under that thing.”
    Juan wasn’t sure how to respond. After another a long pause, he nodded his head in agreement and returned the glass to the floor.
    “Thank you, Juan,” the mask