2338 November When the taxi arrived at the house Mike paid the driver and asked him to call the police, when he noticed the open front door. Mike hurried to the door and cautiously went through it listening for any sound. He searched the downstairs for a weapon of some kind. In the closet near the door was a bat . Cool to the touch the aluminium smooth and light weight. Even in his dazed condition he could swing it hard enough to cause serious damage. The stairs leading to the second floor swam in front of him as he grabbed the railing to steady himself . He saw Lyric's bound body lying on the kitchen floor and it took every ounce of strength he had to quietly make it up the stairs without screaming. When he reached the top he heard whispering voices.