Standing in the hall I realized I was now cut off from Victor and Hilary by the snarling dog creatures and behind me I could hear the chattering of teeth nearing. Clutching my legs were two girls and the boys were behind...
"Alright is that Zorro kid 13 touching my butt?" I practically snarled.
"No maam. 13 disappeared with the others. I didn't mean any disrespect I was just scared and trying to be as close as possible."
"Oh. okay." I said more softly.
The two girls crying clutching on my legs, one of which was the one that was worried early about being flat chested for the rest of her life, were crying they were going to die.
Crouching down I gathered all the children into my arms. "No one is going to die. I won't let that happen. This is just all part of the Haunted House bit. You know, its all fake."
One of the boys eyed me suspiciously. "You yelled at us all to run. It didn't sound like you were faking."
"Don't worry kids. I won't let anything on anyone to hurt you. Okay?"
Turning I looked at the dogs that having lost Victor were heading towards us. Which reminded me. Victor had run off and left me with a bunch of terrified children. My hero.
"Sit!" I shouted at the dogs as if they were my misbehaving imp brothers. The dogs actually blinked at me in surprise and sat. Feeling secure enough to ignore them for a moment I glanced back over my shoulder and could see the Cenobites slowly entering the hall behind us. They didn't seem to be in a rush, but that was reassuring in the least.
Walking over to one of the walls of the hallway, all the time the kids still clutching my legs, I started tapping the wall. Glancing over I could see Pinhead watching me but at the moment making no move to stop me. Finally a panel in the wall slid to the side and I lead the kids into the new hidden room I had found, making sure I closed the door behind me.
Of course I knew that the thin door wouldn't stop either the dogs or the Cenobites if they decided to follow me but at least the kids calmed down a bit.