2

 The rain poured as Julian, an **itinerant** (traveling from place to place) historian, arrived at Blackwood Manor. The **dilapidated** (in a state of disrepair or ruin) mansion looked terrifying. Stepping inside, the eerie silence began to **mortify** (cause someone to feel shocked or humiliated) his courage. He tightly gripped a silver pocket watch, a precious **keepsake** (a small item kept in memory of a person) from his grandfather.

Julian paused to **muse over** (think about something carefully) the old journals he carried. They spoke of a forbidden **transmutation** (the action of changing into another form) that took place here. The foyer was a **macabre** (disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with death) sight, filled with strange stone statues. The **morphology** (the study of the forms of things) of these figures was deeply unsettling. Some were **anthropomorphic** (having human characteristics), while others were strictly **zoomorphic** (having animal forms).

Suddenly, the front doors slammed shut. The shadows appeared to **mutate** (change or alter in form) right before his eyes. A **legion** (a vast number) of whispers filled the air, sounding like a **throng** (a large, densely packed crowd) of invisible people.

"Welcome," a cold voice echoed. A man named Malakai stepped out. "This is my **natal** (relating to the place or time of one's birth) home."

Julian pointed an accusing finger. "You built a **multiplex** (consisting of many complex elements) trap here, Malakai!"

"I only wanted **retribution** (vengeance for a wrong act) against time for taking my family," Malakai replied sadly. "I thought the universe would grant me **condonation** (the implied pardon of an offense) for my dark experiments. Your grandfather and I share a **cognate** (related or coming from the same origin) past, Julian."

"No," Julian shouted. "My grandfather's **catchword** (a guiding slogan or phrase) was 'Protect life,' not destroy it! I will **denarrate** (to tell a story by denying its events; to untell a narrative) your legacy and prove you are just a monster."

Realizing the statues were starting to move, Julian did not wait. He smashed a window and jumped back out into the rain, leaving the haunted mansion behind f

orever.