Final answer:
In the context of the provided literature excerpts, blood 'splotches' or 'drips' could be used to describe intermittent blood spots found on the stairs of a murder scene, aligning with the vivid imagery commonly employed to set the tone in narrative descriptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question seems to require a fill-in-the-blank answer for a description of a murder scene in a piece of literature. Using the provided references, which depict various scenes involving blood, a plausible word to fill in the blank could be splotches or drips to describe intermittent blood spots on the stairs consistent with the grisly setting. These literary excerpts each emphasize the vivid imagery of blood often used to set a dark or ominous tone, demonstrating its effectiveness in influencing the mood and driving the narrative in literature.
Excerpts like 'blood dripped from him to make splotches on the white stone' and 'splotches of blood on the stones, and broad, smooth marks in the dust' convey an intense and graphic scene. Such vivid descriptions engage the reader's senses and build the tension within the narrative, contributing to a deeper engagement with the text and enhancing the overall reading experience.