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Mara lay on the bed in the darkness. He was happy to have a proper bed again – especially one with no bloodstains on it – and to be alone. But after being stuck in the same room by himself for days, he’d become bored. His only interaction with anyone was when he was brought one of three meals a day. Mara would ask the same question each time a Shadow came, “How much longer am I gonna be in here?” Every time he’d get the same answer. Which was no answer at all.
He wasn’t ever hungry enough to eat a full bowl of the slop, not like when he’d been training all day, then they’d never given him enough. Someone else must be sick. Otherwise, they would have let us back out by now. He thought of the Beast often and wished it would appear again so he could speak to it. He wasn’t sure if he’d seen it in his dreams a few times. Even the Spring would be better than this. He missed the Spring, but he didn’t know why. There was nothing there he wanted, nor any happy memories, only pain.
The door creaked, and the orange light from the corridor outside spread out over the floor. I’ve already had all three today? Why are they bringing more? A figure appeared in the light for a second, then the door shut. Mara sat up, back against the wall, eyes straining to see in the dark. That wasn’t a Shadow.
It was Joseph’s whispering voice that came from the darkness. “What the fuck are you?”
“Get out. If they catch you in here, we’ll be in trouble,” Mara whispered.
“What did Eliot mean? What did he see?”
“I don’t know. The Master said he was sick.”
“He wasn’t fucking sick. What did you do to him?”
Mara could just about see Joseph’s dark shape move to the right. “I didn’t do anything.”
“Yes, you did.”
Mara couldn’t help thinking about the Beast. That thing did it, not me. It’s not my fault.
“There’s been nothin’ but trouble since you turned up.”
I need it to slow down. He’s gonna come for me. He couldn’t see Joseph’s shape anywhere now. “I ain’t done anything.”
“Ain’t done anything? Balin’s been getting sent to the kitchen to get our food. Spoke to some of the kids down there. They’re all scared of you. Said you beat up a Shadow. That’s why you’re with us, ain’t it? They reckon you’ve killed other boys too.”
“I ain’t killed anyone.”
“Eliot’s dead.”
“I didn’t kill him. He did it himself.”
Silence from Joseph.
Mara listened hard for footsteps and moved his hand to his hip. Where’s my blade? On the floor? He ran his hand slowly over the bed, hoping he’d find it. Then came the zing of a blade pulled from its cover. “I’ll shout, and they’ll come.” Maybe I could run for the door. Why doesn’t it slow down? Please slow down.
“I don’t give a fuck as long as you’re dead.”
Mara dashed for the door, crying out at a sharp pain in his side. He pulled open the door and tripped backwards into the corridor.
Now the Slow came. Joseph’s pale face grew larger as it appeared from the dark room, teeth gritted. The candlelight made the blade in his hand shine. Mara looked sideways. A Shadow was already running along the corridor, the strides long and slow. Come on, hurry up. Mara looked back toward Joseph, who now stood above him but looked toward the Shadow. Do I fight him? Not with that blade. He could kill me easy. Even now it’s slow. Joseph’s lips moved as he said something to the Shadow, too slow for Mara to make out. Joseph’s head turned to look at Mara as he raised the blade above his head with both hands.
“Don’t, please,” Mara said.
Joseph stayed still, tears running down both sides of his face. The Shadow was close now, one of its hands stretched out in the stop position.
Joseph screamed and threw the blade sideways. Time returned to normal as it clanged and dinged along the stones.
Joseph dropped to his knees, sobbing as he spoke. “It’s all your fault.”
The Shadow kicked Joseph hard into the door frame. Joseph’s head made a loud crack as it hit it, then he slumped sideways.
Mara’s ribs felt wet. He could see blood on his skin through the hole the blade had made in his shirt. He pulled it up. A long slice, but not deep. Joseph had only just got him, a lucky swipe in the dark.
The Shadow pulled Joseph’s limp body away from the door. “Back in your room.”
Mara did as he was told, and the door was shut behind him. Back in the dark. He held a hand over the cut. It was warm and had started to get sore. He’ll be here soon, saying more stuff I don’t understand. Telling me I’m causing too much trouble. I haven’t done anything. It’s always them, not me.
