I hope for the best in people. I really do.
We all lie and cheat and go back on our promises, sotis, but that doesnt an the next person you et will. You have to look for the good in people, otherwise whats the point of even getting up in the morning?
Take Wesley. I genuinely hoped she was a walking pillar of doom and destruction who would reduce the cities of Flatland to rubble and let nature reclaim them so they were silent monunts to the dead. You have to stay positive.
The very fact she had been left inside this prison cell suggested she wasnt the harmless little woman she appeared to be. Admittedly, she could end up doing as much harm as everyone else there was no reason she would be grateful for my help, fuck knows nobody else was but when youre already on the losing side, how much you lose by doesnt really make much of a difference. What was I going to do, play for pride?
I made my light as bright as I could, but it only showed a vast emptiness. Wesley looked around like she was trying to get her bearings, although there was nothing to use for reference. The only available landmark was , and the only thing monuntal about was my stupidity.
Just because I could shine a light on my problems didnt an a fix was incoming. You can stick a torch under the bonnet of a broken-down car, doesnt an you know how to get the motor running.
Wesley was an unknown quantity. She could be just as barking as everyone else Id t in this world. It would be pretty dumb not to assu that was the case. But I had limited options, and once you decided to go all in, there was no point worrying about failure. You played to your outs, no matter how long the odds on the right card being drawn. You never know. This was where Id stacked my chips. This small woman in a neat smock, rugged trousers and suede boots.
This way, I think. She pointed ahead. There didnt seem to be anything in that direction, but it seed as good a place to go as any other. I suppose you have friends waiting for you.
Where to begin? I wouldnt say friends, exactly. There are people who I arrived here at the sa ti as, who I travelled around with and helped stay alive. We helped each other, I guess so people would say.
But not you?
No. I would say I kept them alive despite their incessant attempts to behave like fucking retards. She gave a disapproving look. Anyway, they sort of got the hang of it, and turned their backs on . Probably for the best. They had to leave the nest at so point. Well, theyre still in the nest with each other, they kicked out instead. The nest I built. But thats okay, its hard to be an ungrateful bastard in an enclosed space. You need a lot of elbow room to be a proper shit.
I was rambling sowhat. I didnt really know how best to convey my tale of adventure and petty squabbles. I would have liked to have done it in a way that made look cool and everyone else like arseholes, but I didnt really have the energy to make that many edits.
Wesley smiled. Youre very bitter, arent you? I like that, although the foul mouth I could do without. You cant trust people who pretend theyre happy with everything the Lord throws at them, thats for sure. Theyre just waiting to shift their misery onto you.
While my words sounded hollow and vindictive, hers, which werent all that different in aning, rang with a pleasant contentedness. She could make the vicious self-serving behaviour of the masses almost seem acceptable, like watching a nature doc about lions gutting their prey and seeing it as part of lifes rich tapestry. Only narrated by a wildebeest (with a Morgan Freemanesque voice, of course). It was quite an accomplishnt.
I hadnt, incidentally, missed the ecclesiastical aside. Not that being religious necessarily made you a bad person or a massive hypocrite. There are exceptions to every rule, probably.
If we do get out of here, I said, you should be prepared for them to turn on you. Peters made them much stronger, so they owe him.
You dont have to warn . I went through sothing similar. He knows how to make a tempting offer, as is appropriate for the Devils own. Hes been sent to test us, and most people will fail the test. Ever has it been thus.
Well, temptation has made them quite powerful. There wont be anyone to help.
Worry not, young man. Peters powers never amounted to much. Theyre too dependent on the user, and he never could attract anyone of real quality.
Was there anyone of real quality to attract? I asked, rather pompously. That wasnt my intention, but thats how it ca out all the sa.
Wesley stopped, our march to nowhere coming to a temporary halt. Listen to , young man. Dont for a mont assu those who have let you down represent the best of whos out there. You may be unfortunate in who you have encountered in your short life, but let assure you, there are genuine n and won of all faiths and races living lives of quiet dignity. Ive been proud to know so of them, even call them my friends. Be contemptuous of those who squander their gifts on sordid goals, but keep your eyes and heart open for those who are worthy of your affection. If you blink, you may miss your chance.
She grabbed my arm and squeezed. It didnt hurt, but I did have to force myself not to wince. Now it was my turn to say sothing noble and grand, so that we could ride into battle with a following wind.
Good fucking luck with that. It may not have been what she was hoping to hear, but at least it was short.
She frowned at , disappointed, no doubt, and started walking again. Youll see, in ti.
I had already seen plenty, and none of it very encouraging. What about Arthur? He was an inventor, was he? I had it in the back of my mind that maybe he left behind so powerful artefact I could use. It was the other woman from their party, Zarigold, who could make things, but if Arthur could build a prison, perhaps he could also build a spaceship to the next planet. Monkeys on horseback throwing nets sounded like a nice, relaxing change.
No, not exactly. He could put restraints on people, like he did with . I didnt ask why, although I was curious. We didnt really know each other well enough for her to confess her desire to kill all n. It was bound to be sothing like that. Like he did with Peter.
He put a restraint on Peter? Peter had never seed like he was being held back. What did he stop Peter from doing?
Harming , for a start. Peter cant hurt , which is why Ive always been a threat to him. His powers are of no use against , even when theyre used through soone else.
Now that sounded like a decent ability to have. If she was immune to their powers, we might actually have a chance.
What was worrying though, was that Peter knew this. Steps would have been taken in case we erged. It wouldnt be so simple.
Theyll be ready for us, I said. Theyll have done sothing to my body, probably.
It doesnt matter. We can undo any damage, Im sure.
Really? What if they hacked my flesh to pieces and fed to the birds?
She pulled a face. They arent savages. There are limits to even how far Peter is willing to go.
Just when I thought we might have a chance, it felt like she didnt really understand what she was in for after all. Perhaps things had changed since shed been away. I certainly had no illusions about what Peter was capable of.
We walked a little further in silence. There wasnt much for to say, it was up to her. I was rely an observer.
Here, she said. Can you point your light up a bit?
I raised my ball of light so it drifted higher. It didnt seem any different up there. Like that?
Thats perfect. There it is.
I saw nothing. Oh, great. The exit?
Yes. Cant you see it?
No. Can you?
Of course. Look harder. She pointed at nothing, or so it seed to . Then I saw sothing glint in the darkness. She began walking up a flight of near-invisible steps, like they were made of glass. It doesnt exist until you can see it. He needed a way to let himself out. I cant wait to see him again.
I wasnt sure now was the ti to tell her Arthur had left without her. What did I know? Just what the lying liars had told . Maybe he was in hiding, waiting for the right mont to reappear.
Why did he put you in here? You dont seem all that unstable.
It cos and goes. Emotions can be very destructive. Best to have as few of them as possible.
An, sister.
He was working on a cure. Ti barely passes in here, so it hasnt been so bad. A few weeks, it feels like, although Im sure its been longer.
Telling her shed been locked away for several years and everyone she knew was probably dead probably wouldnt help her keep those emotions in check. I decided to hold my tongue.
I followed her up the stairs to wherever she was going. I had nowhere better to go. She stopped ahead of , took a deep breath, and walked forward. She was gone.
It could have been a trap. Exit for one, leave stuck here with no way out. I dont think I would have been all that upset. But it wasnt. Everything went black and tingly for a mont, and then I was in an altogether more familiar dark place. Although not much more welcoming.
Youre back, said the smaller, more irritating version of . And whos this. New girlfriend? Bit old for you, isnt she? What is she, a hundred and sixteen?
Wesley bent down so she was face to face with little , and grabbed him by the ear. Little boys need to show their elders so respect.
His head was angled and his ear stretched as she pulled up. He was barely able to keep his feet on the ground. He looked annoyed as he dangled.
What the f
His words disappeared into her chest. Won were always doing that to him. And it usually worked.
Lucky for you I like them young, she said to the sound of muffled protests. I take it this is your Id.
I shrugged. I didnt know what the hell he was.
She let go of him and he staggered about in a daze.
What happened after I left? I asked him.
Nothing. I dont know. I cant see or hear anything.
Wesley had said ti would carry on once Id entered that other place, so little should have been able to tell us what theyd done with our body. Presumably I was still alive if he was here. They must have taken preventive asures to keep in the dark while they did things to . The Cool Kids liked their experints, especially on live subjects. I could be so kind of Resident Evil mutant creature by now. Probably wouldnt affect my dating prospects. Might even get a few right-swipes on Tinder. Pretty sure that was what the t in t-Virus stood for.
Well, maybe I should take a look outside first. Now I was back, the world should have co to a grinding halt once more. I could just float out and do a quick recce.
I tried, but nothing happened.
Youre stuck? asked Wesley, not sounding all that surprised. Peters work, no doubt. Dont worry, Ill take care of it.
Thanks, mum, said little with a sneer.
Wesley smacked him around the head. Sharp but quick. They were developing a strong bond, built on fear and violence. Might not be what social services would approve of, but I think it was Gandhi who said sotis a clip round the ear is the best way to show you care.
Wait here. You should be able to see whats going on in a minute. She disappeared.
Shes very confident, said , rubbing the back of his head. I thought you were done for.
And now? I said.
Still done for, but maybe shell get a few of them first.
It took a few monts before I could see outside. It was strange, like I was watching soone else playing a video ga, but without Twitch chat to ruin it for everyone. I felt a weird pressure surrounding . Was I confined in so way?
They were lined up in front of . Maurice, Claire, Jenny. Gideon and the Gidiots. The Elf, although only her feet were in view (I assud the rest of her was up above). Flossie and Dudley were at the back. They were all staring at . Or the person they thought was .
I see, said Maurice. So hes still in there. He let you out in his place.
I had missed so stuff, but it seed they knew it wasnt in the pilot seat. Most likely this was what he wanted. Access to Wesley. They didnt know I was watching from the cheap seats.
Good, said Maurice. It was odd seeing him do all the talking. Had he changed that much without noticing? I thought thats what hed do. Send you out to fight for him. Probably for the best. He would only ss things up if he was here. He usually does.
The others all nodded along, bunch of fuckers. Yeah, I ssed things up. ssed them up like a boss. No, I dont know what that ans, either. Its hard to hear people talk shit about you when they think you arent there. Mainly because they really an it.
Never mind, theyd all be dead soon. I prepared for the Wesley show to start. Vibrate them all to dust!
Wheres Peter? asked Wesley using my voice. An odd experience.
He isnt here, said Gideon, trying to reclaim so of the lilight.
Co now, children. You expect to believe he wouldnt be here for this? I think I know him a little better than that.
Apparently not, said Gideon. He trusts us to
Shes right, said Maurice. Hes here.
What? said Gideon. Did he say sothing to you?
Jealousy for masters attention was already rampant. I gave them two weeks before they turned on each other. I wonder how Maurice planned to deal with Gideon.
No, said Maurice. But he isnt the type to miss out. Are you, Peter? He said the last part loudly. Wouldve looked a bit of a pillock if no one had answered.
Quite right, said Peter. He erged from behind the large Elf feet. I dont know if he had been inside them, like so human toe jam, or hidden in so way, but there he was. Wesley, so lovely to see you after all this ti.
Why are you so old? said Wesley, sounding genuinely surprised. Wheres Arthur?
Hes dead, said Peter, bluntly. He isnt here for you now.
Wesley laughed. It was my voice, so it sounded like my laughter. I hadnt heard it in so ti. You think death would keep him from . He is the greatest prison architect who ever lived. Hell always find his way back to .
Not this ti, said Peter. He produced a knife from sowhere. It was about length of his arm and the blade was black. It looked like the one Roona had been given to kill Cheng with. That seed like a million years ago, now.
Do you not rember what I can do, Peter? she said. You think these fledglings will be able to stop . I brought whole armies to their knees. They nad their master and offered their lives in perpetual service. You rember, dont you?
I rember, said Peter grimly. That was a long ti ago. Things have changed.
Not so much. I can still turn mountains into rubble.
Everything started shaking. Not like an earthquake, more like a food blender. I was about to beco a smoothie, which would have been a first. When it stopped, after about ten seconds, everyone was staggering about. I stood up. Or my body did. Had she freed ?
Everyone looked stunned.
My ability, said the tall girl with the Gidiots. Its gone.
Only temporarily, said Peter. She can render all other abilities unable to function for a short ti.
Interesting. It was sort of the opposite of his power. He could make you more powerful, and she could vibrate it away. Anti-magic magic user.
Thank you, said Peter, smiling like a shark. Just as you said, Maurice. Well done. He seed far too pleased with how things had gone. Not only does it neutralise abilities, it also does the sa for curses. Like the one dear Arthur put on . Now nothing can stop from dealing with you.
He advanced with the dagger still in his hand. He almost made it within killing distance before the tip of a sword appeared through his chest.
Maurice was holding the other end.
Sorry, he said with an embarrassed grin. All curses and all protections. It was the only ti youd be vulnerable. Sorry. He was apologising to Peters corpse, which had fallen to the ground. A pool of blood ford around him.
Everyone was too shocked to react. Most of them. Lady Claire Macbeth didnt look very surprised. She picked up the black dagger Peter had dropped and walked towards .
Zarigold gave him this, said Claire. Its the only thing that will kill you. Sorry. I was confused. Sorry for what?
She plunged the blade into my chest.
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