Into the Abyss полностью

“How are you going to rescue me?” Jenn asked, twisting around to try to see what Rupert was up to. He’d moved around behind Gastropé. Jenn’s eye’s bulged and she gasped slightly. Somehow, when Rupert went behind her, he’d managed to slip his bonds, and was now tearing a piece of his shirt off, very quietly. “What are you doing?” she asked. “How did you get free?”

“I’m just a kid, they didn’t tie me very tight,” Rupert replied. “I’m ensuring we aren’t given away.”

“Please,” Gastropé broke in, unable to see what was going on; he was shifting around but was apparently tied to the tent pole. “Please, if you’re going to escape, take me with you!” Gastropé whispered urgently. “I won’t give you away, I don’t want to die! I won’t give you away.” He was sounding extremely desperate. Desperate enough that Rupert paused for a moment.

“I don’t believe you, you’re the enemy.” Rupert stated as he stuffed the strip of his shirt into Gastropé’s mouth as a gag.

“No, no, please, Exador is going to kill me or shape change me or do something hor... mmmmphh,” Gastropé was cut off by the gag.

Jenn was torn, true he was the enemy, but certainly, he was going to face an awful fate. Wait, Jenn thought as she stopped herself, this was ridiculous. She was thinking like they were actually going to escape. There was no need to feel like she was leaving Gastropé’, because they weren’t going anywhere. “Rupert you still haven’t told me how you think we are going to get out of here. You’ve got to be crazy.”

“No,” Rupert answered, smiling back at Jenn. “I’m not, but you’re going to think I am.” He moved behind Jenn. She couldn’t see what he was doing, but he was messing with her bonds. “Jenn, lay on your stomach, please.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so. Come on Jenn, we haven’t got much time.” Rupert responded. Jenn decided to play along, given the earnestness in his tone. She flopped over and placed her bound feet near Rupert. Rupert reached down and a few seconds later her feet were free. He had a knife! The little squirt had smuggled a knife in! That was how he broke free of his bonds!

“Rupert, why didn’t you tell me you had a...” Rupert’s hand went over her mouth.

“Shh, we don’t want the entire world to know,” he told her. She felt him messing with her wrist ropes again, another few seconds and a bit of tugging later, her hands were free.

“Great, thanks Rupert!” She whispered gratefully. Her wrists and ankles were so sore; she just sat up and rubbed them for a few moments.

“Now comes the part where you’ll think I’m crazy, and why I had to gag him.” Rupert gestured over to Gastropé who’d been watching the whole thing with pleading eyes and tears dripping down his face. Jenn’s heart went flip flop seeing him look so pathetic.

Rupert went over and hunched down over the brazier as if trying warm his hands. What was he doing Jenn wondered? He seemed to be talking to himself. He’d obviously lost his mind. Rupert went on for almost a minute, getting almost feverish in his mumblings. Jenn’s feet and wrists were just coming back to life from being a sleep. As soon as they felt a bit better, she’d go over and comfort the boy. He was obviously traumatized. Behind her, Gastropé gasped.

Jenn turned to look at him. He was staring wide-eyed at the boy. It looked like some sort of fearful comprehension was illuminating his face. Like he knew what the boy was doing, and it terrified him. Jenn felt a chill race down her spine. Surely, surely, the kid couldn’t be that addlepated could he? Even if he were, there was no way a nine year old boy could pull it off. Was there?

As Jenn turned to stare fearfully back at Rupert. A sudden updraft in the room seemed to suck all the air right towards the fire. The fire roared up, towering above Rupert. Rupert stumbled back, surprised but excited and smiling in triumph. The flames shot up, lapping against the ceiling, roaring like a bonfire and producing even more heat. There was no way any normal brazier of that size could produce that much flame.

Commotion started from outside the tent as the guards realized something was definitely wrong. Rupert stumbled over by Jenn as the flames widened, blocking Jenn’s view of the tent flaps. The flames were starting to eat at the roof of the tent. Pretty soon the entire tent would burn down! What the hell had the kid done? They’d all burn to death if the demon he conjured didn’t kill them first. The guards by this point, had opened the flaps and were screaming and yelling for help.