Sally had to set her book down for a moment. The words were starting to run together. But she had to keep going; she would never forgive herself if…if…she didn’t want to think about it. She went back to her book. After a few minutes she threw it a side.
Sally: Useless…
None of these books had anything. If the Beldam had wanted to remain anonymous she got her wish. So far the only mention of her was that little paragraph in Jack’s book. At some point they’d even tried to find out about the child who had escaped but without a name they had nothing to go on. She hoped Lock, Shock and Barrel were alright. ‘If only we could see what was happening,’ thought Sally, ‘at least we’d know if they were still alive...’ She hated to think it, but it was as Jack had said, she only allows children in her world. ‘If only there was a way we could see them without having to enter her world.’ Sally thought, ‘then maybe we could help them.’ That’s when Sally had an idea. It was so obvious she couldn’t believe it had never occurred to her before.
Sally: Jack?
Jack looked up from his pile of books.
Jack: Found anything?
Sally: I…I don’t know, but…maybe there’s a way we could see into her world.
Jack: See into her world?
Sally: Think about it, if we knew what was going on there, then maybe we’d at least know if they were… I mean, research isn’t getting us anywhere and if we knew what was going on maybe we could figure out how to help.
Jack seemed to think about this for a moment. She had a point.
Jack: Sounds like a plan to me, but how are we supposed to see them?
Sally: Leave that to me…
Shock wasn’t sure exactly what had made her say poker. It had just seemed natural; after all, they did work for Oogie. Shock could play poker before she could read and she was pretty good at it too. At least, whenever she played against Lock and Barrel (for candy, not money or lives) she often won. But now she started to doubt herself; she wasn’t playing against Lock or Barrel. She wasn’t playing for a few bars of chocolate. This was a real gamble.
Beldam: Poker huh? Interesting choice…
The Beldam wore an amused expression. Suddenly in Shock’s mind the nightmarish images she had tried to repress began to resurface. She looked up at the Beldam and saw the blood running from her mouth. Shock closed her eyes for a moment. ‘Stay focused’, she told herself, ‘you can’t afford to lose it now.’ Shock reopened her eyes and the blood was gone, though the horror remained. The Beldam didn’t seem to have noticed, or if she did she didn’t care.
Beldam: Figures you would know how to play, with that thing raising you.
Shock: (surprised) How do you know about Oogie?
But the Beldam said nothing, but gave Shock her I-know-something-you-don’t-know smile. Shock wondered how much the Beldam knew. It gave her chills to think that she could have been spying in them before they arrived here. The Other Lock looked back and forth between the Beldam. A slime like blue ooze dripped from where The Beldam still pinched his ear.
Beldam: (finally breaking the silence) Well, are we just going to stand here or are we going to play? How about the dining room?
The Other Lock at that point let out a loud whimper he’d tried to contain. The Beldam looked at him with disgust, let go of his ear and grabbed him by the hair. Shock wanted to help him, and felt guilty because she couldn’t. Without waiting for a response the Beldam turned and headed towards the dining room, dragging Other Lock with her. Shock glanced beck over her shoulder at the door for a second before following.
As Shock followed her through the hall, she noticed for the first time that the paint was peeling. Not just that but things seemed dirtier than before, the colors seemed faded, and the floors creaked a little. ‘It’s like the house is aging’ thought Shock. Even the dining room table, which had seemed almost new just that morning, was now scratched and chipped. The Beldam let go of Other Lock, throwing him away from her. He walked around the table nervously then pulled out a chair for Shock and gestured for her to sit down. She hesitated a moment, unsure of herself, but finally sat down.
Shock: (whisper) Thank you.
Other Lock: (whisper) Good luck.
The Other Lock chewed his lower lip then looked back up at the Beldam. He rushed over to her to pull out a chair for her. Shock couldn’t help but notice how afraid of her the Other Lock was, but when the Beldam’s back was turned she saw something in his face she had not seen before: Hatred.
Beldam: (rudely) Lock! Fetch some cards for us.
Other Lock: (false eagerness) Yes Mother.
While Other Lock ‘fetched’ the cards the Beldam tried on her best ‘mother’ act.
Beldam: Shock dear, it’s too bad it has to come to this.
Shock didn’t respond. She had nothing to say to the Beldam. The nightmarish image of Lock dead flashed through her mind. Shock pushed the painful image away; she would not let that happen.
Beldam: So, what kind of Poker shall this be? 7-card? Texas Hold’em?
Shock: Just regular 5-card, best of five hands.
At that moment Other Lock returned with several packs of cards, all brand new. He held them up to the Beldam who snatched them and set them on the table.
Beldam: How many decks do you wish to play with?
Shock: Um, two, no jokers…and Other Lock shuffles.
The Beldam raised an eyebrow at this. Shock wasn’t taking any chances; she knew from experience all the ways one could cheat.
Beldam: Have it your way.
Without looking at him she handed (practically threw them really) the cards to Other Lock who took them nervously. He looked at the cards then up at Shock.
Other Lock: (quietly) Um, I…
Beldam: (loudly) What’s that?
Other Lock: (even quieter) I don’t know how…
Beldam: Perhaps I should do it?
Shock: NO! I mean, here I’ll show you. It’s easy…
Shock got up from her chair and took the cards from Other Lock.
Shock: Here, you just split the deck, and…
Shock shuffled the cards together, though rather poorly.
Shock: Uh…yeah like that. You try it.
Other Lock took the cards from her and shuffled them perfectly. The Beldam grimaced.
Other Lock: How’s that?
Shock: (surprised by his instant success) That’s…great.
Beldam: (impatient) Can we play now?
Shock sat back down in her seat Other Lock gave them each five cards. Shock looked at the Beldam, her expression full of anger and loathing. The Beldam looked back at Shock with an expression of caring, as if this were just a friendly game between mother and daughter. They picked up their cards, the game had begun.
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Sorry about the wait! Had total writer's block, but it's gone now! I've already started the next chapter.
