Sally felt awful. They had tried to tell her, pleaded with her, and she hadn’t believed them. Now they were gone. She stared out the window, lost on thought. She felt a pair of thin arms wrap around her.
Jack: You okay?
Sally: …
Jack: It’s not your fault. You can’t keep blaming yourself. I didn’t really believe them either until I found it. Besides, since when have they ever been known to be truthful?
Sally: But that doesn’t mean they deserve to die!
Jack: Sally…
Sally: That’s what’s going to happen isn’t it? They are going to die…
Jack: Sally, look at me,
He turned her around to face him and held her face in his hands.
Jack: It’s not your fault. You were just trying to do what you thought was right. You can’t keep blaming yourself.
Sally: But you should have seen their faces, and I didn’t believe them…There must be something we can do!
Jack started to say there was nothing, but the look in her eyes stpped him. He couldn’t do that to her, and to be honest he didn’t like sitting on his hands either.
Jack: *sighs* Grab a book then, we’re going to have to do some research…
Shock: That’s it then isn’t it? I have to challenge her.
Barrel: You can’t do that! What if you lose?
Other Lock: It’s too risky, we’ll find another way.
Shock: But you said it yourself, there is no other way, only she can get him out.
Barrel: Then I’ll do it!
Shock had to smile at his eagerness, but she doubted a six year old would be a match for the Beldam. Then again, she was only eight.
Shock: No Barrel, I’m older, I have to do it. Here…
She took off the key and handed it to Barrel.
Shock: If anything happens, I want you to get yourselves out of here. Try not to lose it this time and keep Lock company.
Other Lock and Barrel, looked at Shock with a mixture of anxious worry and sadness. The real Lock looked on confused and worried, he had no idea what they were saying. Shock walked over to the mirror and wrote on the glass.
‘Get U Out’
She had to breathe on the glass again to continue.
‘I promise’
Lock had a feeling Shock was about to do something dangerous but in the confines of his prison he knew he couldn’t stop her. So he merely wrote:
“Be Careful”
Shock nodded. They looked at each other a moment before she started to leave. On a whim she hugged Barrel, which was not something she usually did, before walking into the hallway. She was only a few steps out when she heard footsteps behind her. She stopped and turned around to see Other Lock.
Other Lock: Wait, Shock, let me help you.
Shock: Other Lock…
Other Lock: Listen, I can help you, I know all about her.
Shock didn’t want anything to happen to him, but she recognized that determined expression. She had worn it herself. There would be no talking him out of it.
Shock: *sighs* Okay then, come on.
She started to walk off again.
Other Lock: Wait, Shock…
Shock: What?
Other Lock suddenly blushed and looked nervously down at his hands.
Other Lock: In-in case something happens to either of us I-I want you to know I really, really like you.
Then he did something unexpected. He kissed Shock on the cheek. Shock was shocked (ha ha pun intended). She felt heat rise in her face; she didn’t know how to react to this. There were many things she could have said, but whatever else she could have said, she didn’t.
Shock: Uhhh…thank you?
As soon as she said it she felt like a total moron. Other Lock was embarrassed beyond belief; half wishing he could turn invisible. Shock didn’t know what to do in this situation; it wasn’t exactly her area of expertise. Other Lock was nervously twisting his tail. ‘Say something, Shock you idiot’, thought Shock, ‘you’re hurting his feelings.’
Shock: I, I mean, I like you too, and if, when we get out of here, you should come live with us.
Other Lock: Live…with you three?
Shock: Sure, why not?
Other Lock: Shock, I thought you knew, I can’t…ahhhhh!!!!
Whatever he was going to say was lost, for at that moment the Beldam had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. She pinched the Other Lock’s ear dragging him near her.
Beldam: You’ve been a bad little servant Lock. Saying things you ought not to have said while I was gone.
Other Lock: *whimpers*
Shock: Let him go!
Beldam: Don’t worry sweetie, I’ll make sure he behaves from now on. Then we can all be a happy family. Wouldn’t that be nice?
‘Happy family?’ thought Shock, ‘was she out of her mind?’ Other Lock looked anything but happy.
Beldam: Now, where is your brother? It’s just about time for lunch.
Shock tried to resist the urge to look towards the door. She felt nervous to the point of throwing up, but she knew she had to act. This was her chance; she looked the Beldam squarely in the face.
Shock: I hear you like games.
The Beldam’s button eyes flashed.
Beldam: Everyone likes games.
Shock: Uh-huh.
Beldam: What exactly are you offering?
Shock found herself glancing nervously between the Beldam and the Other Lock who continued to whimper as the Beldam continued pinching his ear.
Shock: Me. If I lose then I’ll stay here and let you sew buttons in my eyes.
Beldam: (dragging the words out a bit) And if you do not lose?
Shock: I…If I win, I want you to let us go, all of us.
Beldam: Interesting…and what kind of game would this be? A riddle game? A test of knowledge and skill?
Shock: Even better, a game of luck and chance: Poker.
......................................................................................
Will Jack and Sally be able to help?
Will Shock win?
Only a few chapters left!
I can't believe it...
