THE WARD

I startle awake from my comatose state at the feel of something brushing against my skin, tickling my cheek. My dulled sense take a few moments to kick into gear but when they do, all I feel is a cool breeze against my skin, while a musty smell cloys my nostrils. A distant but very real memory, resurfaces violently the moment I recognise that unique miasma. I know where I am, but the more pertinent question is how did I get here?

Voices trickle through the thick haze of sleep and one in particular stands out more than others. His voice. Whilst some of my senses have returned, the others seemed to have been short-circuited. My whole body doesn't respond, and the feeling of desperation creeps in at lightning speed as more memories invade my mind, coupled with anger, desolation and the entire thesaurus of curses. I don't know if there is such a thing, but if there isn't, there should be.

To my dismay I realise that I've been drugged, judging by murkinees I'm floating on. My eyelids feel as if they've been glued together, my toungue feels thick in my mouth, and impossible to move. So no shouting profanities for a little while.

The sound of his voice sends a jolt of electricity through my spine with equivalent voltage of a lighting bolt.

I hear clapping," Ahh, how wonderful Mr Kinnaird. You've made quite an entrance," Micah hums in delight. The glee in his tone is sickening, but I have no other choice but lay there and listen. Did Mason followed through with our plan or this has been his plan all along? Doubt creeps in fast, invasive,its toxicity clouding my mind, and my soul. Any faith I had up until this point, gives way to the sting of betrayal, and loss. It blooms and expanding in my chest, muddying the purity of our shared fate, love and trust.

" Trust us," For some reason those words resonate deep within my soul, breaking through the panic infused thoughts and emotions. It is a sliver of light in all the darkness surrounding me," To deliver," He finishes his thoughts. Us? Who is us?

" Of course, Mr Kinnaird. Never doubted you for a second. I trust that she is ripe?" Micah questions, and I may or may not have a clue of what he is speaking of.

" She is," Mason confirms," After all, this what we have been working towards for so long," Something cool, soft and smooth slides over my arm, and I recognise the feel of the fabric as silk.

" Indeed. As we discussed I've kept my end of the bargain and provided you with the right incentive to achieve this final goal. I'm impressed Mr Kinnaird. You delivered and ahead of schedule, I might add" Any hope that blinked into life dies prematurely at Micah words. Having confirmation that Mason has been working for Micah this entire time has me spinning out of control.

" Mason," Hearing Graham's voice catches me by surprise. A chocked sob crawls up my throat along with the absolute desire to shred the world to pieces with everything and everyone in it. So, Graham and Mason, is us.

" Right. As we discussed. I expect the final part of my payment on delivery. And as you can see, I've held my end, now it's your turn," I feel his foot slide under my hand, something sharp prods at my fingertips. A blade. Just like myself Mason is a big fan of concealed sharp objects.

" Of course," Micah says, and then I hear rustling and the sound of multiple footsteps.

" As promised, " Something rustles, and thankfully my fingers obey me, and grip the tip of the blade. Mason slides his foot, as the blade slips seamlessly out of the sole of his shoe. Coincidence? Maybe.

Does it matter? No.

Somebody will die a very slow, painful, bloodied death in this godforsaken place and I'm hell bent on leaving this place in one piece.

Mason's hum comes from farther away and I know that he has put some distance between us. Gripping the blade, I take stock of my body. Slowly the numbness in my feet and my arms begins to disipate, my facial muscles are not far behind and I manage to crack an eyelid open after several failed attempts.

The light is wane, very wane. It looks a bit like the moment right before dusk sets in. I realise with dismay that I'm bound.

" I believe you're falling short on payment," Mason says sharply.

" Well," Micah drawls in an exaggerated manner," It has been over two decades. What did you expect?" Micah says almost derisevely, and Mason scoffs under his breath.

" Nothing much to be honest. But I appreciate it nonetheless," He says calmly while, I roll my wrist and begin to saw off the rope I can get to. I don't think anyone pays me any attention thinking that I'm unconscious. So I make full use of that, keeping my movements to a minimum. It will take longer, but the surprise element should suffice to give me enough time to come up with something. Keeping my raging emotions in check, I begin to plan. I have no weapons other than the blade in my hand. The hilt that Laira has made for me is still in the drawer in my room in the loft, and the decahedron is in my backpack. Awaiting to be tested.

" Now if you could kindly provide me with the remaining seals, so we could be on our merry way, it would be great," Merry way? Really Micah? For someone that claims to be a vicious killer, you need to update your vocabulary.

" Of course," Mason agrees readily just as he snaps his finger followed by someone's footsteps, just as,thankfully the soft sound of rope giving way echoes in my ears. I feel the rope loosening around my body, but I don't move while the clang of metal on metal fills the air.

" I believe this concludes our affair," Mason says, once he has handed over the seals.

" Yes it does," Micsh agrees," Would you like to see the puzzle completed," Micah offers.

" Of course. It is a once in a life opportunity. I'm excited to have contributed to bringing change into the world," Micah laughs at his answer and I want to laugh too, because that sounded absolutely insane. Even for my ears.

The shuffle of feet across stone, alerts me of their approach and I summon enough common sense to close my eyes, breath as little as possible and remain still as death.

He won't make it very far strapping those seals onto me, but I'd like to see him try.