Again, a significant gap between posts - apologies! But things are...shall we say heating up?

Chapter 27

Lizzie

I was no longer tied up but there was still no way I could escape, a guard was constantly outside my door, the window was barred, the door was locked, locked and locked again. I paced without direction for what felt like days on end, the minutes slipping into hours and my mind going in a loop – Robin, death, fear, Guy, Alan, the Sheriff, hunger, Robin, death, fear...etc.

Occasionally I would kick something.

It didn't help.

Then as night fell and darkness stole into the room, draining any dregs of optimism I had left, I knew I had to get out. I had to warn Robin. All at once the loop stopped and became fixated on one solitary thought: Robin. How he could cheer me, how he loved me, how I loved him, how I had to help him, his courage, his kisses. My thoughts revolved around him, savoring the faint relief given to me by imagining him there with me, my tears stopped by the thought of his caresses...

My gaze lighted upon my one candle and I smiled grimly.

Outside, the guard was pacing too, I could hear his heavy footfalls. He was fat, I could hear his laboring breath, I could practically hear the heat fly from hand hand to hand as he rubbed them together in an attempt at warmth, it was to that extent that I listened.

With one eye on the slim crack under the door through which I could see his shadow I slipped off my dress, left standing in my petticoat, and picked up the candle. Even as I shivered in the cold night air I gritted my teeth, then in one swoop I moved the flame to the dress.

The flame seemed to devour it.

I dropped it and watched in mute horror as the light flared and smoke began to rise, the guard had not noticed – he had to notice! Burning my fingers I pushed the flaming material towards the door and watched in satisfaction as the smoke oozed through the crack in the door. I heard his grunt of surprise.

It was then that I began to scream.

Alan

I was on my way back to the forest with a not-so-clear conscience when I heard the screams. They were coming from the end of the corridor, where Lizzie was, my conscience gave a painful twinge and I started to run, the closer I got to the screams the more they tore at me, a sick smell of smoke hung in the air and the air itself was thick and cloudy, I ran faster. The guard lumbered over and seized my shoulders,

"Fire!" He wailed, his pupils dilated with fear, through the smoke I saw the flicker of orange from the room.

"Why haven't you put it out you fool?" I screamed and he shrugged his meaty shoulders.

"I was told not to let her out!" He shouted, his jowls wobbled in panic and I shoved him aside, quickly unbolting the doors with as much speed and accuracy as I could.

If she died, I thought, if she died...

"Damn it!" I cursed as my hands began to shake violently, I heard a keening gasp from the other side of the door and hit the wall in frustration. Then, all of a sudden, silence fell and my heart stopped.

"Lizzie!" I screamed as the bolt finally came undone and I flung the door open. A mass of wild flames greeted me and I shrugged off my coat, using it to beat the flames into submission – I could see her curled in the corner, her long hair covering her face, her neck and arms gray with soot and ash.

The flames dissolved into sparks and dust and I ran to her and slung her over my shoulder, running from the room and shutting the door.

Guy

Screams – I'd heard her screams, they'd woken me from my sleep...just a fancy I assured myself and turned over, I shut my eyes but screams replaced sleep and I couldn't doze again. All I could hear was endless, harrowing screaming in the voice I knew...my sisters screams...

Shaken and angry I pushed myself out of bed and pulled on my jacket before storming down the corridor to where she was. I wouldn't go in, I told myself – she would work her charm on me and turn me soft again, I knew, nevertheless I broke into a run – some unknown fear pulsed through my veins and I ran until I smelt smoke.

Then I sprinted.

Lizzie

Thump, thump, thump.

Was that my heart?Did I still have a heart? Was it mine?

Thump, thump, thump.

Gasp.

That was me I suppose...yes, that death rattle – did you know you can taste death? I tasted mine, it was close enough to feel on my tongue, it tasted of ash and metal and soot and fear.

Did you know you can hear it? It crackles and spits and mocks and screams. But I was screaming too...

And that you can feel it, did you know that? I know. I felt it wrap around me like a python, I felt it scald me with its fiery tongue. Close enough to touch.

Thump, thump, thump.

But is that me? That heartbeat? It sounds so distant like it's the other side of a cave.

Is that what life sound like? And does it taste of cool water pressing against my lips? And does it feel like a soft blanket that wipes the ash from me?

Is it saying my name in a voice I know?

Am I here or am I there? Anywhere in fact...anyone anyhow anytime? Am I alive? Is this my breath? Is this my mind? My body? My chest that rises and falls?

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.

"Lizzie?"

Gasp, breathe, fight.

I opened my eyes.

They were full of soot and tears.