Chapter 89: Locked In

Chapter 89: Locked In

The men in the room turned their attention to the pretty girl standing on the table. Maybe they thought after the singing comes the go-go dancing.

Sorry to interrupt. I thought you might like to know the man who just left put something in your drinks.

A confused murmur drifted around the room.

I cant be absolutely sure, but I think he drugged you so it would be easier to grab you when you leave here and force you to join the army.

The murmuring escalated into objections. New novel chapters are published on

What are you saying?

Why would he do that?

Not true. Not true.

The natives started to get restless. I tried to move away from Betty Bigmouth, but I was in a booth so it was hard to get any distance.

Please, I dont want to start any trouble Yeah, right but I saw him squeeze a few drops of whatever was in the small pouch on his belt into each of your mugs. Maybe they were vitamin drops and hes secretly boosting your immune system, I dont know, Im not a doctor . Im just warning you, if you leave here and run into him, theres a good chance hes going to try and sign you up, whether youre interested or not.

This gave the men pause for thought, but none of them seemed convinced. A scruffy man with a bushy beard stood up on the far side of the room.

I dont know why youre saying these things, but I known Crunchy since we were boyssame as most everyone else here and theres no way he would do something like that. No way. I mean, why? Why would he do such a thing? It makes no sense.

There was general agreement with this sentiment.

I dont know, said Jenny. Does he get paid a commission for the men he brings in?

An awkward silence fell on the room.

He do, said Bushy Beard, but not enough to turn on his friends.

What if he managed to bring in every man in this room. Would it be enough money to tempt him then?

Everyone looked around, counting the number of men and doing the calculations. There were twelve men in the room.

I, I still dont believe it, said Bushy, sounding unsure of himself. You say he put something in our drinks? Well, I feel fine. More than fine. I think you just be seeing things. You wanna be more careful who you go around badmouthing, young lady. I had enough of this. Im a going home.

He pushed away a chair and walked over to the exit, paused to give Jenny a disapproving glare, and opened the door.

A gust of cool, fresh air rushed into the room and struck Bushy like an undercut to the chin. His head tilted up and he staggered a few steps backwards before collapsing.

A couple of the men nearest rushed to help him up. They got him back to his feet but his neck had turned to rubber flopping his head from side to side.

Remi, whats wrong? Are you okay, Remi?

His only response was a stream of giggles. A sense of panic pervaded the room.

Jenny climbed down from the table and sat back down next to me. She smiled at me like job well done.

Whats so scary about a few carpenters?

The barman looked at me like I was an idiot. There arent any carpenters in the Carpenters Guild.

Then why are they called the

The barman interrupted me with a long sigh and a shake of his head. If you had a group of thugs and murderers for hire what would you call them? The Assassins Guild? Put it on a business card with your contact details, would you? Be a bit of a giveaway to the authorities, wouldnt it?

Oh, I said. I get it. And the Thieves Guild

The Cheesemakers Association. They do actually also produce cheese, but its more of a sideline.

So, these Carpenter Guild guys are pretty tough?

They take a blood oath before every job. Either they get the job done or die trying.

There was a loud banging on the door. Come on, now. Whats going on in there? If youre having a lock in, at least let me in for a drink.

The barman moved over to the door. Ah, you know the law, Crunchy. Once the doors locked, no ones allowed in. Cost me my licence if I broke the rules.

I wont tell anyone, said the voice through the door. There was a fake jovality to it, but it wasnt hard to spot the menace beneath it.

Ha, nice try., said the barman, his fake jovality undercut with a nervous desperation. Sorry, no can do.

There was another round of banging. Those men have got families to go home to, jobs in the morning. Its irresponsible to let them drink all night.

Its irresponsible to bring the Carpenters Guild into this, the barman shot back. There was silence.

I went to the shutters and peered through the slats. There were three wagons out there and a bunch of silhouettes. Large silhouettes.

I dont suppose you have a cellar with a secret passageway out of here? I said.

No, said the barman. Theres no way in or out of here now.

Okay. Well just have to wait for everyone to sober up. The customers were in various stages of passing out. On tables, on the floor, some even on their feet. Lets just hope Corporal Crunchy doesnt try any FBI hostage negotiation techniques like setting the place on fire and burning us all to death.

There was a sound above us. We all stopped and looked up.

Oh shit, said the barman, I forgot about the roof. Theres a skylight in the back bedroom.

Jenny sprang to her feet, ran across the room, headed for the stairs. I grabbed her as she tried to get past me.

What do you think youre doing? I had her firmly by the shoulders. Im not going to get myself killed because you think youre some kind of hero.

She shook me off. I didnt ask you to come with me. She patted me on the shoulder and then sprinted up the stairs.

She was right. If she wanted to throw herself into the arms of certain death, that was her business. Absolutely nothing to do with me. My job was to keep me alive. She was on her own.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I chased up the stairs after her. What the hell was it about this girl that made me run towards danger?