Chapter 99: She Afraid

Chapter 99: She Afraid

What would you do? Jenny asked me.

She stood there, arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to keep warm, biting into her bottom lip.

I didnt even have to think about my response. Me? Id confess. The last thing Id want to do is spend my final days locked up with this lot. Mind you, Id probably give a long speech about how they owed their lives to me and how much they didnt deserve it. Make them feel as shitty as possible. Gratitude is fleeting, but shame lasts forever.

Jennys body sagged. She closed her eyes and and took a deep breath. It was me. I took the knife. You can all go. Her voice was steady, but she was shaking. She sank down into a crouch, arms hooped around her knees and rested her head in the little divot between her kneecaps.

Okay, everyone, I said, lets go.

They hesitated, looking at each other for support, for permission. I think they knew abandoning Jenny would be a death sentence for her. Even if she had stolen the dagger, they didnt want to be responsible for that. Guilt kept them from moving. They didnt want to be the ones to condemn her. They wanted someone else to do it.

I bent down so my head was about level with hers.

Arent you coming?

Jenny looked up at me, tears in her eyes. What do you The watery sadness in her eyes flipped into confusion, and then tumbled into something far sharper. You fuck!

You were very noble, I said. You didnt make them eat shit or anything.

Jenny sprang up like a jack-in-the-box. You fucking fuck. I had to step back quickly to avoid being headbutted.

Wait, said Claire. So, she didnt have to confess?

Nope. Why should she? She didnt do anything. Although, it was impressive how you turned on her like that. You guys are some heartless motherfuckers.

They all looked at each other. Outrage or shame? Place your bets.

Claires mouth went from frown to grimace to open bomb bay doors.

You know, I said, cutting in before she could start, she only just managed to get away from her last bunch of friends. Imagine how she feels now, thanks to you.

Claire faltered. Her eyes swung away from me and towards Jenny, who was still shaking with rage. I mean, she was shaking with rage at me, but Claire was in her line of sight, too. I didnt mind sharing.

All four of my original party bowed their heads as they took collective responsibility.

Claire slowly inched towards Jenny. She didnt make eye contact and her voice was low and mumbly. Sorry, Jenny. I know I was out of order and theres no excuse for how I acted, but

Sure, theres no excuse, but Classic.

the truth is after you spend as much time with Colin as we have, he starts rubbing off on you.

Wait a minute

Snapping and lashing out at people feels like the normal thing to do. I didnt even think about what I was saying, I was all wrapped up in myself, just like him.

How did this become my fault?

They nodded and drew their weapons. Serious faces and determined expressions surrounded me.

And then, Maurice took out a helmet I hadnt seen before. No, not a helmet, more like a mask. Or a cowl. Batman was back.

What the fuck, Maurice?

It was much more intricate than the one he used to have attached to his onesie. Hed clearly had it made to order, with slits in the side to accommodate his glasses.

Metal plating. He knocked on the side of his head, creating a dull, metallic sound.

Fair enough. If he wanted extra protection for his head, reinforced head gear made sense. I wasnt sure how the bat ears helped, though.

Maurice turned to Claire and gave her a look. Claire seemed to be pretending she hadnt seen it. He nudged her. She ignored him. He nudged her harder and she reluctantly reached into her bag and pulled out a mask of her own.

It was black, but shinier than Maurices, with white stitching and little ears. Cat ears. It was a copy of Michelle Pfeiffers Catwoman mask from Batman Returns.

She put it on.

Looking at the two of them, a thought occurred to me. A very disturbing thought.

You two have sex in those, dont you?

Claires face flushed a deep red while Maurice grinned like The Joker.

Jesus. I hope you wiped them down. I turned to the others. Any S&M fetish gear you lot want to put on? No? Okay then. We have eight floors to get through, each floor is going to be full of hostile killers with only one thought in mindtaking us down. Our only hope is to kill them before they kill us. Aim weapons at the vital pointseyes and ballsand if you lose your weapon... Hai-ya! I struck the air with the edge of my palm. Karate chop.

Claire grabbed the front of her mask and slowly pulled it off. We arent going to fight our way out are we?

Of course not, I said. Wed last about ten seconds.

Their faces were a mixture of relief and confusion.

Were going with Plan B.

I get the feeling we arent going to like Plan B, either said Maurice.

No one likes Plan B. Thats why its called Plan B. Time to go.

They stayed close behind me as we went up to the seventh floor. I didnt know if the carpenters had figured out where we were yet, but I was hopeful we could make it up one flight of stairs without dying.

We must have looked pretty odd sliding along the wall, trying to see if anyone was coming down as we went up, but we got to the seventh floor without encountering any large men with exaggerated shoulders. I led them off the staircase and down the hallway

We passed a couple of doors and a few people, none of whom paid us any attention. We got to a junction where four corridors met and I opened the map Kizwat had drawn for me before wed arrived at the Sheaf. He had been here enough times to know the rough layout, and I only needed to know the location of one place.

It didnt take long to get to our destination. We all stood outside the beautiful mahogany doors. The plaque next to it said:

The Carpenters Guild

Because Wood Works