CHAPTER 28: In the Heart of the Pit - Part 2

  The bell rang again, accompanied by the lights going out. There was nothing left to do but lie down on the woven mat and sleep.

  Tomorrow was the day for lice and nits extermination. All the prisoners' clothes were smoked and seared while they waited naked. From the smell, they seemed to use a mix of neem, myrrh, eucalyptus, and perhaps one or two other ingredients. Their clothes crackled as dead lice fell off.

  Eiran's woven clothes were discarded, and he wore the same fabric uniform as all 'errand boys.' The clothes smelled fresh when returned, a small comfort he always looked forward to. Clean clothes, after all, helped maintain morale.

  Afterward, they all lined up in the central room for the daily inspection by the chief warden. The bald man descended the spiral staircase piercing Grest. His gaze swept; he received a report from this level's guard and moved to the next floor.

  Next was mining as usual. Eiran swung his pickaxe while screaming Damn! Damn! in his mind. It helped, a little. His pickaxe rebounded when it struck hard rock, leaving only a white mark on the stone. Both his hands went numb.

  Damn! Damn!

  The lunch bell rang. They turned in their Lorith and received soup and bread.

  All prisoners ate lunch in the central room alongside the guards. The prisoners sat on the floor while the guards had their own table. A prisoner with both legs amputated below the knee shuffled about distributing drinking water. Water was always provided although rationed.

  Eiran's hands shook each time he lifted his soup spoon. The soup spilled before reaching his lips, forcing him to hold the spoon with both hands. He wondered which was more deserving of being called soup, the muddy water or the overly diluted broth.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “Soon you'll get used to it,” Zeke said.

  “I'll escape from here before I get used to anything.”

  An old man beside Eiran chimed in. “Young man, Grest is not a prison. This whole place is a sanctuary, a refuge built during the Chaos Era Two to avoid destruction at that time. That's why it only has one entrance and exit. Though there are a few air ducts, they're all barred with grates as thick as a wrist.

  “You know, sanctuaries were usually built near Lorith mines to sustain their Artifica instruments. Since Wyndor turned this place into a prison, then it was taken by Arvane, and now under Terzion, there's never been a single record of anyone escaping. Don't dream of escaping; you'll be disappointed.”

  “Then I'll be the first, and you can tell the story.” Eiran spoke out of frustration, admitting his inability to think of any way to escape. His words, instead, evoked genuine laughter from the old man.

  “Ha ha ha, I am a historian. I've spent my life recording what has happened that I forgot about what could happen. Good for you, young man! Give me a chance to write it!” The old man gave him some grapes. “I just happened to find a Lorith the size of a thumb.”

  “Thanks, Gramps!”

  Out of nowhere, Zeke grabbed his arm as he was about to eat the grapes and scrutinized it.

  “Hey, Zeke–”

  Zeke signaled for Eiran to be quiet. After a moment, he turned with a grin. “Maybe... maybe we can escape from this place, Eri.”

  In their cell, before the lights went out, Zeke shared his idea with the enthusiasm of a child talking about their favorite toys.

  “I've never got grapes before. Unthinkable!”

  “What's unthinkable? Does this have anything to do with you swallowing my grapes in one gulp?”

  “Ha ha ha, sorry about that, Eri.” Zeke patted his back. “The bread here is made from a blend of wheat and corn, bland and yeast-free. It's also free of preservatives so prisoners can't hoard it for escape. That’s why...”

  Zeke whispered into his ear as if someone might overhear.

  Eiran's eyes widened. Maybe! Just maybe!

  “But to get grapes for supper, we have to work ourselves to death. And if we fail, it's not figurative anymore. I've warned you, Eri.”

  They mined with all their strength to get the grapes. Zeke also did not forget to drip candle wax onto the back of his shirt. “Follow me, Eri. We'll need fire. Grab a flint from that pile of stones.”