Friday, August 4, 1933
Tom could already feel the misty ocean breeze grazing across his skin. The early-morning sun cast a warm glow on him and reflected across the ocean's undulating surface.
The caregivers had forced Tom to do chores every day during playtime, giving him no time for himself. They didn't seem to be bothered by that fact either --- and Mrs. Matthews seemed delighted.
He had been tired for the last month, and only about a week ago had the pain and tiredness in his chest finally evaporated. It had been the strangest thing -- being tired for an entire month. He had begun to suspect that something was wrong with his body. But it could also have been due to what happened with the alleyways.
They were currently walking from the local village they were staying at to the beach. Tom could see the beach peaking out from a divide in the cliffside; it was cramped. The other children were ecstatic and had been earlier on the train ride here. The countryside had fascinated them — seeing as how they rarely got to know any place other than the dingy city.
The caregivers were in chaos, trying to order and organize the orphans and stop them from jumping into the ocean immediately.
Tom slipped off his shoes and placed them away from the massive stack the others created with their boots. There was no chance they could pick out their shoes from the enormous jumble.
Tom wore swim shorts and a wide-brim hat to keep the glaring sun from his face. He kept his shirt on. Powerful men weren't skinny like him, and he had an image to maintain.
The girls wore a one-piece outfit with a skirted bottom and sleeves. The outfit Tom wore had several tears in the bottom right leg -- seeing as how the swim trunks had been worn by many people before him.
Mrs. Matthews wasn't on this trip, and neither were half the staff. Mrs. Hudson, who was in charge of the seaside trip, spoke over the chaos. "Go swim. But don't go out too far."
Some of the younger and even some of the older children made a race for the water. It was full of splashing and playing, having far too much fun than was acceptable.
Everyone had been so excited about the beach visit, except for Tom. At least it would give him some freedom to do what he wanted. But he would much rather sit in his room and read a book on Math -- that was at least a good use of his time. He doubted he would ever see any powerful men swimming in the ocean with a bunch of lazy children. So he wouldn't do that either.
But he accepted that if he didn't swim, it would make him look weaker than if he chose to swim. And besides, he was one of the only people who could say they could confidently swim without lying. Now, of course, his swimming could have been better. But compared to the rest of them -- who would likely drown the moment their feet couldn't touch the bottom -- he was doing much better.
He had heard many children boasting about how amazing they were at swimming. Specific boy. But now TOm saw him building a sand castle, saying he didn't feel much like swimming.
Tom knew only two people who could swim: POPULAR GIrl 1 and RANDOM 2. He spotted them deeper in the sea, swimming and splashing.
Tom stepped to the coastline, foamy water lapping at his toes. He dug his toes into the wet sand and felt it around his feet. He walked further in the water, the cold seeping around to his knees.
"Tom!" RANDOM Caregiver called out. "Don't swim with your shirt on."
Annoyance twinged at his heart, and he stepped out of the ocean. I won't be swimming, then.
He went and sat on the sand. Maybe I'll build a sandcastle. Tom immediately revoked the sentence. Feeling ashamed at even having thought of it.
Tom looked at the other orphans; they were all skinny, so why was he ashamed? Maybe they would like him BETTER if they knew he was thin and more like them. But no ... my goal isn't to be liked; it's to be powerful. And yes, I should probably be well-liked to be powerful. But that doesn't mean I should sacrifice power for likability, right? Don't get the two mixed up.
The bright, beaming sun burnt his pale skin; he could already feel it burning red. A powerful man wouldn't have burns on his body --
Tom snapped himself out of that thought. What's the point of trying to be powerful if it means I can't do anything?
Tom leaned back against the rock cliff. I don't know what I should do. If I was older, all of this would be so much easier. I could find a book on all of this. A book on POWER. I need to learn, and there are better places to gain knowledge about this than an orphanage. Although it may serve as a training ground.
Tom felt at his ribs; they were so prominent that he could feel the deep ridges between each rib -- like valleys in a row of mountains. Tom looked up at the other boys -- who were all shirtless and didn't care about their skinniness.
Tom looked down at his own clothed body. Why do I care so much? Isn't hiding my body weaker than showing it off and being confident? Why do I hide it?
A wave of treacherous, traitorous sense of weakness and stupidity washed over him. He didn't know anything, but he wanted to. He was only six, yet he expected to know everything about how the world worked. How am I supposed to do anything if I don't KNOW anything?
By doing, that's what. You have to do things. Be confident in yourself.
No more weakness. Ever.
Tom stood and then unbuttoned his shirt. Fear stabbed through him at the thought of others seeing his body. But he suppressed it and replaced it with confidence. He tried to stop his breath from being shaky, and he tried to stop his furtive, frantic eyes from swiveling everywhere.
He got to the last button and slipped the shirt off his shoulders. He took a shaky breath and looked around him. All the orphans were doing their things; no one was paying attention to what Tom was doing. And when they did glance at Tom's starved body, they didn't say anything.
He slowly felt his posture straightening, his gaze becoming more confident, and his heartbeat slow. It wasn't that bad. They didn't see him as any weaker. They didn't care.
Tom smiled lightly at himself. He had been so stupid, an absolute idiot. He had expected everyone to stop what they were doing and gaze like brainless apes at the sight of his skinny body. But that wasn't the case.
Tom walked forward into the water. He felt exposed with his naked chest out for everyone to see. And he quickly hid it under the water. I'm still being stupid, but at least I made progress.
Tom dunked his head under the water to acclimate to the frigidness. When he surfaced, he combed his hair back over to look presentable.
The children around him were chaos. Girls were shrieking and chasing each other, and some boys were chasing girls. Boys wrestling and laughing. People splash each other. Everyone was laughing and having fun. Well ... except for the caregivers. Tom spotted Mrs. Hudson on the beach, watching the orphans play with a disapproving glare. Probably thinking about how they weren't exuding a sense of "proper".
Tom weaved around the chaos, skirting two older boys locked into a splash battle. Some water stabbed at Tom's eyes, causing a sudden fire to burn to the sky in him.
He forced it down and kept walking. Trying to go to the deeper water to swim.
"Hey, Tom!" Sam Doyle called out. Someone splashed Sam right after, causing him to sputter and wipe at his eyes. "You said you could swim, right?"
Tom nodded, trying to contain his smirk.
"Wanna race?" Sam smiled.
Tom smiled back. "Sure." I'll leave him in the dust.
Sam chuckled and slapped the water. "You're gonna regret this day."
Some boys laughed around him.
Another boy splashed over to Sam. "Oh, you're racing? Can I join?"
Sam patted him on the shoulders. "RANDOM, if you tried racing me, you wouldn't last a minute." He smiled amiably.
"Yes, I could! Let me try." RANDOM, who was not much older than Tom, started swimming in the water in what he thought was an impressive form. But some children burst out laughing at the sight of his flailing arms and barely floating body.
The boy resurfaced with a proud smile, disappearing as he saw the others laughing at him. "What? That was better than you could do!"
Sam patted the boy's shoulders again and said, " Don't worry, Random. You'll get faster and better when you're older."
"But Tom's younger than me! That's not fair ..."
"Ah, quit whinin', Random. I wanna see a good race." Another boy said.
"Are you coming or not?" Tom asked.
"Oh, I thought you were coming over here," Sam said, splashing over to Tom, a half-dozen boys following.
Sam smirked at Tom as he lowered his body so only his head was out of the water like Tom was. Except Tom had to be like that because he wasn't tall enough. Go ahead, keep mocking me. We'll see who wins this race.
Sam jumped up in the water, causing a splash to wash over Tom and some of the surrounding boys (light splash). "I say we make this into a whole spectacle. Eh, Tom?" Without waiting for a response, he turned to orphans in the shallower water and called out. "Everyone! Who wants to see me beat Mister Smarty-pants over here in a race?" He ruffled Tom's soaked hair, and Tom quickly combed it back down.
Excited faces and shouts met his proclamation. And people soon began splashing closer to Tom and Sam.
How does he do that? He's so good at moving a crowd. I need to learn from him. I need to study what he does and use his techniques.
Tom turned to Sam. "Now, everyone will see me beat you."
Sam cocked an eyebrow. "You see these arms, Tom?" He held his arms to his sides and started flapping them like a bird. "These arms are as long as you are tall. You might be able to swim, but I can reach farther."
"That'll make it all the more impressive when I beat you."
A girl giggled as Tom said that.
"Let's get this started, eh?" Sam said, holding out a hand.
Tom took his hand and shook it. Sam's hand is much larger than Tom's own. He had to reach his hand above his hand at the level of his head to reach the hand because of how short he was- and because of how stupidly high Sam put his hand on purpose.
"Let's race to the POPULAR girl and HER FRIND," Tom said, pointing to the two girls further into the ocean.
"That far? You sure you can make it?" Sam smirked at him, but Tom also saw genuine curiosity. Some of the surrounding boys laughed at that.
"I'm not the one who's going to have trouble getting there." Orphans laughed at that, too.
"RANDOM, you count us off," Sam said. It annoyed Tom slightly because Sam had been the one to order them.
"OK... Uh ... Start going on -- go when I say 'three,' OK?"
Sam nodded.
"Three."
Tom pushed off the water and started swimming despite RANDOM not calling it correctly. "Wait, wait!" Sam said.
Tom stopped and looked behind him. The orphans surrounding them were laughing hysterically at RANDOM, who looked between them with a confused look.
"Random, that was --" Sam covered his face with his hands, trying to stifle his laugh. The orphans laughed harder at that. "That's not how you call it."
"What d'you mean?" Random asked.
Sam shook his head with an amiable smile on his face. He opened his mouth to correct random, but Tom cut in.
"Random2, you call for us," Tom said.
Sam patted Random on the shoulder. "You'll get it next time."
"Alright, go on 'go.' Not on 'three.'" People snickered.
"Three."
Tom crouched lower into the water, trying to bend his knees without submerging his mouth into the water. He wanted to be able to push off the sand below.
"Two."
Sam used a similar strategy as Tom, although it would likely be much more effective, seeing as he was taller.
"One. Go!"
Tom pushed off the water with an explosive force. Or at least it felt explosive before he saw Sam push off twice as far as Tom. Tom started swimming, keeping his body straight and minimizing any unnecessary movements. He kicked as hard as he could, paddling with long strokes in front of him. He could tell that his form wasn't the best, but it was better than Sam's -- who seemed to shake the entire ocean with each stroke -- his hands smacking against hot water.
Tom slowly advanced on him, but it was hard with how long Sam's reach was.
Tom reached the level of his feet, where Sam kicked up chaotic waves and foamy splashes.
He took great gasping breaths of air and submerged his head in the water, trying to minimize unnecessary friction. He kicked as hard as he could. His legs and arms burnt with each movement, and his abs shredded with each twist of his body.
He pushed his head out of the water again, taking massive breaths. He was at Sam's shoulders, his hands reached.
Sam saw Tom beside him but turned back to swimming with redoubled effort; his movements were getting slower and sloppier -- but so were Tom's. His muscles ached with unexpected fire.
The girls at their finish line were only a couple of meters away, laughing and cheering for them. Tom redoubled his efforts at the sight of the finish line.
Tom pushed his muscles further than their limits, his muscles screaming in protest. But he passed Sam, and then he got there first.
Yes!
Sam got there milliseconds behind Tom, but instead of stopping, he laughed and said, "You're not done yet. You have to catch one of them!"
"No, you don't!" GIRL1 yelled and started swimming away, and GIRL2 giggled and followed her.
Sam tried to go after them, but seeing how much faster they were than Tom or him, he soon gave up. He turned to Tom with a smile and, still catching his breath, said, "Eh, I guess we both lost."
"Only you. I still got here first." Tom's breathing was heavy. He was treading water and felt a twinge of panic at being unable to touch the bottom. But he made sure to keep himself calm and smooth with his movements.
"But we had to touch them -- that was the finish line."
"No, that was never --"
"OK, well, let's say we have to swim back, and whoever gets there first wins."
Tom was tired from just treading water; his muscles were protesting, and he knew that if he had to keep moving for much longer, he would start sinking. Before Tom could say anything, Sam yelled. "OK, go!" and took off.
Tom growled and took off after him, but Sam was already too far ahead. He would need a miracle to win this. He swam and swam, his muscles almost giving out, but he kept going, slowly, painfully clawing his way back.
When he was finally lapping at Sam's feet, Sam reached the other orphans -- who were cheering and congratulating Sam.
Rage boiled in Tom's chest. It's just a game, don't be mad. Just be better.
Tom rubbed his face and trekked to shallower water.
"Hey, Tom! How does it feel to lose?" A boy asked, snickering.
Tom shot him a glare. Arguing would only make him look petty.
Sam was smiling widely as the other children praised him. This was why Tom needed to be friends with him -- because he was so popular and so ... masterful at controlling. He was someone Tom needed to learn from. If not directly, then through observation.
A girl splashed over to Tom. "I thought you were going to win." She had an annoying smile on her face. Tom ignored her, too.
"Don't take the loss too hard, Tom," Sam said from behind him. Suddenly, hands wrapped around his thin chest, lifting and throwing him up into the air, causing panic to shoot through his body, like when the alley boys had beat him. He muffled a scream and splashed back in the water.
When he arose from the water, untold rage was burning his heart to a crisp. He put his hands on ME! He ... HE
Tom glared at Sam and yelled, unable to stop himself. "Don't do that!"
Sam's eyes widened. "Oh -- Uh -- Sorry."
"You -- idiot!" Tom growled. His arms shaking under the water.
Sam's eyes widened more. People gasped around them. Sam opened his mouth. "Sorry ... I didn't mean to make you mad ..."
Tom swam to the shore, his heart seething. Stupid people always doing stupid things. The sand coated his feet as he walked over to his stuff. In the corner of his eye, he saw Amy and Dennis. They were skirting around the beach, giggling and scrambling further away from the eyes of the Caregivers. A large, steep wall of cliff-rock obscured them from anyone's eyes except for Tom's. he narrowed his eyes at the sight of them climbing the rocks away from the group -- through a fissure in the two cliffs.
Amy turned around and spotted Tom staring at them, causing her eyes to go wide. She quickly tapped Dennis on the shoulder, and he whipped around. Amy eyed him apprehensively, but Dennis motioned for Tom to follow them.
Tom hesitated. The caregivers ... they'll make me do chores for so long if I do this. I'm already doing chores for the next year.
Tom clenched his fists. Ignore what they say. I'm not going to let them control me.
Tom glanced behind him to make sure no one was watching and stepped into the crack. Climbing around rocks and cracks in the ground to reach Amy and Dennis.
"Tom," Dennis whispered. "Uh ... You wanna come with us?"
"Where are you going?"
"We're gonna see if we can get to the top up there." Dennis pointed behind him.
"Why d'you want to go up there?"
"We wanna jump off the ledge."
Tom's eyes narrowed. These idiots --
Dennis and Amy burst out into giggles, Amy shaking her head. "No, we just want to see what's up there. I don't really wanna swim right now."
It will probably be beneficial if I do this. It will help me learn more. If anything, it will be more interesting than sitting around.
"So, what d'you say, wanna come? It'll be more fun with more people." Dennis asked.
"Sure, I'll go."
Dennis grinned and started walking further into the crevice again. Tom followed them, simmering at what Sam had done. He had cheated Tom out of his victory and then embarrassed him afterward. It was on purpose, wasn't it?
The ground was composed of pebbles and sharp rocks. Larger rocks that had fallen from the cliff walls of the fissure lay like fallen soldiers throughout the tall fissure. Moist ocean mist sprinkled through the fissure, somehow getting there despite being separated from the ocean.
Dennis followed a bend in the fissure crooked. And Tom and Amy followed.
"D'you think I CAN jump off the edge? I mean, it's into the water." Dennis asked.
(Both of them are older than Tom by four years)
Amy giggled. "Don't say that. You're gonna give Tom bad ideas." She turned to Tom. "Don't listen to him, Tom. He's a dummy."
"I'm not a baby," Tom said. Fighting the annoyance at being treated like a child. "Despite my age, I can assure you that I am NOT going to jump off the edge of a cliff because Dennis tells me to."
Amy giggled even more and Dennis shot him a curious look. "Y'know, you're not like the other six-year-olds here. You talk like you're ... well, smart."
Amy nodded fervently. "You aren't. Aren't like them, I mean."
Tom looked at the black, sleek, jagged walls. "Thanks."
"How'd you get into the older kid's classes, Tom? Well, I mean ... When you were in them." Amy asked.
"I passed the older kid's exams."
"Yeah, but HOW?"
Tom looked at her. "I studied for the test. After that, it was easy."
"You STUDIED for it? You must be crazy!" Dennis burst out into laughter and Amy giggled.
"How'd you even study for it? What would you use for that?"
"There are books in the library. I took those and studied them."
"Like I said, crazy." Dennis smiled.
Amy pushed Dennis lightly. "When are we going to get there?"
"Why are you asking ME? You're the one who chose where to go."
Amy giggled. "Well, you SHOULD know. And I thought you said you were smart. Is this you admitting you're not?"
"Nah, I'm still smart. I'm just making you do all the thinking so I can save my brain space. That means I'm REALLY smart. Right, Tom?"
"You better not agree with him," Amy said with a smile.
"Something witty"
Amy burst out into giggles, and Dennis shook his head. "Response"
Tom climbed atop a rather large rock. Despite the high walls, the ravine wasn't dark, it was brightly lit and almost cheery. Despite the stark black rocks trying to suck the life away from the air. (when he comes back, he sees it as immensely dark and horrible. This is just a manifestation of his mood) They were like pieces of art. Tall, sharp walls guarding the peace from the outside world.
The rocks dug into his bare feet, making him wish he had put his shoes back on before he decided to go exploring. A slight draft from the top of the fissure blew his hair out of place, and he combed it back down.
They came across a rather steep incline, laden with rocky steps. "Let's climb up," Tom said.
"You go first." Dennis chuckled, tapping his foot against the ground rhythmically.
Tom moved close to it, running his hands over the smooth rocks, with sharp edges -- almost like knives. The cliff was at about 45 degrees. Tom grabbed onto a handhold -- slick from the misty air -- and started climbing up. The cliff went up about fifteen feet.
The climb wasn't difficult, nor was it particularly dangerous. It was more just trying to make sure not to fall because of how slick the rocks were.
The rocks almost seemed like obsidian, save for the swirls and brushstrokes of chalky white that left his hands and feet dirty.
Sam and Amy followed behind him, grunting slightly from exertion. When Tom finished, he came to a flat rock ground, still walled by black obsidian, and waited for the two to catch up.
Dennis slipped on the rocks, sliding back down on his knees, and started again with a frustrated look on his face. Amy, on the other hand, was especially adept at it. She climbed up quickly, faster than Tom. It's because she's taller, she can reach farther.
When they both reached where Tom was -- Dennis huffing from exertion -- Tom continued onward.
"how come you're leading us now? Aren't we the ones who asked YOU to follow us?" Amy asked with a smile.
Tom shrugged. "I figured I was better suited for the job."
"Hey!" Dennis said." I'm a great navigator."
Amy burst into giggling. "It's NAVIGATOR, dummy."
Dennis went red in the face and averted his gaze. "Well .... that's a dumb way to say it ..." he mumbled.
"You're a dumb way to say it."
"That doesn't even make sense."
Amy giggled.
Tom shook his head at their antics. Why did I follow these dumbasses?
Tom curved around another crooked bend in the fissure, leading them to an open cliff. The misty, ocean air blew across Tom's face like a gentle breath. Beyond the cliffside, the vast, infinite ocean laid before them. Tall, foam-white waves crashed against the side and careened up, sprinkling Tom with even more water and causing his hair to droop with wetness.
"Woah," Dennis said.
Amy ran up to the edge of a cliff, standing precariously close, and peered over the side.
"Uhh ... Amy, why are you so close? You're not going to jump off ...? Are you?"
Amy took a step back away from the ledge and shot Dennis a look. "No, I'm not, I just wanted to look over the edge."
"OK, well ... Don't fall off." Dennis shook his head. "I'm staying over here."
Tom stayed back, too. He wasn't going to risk his life for something stupid like looking over the edge. But then again, wouldn't it look more confident if I go up to the ledge ...?
No, I'm not going to risk my LIFE for that.
"At least come a little closer. Don't be a pair of wimps." Amy laughed at Dennis' hesitant face.
They do see it as weak. Tom walked closer to the ledge, not enough to wear he could fall off. He stood about 5 feet behind Amy -- who stood directly at the ledge.
Another resounding wave crashed into the cliff and sent up a shower on Tom that he couldn't avoid.
Amy giggled at the sight of Tom getting drenched, despite the water splashing into her too. She does that a lot.
A deep, intense feeling in his chest LURCHED for a split second, sending sprawling him to his knees. He scampered back up and fervently looked around. What the? What was that?
His heart pounded, beating its fists against his ribcage. His breathing was erratic. But not from fear -- but rather, it was ... A NEED.
He felt an overwhelming desire to go somewhere. He twisted his head around, trying to find the source of the desire. And his eyes landed on a spot far up in the cliffs, with only a thin, precarious trail leading to it. Looking as if it would snap off if anyone would step on it.
But Tom knew he HAD to go up there. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Amy and Dennis walking toward it as well. He followed.
They walked up the path. Throughout the journey, Tom felt something deep inside him protesting, but ... About what, Tom didn't know.
Tom hugged the cliff as he climbed up, staying as far away from the ledge as possible.
And then they reached a cave.
Its opening was a large, jagged circle. It was a barrier between the outside world and the pitch-black night within. But Amy and Dennis continued onward. Tom followed.
(Make Tom not be affected, but Amy and Dennis are)
Tom could feel a light tugging at his mind. But it felt ... inhibited somehow. Like it couldn't get through a barrier around him. How he knew this, he didn't know.
Why am I following them into this cave? Tom thought of leaving them to go on their own, but curiosity got the better of him. More than anything, he wanted to know what was doing this to Amy and Dennis. And how he could use that power, too.
Their steps echoed off the walls, and soon, all Tom could barely see his hands in front of his face.
The nagging deep inside him got stronger until he had to fight it down. Amy and Dennis kept walking.
"Amy, Dennis, what are you doing?"
They didn't answer.
Tom shook his head and fought any angry growl. These idiots. They don't even have the willpower to resist whatever ... this is.
All Tom could hear was the faint dripping of water, and their footsteps. And a ... a splashing.
It got louder, and then Tom felt cold water surrounding his feet, and then a ... slithering sound.
Out of nowhere, a low, glowing light emanated from a horn on a giant, horned snake. The snake peered down at them, its tongue flitting in and out. And its jaw split open into a smile. "Another ssnack ... How delightful."
Tom was frozen in his spot, his blood was pumping to his ears, and he could only hear Amy and Dennis whimpering in fright as his eyes were locked on the massive, malevolent snake.
The snake moved closer, and Amy screamed in fright, the horrible sound echoing around the cave. The snake laughed.
This -- This is a dream -- It has to be!
The snake circled them, its long body closing around them, until Tom was huddled near Amy and Dennis.
Tom's mind was racing, but one thought came to the forefront: "H-how are you talking?" His voice shook with fright and sounded strange.
The snake stopped slithering and turned its large head to stare at Tom. "Oh my, a snake-whisperer. I've only heard stories of your kind." Its mouth opened into another smile, its sharp, knife-like teeth glinting.
That's when it hit him. He needed to leave right now. Tom backed up, but his back hit the body of the snake.
"I haven't had anyone to talk to for so long. Don't be afraid, little snake-whisperer; I won't hurt you. It is forbidden in my kind."
Tom nodded and took in a deep breath, trying to calm his raging heart. "What are you? How can you talk?"
"I am a Horned Serpent." Its body glistened, with water all over it.
"Why are you wet?"
"Because we are an aquatic species. There's a lake in that direction." It pointed its tail to Tom's left.
"Now, come with me." It uncoiled its body from around them and began slithering deeper into the cave. It suddenly turned around and glared at Amy and Dennis. "Tell them I'll eat them if they don't follow."
Amy and Dennis, who had snapped out of their trance-like state were now trapped in horror. They whimpered like rats trapped in a corner, with a hulking wolf prowling above them.
"Amy, Dennis," Tom whispered, his voice slightly shaky, "it said to follow ... otherwise it's going to eat you."
Dennis' face paled further in the light, and Amy seemed to sink in upon herself. But they followed when Tom and the Snake traveled further into the cave.
The darkness seemed to warp around them, getting impossibly darker, until the only thing assuring Tom that he was alive was the steady glow from the serpent's horn.
Someone tugged on Tom's sleeve, causing him to whip around with his fists, ready to attack. But he found only Amy, her eyes wide and a whimper escaping her mouth.
"Sorry." Tom lowered his fist.
As she walked, she whispered, "W-what are you doing w-with the snake? Why are you hissing at it?"
Tom's eyes furrowed. "What do you mean? I'm just talking to it."
"But you're speaking in its language --" She stopped in fright as the horned snake stopped for a moment. But it continued right after.
"I was speaking English."
"No, you weren't," Dennis said meekly.
Tom looked between the two of them. And then whipped his head back to the snake. Don't turn your back on it. "I was just speaking English. There must have been something wrong with your ears."
Amy and Dennis didn't argue further.
They walked more and more, the sharp floor cutting into his feet. Making him wince in pain. (The snake light is purple).
The purple light was so dim, yet it was the only thing assuring Tom that what was happening was real. He kept blinking, expecting the large snake in front of him to disappear each time he opened his eyes.
Tom decided to learn about the Horned Serpent some more. Tom cleared his throat. "Where are you taking us?" He forced his voice to not be shaky.
It didn't stop moving but answered in its hissing voice. "We are going to my home."
"How can you talk?"
"All serpents can talk. But only the right ears can hear it."
"How can I hear it?"
"Simple, you are a snake-whisperer."
"But what is that? And how am I one?"
The snake's body glistened slightly. The light from its horn reflected in its scales. "A snake whisperer is someone who can talk to and understand the words of serpents. And as to how you are one, I don't know. Perhaps you are just better."
Tom smiled lightly, something growing in his heart. But then he stopped himself. Don't let it sweet-talk you.
"Are you going to eat them?" Tom pointed at Amy and Dennis.
The snake was silent for a moment. "I have not decided yet."
Tom stayed silent for a moment too. Dread growing in his heart. I can't let it eat them ... I won't.
His voice faltered slightly when he asked, "D-don't eat them." He tried to sound as confident as possible, but knowing that the snake could dill him at any moment chilled his heart.
"I can not guarantee that. I rarely find myself eating. Food has been alluding me as of lately."
Sweat rolled down Tom's face, despite the chilliness of the cave. What am I supposed to do here?
The snake kept talking. "My people are one of the most proud and dangerous serpents in all the world. We are second to only one snake. But sadly, we are being hunted to near extinction. Alas, I am one of the only of my kind left. My mother was killed not long ago when I was yet a newborn. I had to kill my siblings to become stronger, and I won.
"I have taken to hiding in this cave. It is rather easy to lure people here, after all."
And then he eats them like he's going to do with Amy and Dennis -- and me if he's lying.
The purple glow cast upon a wall in front of them, revealing a grisly sight.
Human bones, and dark blood -- looking almost black in the glow -- stained the ground. A corpse-like man, bone thin and unmoving, lay on the ground. His hair was matted to his forehead, and his eyes opened wearily when he saw the snake. He grits his teeth but doesn't move.
Tom's stomach dropped when he saw it, Amy stopped moving entirely, and Dennis rapidly backed away.
"It's -- it's going to eat us!" Dennis suddenly broke into a run.
The snake turned around and hissed in frustration. The snake slithered forward, fast as lightning, and surrounded Dennis. Amy backed away slowly, her body seeming to shiver and tremble.
(it is icy cold in the cave)
"Tell your little friend to stay here," the snake whispered to Tom.
"D-Dennis, stay here. It said it would eat you otherwise."
The snake retracted from Dennis, leaving him in a sobbing mess. His cries bounded off the invisible cave walls. His eyes were red and shone with tears as he stared up at Tom with a pleading look.
Guilt twinged in Tom's stomach. But he stifled it. I don't want them to die, but that doesn't mean I'm going to risk my life to save them.
The man in the corner stirred. "Devil ..." he muttered. He was looking at Tom. The man muttered something again unintelligible.
The snake was staring at Dennis, its eyes not moving as it glared into his soul. Dennis noticed and whimpered even more.
"Such a nice snack you would be ..."
"T-tom," Amy whispered, "What's it saying?"
Tom didn't answer, his heart beating faster and faster. Until the only thing he could hear was his breathing and the blood pumping to his brain. He stared with wide eyes as the snake slithered closer and closer to Dennis, who didn't even try to back away.
Then the snake was right next to Dennis, its tongue licking the air around Dennis' face. Dennis whimpered and scooted away.
The snake's eyes glinted, and then its jaw slowly opened, and then it reared its head back --
Before he knew what he was doing, Tom sprinted to Dennis and tackled him out of the way. The snake charged forward but missed both of them.
Both Amy and Dennis screamed. But Tom could hear the snake's voice over it. "What are you doing, human? Why would you risk your own life?"
Tom didn't answer, his legs were shaky and his hands shook.
"If you will be a nuisance, you must die too." Its eyes glinted. And then it slithered toward Tom.
"No!" Tom yelled. "Y-you said it was forbidden."
The snake stopped for a moment. But then continued. "The council is all but dead. They will not stop me."
Tom's legs wouldn't move, no matter how hard he tried to. His heart was pounding so hard in his chest that it was all he could hear. And as the snake slithered toward him, malice in his eyes, a torturous thought invaded his brain: I'm going to die.
His hands shook, and a desperate, frantic tremor ran through him. The snake slithered closer.
A small kindling of rebellion ran through him. And then it grew like a wildfire consuming all in its path. And with it came rage untold. Burning through all fear and all inhibitions. A wind seemed to pick up around him, roaring in his ears.
And as the snake reared its head to strike --
A sharp explosion crashed throughout the cavern, and Tom was smattered with blood and gore as the snake exploded in a shower of blood.
Tom grinned as the snake's body slid forward, its head missing and a rough, bleeding hole left at the neck.
The only fully intact part of the snake was its glowing horn in the middle of its head. It clattered on the floor., which was now emitting a harsh red glow from all the blood covering it.
Tom's heartfelt true glee at the sight, even when Amy and Dennis started wailing and crying. He had done this. He had killed the snake. He --
All energy was yanked from his body, and his vision went black as he fell to the ground. His head crashed against the rock-hard stones. His mind fizzled away as if evaporating into wisps of smoke, and only pain was left.
His chest burned with a fire he had never felt before, every inch of him was searing with agony. His muscles twitched and shuddered under the pain, and he barely noticed as he vomited. Hot knives were slowly, painfully digging into his chest. Right under his navel and into his heart. He moaned and squeezed his eyes.
He didn't know how long he lay there, but eventually, the pain subsided from agonizing to a slight twinge in his chest. But the tiredness didn't leave him.
He slowly sat up. His body was smattered and soaked with blood. He looked around him at the red-lit floor. The shards of bone, the muscles, and sinews -- only chunks left. And he felt bile rising in his throat again. He quickly turned away.
What was that? What was that? Did I do that?
He stared at the gore around him, a horrible sense of unease invading his heart. What happened? How did this even happen?
His thoughts were sluggish to him, and even turning his head felt unbearably taxing on his depleted body.
But as he stared at the gore, a thought grew in his head -- not an unpleasant thought at all: I did this.
I killed the beast. I did it without touching it.
I'm a god.
If he could laugh, or even smile, he would. But he was too tired right now. He lay on the ground. And after a while, slowly lifted his body.
His muscles screamed in protest, but he pushed himself onto his feet anyway -- he was a god after all.
Amy and Dennis were huddling in the shadows, their eyes wide and frightened. Tom skipped over them and fell to the petrified, gaunt man. He was mouthing something over and over, only a hoarse scratching coming from his mouth.
Tom saw the man. He would know the snake's secrets. Maybe he would. He had been here for at least a week. So he could tell them something maybe. If he hadn't gone too insane.
Tom shuffled over, his feet dragging behind him and his muscles aching.
Until he stood above the man. Tom's hands felt slimy and wet; they were covered in blood. Tom looked down at the man, who was quivering and staring at Tom like he was a monster.
Tom reached a trembling hand out and said, "H-how can I h-help?"
The man shot up and tackled him back, screaming incoherent words. Tom's head slammed into the ground, and he was too lethargic to protect it.
The man screamed and screamed, and Tom tried for his life to protect himself from the attacks.
"Devil! You devil! I'll kill you!" the man screamed and screamed, his voice echoing.
The man wrapped his thin, strong hands around Tom's throat and squeezed. Tom beat his fists weakly against the man.
"I saw you! I saw you talking with that monster, devil!"
Tom wheezed and tried to pry the man's hands away from his throat. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Amy and Dennis standing there watching. Just watching.
Rage grew and festered in his heart. He yelled as loud as he could, with his throat being constricted. "H-help -- Me!"
They didn't move.
Tom took his eyes from them and fought against the man's hands. But his vision was fading, and black was creeping along the edges of his vision like a disease.
No. I will not die. I don't die!
And before he knew the man had flown back in the air, spiraling and screaming, and hit the wall behind him.
And then Tom passed out.
Tom awoke with every muscle in his body aching, and a deep pain in his core tearing itself apart. He moaned into the dank darkness, highlighted by a faint red light. Every part of his body was seared with pain, so horrible that he barely felt a stick poking at his body.
Standing above them, their silhouettes barely visible, were Amy and Dennis. Dennis was huddled behind Amy, who was hesitantly poking him with a stick.
"I-is he alive?"
Tom let out a pitiful moan. How had it been that he had felt like a god only moments ago but now was lying sprawled with pain on the floor?
Amy and Dennis shrieked and flew back.
Tom moved his arm, it shook like a storm. His muscles twitched erratically, and he could barely move his arm.
It was as if hot knives were plunging into his sternum with untold force. His eyes teared up, and he could barely think, let for the immense pain encompassing his being.
"T-tom?" He could tell if it was Amy or Dennis.
He lay there on the ground, shivering and trebling for what seemed like hours. He couldn't even move his head to look away from the floor. And the harsh, cold rocks dug into his skin.
But above all else was a pulsing hatred. A hatred for Amy and Dennis. They had just sat there while he was dying. While that man was killing him, they hadn't stopped him. They hadn't even tried to help him even though he had saved them.
He grits his teeth; his heart is ablaze with fury. He wished he could do what he had done to the snake to them. But he'd probably die from the backlash of whatever was happening.
After a while, his muscles stopped shivering, and the pain subsided slightly.
"T-tom?"
He didn't answer, but he moved his arm. He didn't need their help. He would do this himself.
He pushed his arms with all his strength, but his body could not lift. His groaned.
He collapsed back to the ground in a heap of agony.
