After the Storm

24. Lights Out

Caliginous: Misty, dark.

Cimmerian: Very dark

So many cool words for 'dark'. I'm glad they've created a wide range of vocab to describe my soul. ;)

**************

"Mr Ambrose!" I groped about in the suffocating, caliginous passageway.

No response.

I frantically felt my surroundings until my hand wacked into something hard, producing a loud smacking sound. There came a groan from that solid surface.

"There you are! Why didn't you reply me?"

"Why should I waste my breath?"

"You're bloody stupid, you know?"

Silence.

"Now what?" I asked. The intense quietude was making me uncomfortable.

"We walk."

"Thank you for your incredibly enlightening response."

"My pleasure."

I waited for him to give a cue. I waited.

And waited.

And waited some more.

"What are you waiting for, Mr Linton? Get moving! We haven't all day." His voice came from further down the corridoor.

What in the world?

"How would I know? You didn't ask me to walk!"

"I should not have to waste my words on such simplistic matters, Mr Linton. As a secretary, you ought to be more proactive."

Some things would never change, such as his absurd obsession with saving his money, time and words.

"This goddy hell hole is bloody small! If I were to try walking before you told me to, I'll trip over you, you manky tosser!"

"Respect, Mr Linton. Respect."

"You can shove your respect up your uptight arse!"

"No thank you. I do not fancy anything up my behind."

By that time, I had stomped right up to him. How did I know when I couldn't see him? Well you see, there were a few other senses besides sight, such as touch.

My outstretched hand slammed hard into his chest, intentionally of course. I heard a soft grunt. He could feel after all. "One day, your severe lack of communication is going to get you killed."

"I doubt so, Mr Linton. It's usually those who speak excessively that get murdered. No one fancies a chatter box."

"Really? Well, I can predict that you'll be assassinated pretty soon! Just wait and see!"

"By whom? You?"

"Good guess, sir."

"Adequate."

"Does that not worry you?"

"Why would it? You can try but you will fail."

I scowled. He was too cocky for his own good!

"Furthermore, you won't kill me because I'm your source of income, Mr Linton."

Blast it! He had a point.

"Enough time wasting. Follow me."

"But how would I know how fast and where to walk if I can't see you?" From what I knew, the underground passageways below castles were equivalant to labyrinths -- one could occassionally find the rotting remains of past wanderers in the tunnels. I had no desire to get lost in one that was pitch black. "What if I lose you in the dark?"