I remember the cold, dark agony of knife cuts on my skin and the stink of dark magic, as the laboratory lights hummed above me.
I remember the place I was taken to after.
The screaming—my own—or others.
The screams and screams until my voice broke.
The phantom pain of those knives and men burn into me.
I cannot let her history become mine. I cannot.
For the first time in an eternity, the silence in my throat feels like danger, not safety.
My mutism is a physical wall I must tear down.
“C-c-c…”
The consonant is a jagged blade, tearing at my throat. It feels like a betrayal of the silence that has kept me sane, but I force it out, along with the rest of the letters.
“C-c-climb.”
Panic flares—but the Minotaur’s voice is steady in the back of my mind.
Be calm, human. Speak.
I look at her again, seeing my own lost eyes reflected in her small, pale face.
“C-climb. Hide. I w-will…”
One last effort. For the girl, I give everything I have.
“F-f-find you.”
I beg her with my gaze and am rewarded with the tiny flame of determination that ignites in her eyes. She’s not a husk, she’s here with me, right now.
Her frail arms move, then a tiny hand traces my face. She gives an almost imperceptible nod and I pull her further along my body to the hatch, then watch as she crawls out into the void. One last look, then she starts to climb.
Sorry, little one, but for now you are on your own.
As I carefully close the access panel, I feel a strange, lightness. I gave her my words, and that gives her a chance.
And so, I begin my journey in reverse, dragging my heavy frame into the darkness.
As I move, I take care to fluff the insulation until it looks like no one has taken this path. Back and back I travel, moving on my stomach, feet first.
Next, I will lead the hunt away.
A place away from the Lumina-sucking spells of our cages.
Then my beast can emerge.
Eastwards, human.
Yes. Eastwards.
I will wait in the shadows until my rage has a monster fit to carry our retribution.
13
