Between Scylla and Charybdis

Chapter 24.*

Keeping out of sight, Scylla led Charybdis down a labyrinth of passageways, dark crevasses, and tunnels. Leaving the cistern behind them, the two of them hurried northward, taking care to avoid any of the larger halls that could be crowded, even this late at night. Charybdis wasn't in any shape to fight guards any more and Scylla wasn't exactly looking forward to explaining what the hell she was doing together with him either.

They were to meet Midas at one of the smaller entrances to the caverns, just beyond the grand chamber that served as a meeting place. Scylla sent her brother ahead to clear a path. Smuggling an oversized hag through the most densely populated colony of mer to ever exist, was no small feat after all. No biggy.

Expecting her mothers furious scowl at every turn, each corner left her an anxious mess. If only they could take the short way out, but its thoroughfares were too open, and posed way too much of a risk.

Every so often she glanced behind, paranoid that his new ridiculously long tail would give them away in a tight spot or around a bend, but always she found him tucking it underneath himself, coiling into a bundle of solid muscle and flesh, keeping it well out of sight. It was a relief, but her agitation didn't go unnoticed.

'Does my tail bother you?'

'No.' She answered way too quickly. She knew it was a lie as soon as it left her lips. It didn't sit right with her, lying. What hope would they have if all they shared were lies?

Hesitantly, she relented. 'Just a bit. It's not very practical for sneaking around.'

Charybdis let out a short chuckle. 'Not in these caverns, no. I am not built for stealth and tight spaces. Usually I have more room to myself. Just let me worry about the tail, focus on where we are going. I will follow.'

She nodded in agreement. The faster they were out in open waters, the better. Once Scylla had decided on escaping together with him, Charybdis' anxiety had greatly diminished, but he was still very much hurt. Though he did his best not to show it, with every tunnel and bend they passed, his movements grew more and more sluggish. They weren't progressing nearly as fast as Scylla wanted, and she had to pace herself to accommodate him.

But slowing down meant she had time to think. There were things she wanted to know. So many questions that plagued her mind.

What was he really like? How old was he? Was the floor of his nest really littered with bones of his enemies?

Wait. He couldn't expect her to sleep on top of the bones of her own kind? Surely not?! Scylla bit her lip.

She had committed herself to this crazy plan, to him, but found she still knew so very little. Even if in her heart she knew it was the right decision, the reality of the matter was that he remained one big mystery.

Unfortunately, their sneaking demanded silence. So all of her questions remained burning on the tip of her tongue, eating away at her over time. Again, she glanced back, finding him staring at her with a worried frown.

'You are having second thoughts?'

The fins on her neck rippled and her heart jumped in protest. Did he read minds too? Or were her worries just that obvious?

'No, I'm just...'

'Troubled?' He cocked his head to the side. 'I don't suppose this is how you expected this ritual to end up, did you?'

'Not quite. I feel like a criminal in my own home.' Scylla chuckled. Their gazes lingered for a little while longer. They both had words left unsaid, but neither felt it was the time or place.