The Calling of Time

Treasure Hunt

Sandra was still prattling. “Thanatos likes us bathed and done up nicely every morning. You should always look your best.” She glanced back at Manda. “Your hair is a rat’s nest, young lady. We’ll get that sorted fast. You’ll have to grow it out and braid it properly like the rest of us, that’s how he likes it.”

Manda’s face was turning more and more red with each statement, and I glanced from her to Sandra nervously, wondering what her exploding point would be.

Bath time first.” Sandra paused just beyond the row of hammocks and stared at me. “Strip.”

“What?” My hands flew to my sweatshirt, covering my zipper. I was half afraid she was going to dive for it. “No!”

Sandra’s blonde brows knit together, and she scowled fiercely at me. “I don’t have all day for this. I’ve got to get you two presentable before Thanatos comes to look at you.”

“Screw that,” Manda spat at her. “Bitch, if you think you’re going to get me into one of those skimpy white dresses…”

My mouth dropped open as Sandra took a step forward, brought her hand up and cracked Manda across the face. The sound of the slap was a loud, clear “thwack” in the silence.

Manda’s eyes shot open wide. Her left cheek was already turning bright red, and finger marks were appearing on her pale skin.

“I’ll deal with you later,” Sandra said firmly. “It won’t take you long to learn not to talk back.” She turned back to me. “You first.”

I backed up hastily as the blonde woman advanced on me, this time she really was reaching for my zipper. “No, you can’t…”

She seized my arm roughly, and then there was a sudden blur of movement behind Sandra, and Manda was there. The guardian shrugged out of her ropes and clapped one hand down on the woman’s shoulder, the other hand came up under her elbow and Manda’s foot swept the woman’s legs out from underneath her, thrusting her around in midair as she fell.

My mouth was hanging open again. Now Sandra was on the ground, Manda’s knee pressing in her back. One of the woman’s arms was pulled up behind her, and Manda had one hand on the back of it, like she was ready to break it the moment Sandra moved.

Sandra wasn’t taking it well. She was squealing and thrashing, as much as she could pinned to the ground the way she was. “My arm!” She shrieked. “Oh! Ow, my arm!”

“I won’t break it, as long as you promise me you’ll stay down,” Manda growled.

“What’s wrong with you?” Sandra wailed. “I’m in charge here, Thanatos will…”

“Thanatos will get what’s coming to him,” Manda snapped. “Damn, Kali, you might have to sit on her while I go take out the guard.”

I was about to protest, unsure if I could hold the thrashing woman down. She was quite a bit bigger than me. At that moment though, the guard himself came a through the bead curtain. When he saw what was going on he smoothed one hand over his bald head and laughed. “Damn, Sandra. Met your match haven’t you? Maybe your position of head bitch is in jeopardy.”

“Derrek, help me,” Sandra gritted out between her teeth. Tears were starting to collect in her eyes. “She’s going to break my arm.”

Manda grunted in annoyance, reaching down with her other hand, she pinched the woman’s neck firmly just below her jaw. After a few seconds, Sandra’s eyes rolled into the back of her head and she slumped to the floor.

Anna, who was crushed up against the wall beside the sink, watching all of this with wide eyes, clapped her hands over her mouth. I noticed her eyes were crinkled at the corners though, as if she were trying to hide a grin.