The Lemon Meringue Boy

Part 16

I often think back to that moment. What would have happened if I'd taken the easy way out? I wouldn't be here, telling this story. 

My mind still reeling from the shock, I turned to walk away. Was he really going to let me leave? That was it? I took a few steps. He really was. Then I did something I knew deep down I'd regret. I looked back. I saw him, really saw what he looked like. Nobody deserved that. Not Hitler. Not any serial killer. Not the renaissance kings who would skin thieves' feet and sprinkle salt on the wound. Not...Bill. 

What did I do? I did the stupidest possible thing I could have done. I turned around and I walked back. No words. I just walked back and reached for the first chain binding Bill's wrist. 

"I knew it. Your kindness has always been your species' biggest weakness. Success is behind human kind. Whoever invented morals was a sap." I ignored his jab and kept prying at the cuff. 

"And though I truly appreciate the effort, this prison was designed by the most powerful beings in all of the collective dimensions. I really doubt your stick arms are going to_" I heard the crackle of electricity as the otherworldly metal gave way, sending blue and white sparks through the air. For a moment, both Bill and I just stared at the dangling chain, the sparks dying down around the unhinged cuff at its end. Bill finally broke the silence. 

"WHAT?!?"

 I looked up at him. He wasn't able to hide it this time. His face was an undeniable mask of pure shock. It. Was. Priceless. I buried my own shock and confusion and piped up.

"You were saying?" Bill had no witty response this time. As I worked on the other chains, each one coming off within ten seconds, I could feel Bill's eye piercing the back of my head like a laser. He knew something. I could tell. I wanted to know, but upon previous encounters I'd learned that Bill is a tough nut to crack. I didn't bother trying to get it out of him. 

When I got to the last chain, I braced myself. I yanked on the cuff over and over again, each time expecting it to pop. Right as I thought about giving up, the restraint burst open, sparks flying. A brilliant flash of white light erupted through the abyss, tearing through the darkness. Both Bill and I were thrown back. Just as my head hit the ground, I gasped awake.

I didn't sit up right away. I darted my eyes around the room. I was in the basement. I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe it was just a bad dream after all. 

I sat up to check the rest of the room and the first thing I noticed was a faint blue glow coming from the portal. When I looked closer, I saw something move at the foot of the huge hunk of metal, illuminated by the gentle light. 

I crawled on my hands and knees to the mass. That's when it stood up. It had three sides. It had stupid little arms and legs. It was standing in my house.