I dislodged the brick in the church walls and felt inside for the distinctive crinkle of bill. I was surprised to find money. I drew it out of the tiny niche and counted it. 10£. Instinctively, I knew that Victoria had left this. My shoulders sagged in guilt, but I steeled my resolve. These people, or more specifically, the mayor and the councilors, had brought this upon themselves. I stowed the money back into the hole and scrawled a quick note in the notebook I always carried. I ripped the note from the book and set it carefully on top of the money. I couldn’t guarantee that Victoria would find it, but I had to try and tell her… in some way.
And so I walked away, the two words I’d scrawled burned into my thoughts.
I’m sorry.
***
victoria
My window must have been open.
An echoing, haunting melody poured through the window. I can’t describe it, but for some reason, I swung my legs out of bed and dragged my coat on. I nearly tripped down the stairs, and rushed outdoors, still following the chiming melody. I glimpsed Richard and Wyatt heading in the same direction I was going and I smiled at them. “Richard! Wyatt! It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I said. They grinned at me and then I noticed the steady stream of people-no, - kids walking towards the same road Will had lead the rats…
To their deaths.
My breath hitched. “No! Everyone! Stop!-” I saw Natalie shove past a few stragglers towards the church. The clock chiming once then falling silent.
It was dawn.
The mayor had failed.
And standing in the middle of the road, was Will, his lips playing his black flute, a gleam of sadness and regret shining in his eyes.
“Will! You don’t have to do this! Please-” I shouted, trying to hold back my brothers back. They fought me and pushed me to the ground. I scrambled to get up and ran towards Will, ripping the flute away from him. The melody stopped abruptly. “Please, stop…” I said.
In the growing light, I saw his eyes harden. His voice was tight. “Victoria. Give it back.” He shot a glance over my shoulder, looking at the kids who had started to revive.
“No.” my voice cracked.
“Victoria-”
“Let them go. I’ll fix this.” I said desperately.
“How?”
“I’ll convince mayor Wulf, I’ll do something…”
“No. I’m sorry.” He wrenched the flute from my grasp and was about to play when he hesitated.
“Will… please tell me you aren’t going to hurt them… please don’t kill them…” I whispered.
His eyes softened. “I’m not a murderer. I’m a lot of things, but I’m not a killer.” He played a quick succession of notes. The world tilted and spun around me and I felt a soft thud as I landed in Will’s arms. My vision faded, but I heard him say something.
“Fair is fair…”
