Time Is The Key To Everything

Chapter 20: The Fall Of The English Fort

Paul grazed his thumb across the jagged edge of the door key in the safety of the darkness. It was the third day, the day all their actions were supposed to take place. Admittedly, he was rather nervous about the ordeal, but what other plan did they have?

He glanced up at the guard who was positioned in the cells today. It was Earl again, less cheerful or talkative than usual because apparently one of his good friends in the army was one of the victims that were brought in for treatment some days ago, and had died earlier that day. Paul wanted to give some sort of comfort, but he knew it would be futile.

He had never had such a close relationship with a human before because he knew how the story would end. He would always be left behind.

He glanced upward toward the black ceiling as if he could see through the rock and find out what was going on above. There was no sign of an upcoming battle, so he thinks that Cassidy's army did not arrive yet. When was he supposed to carry out his plan? Too late would be useless; too soon would cause too much suspicion.

Well, it's now or never. Paul thought to himself bitterly, finally creeping toward the bars.

Earl did not seem to notice. He had taken advantage of the period of quietness and solitude to write a letter in the weak light of the lamps on the wall. About his unfortunate tragedy, no doubt. Paul felt the inevitable guilt cloud over his plan, but he fanned it away quickly.

He reached to the ground and quietly picked up the old fork that was given to him during meals. He casually leaned against the bars, playing with the fork absentmindedly, before 'accidentally' letting it slip through the bars. It clattered to the ground and slid out of Paul's reach.

He let out a silent curse and sighed. Pressing himself against the bars, he coughed quietly to get Earl's attention. Earl looked up from his letter, perplexed.

"Sorry." Paul said softly. "Would you mind getting that for me?"

Earl put his pen and paper down and reached down to take the fork. Just as he came closer to hand Paul the fork, Paul reached through the bars and grabbed the front of Earl's coat. He wrenched Earl towards him, slamming the boy's head against the metal bars. Earl slumped to the ground, knocked out. Paul hurriedly reached his arm out of the bar toward the lock, unlocking the door with the key. The lock clicked and the barred door swung open obediently. He couldn't help but sigh with relief, despite the guilt that plagued him.

"It's all for the better." Paul muttered to himself. It was safer for Earl to be down here than up on ground level later. As swiftly as he could, Paul stole Earl's navy blue military coat, boots, hat, and gloves, leaving him with only simple britches and shirt. Paul used the oil he had saved from many of his meals to slick Earl's long and dark hair to his scalp so that it would appear short, for Earl's hair was longer than Paul's. He hurriedly pulled on Earl's uniform, shielding his face with the black hat. For safe measure, Paul bound Earl's wrists and ankles and muffled the boy. He silently closed the door and locked it shut.

His legs were still shaky and weak after being unused for so long in such a small place. He crept up the stairs, almost falling because his injuries that James had given him still smarted. He wasn't sure if anyone would notice who he was; most of the soldiers didn't actually see what Paul looked like since not everyone guarded his prison or witnessed his imprisonment. However, if he ran into James himself…

His fingers (so bony and weak now after so much abuse, could they even play a single note on any instrument now?) curled around the metal doorknob at the top of the stairs. He took in a deep breath before twisting it and pushing it open.

He could hear many muffled voices on the other side of the door and he froze, his heart practically stopping. Then he realized that they were all coming from the infirmary and not an imaginary throng of soldiers at the door. If he could sneak past the doorway, they wouldn't notice him…