Dungeon of Torment

23. A Spider's Web

"What are you doing?" Wave asked, finding Mariam sitting cross-legged outside Waki's place. Mariam didn't look up at him, her full attention consumed by her food. Steam was rising from the polystyrene box and heating her face.

"I'm stressed, so I'm eating." She replied, her tone brisk.

Mariam was on edge. She'd spent the morning with Zeus, telling him all kinds of stuff about herself. As she'd talked he'd organised things, giving directions to, apparently, his men. He was currently staying at another address until his new apartment was ready to move into, and Mariam and Wave were welcome to stay with him.

Wave peeked down at the contents of her box. Macaroni cheese on chips.

"Carb, on carb, on carb – impressive."

"I want to die fat."

"And alone, don't forget alone."

"I hate you." But she smiled as she made a half-hearted swipe at him. "What did Waki want?"

"He's got a job for me. I've got to catch the train to Leeds in an hour." He fished the train tickets he'd been handed from his pocket to show her. "I'll be gone for a few days. You'll be ok, right?"

Mariam nodded. If she told Wave about the warehouse being occupied, he'd be worried. There was no way he'd agree to them staying with Zeus. Mariam couldn't even explain why she'd agreed to stay... Zeus seemed to have a peculiar charm. Wave ruffled her hair, amused by Mariam's serious expression.

**

Having waved goodbye to Wave, Mariam trudged out of the station. Her head was in turmoil. Still, it was becoming more and more clear to her that she shouldn't go back to the warehouse. Something about Zeus unsettled her. How could she have considered trusting a stranger? Wrapped up in her own thoughts, Mariam was slow to realise what she was walking into – when she did, she was already surrounded. Titan worshippers.

Mariam looked around uneasily. Shit. This cult believed that the Titan's weren't just aliens, but gods. Since the Titan's had retreated, seeming to abandon the human population they'd defeated and ruled – this cult had grown more violent. It was our rejection of the Titans, they argued, that was the worst crime of humanity. They claimed that the Titan's could solve all the worlds problems and the current train wreck they lived in was due to human disobedience.

Mariam tried to back away but she was caught up too deeply in the crowd. The worshipers wore masks that covered their noses and mouths, leaving their eyes exposed. The colours and designs on the masks were meant to display the rank of the person, it was a very hierarchical religion. Mariam hunched her shoulders, trying to keep a low profile as she elbowed her way through the crowd.

The worshipers moved to form an open space and Mariam found herself at the front – looking down at a pig.

"Sacrifice!" The priest barked at his congregation, "that is what the gods demand."

Mariam stared, stunned as the priest slit the pig's throat. The animal made a horrific sound as it died, its blood pooling at her feet. Her face scrunched in disgust and she tried to shove her way through the clustered throng. A hand clamped on her shoulder, keeping her in place.

Around them, the worshippers were chanting and swaying on the spot whilst Mariam turned and looked up at the priest. A white mask covered his face, but she could see his eyes – so dark his pupils weren't visible. In one hand he still clasped the knife and blood dripped from his wrist. Disgusted, Mariam glanced at the hand he had gripping onto her shoulder – blood stained also. Mariam shook him roughly off.