Voices Deep Inside (Book 1)

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Six

The Showdown

Omar removed the bar and opened the door a crack. He saw the serving boy, along with a serving girl, holding a large tray of fresh bread, along with a bottle of brandy in the middle.

"What took you so long?" yelled Omar as he opened the door.

The serving boy and Talia rushed into the room and set the tray on the table. As Omar went to close the door, Roman stepped into the doorway with his pistol drawn.

"Not so fast, Omar," said Roman.

Omar screamed as he looked at Roman. He backed up against the wall and pointed a bony finger at him.

"You are should be dead," said Omar.

He looked at the pit and then back at Roman in disbelief.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Omar," said Roman.

He looked around the room and saw from the corner of his eye Geneva and Gerald. They were beaten about the face and dried blood caked on their lips.

"Lad, untie them and take them downstairs," said Roman as he stepped in front of Gerald and Geneva.

"No, they are mine," said Omar as he ran to the door.

He quickly closed the door and drop the bar into the iron holder. Then he stood in defiance in front of the door with his pistol drawn and a wide-eyed stare of a madman.

Timothy's hands were shaking as he opened the bottle of brandy. His mind tried to fathom the concept of someone surviving the pit. He shuddered at the thought, trying to understand how Roman Thanturnam was still alive.

Talia took the knife to slice the bread and slipped two others into her apron pocket. She continued to clear the tray onto the table as Squire Brown helped himself to the platter of freshly baked bread.

"Omar, let them go, and no one gets hurt," said Roman as he tried to reason with Omar.

By now, the servant boy had untied Geneva and was working on Gerald's ropes. Geneva immediately went to comfort Gerald. She removed her handkerchief from her pocket to wipe the blood from his face. When Omar saw that, he became outraged at the show of affection.

He screamed as he rushed to Geneva, scaring everyone with his outburst. Omar pulled her to her feet and held the pistol to her head.

"See that pit," hissed Omar. "She is the first to go."

"No-o-o-o," shouted Talia.

Before the word was even fully uttered, Talia threw the carving knife she had used for the bread. The knife sliced into Omar's arm, holding the pistol. He dropped the pistol, and blood poured from his arm. He grabbed his arm in pain as Geneva scrambled to the safety of Gerald and Roman.

Roman and Gerald stood strong in front of Geneva. The serving boy scampered on the floor and retrieved the dropped pistol, giving it to Gerald.

"Two can play that game," muttered Timothy.

He had come around the end of the table and grabbed Talia with his pistol drawn.

Squire Brown also had drawn his pistol and was pointing it at Roman. He smiled at him as now they had an equal face-off. Timothy held on to Talia as he stepped closer to the door. He ordered the Squire to help his father.

By now, blood had soaked the sleeve of Omar's shirt. Squire helped Omar into a chair, and he tied a handkerchief around his arm to stop the bleeding.

Then, everyone in the tower heard the turning of a key in the door lock.

"Father, let me in," yelled Jamison with anger in his voice.

"It's Jamison," said Timothy in a panic.

"I told you we should have left," said Squire as he stepped away from Omar.

Omar got up from his chair and stood in front of the door.

"Go away, Jamison. This doesn't concern you."

"Let me in. Or I will break down this door."

"Roman, are you all right?" asked Rupert.

"I'm fine. Nice to hear your voice."

Then Roman smiled, knowing his brothers had arrived.

"Get away from the door. We're coming in."

Jamison and Rupert counted to three, and using their shoulders, they slammed into the old wooden door. The door groaned as the hinges were loosened. The bar held firm as they tried a second time. Then there was silence as the men examined the door for weaknesses.

Reggie, Mick and the other two men came up the tower staircase.

"We took care of the two guards that they had posted," said Mick. "Man, it felt good to get in some punches on those two who beat me."

Mick's lip was bleeding along with his knuckles. He smiled, showing a missing tooth on the side.

"Well earned, son," said Rupert. "Now, gentleman, we need to figure out how to get through this door before anything happens."

Jamison quickly explained the layout of the room. Then they heard Roman's voice.

"Rupert, they have pistols in here waiting for you," said Roman. "And Jamison, the iron gate to the pit is open."

"Shut up," hissed Omar.

Talia relaxed in Timothy's arms, giving him the false sense of control. Roman saw her slide her hand into her pocket. He moved his pistol aim at the Squire, and Gerald held his aim on Omar.

"Give up, Timothy," said Roman. "It is all over."

Another crash against the door echoed in the room. The door was loose, creating an opening enough to see into the room. Mick slid his hand through the opening and pushed the bar out of the holder.

Jamison burst through the door with his pistol drawn, followed by the Thanturnam men, including Roman's father.

Talia pulled her knife from her apron pocket and stabbed Timothy in the leg. He screamed in pain as he crumpled. She pulled her knife from her leg holster and stood, ready for the next attack.

Roman saw the Squire take aim at Jamison, and Roman fired into his shoulder before he could take a shot. When the smoke cleared, everyone looked at each other, waiting for the next attack. Slowly, weapons were lowered as the men moved into the room.

Jamison looked at Roman like a ghost who had just saved his life, and then he looked at his father. His white hair stood on end, and his shirt was soaked with blood. He was disheveled and smelled of alcohol.

"You betrayed me," shouted Omar. "All of you have betrayed me."

"It's over," said Jamison. "No more fighting."

"It's not over until I say it is," said Omar. "I get the last laugh."

Then Omar laughed maniacally as he ran towards the opening, throwing himself into the pit.