He lies on the Jester's cart - 28 pt.2
I jolt back and hit the back seat. My eyes are open, gasping. Everything around me is dark. Just like in the dream. But now I hear the rain beating on the metal above me. My hands touch the felt lining this cell. The car has stopped. We’ve arrived, I tell myself. Stay calm. You’ll be out soon.
The car door opens, and someone gets in.
- We’re in. They’re letting us through. – it’s the commissioner’s voice. – I’ll park, and then I’ll leave the trunk open. Wait a few seconds and then get out. Okay?
- Okay. – I say loudly.
We keep moving. Then the car slows and turns left.
- Walk along the walls. Don’t get noticed.
We stop.
He turns off the engine and gets out. The rain still falls heavily on us. I hear the automatic lock of the trunk release. I see a sliver of light.
- Commissioner – calls a distant voice, the sliver of light closes again.
- Yes? – the voices are distant, the rain makes it hard to hear what they’re saying.
- I told you, Ventriglia isn’t here yet.
- So what?
- Commissioner, I can’t let you wander around the plant alone. It’s dangerous, I can’t allow it.
- And what do you suggest?
- You have to leave, commissioner.
- Leave? I just got here.
- I’m sorry, but I can’t let you stay.
- Fine, I’ll come with you to the gatehouse and wait for Ventriglia there. Okay?
- And the car can’t stay here. – says the guard.
- You’re soaking me to the bone, we’ll move the car later. Open the door. – the commissioner’s voice fades. I hear them talking, but I can’t understand what they’re saying. Then the sound of an engine accelerating and moving away.
I exhale the tension. I raise my hand and lightly push the trunk lid. It moves. I see light.
My heart races. Maybe I should wait here a bit longer. Give them time to reach the gatehouse. The air coming through the crack is fresh. It fills my lungs. I feel the need to get out of here. I push the lid open further and lean out to see. There’s a figure moving in the distance. A car. I can’t see much. The rain is heavy.
I pull up my hood. I go.
I open the trunk and climb out. My legs are trembling. I close the trunk, shove my hands into my pockets, and lower my head. I head left, just as he told me, watching my feet alternate in front of me. My shoes are getting wet. The muscles in my legs are sore but gradually loosen with each step. I haven’t opened the umbrella. I’m afraid of being noticed. To the left, I see a two-story building approaching. It must be the one the commissioner mentioned. I quicken my pace and reach the door, there’s a covered corner where the rain doesn’t reach, or at least not as much. The door is made of gray aluminum, with the word “Prosud” written on the glass. Inside, it’s dark. My fingers touch the keys. I pull the sets from my pocket and look at them for a moment. Then I look at the door.
The left door doesn’t have a lock, and neither does the right.
I look around and see that there’s a magnetic card reader with a keypad to the right, but again, no lock where I can try my keys. Panic sets in. I look up and see a camera pointing at me. There’s a red light under the lens. It’s recording.
I press myself against the wall, trying to avoid being caught on camera. I turn my back to it. I don’t know what to do.
I see the cursed demon a few steps away from me. He’s watching, hunched over, rubbing his hands together. He grins. I can’t stand it. He disturbs me. I can’t stay here much longer. I look across the street. There’s a figure standing there, watching me. I squint, trying to focus, but it’s hard to see clearly from here.
The rain eases for a moment. The watery veil between us thins, and I can finally make out his shape. It’s Marzio. He’s on the other side of the street, watching me. And suddenly, he turns left and starts walking.
He grabs my hand and squeezes it.
His skin is rough, scaly. It feels like it could crumble at any moment.
- He’s happy, you know?
His voice is shrill and unpleasant. I had almost forgotten it. Hearing it again sends deep shivers down my spine. All the awful sensations of these past days return. Nausea knots my stomach. I try to pull my hand away, but he grips it tightly. And he squeezes even harder when I try to shake him off. He points.
- He’s going, he’s going! – he says excitedly, shaking his finger at Marzio, who’s walking quickly.
I have to follow him.
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