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Billy opened the door to a descending stone stairwell. The steps were deep and uneven as they twisted down into the darkness. Billy apprehensively began to stride the stairs. There was no handrail, so Billy pressed himself against the enclosing walls to support himself. As the darkness thickened, Billy could tell the steps were becoming slippery. Billy could hear the screams more vividly now. He thought he recognised one of the voices, but it was shouting bad, hurtful words. Billy tried to quicken his pace, still remaining cautious on the damp steps. The stairs suddenly stopped and opened our into a haunting room. There were lots of tables. Billy frowned, they didn't look like dinner tables. They had handcuffs at the top and the bottom, and there was a large wheel to one side. There were handcuffs attached to the walls as well. An old man sat in one of the cages that hung from the ceiling. He was very thin and had a long white beard. He looked at Billy and began to shriek. "They've sent children to torture us!" He placed his hands over his face and clawed his way to the far side of the cage. Billy jumped back and looked in terror around the room. More voices erupted from the shadows. There were rattles of chains as the prisoners moved. "Don't be stupid, George." A man chained to wall said, apparently direct at the cowering man in the cage, "It's just a small boy." Billy's face screwed up and he began to cry. "Look, George," Said the chained man, "You've scared him. Are you lost, boy?" Billy buried his face in his hands, "Matthew!" He said through his fingers. "Billy?" Came a voice from the corner of the room. Billy wiped his eyes and looked up. |
