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Billy weaved his way through the apparatus and ran to the corner of the room. All the prisoners watched him, frowning with confusion. A old man hanging upside down by his feet turned to the prisoner next to him, "In my day, they actually sent armed soldiers for a rescue mission. Now they send little boys with oversized swords." Shackled to the wall with his hands high above his head was a scruffy young man. His skin was cut and bruised. He looked thin and weary with dirt caked into his pores and hair. Billy ran up to him, tears still in his eyes, "Matthew, Marzurka told me to come." He threw his arms around his brother and embraced him. Matthew groaned in pain as Billy touched him, "Look Billy," He said, "You have to get me out of these." Matthew rattled his wrists against his bindings.
Billy shrugged, "I don't have a key." He said desperately. "Is that Marzurka's?" Matthew said, gesturing to the sword in his brothers hands. Billy nodded, "He gave it to me." "Listen to me, Billy," Matthew said slowly and breathlessly, "Hold the sword high and, when I say so, bring it down hard on the cuffs." Billy shook his head, "No," He said, "I'll hit you." "You won't, Bill, trust me. Now lift it up." Billy did as his brother said. Struggling under its weight, he raised the sword above his head. His arms were tired from carrying it through the woods. "Now!" Matthew shouted and he quickly braced himself. Billy brought the sword down quickly. There was a loud clash as metal clashed with metal. With the force of the blow, the shackles fell away from the crumbling bricks of the dungeon walls. The bounds rattled as they fell to the floor. There was a silence as the brothers waited to see if anyone heard the sound. The prisoner turned back to the old man hanging by his feet, "I'll take the kid and the sword any day." He said. Matthew took the sword from Billy's hand and led him back up the stairs. Billy stumbled occasionally on a few damp steps. Matthew was far faster and stronger than he was. They galloped down the staircase in the hallway towards the few doors. Matthew jumped the last few steps and Billy followed closely behind him. Matthew ran up to the doors, he dropped the sword and grabbed the handles with both hands and pulled. They wouldn't move. He hammered on the doors with his fists and screamed with frustration. Suddenly, all the lights in the entrance hall illuminated. Matthew and Billy looked at each other, both with confused looks on their faces. The hall had transform. The chandelier above their heads was hypnotising with light. Billy gazed at the wonder of its beauty. "Leaving so soon?" A gravelled voice echoed through the large entrance hall. It was followed by a loud, chilling cackle. |
