Unspeakable, Part 6

His mood began to lift when they began the card games again. Connie had a competitive nature and a flair to rival Miles himself. She slapped down her cards and said read ‘em, bitches!

Then she leaned back against Miles’ chest and murmured smugly, we got ‘em smoked. Miles laughed and said you sure do. Sally said showoffs and stuck out her pointed tongue.

Connie stuck out her tongue back, and laughed. Sally flipped her hair back but was smiling. Ivan was smiling too. Shylock soundlessly lay down a card for his play.

They fought off tiredness for a long while, enjoying the company. But at last they submitted. Miles chauffeured Connie back to the hammock and said see you in the morning. She grinned.

Shylock wheeled Miles back into the quiet of his cell and helped him onto the slab. Then he straightened, and tottered uncertainly toward the door from which he’d been rescued.

Miles yawned. What are you doing? Bed’s over here. Shylock had his head ducked and wouldn’t meet his eyes. Shylock, look at me, Miles said firmly. Shylock’s big eyes were wet and confused.

Miles raised himself on an elbow laboriously, took a breath, and said, you lay your ass down, I’m not getting woken up by you wriggling around just when I’ve gotten to sleep. You hear me?

Shylock still looked confused but came back over and lay down. All right then, Miles said, and closed his eyes. After a moment he said, softer, I’d never send you back in there. Not ever.

Without opening his eyes he felt Shylock turn to look at him, then curl onto his side, pressing close against Miles. The slab was crowded and Shylock had clearly been uncomfortable that day.

Miles sighed and wished he could turn over. Shylock was good at rummy, and Sally had been kind to him. Things would be better from now on. They’d all just have to adjust.

Just before he drifted off, Miles suddenly wondered again if he really knew everyone that was down here. Who else was hiding, was suffering?

When Miles awoke Shylock had an arm cast over Miles’ chest and was sleeping peacefully. Miles stretched a little and turned his head, not wanting to share his breathing space.

He debated for a moment, then said, Shylock. Wake up. Shylock murmured. Miles turned his head back. Come on, kid. He could actually watch distress etch itself into Shylock’s face.

The big eyes darted up to meet Miles’. Hi there, Miles said bemusedly.  Ready to get up? Shylock took a shaky breath, nodded quickly.

Miles grunted as Shylock lifted him and transferred him into the chair. That’s better, Miles said. Shylock sank back down to sit on the slab, running a shaking hand over his face.

You wanna give me a hand? Miles asked. Shylock looked at him anxiously. It’s going to be fine, kid, Miles said, you might even get to like it.

Can I stay in here? Shylock whispered. Miles sighed. I don’t wanna leave you alone, Shylock. You know I can’t stand it when you cry. Shylock lowered his head. I won’t cry, he murmured.

That’s worse, Miles said. Just then Sally knocked on the doorframe, stuck her green head in. Hey Miles, Shylock, she said, you up? You guys coming out today?

We haven’t decided yet, Miles said, looking at Shylock. Please come, Sally said. After a moment Shylock got up, gripped the handles, and wheeled Miles out after Sally. Miles smiled.

Ivan was sitting on his crate from the day before. Bowls were laid out on the center crate. Sally took her place, as Ivan rose.

I’ve figured out how to move the hammock, he said. I’ve been up for a while.

Excellent, Miles said. Get on that.

Cards? Sally asked. Not yet, Miles replied, and rubbed his hands together. First, let’s get the whole cast out onstage. Sally looked at him questioningly.

Shylock, Miles said, that doorway, he pointed, we haven’t seen yet. Take me over there. Shylock obeyed. Miles peered into the darkness. Hello? he said.

H-hello, came a reply.

We’re all hanging out out here, Miles said. We’re eating, if you can call it that, and chatting, and playing games.

I heard, the voice said.

Well, then it was rude of us not to invite you, Miles said, you should have spoken up.

You don’t want me out there, the voice said in quiet resignation.

Oh, Miles said, I think you’ve confused us with our upstairs neighbors. They, he said, pointing to the ceiling, don’t want any of us around.  But us down here? We gotta stick together.

He waited. But what if you change your mind? the voice said. Miles chuckled. Buddy, he said, none of us are perfect. None of us can judge. Just come out.

There was a silence, then the voice said okay. There was a shuffling of footsteps, and Shylock backed Miles out of the doorway. Their neighbor came into the light.

It was a boy. Unlike Ivan, or Shylock if he’d unhunched, he was small. He seemed sturdy, his feet set wide apart, but his frame was all rope and wire. This was probably due to the local diet.

However, the dominant descriptor for this boy was unquestionably “reptilian”. It was in his movements and mannerisms, but it was also in his skin, which was visibly scaly, though smooth, like snakeskin or alligator. His eyes drew the most attention, all mystic blue iris and slash pupil.

He turned his head and looked at Miles sideways, watchfully. So? he said. Changed your mind? His voice was in a lower register than even Ivan’s, with a captivating je ne sais quoi.

Miles thought again with regret of his lost sexual voracity. Nope, he merely said. What’s your name? The reptilian newcomer turned his head and regarded him with the other eye.

Mander, he said at last. Miles cocked an eyebrow. Someone’s got a mean sense of humor, he said. Could be worse though.

He gestured to himself, then around the room. Miles, Shylock, Ivan, Sally, and Connie. Mander looked at them, then raised a hand and waved, as deliberately as he’d done anything else.

I hate the way the Council names us, Connie said, crossing her arms. He’s Mander, and I show abilities of the “concussive” variety, so I get called Connie? Kids should not raise kids.

Mander smiled. Agree, he said. Sally was twirling a lock of hair around her finger, and patted the crate. Come join us, she said. Mander moved over to her in his deliberate way, and sat.