Unspeakable, Part 18

Miles woke flat on his back in a stone shelf, Boy bending over him. He tried to move and thought better of it. How long? he asked. A long while was Boy’s reply. How do you feel?

Miles shook his head. Where are we? Boy sat back. Boilers, so to speak. Miles raised an eyebrow. The Academy has boilers? Boy shrugged one shoulder. Ish. He helped Miles look.

They were in a cavern, much larger than they’d seen in months, lit by warm magma pools, streams, and heated by their steam hissing up through volcanic tubes toward the Academy above.

It’s not great, Boy said, but it’s higher than the dungeons. Miles made an incredulous noise. Are you kidding? This is...paradise. He couldn’t help smiling. It’s enormous. Look at all the light.

Boy smiled, looking around. Ah, Miles said, catching sight of Sally curled up next to one of the pools, Mander asleep beside her. Ivan and Sequoia moved in and out of sight beyond.

Catching sight of the sling between two pillars, Miles asked, where’s Shylock? with some concern. Underneath, Boy replied. Miles said, underneath what?

Boy guided Miles’ hand down the side of the stone where he lay until it hit open air. There’s holes and niches all around, Boy said. Yours has one underneath. Shylock’s down there.  

Oh, Miles said. Could you get him for me, please? Boy nodded and in a moment there was the whimper of Shylock coming awake. Miles wants you up top, Boy’s voice said.

Shylock’s head popped up over the edge, and Miles frowned at the dark circles under his eyes. What is it, what’s happened? he said sharply. Shylock’s lips trembled, but he said nothing.

Come here, Miles ordered, get up here. Shylock immediately scrambled up beside him, wriggled between Miles and the wall, and buried his face in his shoulder. Miles touched him comfortingly.

Ivan, he called sharply. Ivan approached. What happened? Miles demanded. Ivan cleared his throat. Um, short version, he said slowly, we know why Shylock was in the dungeons.

And that reason is? Miles inquired archly, leaving a protective hand on Shylock’s shoulder. He...doesn’t just see ghosts and spirits, Ivan said hesitantly, he can...commune with them.

Commune? Miles said doubtfully. Well, they, Ivan cleared his throat again, they kind of...possess him. They give him power, but, uh… he trailed off at the expression on Miles’ face.

Go away, Miles ordered, and Ivan quickly obeyed, Boy following. Miles turned toward Shylock, wincing in the turn, and put a hand on Shylock’s head. Hey, he said in a low voice, talk to me.

Shylock raised his head suddenly and begged, please don’t send me away. Miles frowned at him, don’t be stupid. Just tell me what happened. Shylock hesitated. Please, Miles said more gently.

Shylock met his eyes and said finally, I hear them talking. All the time. I can hear them...see them. He took a shaky breath, eyes moving restlessly. They never stop.

Miles touched Shylock’s face, drawing his eyes back to him. And? he said, And, Shylock said miserably, when I told people what they were saying, they...put me down here.

Okay, Miles said, and the possession? Shylock squirmed, but Miles kept him from breaking eye contact. I- Shylock said, we were in danger, and they said, I knew what they could do, and…

You invited them! Miles said accusingly. I needed them, Shylock replied. Why? Miles demanded. To save you! Shylock cried. Miles closed his eyes briefly, took a breath.

Then he gathered Shylock in his arms. Shylock laid his cheek on Miles’ chest and squeezed his eyes shut. You are damn crazy, Miles said. Fucking nuts. Shylock sniffled.

You’d have to be, Miles went on with a sigh, to love me. Shylock looked up. And what about...he hesitated, my...stuff? Miles shrugged dismissively. Shylock protested, but Miles cut him off.

I trust you, Miles said. Tears welled up in Shylock’s eyes, and Miles tsked. Don’t, he said, we’ve talked about that. Shylock laid his head down again. Sorry. Miles held him, shaking his head.

In truth, several parts of Miles were at war over Shylock. One part thought Shylock’s powers would be a great asset in destroying the Academy, or in getting just about anything he wanted.

Another part knew how dangerous Shylock’s abilities were, was wary of the whatever-they-weres gaining control over Shylock’s mind, which seemed likely, and thought he should run.

A third part, the part ruling him for some reason, irrationally and irrevocably refused to imagine any course of action other than complete acceptance and support of Shylock, demons and all.

Miles honestly found this annoying, but couldn’t fight it or deny it. Shylock belonged to him now, and that was just how it was going to have to be.

Okay, he said loudly, loosening his hold on Shylock only a fraction. Okay, let’s talk. The others raised their heads and straggled over one by one. Boy helped lift the sling to bring Connie over.

How are you feeling? Sally asked. Miles made a dismissive noise. What’s our status, is everybody okay? he asked. The others nodded one by one as he met their eyes.

He looked at Boy. Where are we? he asked. Big picture. How much trouble are we in? Boy shook his head. We’re fine for now, he said. I misdirected the council and no one knows you’re here.

How long can we stay here? Miles asked. As far as I can tell, indefinitely, Boy said, I’ve had this place in mind for a while. I’ve watched it for months. Keeping people out won’t be a problem.

You’ll have to keep watch, be ready to hide if anyone comes around, Boy said with a shrug, but this whole cavern, this whole level is yours to roam.

Miles nodded. Good. Boy rubbed his hands together. And, he said, there’s more. He looked at Miles apprehensively. I’m not sure you’re going to like it, but...I’ve got an idea...a request.

About what? Miles asked warily. About...what’s next. Boy took a breath. We all know what the Academy does to its students, has done to all of us.  They commit atrocities every day.

Now, I- I hear things, he said, I know things, about what they’re doing, but I can’t do anything. Not by myself. But you guys...could help where no one else can or will.

Miles considered, stroking Shylock’s shoulder absent-mindedly with his thumb. So you want us to be your black ops. Or, he sighed impatiently, you want THEM to be your black ops.

We’re not doing anything without you, Sally insisted. Miles gave a bark of a laugh. And how, exactly, can I help? he asked. The chair is gone, in case you hadn’t noticed.

Well, maybe Ivan will find another one, Sally said hopefully. She glanced at Ivan, who cleared his throat. I built it, he mumbled. Miles raised his eyebrows. You what? Sally said softly.

I built it. He was miserable, he- you were shutting down, I, Ivan shrugged sheepishly. I can- I would do it again, I- I don’t have the parts. He glanced at Miles. I’m sorry.

Miles shook his head. Thank you, Ivan, he said. Thank you. He took a breath. Boy, he said, if you need us, let us know. Boy nodded, smiling a little. Okay.