END GAME: THE COUNTDOWN STARTS

[sailmods]

[the prisoners wake up on cold, hard floors.

the lights are bright, glaring, a sterile cell with sterile bars facing a sterile hall. the prisoners with you, across from you, and no one else. no rocking of a ship in waves, nothing. just the prisoner and their prison.

time passes, one assumes. the rhythmic click of Friday’s heels down the hall. it’s almost like the ticking of a clock.]

Comments

[hate_gettin_older]

His hand tightens on the bar, despite himself.

Either Bluebeard kills the girl or someone else shows up and saves her, or she somehow finds a way to fight him. He doesn't see another way for this to end, unless -- those other wives, on hooks and bleeding, are they still alive? Could they be saved, could they fight?

It's harder to keep from guessing aloud this time, but he makes himself say "What did she do?"

[ossie_oswald]

"She tried to hide the key, but to no avail. Bluebeard already knew, and set upon her. She begged for one last moment to pray with her sister for her soul, and whatever hesitation this caused in his foul heart, it was enough- her sister and brothers burst through the door, and together, they severed his head from his shoulders, never again would he take another bride."

Ossie folds his hand in his lap, "And they lived on his wealth happily thereafter, so I'm told."

[hate_gettin_older]

"Good," says Edgar, not happily but with grim satisfaction.

And after a pause: "Those other wives ... they were dead? And he kept them hung up like that? Why?"

[ossie_oswald]

"Already murdered. And there's some dissent in opinion about that- it might be to serve as a warning, or there may have been some other purpose to it, something to do with the blood, perhaps. By my count, I would say it's simple punishment for disobeying him."

[hate_gettin_older]

"Sick bastard," says Edgar, though without any particular heat; it is just a story, after all. "But they got him in the end."

[ossie_oswald]

"Quite," Ossie agrees, quietly grateful to have such a good audience.

"I will warn you, Donkeyskin isn't much more pleasant, but it does also end happily, at least."

[hate_gettin_older]

"Tell me that one later, maybe?"

If there's a later.

[ossie_oswald]

"Of course," he agrees, "and thank you for listening. You were a wonderful audience."

There has to be a later; when else will he get to tell the other tale, after all?