The commander’s face fell, apparently disappointed in doing something incorrectly. He thought for a moment, then grimly stood. “Well, if you leave me to stumble about seeking knowledge of him that you already know, then perhaps mistakes like this will happen. Perhaps your boy will be hurt, dead, and there is no coming back from being dead.” He returns to the table, placing the glass piece down and running his fingers along with it. “He isn’t far from you,” he said slowly. “It looked like your magic was explosive. It brought down our ceiling. If you were to do something like that here, you may end up injuring him in an attempt to escape. I will know if you attempt something.” He glanced back, “You agreed not to lie to me anymore. I told you that would bring you an award. It will happen today, but for now, rest. This is just the beginning.”

With that, Rhys swept from the room. A heavy door closed and the sound of locks turning was disheartening. The lights were turned off and the only light that remained in the room were the grow lights for the plant in the corner and the slow burn of fire at the chemistry set. The room was cold.

~~

In the dark, it was difficult to gauge how much time had passed. The biggest indicator of time passing was how cold the room became. Eventually, the heavy locks unlatched and a figure came in. It was too small for Rhys, but with it came the wondrous smell of food. San walked into the room, bearing a candle. The ember flares flitted attractively on his face. He went about the perimeter of the room, lighting small candles. It was strange how they had grown lights, but needed firelight to illuminate everything else. It must have been a scarce resource that they had salvaged from their ship.

San approached Caeden, and his gentle face broke into a pained expression at the sight of him. “Great Gods above,” he whispered, pulling the chair over to sit next to Caeden and moving to touch his arm. “Ho…Why? I’ve never seen him do this,” his hands traveled over the blood dry horn, lingering on the bandage. It was his first soft touch in a while.

It was difficult to tell in the flickering lights if there was moving blackness in the room. Caedon thought he may see swirling shadows, but then a candle flickered and chased them away. Or… perhaps it was there… or there… or there. It would be maddening to think and search too far in the dark for the monster.