The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

mark12_30 · 10-09-2002, 09:43 AM

Looking down at the lunch plates in his hands, Gamba sighed. He wondered how the food could be worse than what they were usually served; but it was. He pitied the inmates.

He slipped several plates under several doors, with soft words of greeting and sympathy, and then came to the last door, to the large communal cell. He looked around at faces that he had not seen for days or weeks or even months. And then he saw two that he had seen only yesterday. He started. "You!"

Anee growled at him. "What of it?"

"What happened? Was it me?"

"No, " Anee snapped, but something inside her forbade her to tattle on Daisy. "No, it wasn't you, " she ended, a little more softly.

Gamba stepped in, carrying a large bucket partly filled with bread and a small bucket with porridge in it, and began doling it out according to instructions. It was not much to live on, and Gamba felt guilty giving them so little. Daisy thought of the sausage, and bit back tears, using anger to do it.

Gamba wanted to say something hopeful, but at the moment, his back hurt, and the atmosphere was not a pleasant one. He fidgeted. But the man-guard was watching him. He moved on, and got the water bucket, and started back at the first cell.

Each inmate got one mugful, and the ones in the single cells had to drink it as Gamba watched. There was one older woman who was ailing, and Gamba managed to slip her a second mugful. "You done yet, Pansy? Hurry up, " he said, to cover the extra time.

"Patience, " her creaky voice said. "I can only drink so fast." She sucked it down, and handed the mug back out.

Gamba got to the communal cell at the end, and filled everybody's mug. The guard was distracted, and Gamba refilled the mug again and shoved it at Anee. "Drink it now, " he said, watching her sip it. "Faster. Drink all you can."

Biting back tears, Anee forced the water down her throat. Daisy followed suit when Gamba refilled the dripping mug and gave it to her.

"Water's good, " Gamba muttered. "It brings hope."

Anee shot him a puzzled look. But Daisy looked up, and thought of The Lonely Star.

"Yes, it does, " she whispered. And she tried to smile.

Gamba looked over at the other inmates, now sipping their water or gazing listlessly at the walls, and wished he could encourage them as easily as he just had Daisy. But with the guard now returned and glowering at him, Gamba clattered off with the bucket.

[ October 09, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

[ October 09, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

10-09-2002, 09:43 AM	#172
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	Looking down at the lunch plates in his hands, Gamba sighed. He wondered how the food could be worse than what they were usually served; but it was. He pitied the inmates. He slipped several plates under several doors, with soft words of greeting and sympathy, and then came to the last door, to the large communal cell. He looked around at faces that he had not seen for days or weeks or even months. And then he saw two that he had seen only yesterday. He started. "You!" Anee growled at him. "What of it?" "What happened? Was it me?" "No, " Anee snapped, but something inside her forbade her to tattle on Daisy. "No, it wasn't you, " she ended, a little more softly. Gamba stepped in, carrying a large bucket partly filled with bread and a small bucket with porridge in it, and began doling it out according to instructions. It was not much to live on, and Gamba felt guilty giving them so little. Daisy thought of the sausage, and bit back tears, using anger to do it. Gamba wanted to say something hopeful, but at the moment, his back hurt, and the atmosphere was not a pleasant one. He fidgeted. But the man-guard was watching him. He moved on, and got the water bucket, and started back at the first cell. Each inmate got one mugful, and the ones in the single cells had to drink it as Gamba watched. There was one older woman who was ailing, and Gamba managed to slip her a second mugful. "You done yet, Pansy? Hurry up, " he said, to cover the extra time. "Patience, " her creaky voice said. "I can only drink so fast." She sucked it down, and handed the mug back out. Gamba got to the communal cell at the end, and filled everybody's mug. The guard was distracted, and Gamba refilled the mug again and shoved it at Anee. "Drink it now, " he said, watching her sip it. "Faster. Drink all you can." Biting back tears, Anee forced the water down her throat. Daisy followed suit when Gamba refilled the dripping mug and gave it to her. "Water's good, " Gamba muttered. "It brings hope." Anee shot him a puzzled look. But Daisy looked up, and thought of The Lonely Star. "Yes, it does, " she whispered. And she tried to smile. Gamba looked over at the other inmates, now sipping their water or gazing listlessly at the walls, and wished he could encourage them as easily as he just had Daisy. But with the guard now returned and glowering at him, Gamba clattered off with the bucket. [ October 09, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] [ October 09, 2002: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.