Part 7

Posted on March 5, 2014 by ashleymanningwriter

You can catch up with The Brig HERE. 

I’m in a corridor. Dark. Empty. Nothing. I can’t see anything in front of me. I had shut the door behind me, not thinking it was the only light source. I step forward. Feet echo. Not brave enough to take another. Want to turn back now, but can’t. There has to be something here. Something to prove one way, or another Abe’s intentions. Everything was unlocked up to here, so he trusts me, at least he wants me to think that. Why isn’t my head hurting. How long has it been since the plane crash? Not long, can’t be. My head doesn’t hurt.

Don’t know if my eyes have adjusted to the dark, or a lights been turned on somewhere, but I can just about see. There is a door just in front of me, on the left wall. Locked. Another one opposite. Locked as well. Both just normal doors. Both locked. I can’t hear anything from beyond the second one, not that I was really expecting too. Come on. I don’t know how long I’ve got.

Can’t see to the end of the corridor, but can see enough to start walking. Every step echoes. I try to slow down, plant every step down with no sound. But it can’t be done. I’ve got boots on. That would have been a good start. I take them off. The echo is gone near enough. I can still hear each step, but that’s just in my head. I’m sure of it. No one would be able to hear me. They would have probably already heard me by now. Stop thinking that.

Another door, on the right, locked. Then nothing. The corridor carries on and on.

“I told you to stay in your room, why do you never listen.”

Frozen. No. How did he get there. Where is he? Behind me. I slowly turn.

“Don’t turn around to make sure I’m there. I’m here. Now carry on walking. I have something to show you. I didn’t want you to see it straight away, but you might as well. I’m guessing it’s what you were looking for. Carry on. Yeah, next left door. Should be unlocked. I don’t like locking doors, but as you can tell people wonder when they shouldn’t be. I didn’t lock this one, as I didn’t think anyone would even try. The light switch is just inside, on the right. It’s there you’ll find it. Sorry. I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

No. no no no no. It’s not him. Can’t be. I won’t let it be. Can’t reach the table where Chip is laying. Half of his stomach had been ripped out. No. No. He’s alright. He has to be. We’ll get through everything together. I drop to my knees. Why?

 

Thanks for reading, 

Ashley

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A week off

Posted on March 4, 2014 by ashleymanningwriter

I have to apologise for not posting in over a week. I’ve been ill, and couldn’t focus enough to write. Tried a couple of times, but didn’t write anything significant. I’m feeling much better now and will be back on track as soon as possible. Part 7 of The Brig will be uploaded tomorrow. Read the first 6 parts HERE.

University is slowly coming to an end. This is week 9, at least I think it is, of 12. Not including an exam in May. I’m confident I will pass. I’ve finished a lot of the work, and will be slowly finishing the rest of it soon enough. The only reading I’ve done is for university. A few poems and the first few chapters of The Wood Beyond the World by William Morris. I’ve been enjoying it so far, although it’s written in archaic language and it’s hard going.

The Lego Movie is awesome. One of the best films I’ve seen in a long time. Can’t wait to see it again.

I’m off to go and do some editing. I will upload the next part of The Brig tomorrow. It wasn’t a long post, but it’s a start after taking time away.

Thanks for reading,

Ashley 

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Part 6

Posted on February 24, 2014 by ashleymanningwriter

You can read the first 5 parts of The Brig HERE 

***

Why would he lock me in here? Does he know that I don’t trust him? Is he suspicious? One thing I’m sure about. I can’t trust him anymore. He’s evil. He’s locked me in here, for no reason. I can’t let him know that I’m on to him. He’s gone, so didn’t hear me try and open the door. Pretend I’ve gone to the toilet. Flush the chain and wash my hands. When he opens the door, I’ll act like I know nothing.

Flush. Taps on. Wash. Taps off. Door. Open. Abe is outside, leaning against the opposite wall, smiling.

“Don’t know if you noticed or not, but I had to lock the door. We were taking the body passed and wanted to make sure you wouldn’t see it. Not a pretty sight.”

Did he know? Was this the truth? Am I just being paranoid?

“Thanks. I appreciate it. What are you going to do to the body?”

I had to move the subject away from the locked door. I can’t be sure about anything, and don’t want him asking if I knew.

“One of the guys said we should just throw it overboard. I’m not going to lie, that would be the easy way, but it wouldn’t be fair. That man has a family and they deserve the body.”

“That’s right. It’s the right thing to do.”

“Yes. It is. We’ve moved the body down to the bottom floor. It’s always cold down there.”

“That’s good. Is the doctor available?”

“I’m sorry, but no he isn’t. He’s assured me that if you’re walking around then you are okay. There are a lot of people in pain on board and we need to make sure they are alright. You’ll be seen in the morning. How is your head? If it is really bad, we can go see him. I don’t want you to be in pain.”

To be honest, my head isn’t in any pain at all, should I be worried about that?

“It seems to be alright now. I think I just need to lie down.”

He leads me back to my room, makes sure I’m alright and then leaves me there, laying on the bed. Should I just trust him. He hasn’t done anything to hurt me. It’s not like he hasn’t had the chance. There is just something about him that makes me want to run. I pull myself up. No pain in my head at all. Is that weird? Am I dreaming this? I go to pinch myself, but stop. No that’s just stupid. I’m not in a TV show, I’m not dreaming. I know how that feels.

The door is unlocked. I walk out into the corridor, look left and right. Nothing. I go back to the room where I saw the body earlier. It’s gone, so his story works out. He didn’t lock me in the room either. I walk back round and go to the hatch like door. Using both hands, I turn it.

 ***

After the next part, which will be uploaded on Tuesday, I’m going to be taking a short break. I need to get on with my assignments for uni. I’m further ahead on these ones than I have been at any point during my education. I’ve finished Fiction. Over halfway done on Creative Reading and Writing. About half way through Dissertation (That’s my main focus. Should be finished by end of next week). Romanticism is an exam, so that should be alright. Victorian Wonders is a presentation and essay. I haven’t started on either but it should go alright. The end is in sight. 

Thanks for reading,

Ashley 

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Part 5

Posted on February 21, 2014 by ashleymanningwriter

Read the previous parts of The Brig HERE

***

He led me out into the corridor. This time we turned to the right and followed it to the end and around the corner. There were more rooms here. This time on both sides. Two on the left and one on the right. There was also a door right in front of us. This one was different to the other doors. It was one of those hatch like doors with the wheel in the middle to open it.

Abe walked ahead and opened the last door on the left.

“Wait here, one moment please. Just going to check if anyone’s in there.”

He didn’t wait for an answer, just walked in and pulled the door too. I wait outside. How big can it be in there for me to have to wait. I get close to the small crack in the door, but can’t see anything. Pitch black. He’s been gone a while. Can’t be that big. What’s that noise? Cracking. Sizzling. Popping. What is it. Is there someone else in there. A flush. Abe comes back out. He swung the door open. The lights on now. He walks back out. Bigger than before. His cap pulled further down. Just his bushy beard on show. He pulls up his head and looks at me.

“No one in there, but thought I might as well take advantage. Hope you don’t mind. Nature’s calling and all.”

I force a smile. There was something in his eyes. I’ve worked around it now. It doesn’t affect me. He’s using them to control me. I’m sure of it. It isn’t going to work now. I know his plan. And he doesn’t know that I know. I walk into the bathroom and close the door. It’s tiny inside. A little cubicle, a sink and a towel rack with one dirty looking white towel.

I walk over to the stall until I’m sure he’s gone. Maybe I’m just imagining all of this. None of it is actually happening. Maybe I’m still on the plane. Fell asleep. Had too many pre-flight drinks and having a really bad nightmare. Maybe my head is doing this to me. I’ve hit it hard. But his eyes. There is something wrong with them. They lit up once they looked at me. I’m sure of it. There was no light above us to reflect in them. Where were the lights. There is a single bulb handing from a thread in here, but out there. I don’t remember seeing one. He’s made this place to kill me. To torture me. Make me feel pain. Why. I’m a good person. I don’t deserve this. Please.

I don’t know who I’m begging. If I’m stuck here, then I’m stuck here. Maybe I’m not even on a boat. I’m in some warehouse in London. If I can get out then I’ll be okay. Just need to breath and focus. He’s gone now, I’m sure of it. My hand reaches out to the door handle. It’s locked, with no lock on this side.

***

The next part will be up on Sunday.

This part ended differently to how I thought it would when I started.

Thanks for reading,

Ashley

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Part 4

Posted on February 19, 2014 by ashleymanningwriter

I’ve named this story The Brig. If you’re new, or want to catch up then you can read the first three parts HERE. My aim is to sit down and write 500 words every few days and post them here. The reason being, I want to see how far I get through the story before running out of ideas. Feedback is more than welcome. 

***

How did he get in here without me hearing him. I checked the corridor and my footsteps were so loud. He was wearing similar boots to mine. I couldn’t have missed him, so how did he get here. He would of had to have ran down the corridor to get here in the time I wasn’t looking.

“Don’t look so startled. I’m only worried about you. Come on, lets get you back to bed. There’s no helping here. Sadly he is no longer with us.”

“What happened?” I asked as he took my arm and led me back to my room. All of my doubts had disappeared.

“Nasty stuff. When the plane went down a piece of metal went through his stomach. We thought we could save him, but we were wrong. The doctor stopped most of the bleeding, bandaged him up well enough, but things inside. They weren’t up for the fight. He wasn’t in much pain in the end.” I thought back to the screaming. At least it was only brief. He smiled and then continued. “Why am I even telling you all this. You don’t need to know. As long as your safe. There you go. Lay back down. You don’t want to have any accidents. And this is a boat. In the middle of the sea. We are quite a distance from land as well. It will be a few days before we can get you properly checked out. Doing better than we thought. I’ll get the doc to come and have a look at you in the morning. If your well enough you can go and see, what’s his name. Chip, that’s the fella. Oh and didn’t I promise you some food, how stupid I am to forget. I would have came straight back to you after the man died, god rest his soul, but went to get food. I got chatting with somebody, a little way down the hall. You know how it is. Just you wait here. I’ll go and get you something. Some water too.”

He left the room. My head, spinning. When he was here, all I could do was trust him. His kind voice negates his harsh appearance, but now he’s gone. My instincts are telling me to run, but how can I? He could be waiting outside the room for me. Could know all my doubts. But I’m just being stupid, aren’t I? He’s done nothing but be kind to me. I just get this creepy feeling. It’s in my head. Got to be. I’ve hit it pretty hard. Don’t know how long I’ve been out. First things first I need to see the doctor. If I could meet one other person on the ship, that would calm me. He comes back in. Tray, steaming soup, bottled water. It’s sealed. Nothing slipped in outside of the room. Ignore his face. Avoid the eyes.

“Thanks,” I smile. “I don’t want to be more bothersome, but can I see the doctor?”

“You not feeling well? That’s not good. I can try, but he was with another guy a minute ago and seemed busy.”

“Can I go to the toilet while you ask?”

“Toilet?” He had a really strange look on his face. “I guess so… Don’t see why it would be a problem.”

 

***

Next part will be uploaded on Friday. 

Thanks for reading, 

Ashley

 

 

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