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The bricks didnโt stick out of the wall far enough for Chuck to climb down into the well with ease. Instead, he had to step down onto them, with his feet sideways and they still hung over the edge a little. As he stepped onto the highest brick he was holding onto the top of the wellโs opening as tightly as possible. He was shaking and was pretty sure if he took another step he would drop to his death, probably crushing the boy at the bottom of the well at the same time.
โI donโt think I can do this,โ he said to Fiona.
โCโmon Chuck, just try. I have to stay up here in case anything comes to attack us. I think youโll do better climbing down there than protecting us from attackers. Youโll be fine, just go slowly and try not to panic.โ
โThatโs easier said than done.โ
As he slowly lowered himself down the well, his feet shakingly reaching for the next brick, Chuck was sure he was going to drop. His head went below the entrance to the well and the light dimmed. It also meant that he had to stop holding the edge of the well and move his hands down to the steps that heโd been standing on moments before. Chuck hugged the wall as tightly as possible, positive that he would stumble and fall at any moment.
Slowly he made his way to the bottom, his teeth gritted and eyes closed for most of the way. He was breathing heavily, terrified that his death was imminent, and still he continued. As he got deeper into the well, he was brushing up against fungus that was growing out of the cracks in the wall. It felt like there was more and more.
โYou doing alright?โ Fiona asked.
โI donโt know.โ
โJust keep going. Youโre almost there.โ
Chuck didnโt respond again, he just focused on breathing and climbing down to rescue the boy. Chips from the bricks flew away as he stepped from one brick to another, spiralling around the well and slowly making his way to the bottom.
He looked down, thinking the end wouldnโt be in sight, but it was and he felt a lot more confident knowing that if he dropped down he wouldnโt hurt himself that badly, could probably even land on his feet.
โAre you okay?โ he asked the boy as he got closer. โAre you able to stand.โ
โI think so,โ the boy spluttered and tried to stand up.
The bottom of the well was covered in the fungus, making it very soft to stand on. Chuck thought it would probably have been enough of a cushion to avoid serious injury when falling, but it was still a miracle that the boy hadnโt smashed his head open on the wall during the fall down.
โOkay, grab onto me and hold tight,โ Chuck said while helping the boy onto his back.
He was almost frozen in fright as Chuck carried him upwards. It was slow going at first, as Chuck had to adjust to the weight. His arms and legs were aching and there were several points on the way up where he was sure his muscles would just give up and they would both fall. Something about knowing someone elseโs life was in his hands kept him moving and the pair made their way upwards and out of the well in a fraction of the time that it took for Chuck to get down it.
โWell done,โ Fiona said while helping the boy get off Chuckโs back while he was still clambering to the edge of the well, kicking away pieces of brick as he did.
โThank you. Oh God, thank you,โ the boy said.
He was shaking, covered in dirt, and was on the brink of bursting into tears.
โItโs okay now,โ Fiona said. โItโs okay. Donโt worry anymore. We wonโt let anything bad happen to you.โ
Chuck fell to his knees as soon as he was out of the well and then collapsed onto his side. His arms and legs were aching more than they ever had done in life.
โI know itโs a lot right now,โ Fiona said. โBut I need to know. Whatโs going on here?โ
โI donโt know. He just started saying things and they became true. He said he was going to keep us all here to die. I was so scared.โ
โItโs okay. Donโt worry. Look, you need to find somewhere safe. Are you able to go home by yourself?โ
โYes, I normally get the bus.โ
โOkay, go straight home and donโt look back. This will all fade like a dream soon, as long as you donโt come back here, got it?โ
โYes.โ
Fiona helped the boy to his feet and walked him over to the school gates. She waved her knife and helped him step through back onto the street.
He ran. Faster than heโd ever ran before. He turned corners, skipped the bus, and just continued running. He ran all the way home and when he reached the front door he unlocked it and walked in, without remembering a single thing that had happened in school that day. He got a glass of cola from the fridge, sat down, and turned on the TV to play some games.
โAre you ready?โ Fiona asked Chuck, who was still lying on the floor wishing that heโd never have to move again.
โNot really,โ he replied.
To Be Continuedโฆ
Part Fifteen is available here: https://ashleymanning.com/2023/03/31/magic-in-london-enrolment-part-15/! Donโt forget to subscribe to never miss a post:
Ashley Manning 