Page 26 of Beyond the Cottage

Seven turned back, eyes narrowing.

“Or maybe I misunderstood,” Gretta quickly amended. “I’m on edge. But please don’t bring him here.” She dry-heaved into her empty wash bucket, peeking over the rim. Seven looked uncertain, so Gretta hunched and gagged harder.

“What do you expect me to do for you?”

“I don’t know. Can you at least tell me if I have a fever?”

Seven’s pinkie nail briefly slipped between her teeth. “Alright. If you approach the bars, I’ll feel your brow.”

“I can’t get up. I’m too weak, and it feels like I’m being stabbed in the belly.” She groaned into the bucket.

A pause.

Then tinkling keys.

Gretta chewed her cheek to keep from grinning.

The tumbler in the lock turned, and the door squeaked open. Seven pushed her long, blonde braid aside as she crouched beside the pallet. She hesitantly reached a hand out…

Gretta snatched her arm.

“Wha—!” Seven gasped as she was flipped on her back with the sharpened stick pressed to her side.

“Keep your mouth shut, or I’ll gut you. Give me the keys.” They jangled in Seven’s trembling hand. “Which one locks this cell, and which one opens the back door?”

Seven pointed twice.

“Good.” Gretta pressed Seven’s shoulders into the pallet, watching her lip tremble.

She kind of felt bad. Seven hadn’t done anything to actively hurt her. She seemed more callow than evil, and Lab Coat was hardly a positive influence.

On the other hand, Seven hadn’t done anything to help.

Gretta pushed to her feet, stick still in hand. “I’m sorry, but you’re way too naive to make it as a criminal. Maybe consider a different profession.”

As Gretta went for the door, a screech ripped the air. Seven got to her knees and launched across the cell, snarling curses, pummeling and kicking.

A reasonable effort. She landed a decent blow to Gretta’s tit. But when Gretta slashed the stick across Seven’s cheek, the nymph gasped, face crumpling, and retreated with a hand over the wound.

“Youcutme,” Seven breathed.

“I barely scratched you.”

Seven peeled her hand away and stared at the thin, red smear on her palm. Eyes watering, she slapped her hand back in place and let out a scream to wake babies in the next parish.

“Director!” she wailed.“HEEEEELP!”

Gretta bounded out. She flung the door shut, not bothering with the lock. With a desperate, hopeful leap, she tried to fly, but her feet landed with a stumble.

Seven’s howling echoed down the corridor. It was darker than usual, too dark for Gretta to safely gain any speed, but soon she made it to the end. She ran left, crying out when she reached the metal door.

The keys clattered as she picked out the rustiest one. Seven could have lied, but it worked on the middle lock she’d watched Lab Coat use. A yell and heavy footsteps pounded around the corner.

She’d hoped to have more time before Lab Coat came. Now she’d have to dive for the swamp and pray he wouldn’t follow her. There had to besomeplaceshe could hide.

Lab Coat made opening the door look easy, but Gretta had to leverage her feet and use both hands. When she got it open, she sprinted for the path, inhaling gulps of clammy, electric air.

It was morning, but the trees cast twilight shadows. The sky resembled putrefied meat. A chill breeze whooshed throughthe willows and cypresses, but besides the rustling branches, uncanny silence met Gretta as the path led her into the swamp.

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