Page 31 of The Rat

“Look, they’re only maggots, andthey’re by thewindow, right?”

“Even so, I couldn’t sleep lastnight, convinced I was gonna get eaten by them. I swear I could hearthem moving around in their tub. I can’t—I can’t stay inthere.

“It’ssimple, really—you give Teddy anultimatum.”

“Yeah?”

Rory bit his lip to stop himselffrom laughing, took a second to compose himself, then spoke closer to Ollie’sear.

“You tell him, Teddy, it’sme or the maggots.”

Ollie glared at him, and hecouldn’t helpbut laugh. His side pinched, which made him laugh more. Otherinmates were looking, but he didn’t care.

Ollie’s lips twitchedinto a smile. “It’snot funny.”

“Kind of is,” Rory said, wiping hiseyes.

“I genuinely don’t knowwhat to do.”

“If you can’tlive withthem, get rid of them.”

Ollie shuddered, then pretended toretch. “I can’t touch them…”

“Well, I’m not doing it, I’m stillrecovering, and I don’t fancy getting pummeled byTeddy.”

“Shit,” Ollie hissed, then he paused. “Iguess I could tell one of the guards, get them to removethem.”

“You could.”

Ollie pushed off from the table.“Right.”

Rory chuckled under his breathand went backto reading his book. He stopped when he saw a shadow on the table,someone looming behind him.

“You have a nicelaugh.”

It was Sebastian’s deepvoice. Rorydidn’t know what to say in reply, and by the time he thought ofsomething, a substandard ‘thanks’, Sebastian had gone.

****

Captain sat down at the tablewith a sigh. His whitet-shirt was damp from sweat, and he was breathinghard.

Rory closed hisbook and lifted hiseyebrow. “You all right?”

“Fine.”

“Want me to get you somewater.”

“No, I don’t want water.”

Rory frowned. He was bright red,panting harshly, and sweating in buckets. Hedefinitely needed adrink.

Rory went to stand, but Captainslammed his fist on the table. Everyone close by looked over,including Sebastian, who stood up slowly, and fixed Captain with a sternglare. Captain ignored him.

“I said I don’t want adrink right now.”

“Okay, I’msorry.”

Captain mopped his brow with his t-shirt.“I’ve been in the gym lifting weights.”

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