Page 44 of Rat

“The maggots are in the bin, not underneath it,” Ollie hissed.

Rory ignored him, pinched the tail through the bag, and pulled the rat out. It looked fresh, and he couldn’t smell it, but he could definitely see its body moving from maggots. He managed to get it in the bag and wrapped it up.

“Let’s go.”

Ollie’s eyebrows shot up. “Really, you’ve got some?”

“Sort of.”

“What do you mean sort of?”

Rory pushed the bag to Ollie’s chest. “Hide that under your jumper.”

Ollie didn’t ask any questions; he stuffed it under his jumper in a flash.

“Come on,” Rory said.

“Where are we going?”

“Back to your cell to perform rodent surgery.”

“What?”

Rory rushed down the corridor and across the wing. He made a beeline for Teddy and Ollie’s cell, waited till Ollie was inside, then pushed the door shut. Ollie took the bag out of his jumper, then peeked inside.

“It’s a flaming rat!”

He hurled it across the cell, and it hit the wall with a thump.

Rory tried to shush him but ended up laughing. “I know, okay?”

“I want maggots, not a dead rat.”

“The maggots are inside the rat.”

He picked up the bag and looked inside, but there was no movement.

“That’s just great,” Ollie yelled, “How am I supposed to get them out?”

“I haven’t thought that far ahead.”

“No shit!”

The door swung open, and Rory hid the bag behind himself. Sebastian frowned and folded his arms over his chest. His eyes twitched, and he tilted his head as if trying to work them out.

“What are you two shouting about?”

“You wouldn’t believe us if we told you,” Ollie mumbled.

“Speak up.”

Ollie straightened and took a step back. The bag crinkled behind Rory, and he tried his hardest not to laugh. The whole situation was ridiculous.

“Rory?”

His lips twitched, the laugh bubbled up, and he couldn’t stop it. Sebastian glared at him, but his angry expression gave way to amusement. He grinned, then shook his head.

“What are you up to?” Sebastian asked.

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