Page 94 of Made

“It’ll have to do,” Killian said, still laughing.

“Will you shut it?” Keir gritted out. “I’m sure your first try was worse.” When Killian’s hilarity subsided, Keir said, “Exscruffenrox, can you move a little closer to the torch, please?”

The creature moved to the spot Keir pointed out and stood towering over him. “Here?”

“Yes. This will do nicely.”

Keir stopped as he was reaching for the chain.

“What’s wrong?” Killian asked.

“Just occurred to me. We’ve been worried about getting burned, but the heat will travel to that iron collar around Exscruffenrox’s neck. If it gets hot enough, it could even act like a brand and leave a permanent scar.”

The monster had no trouble following Keir’s line of thinking. “Please proceed,” it said. “We’ll expect the pain. As to the scar. We already have scars from straining against these collars for so long. Perhaps your eyes are not made to see them in the darkness.” The creature sighed. “After a long time, when no one came to release us, we stopped pulling at the chain. Another scar is a good trade, we think.”

“It could hurt,” Killian said.

“We’re ready,” said Exscruffenrox.

Without the benefit of their sephalian forms, the brothers struggled to lift the chain. They stood on either side of Exscruffenrox with the torch centered between them. They were prepared to hold the links aloft for as long as it took to melt. When the first touch of flame melted and snapped the link open right away, Keir and Killian first stood back amazed, then hooted at each other and slapped high paws.

Exscruffenrox pulled away and began running in circles on the beach dragging the remaining lengths of chain by their collars, all three heads barking happily like it was Saturday in the park.

“It looks happy,” Killian said. “Now. Will it keep a promise?”

Exscruffenrox stopped abruptly and looked at Killian. “We told you we would keep our promise.”

“Mark that down as a yes,” Keir told Killian.

That was when they saw the first of them. A shadowy figure resembling smoke in the form of a shroud emerged from the cave and floated toward the boat.

“Is that…?” Killian didn’t finish the question, but Keir knew what he was asking.

“Yes. Did we set off some kind of alarm?”

“Do no’ know. But here come some more.”

That first wisp of leftover rotten soul was followed first by a handful, then dozens. Then they came pouring out.

Seeing this, Exscruffenrox put on his scary visage, added a snarling ferocity, and began chasing the bits of shadow back into the cave. The guardian didn’t have to work hard at it. The condemned were afraid of the monster and easily herded back inside.

“I’m thinkin’ this means that if we take the creature with us, someonewillnotice.”

“Yeah. Looks like they can’t really go anywhere though. I mean, they can come this far, but I don’t think they can even get on the boat.”

“Speakin’ of boat. Hope that hyena shows up when it’s time to go.”

“If he doesn’t, we’ll figure it out.”

“Right. Keep a good face and a better attitude.”

“Exscruffenrox,” Keir said.

“Yes?” they answered.

“Got any ideas about how to get our brother back?”

The monster looked toward the cave. “Go get him?”