I was suddenly reminded of Noah’s secret dungeon, but I forced the unpleasant thoughts away. The doorway was flooded with light from the landing as the Master opened the door and I made out Sebastian’s silhouette in the frame through the gap in the wardrobe doors. As I observed him I saw his silhouette ignite a stupid Fire-Stick and light the singular oil lamp just as I had done previously. He didn’t even seem to notice that it was already warm. With the room full of flickering light now I managed to watch the happenings more easily. This man was not my Master right now, but an old man admiring his collection of pre-apocalyptic gadgets. He did not touch any of them, simply pulled a tiny duster from a draw and began brushing off the fresh layer of dust that had accumulated there since their last clean. No wonder none of the other staff had seen this room, for the Master cleaned it himself to ensure that no one came here.
I wondered why he had to keep his prized possessions under lock and bolt in a secret room like Noah had done with Madeline’s possessions. Even thinking his name left a pang in my heart. Part of me was angry at him, angry for what he had done that night. Another part felt sorry for him and the fact that he had to drown his sorrows in alcohol to cope with the pain of losing his love. Another part of me still had feelings for Noah Forsythe, as stupid as that was. Had he not been a perfect gentleman in all our evenings together? It had only been that one night of disaster where he had lost control. I often wondered why he had left the morning after. Had he felt overwhelming guilt, and couldn’t bare to face me? I couldn’t be sure, but I hoped that he did regret what he had done. After all, because of him I couldn’t use my power any more.
Time seemed to go at a snail’s pace as I crouched in the wardrobe, cramped and claustrophobic, my breathing sounding much louder than usual. The air was thick and dusty, and I found myself short of breath. Master Forsythe moved around the room slowly, and my skin began to perspire as I overheated due to the confined space and many cloaks surrounding me. I couldn’t be sure how long I sat there, but I guessed it was well over an hour. My muscles ached and screamed, protesting to be stretched and moved. One of my legs had been dead for well over forty minutes, and I could feel the pins and needles spreading over my body like a disease. The Master was closer to the wardrobe now so it was even more crucial that I not make a sound. I simply could not move a muscle without being discovered. How embarrassing it would be if I were found crouched in the absurd position.
The Master drew ever closer, polishing and dusting his collection lovingly. He drew so close to the wardrobe that I felt it necessary to hold my breath, for I feared he would hear my laboured breathing. For the first time I worried that he might actually open the wardrobe. I hadn’t considered my luck that horrible up until this moment. My legs and back screamed at me to move position but Sebastian Forsythe was a mere meter away.
Dusting off the last ancient gadget, he adjusted his trousers, coughed, wiped his nose on the back of his hand, scratched his eyebrow and turned to leave. I was aware of the sweat building up upon my own brow and upper lip. As Master Forsythe neared the doorway, ready to leave, I let out a quiet sigh of relief and began to relax my tense body. Finally it seemed he would be leaving the landing. How long would it be before he left the room entirely? The Master blew out the oil lamp placed his foot out of the door and turned to close it behind him. I heard the jingle of keys and I was suddenly filled with panic. He was going to lock the door behind him and I would be trapped here!
Within the next few moments several bad things seemed to happen in very quick succession. As I panicked, my stiff body tensed and I was aware that I had lost all feeling in my entire body, which was why my cramped leg suddenly spasmed as I jumped with fear in the confined space. The resulting noise did not go unnoticed. My shoe slipped and kicked against the wardrobe door making a small bang and causing the wardrobe to move slightly. Sebastian Forsythe stopped and stared blindly towards the wardrobe. My heart pounded frantically and my mind reeled with different ideas, schemes and lies to get me out of this situation. My first instinct was to pull one of the garments over myself in an effort to look like a pile of clothes if he were to open the wardrobe doors, but I could not do so without making more noise. Perhaps the Master would ignore the brief sound and continue on his way.
No such luck. The Master reignited the lamp and took a step back into the room, looking towards the wardrobe intently; his face full of harsh lines. I wondered how many times I would be flogged for this? I had never wished to have the Power of invisibility this bad before.
He stepped closer and closer to my hiding place, and my heart pounded fearfully. Perhaps its last beats. What was the Masters Power again? I couldn’t remember. Noah had told me so many weeks ago.
Through the crack between the wardrobe doors I saw the Master’s figure edge closer, the oil lamp held in front of himself as though it were a weapon? What would I do when he discovered me? Should I just make a run for it? Perhaps I should just apologise profusely and beg for forgiveness. Did anyone else in the world know what was contained in this room?
Chapter Fifteen
Bludvok’s
This was it. I had only seconds left and still my mind was drawing blank. I could do nothing. I was going to be discovered.