Paintshark

by Kingsley Pilgrim

  Kimberley coughed again and noted his attempt at levity.

  “You’re right, I’m sorry, but if there are cameras all around we don’t stand a chance, do we?”

  “We can try, come on.”

  This time Kimberley took his outstretched hand and he pulled her up and then a flash of realisation Nayan reached into his pocket and quickly pulled out his phone.

  “I hope this is still working, I have to speak to my wife.”

  He pressed some buttons and it illuminated. Despite the situation he was jovial. “HEY THERE MY LOVELY, I HOPE YOU’RE OK? I WON’T BE SEEING YOU AND THE BOYS AS SOON AS I THOUGHT.” He turned to Kimberley, shivering and looking at her hands. “SOMETHING’S COME UP, BUT I WILL SEE YOU SOON, LOVE YOU LOADS.”

  He pressed the red off button.

  “Come on, Kimberley isn’t it?”

  “How did you know?”

  Nayan gritted his teeth. “The whole country knows who you are.”

  Kimberley followed him up to the forest clearing, her mind whizzing around with so many emotions and questions, unaware that they weren’t the only ones with alert eyes by the lake, somebody else watched them leave…and then followed slowly.

  The teacher prisoners rested in the Network’s dungeon, the beetle ordeal was too much for some of the older ones and they did not move again.

  Elias was back in the dungeon after his encounter with ‘Big Man’.

  Dandridge walked past with a sack, when some of the other prisoners saw it they cried out, remembering what happened to them the last time he entered with a sack. He tried to calm them down and walked up to Jago and another prisoner known as Faris. Faris was in his late twenties with a small greyish beard and a receding hairline, usually he would have been standing at well over six foot but he was sitting crossed-legged on the floor conversing with Jago; he was like the doomed prisoner Oram and had no chains on him.

  Dandridge spoke to the pair of them whilst wriggling the sack. “I bought these in from home; me and the wife tried it and didn’t like it.”

  Faris played with his short beard and answered the jailer. “What is it? An I.Q test?”

  Dandridge sighed and emptied the contents on the floor; the sack’s contents were biscuits. “My wife bought them from the market, but they’ve got a funny taste to them.”

  Faris looked on shocked. “I’m not surprised, if they’ve been on the floor, I’ve heard the expression ‘you could eat your dinner from that floor’ but I’d rather not put it to the test.”

  Dandridge rubbed his head cursing himself for being so foolish and now being the brunt of Faris’s banter, he bent to pick up the floored biscuits back into he sack. “I’m only trying to help.”

  Faris seemed surprised. “Help? You could help by letting us go, look around you and what do you see? We’re just teachers and artists who had our schools taken away by Big Man, we’re not a threat, man, open your eyes.”

  Dandridge didn’t even make eye contact. “Behind these walls are cameras, cameras recording your torment for entertainment, if I was to release you then the public would have me in your place, they might want that, but I don’t.”

  Faris shook his head, he knew that would be the answer, but had to try.

  “THEN YOU’RE A COWARD, DANDRIDGE, NOTHING BUT A COWARD.”

  The prison guard took his bag and made his exit muttering under his breath, “You have no idea.”

  Sabrina had had a strange day, from first thing that morning when she collapsed at a rave, then the continuous itching on her arms which now had turned into lizard-like scales and now her night ‘out’ which had become a night ‘in’ had now become a night out again…but it was getting late and she was tired…she had got ready again at Aphrodite’s house, and Aphrodite was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Are you ready to go, darling?”

  Sabrina huffed. “Are you sure you want to go out now?” Her voice changed from meek to sarcastic. “I mean look at the time, Aphrodite, where are going to find somewhere decent at this time of night?”

  Aphrodite had reached the bottom and stood face-to-face with Sabrina, raising a finger to her friend’s face.

  “SHHHH, it’s a surprise.” Aphrodite pushed her long blond hair behind her ears. “I guarantee this will be a night you will never forget.”

  “And you don’t care that it’s getting late?”

  Aphrodite’s eyes narrowed at her friend. “I’ve done my bit, darling.” Aphrodite lowered her finger slowly. “It’s your turn to shine tonight, darling.”

  Sabrina stepped closer. “What do you mean?”

  Aphrodite reached into her bag and took out a pack of cigarettes and her phone, and dialled a number.

  “I’m sorry, darling, when this day started out I can assure you I had no intention of hurting anyone, and I really did like you.”

  Sabrina opened her mouth with loads she wanted to say but could only muster the words, “did like me?”

  The troopers burst into the hallway. With their shotguns aimed high and tasers primed for stun, they were hiding pretty close to the house and were there in an instant, the commander shouted at Sabrina. “STAY WHERE YOU ARE AND DON’T MOVE!”

  Sabrina sounded helpless. “Aphrodite, what’s happening?”

  “Time for you to go, darling.”

  She gave a nod to the Commander who fired his taser gun, which sent a burst of electricity into Sabrina, she gave a terrifying shudder and slumped forward and a trooper caught her before she hit the ground. He picked her up and threw her over his shoulder.

  “You can take her now.”

  Aphrodite ruffled through her bag for a cigarette lighter. There was no reply from the Commander who, with his troops, went through the big front door with the unconscious Sabrina and left into the night, leaving it ajar.

  Aphrodite watched her go and lit her cigarette, shivering as the draft from the door lifted the skirt up Aphrodite’s leg, she took a puff and blew out the smoke out which danced merrily in the winds entering the room, she went to go upstairs, looking back at the exiting troopers.

  “Can someone shut that door, please? It’s freezing in here.”

  Elias awoke with a start, jerking his head up too quickly, and rubbing the back of it he looked around at his surroundings in the hope that the last images of his dream were real, but they began to fade, he wasn’t at home with his daughter but still in a cold and damp prison underneath the studios of Big Man, waiting for his punishment for the crime of merely trying to keep his school open. Like-minded souls were around him some walking freely in the prison and others chained to the wall or shackles around their ankles. Elias was shackled at the ankles, an older voice confirmed his sleep was over.

  “So you’re awake now? You’ve been asleep for a while, as soon as they bought you back from your ‘Big Man’ visit, you just collapsed into a heap, we didn’t want to wake you.”

  Elias looked up; it was Jago stooping down next to him with some water in a bowl. “Here, drink this.”

  Elias took the bowl and immediately put it to his mouth, water cascading in and around the sides; Elias wiped his mouth dry and handed the bowl back to the old man.

  “How did you know I was with Big Man?”

  “You’re the youngest headmaster of the biggest school in the district, he’s not going to kill you right away…it’s bad on viewing figures.”

  “I see the party is still going,” Elias said. Jago nodded. Elias noticed the bag Jago carried with him. “Didn’t notice that bag before.”

  “That’s because you were blindfolded before.”

  “What’s in the bag then?”

  Jago eased it off his shoulder. “Just some odds and sods from home.”

  Elias cleared his throat. “And they let you keep that stuff?”

  “I’m an old man, who am I going to hurt? But unfortunately, Elias, we have a newcomer.”

  Apollo entered with a younger prisoner in tow; the young man was swung around to the b
elly of the others by his chains as Apollo started talking about the rules of the prison, the new young prisoner listened intently, Apollo explained it all only a few minutes, as Dandridge was better at explaining things and being the welcoming committee. Apollo walked towards the only door in the room, unlocked it, laughing as he did so and slamming it shut. Faris introduced himself to the new arrival.

  “Welcome to the funhouse, mate. Hope you enjoy the ride! My name is Faris, what’s your name, squirt?”

  “Bevin, my name’s Bevin, I was caught stealing apples from a market place for my wife…it’s her birthday you see,”

  Faris butted in. “Wait, you bought your wife apples for her birthday? I take it she doesn’t get out much!”

  “No, the apples weren’t her gift; I was going to put them in a cake.”

  “Dude seriously? An apple cake for her birthday…can’t wait to see what you do for your anniversary, grape cakes anyone?”

  Aubrey, an old rouge of a gent caught the tail end of the banter and joined in, talking to Bevin.

  “I say old boy, you say you got some apples for your wife? Good swap eh!”

  Faris gave his trademark chuckle and carried on, Aubrey seemed bemused.

  “Anyway what could be so bad about stealing some apples from a stall?”

  Bevin paused briefly, anticipating another sarcastic remark from Faris, but when it didn’t come, he carried on. “Well, the stall where I stole the apples from is one of many that belonged to Big Man, it was for one of his games in preparation so I was caught right away and sent here, not sure for how long.”

  Faris was intrigued. “Does your wife know you’re here then?”

  Bevin gave a big yawn and clicked his knuckles, looking at the floor when he answered. “It was her idea.”

  Faris’s eyes rolled in astonishment. “Your missus had you locked up for stealing apples?”

  Bevin looked at Faris with a sly grin. “She’s allergic to apples.”

  Faris roared with laughter and Bevin’s smile grew, Faris reached out a hand and Bevin shook it with restored vigour. Elias held his aching side and was helped to his feet by Jago. The old man spoke softly in his ears.

  “What happened with Big Man?”

  Elias shook his head, which was the only part of his body that didn’t hurt. “How did you know I saw him?”

  “Lucky guess.”

  Elias grimaced. “It wasn’t good. Big Man mentioned something about me being dragged around some arena behind a horse and cart earlier with lions chasing me…nice.” Elias then heard a familiar voice.

  “Hello sir.”

  “FELCY?” He hugged his stricken student. “My God what are you doing here?” Elias shook his head and remembered. “Yes, Big Man said some of my students were here, what happened?”

  Felcey rubbed his stomach.

  “I fancy Kimberley, followed her to a rave, got showered with water and got knocked out, woke up, went to school, gave her a clay and milk head statue, saw a demonstration outside, got home, went for a walk, bumped into Cassandra and Kimberley, got arrested and put into this dungeon and got infected with Hustle beetles who eventually will tunnel out from my insides and kill me.”

  Faris chipped in, “Are you sure that’s it?”

  Felcey thought for a moment. “My stepdad ate my dinner.”

  Elias stepped in.

  “Big Man mentioned something about super powers? I think he showed me Kimberley’s use of hers tonight.”

  Felcey’s eyes locked on to his teacher’s. “What happened to her?”

  “I think she could be dead, I’m not sure …the Leviathan squid may have killed her, I’m sorry.”

  Felcey slumped against the prison walls, his stomach twisted and turned, beetles and sorrow struck at once.

  Bevin scratched his nose and looked around and nervously tried to make conversation. “That Apollo guy is quite mean, isn’t he?”

  Faris replied, “Yeah, he was the same years ago, we were at school at the same time.”

  Jago turned to Faris. “Did I hear right? That you went to school at the same time as Apollo?”

  Faris nodded. “Yeah at about eight-thirty.”

  The prisoners who were in earshot smiled at the gag but Elias, rubbing his side slowly, walked across the room and sat back down with his back to the wall thinking about Kimberley. “They didn’t deserve to die, not like this, not in here; they’re kids for God’s sake!”

  Jago could offer no support; nobody could, so Elias continued. “I don’t know anything about ‘super powers’ but Kimberley was just a kid and Cassandra? The girl’s come to school every day like everybody else; they may or may not have liked it…who knows? But…I mean, COME ON!”

  The raw shout of emotion coming from Elias caught everybody by surprise; Jago was slightly concerned, but didn’t interrupt.

  “I mean what about their family? Will someone tell them? Somebody must!”

  Jago thought the time was right to explain. “Their family will get a sympathy package from the Network and that’s about it.”

  Jago carried on. “Everybody here has been jailed on a jumped up charge by one of the associates working for Big Man, I mean look at me – I’m an old man, what could I have possibly done to enrage the mighty Big Man? I’m a headmaster, that’s my only crime. I was a teenager when I last was involved in any proper criminal activities.”

  Faris, quick as a flash, interrupted again. “I’m surprised you could remember that far back, Jago.”

  Elias rubbed his eyes and gave a big yawn, holding his hand up to Jago, indicating that it wasn’t him that was making him so tired, he asked a question to prove his point. “So how did you end up here then? What happened?”

  Jago’s head remained absolutely still as he carried on, he was looking forward just staring at the wall in front of him, his voice devoid of the warmth that calmed Elias down in his first few hours here.

  “They found me, that’s what happened, all I had to do was to lay low and everything would have been fine. They get to you; they eventually get to everybody, maybe not right away. It’s when you least expect it, some people know it’s coming and some carry on blissfully unaware of what’s around the corner.”

  Jago had Elias’s full attention.

  “Look around this prison room, Elias, and tell me what you see, tell me who you see.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “OPEN YOUR EYES, MAN!”

  Elias, stunned at his outburst, obeyed quickly. “I see men and a few women locked up, some chained up, some aren’t.”

  “Look again, Elias, look deeper.”

  Elias stammered, his squinting eyes darting over each and every prisoner locked up with him, trying to work out the old man’s words, maybe he would recognise one of them from somewhere a vague recollection from the past, but he had to give up and admit defeat.

  “I’m sorry; I don’t understand what you’re talking about, Jago, I don’t know any of these people.” It was all too clear for Jago and it was time Elias and a few of the other new prisoners knew the score for their imprisonment.

  “I didn’t say you knew your fellow inmates, but you are all connected, some call it fate, others call it bad luck or the Will of God…I just call it a stupid life we lead.” Elias and Faris raised their eyebrows in unison. Jago pointed to a young man further down the wall.

  “This young man was locked up for being an artist, he drew a cartoon of Big Man, a caricature, it got printed in a national paper and they arrested him and put him in prison, saying he was a thief.

  Faris wasn’t impressed. “So? He got caught and put in here, big deal!”

  The other prisoner spoke up. “That’s what they want you to believe, I’m not a thief! I’ve never stolen anything in my life.”

  “Is that the truth, lad?” Jago asked, his comforting voice had returned.

  “YOU KNOW IT IS, JAGO, I’M AN ARTIST, YOU KNOW THAT.”

  “And is this going anywhere?” Faris sighed, “Be
cause I’ve got one or two things to do before this decade ends.”

  Another prisoner spoke up. “I went out for a few drinks with some friends from work earlier tonight. I was talking to this girl and she was rude and walked out with her friend, my friends and I left soon after to go to a nightclub but we got separated and the next thing I knew this man mountain in a long black coat attacked me and knocked me out and the next thing I know I’ve been placed in prison on the charges of attempted robbery.”

  The hatred for Big Man was building up again within Jago. “Tell them your name, lad.”

  “Linus, my name is Linus.”

  “What is your job?”

  “I’m a primary school teacher.”

  Jago was far from finished. He pointed to a fit-looking man in the corner. “Dex, what happened to you?”

  The dark, handsome man rose to his feet. “My name is Dex and I used to be a footballer on the game show ‘Soccer Skills’. It was on the Big Man Network.”

  The name sounded familiar to Elias.

  “Well I wanted to quit to try my hand at teaching sport in schools, a P.E teacher?”

  Elias nodded.

  “Well I handed in my notice, got struck from behind and next thing I knew I was in here.”

  The two men shook hands and Jago carried on, wearily watched by a growing number of prisoners, next was a pretty girl in her mid-twenties with braided brown hair.

  “This is Reede, she was a shop assistant who also writes poetry.” The girl continued for herself.

  “I was locking up for the night when someone hit me from behind and I wind up here.”

  Next on the tour were a man and woman chained together at the wrist with a fifteen foot-long chain. Introductions were again made by Jago.

  “Here is Hoult and his wife, Joanna; they were street entertainers who regularly performed outside Big Man’s Complex, they pulled in large crowds but obviously these same crowds weren’t at home voting for his game shows so Hoult and Joanna were hauled in here soon afterwards.”

  Jago continued to introduce every prisoner to each other, and he knew them all, even the ones who kept to themselves he knew all about them and why they were bought here, each and every one, sometime in the past and present had some connection with the arts, they were teachers, writers, poets, dancers, musicians; they were kidnapped and bundled into a car and imprisoned under the name of Big Man.