The room where they were imprisoned was not very comfortable. Although there was sand on the floor, it wasn't very deep and below was solid rock. There were a few rugs around the room, but they were of some rough material that was almost scaly, and unpleasant to touch. It was chilly too. Ruth was not the only one to feel ill.
When their jailers brought them food, just as the the light was fading completly, they tried to explain their needs, and ask for someone to bring their bedding from the Hilarity. They weren't sure whether the snakes had understood them, but eventually the door opened again and the sleeping bag cum hammocks they had used on board the ship were tumbled into the room. They bore traces here and there of a mysterious slime, but they were glad to get them none the less.
It was still an uncomfortable room to be imprisoned in, cramped and overcrowded. People got on each others' nerves very easily, and Will and Zoe unsurprisingly came in for a lot of the flack. Ruth was one of the few who felt sorry for them. It was obvious, from what the snakes' leader had said, that the astroninjas had captured them to keep them out of the way and keep the political system on Bognor in chaos, for the benefit of whoever was employing the astroninjas. And the snakes were to be paid to keep the prisoners safe while the astroninjas went about other duties- perhaps helping their mysterious employer seize power on Bognor.
By the third night in the dark cell it seemed that some people were coping better than others. Ruth, afraid, uncomfortable and still feeling lonely even in the crowded cell, sat by the wall and tried to hide her tears from the others. While it was light she had tried to speak to those who were alone too, who seemed to be finding the situation hardest to cope with, to comfort them, as far as it was possible, and just to be with them, to show them she cared that they were upset. But now she felt that she couldn't cope any more. She had tried to help others, but no one wanted to help her. No one cared about her, they were all too wrapped up in their own troubles.
That night was the worst yet. Even in their insulated bags, everyone was cold. People huddled together. Ruth shivered at the edge of the cell, afraid to take the liberty of moving close to someone, and too ashamed to ask. As soon as the light began to filter in, the prisoners consulted each other and when the guards brought their breakfast they made their complaint, and their request; to be taken back to the Hilarity and kept prisoner there.
The guards went away without giving an answer, but after a while there was the sound of slithering in the tunnel outside.
They huddled in pairs and groups in the small room as the door opened and their jailers slithered in. Looking round, she saw again how almost everyone had someone they were with to give them strength, a close friend, a partner, someone. Except her. She was alone in the crowd. Not that they weren't her friends, but not...not like that. She tried to put others first, but she wasn't first with anyone.
"Ssso, you want to go back to your ssship," the leader said. "But how do we know we can trussst you, that thisss isssn't sssome plan to essscape?" He looked round, smiling cruelly.
"We assure you, it isn't," Ernest said, taking the lead as usual. "We have no plans to escape. But without wishing to insult your hospitality, this room is unsuitable for humans- cramped, cold and uncomfortable. You can guard us just as well if we are held prisoner on board our ship." He looked the snake in the eye, as well as he could.
"Yesss," the snake hissed. "You ssshall go back to your ssship. But one of you must ssstay here, to guarantee that the othersss will not try to essscape."
The prisoners looked around at each other, while refusing to meet anyone's eyes. "We can't let that happen," someone mumbled, half hoping they wouldn't be heard. "How can we decide something like that?" someone else said.
Ruth looked down at the floor, trying to find the courage to say what she knew she should. One of the guards had attracted the attention of the leader, and now three of them were engaged in a close debate. The G&Sers were still looking round at each other, not knowing what to do. Even Ernest was subdued. Will and Zoe were both keeping quiet and looking uneasy.
"I'll stay," she said, finding the words and the courage from somewhere. People looked at her, the tension in the room snapping as they found their voices. But still some were reluctant to look her in the eye, ashamed that she was willing to do what were not.
"Are you sure?" Tom asked. Ruth nodded.
"Someone's got to. And better me than anyone else," she said. "I always end up volunteering for things." She tried to smile but had to struggle not to cry.
Agnes hugged her. A few tears escaped Ruth, but she wiped them away quickly. "We can't just leave you," Adam said awkwardly, but their captors had finished their discussion and turned back to them. Ruth stepped forward.
"Two of you mussst ssstay- jussst to make sssure," the leader said. The tension rose again as everyone looked round and once more tried to avoid everyone else's glance. There was silence.
Ruth looked at everyone in their clumps. Despite her fear, there was a peace in her from knowing she had done the right thing. But for someone else to have to sacrifice themself too- that wasn't fair.
"Please," she said to their captors, "just keep me. You don't need more than one."
"Sssilence," the one who had objected before replied, and hit her round the face with the tip of his tail. She staggered. Adam was behind her, and put out a hand to steady her. "Are you ok?" he asked awkwardly. "I'm fine," she said. "Don't worry." People looked shocked, but still no one said anything.
"Come on!" their jailer said. "Are you all cowardsss? Choossse sssomeone now or you'll all ssstay here. We haven't got all day." Surreptitiously people tried to shrink away from the guards.
"We could draw lots," Ernest suggested. "Anyone got some paper?"
"Hurry up!" the creature yelled, moving menacingly towards the group containing Ernest and Emma. Ernest pulled Emma closer to him, as if to hide or shelter her. The very movement made Ruth feel so lonely.
Suddenly Ruth realised that someone was moving towards her and their captors. "I...I'll stay," said a voice behind her. It was Patrick. She was surprised. Last time she had seen him he had been at the back, as far away from the guards as possible, and had been keeping very quiet. Looking at him, she could see how scared he was. Yet- he had always been one of those people who cared for others.
"You're sure?" she asked him quietly, looking him in the eyes. He didn't say anything, but nodded.
"Right then, out with the rest of you. We haven't got time to waste. You two ssstay here." Their captors began to herd the others out of the room, grabbing their bedding on the way. "Good luck," Ernest said to them. "And thanks. You're both braver than I am."
Zoe didn't look at them, but kept her eyes on the ground. Will was the last to leave. "I'm sorry," he said to them. "I...I should have stayed..." Ruth shook her head. "We chose this. It's not your fault. Good luck."
"Good luck to you," he said.
The story continues...
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