The Escapist (19 page)

Despite Oscar’s efforts in the workshop earlier on, he still had not acquired all the tools necessary for lock picking.  This left him only one option to move around the Institute and it was not an appealing one: he would have to ‘borrow’ Edmund’s master key.  He approached the sleeping figure, who at this distance appeared only as a large shadow residing in a lower bunk.  The light was dim and the atmosphere charged; Oscar could almost perceive the shape of the large black dog, waiting to pounce and tear him to shreds.  Yet even as he stood there his fear turned to anger as he remembered the attack on Vergil.  Edmund had become something monstrous, a threat to many and a malignant influence on the other children.

Here was his nemesis, the whole reason Vergil had enlisted his help.  He was supposed to help rid the world of this threat.  Sinister thoughts darkened his mind as he realised there could be a quick solution to his problems.  Maybe he didn’t need to be in Etiainheim at all?  If he could only…

He unclenched his fists and let out a deep quiet breath.  No.  It was not the way to do it.  He had seen only too well in Etiainheim the reflections of actions taken in this world and shuddered to think what might become of his Itse should he ever take so violent an avenue.

With a subtlety with which he was accomplished, Oscar quickly rifled through Edmund’s belongings searching for the key.  It did not take long to find, tucked carefully into an inner pocket of the boy’s day jacket.  Then, with no more disturbance than a moving shadow in the moonlight, he tiptoed out of the room.

Creeping along the gloomy corridor Oscar paused to consider his options.  Though his initial intention had been to leave the Institute, he was reminded of the evening when he had come this very way in pursuit of a grotesquely decomposed rat.  If he could just find Vergil, maybe he could transport him once again to Etiainheim.  Surely if Vergil had survived the attack from the Maere and returned to fetch him, the closet would be the obvious choice of rendezvous?

Eagerly Oscar headed to the closet, listening as he went for the tell tale scuffle of rodent paws.  He was soon disappointed.  Faced only with the empty closet he could not rid himself of a nagging certainty that he was on his own again.  Though he lingered there a moment, he soon withdrew to continue his night time excursion.  Despite having few other ideas as to how he might get back to Vergil he was at least free, with Edmund’s master key, to roam the halls unchallenged. 

Without having noticed it Oscar soon found himself faced with the staircase which led up to the infirmary and the opportunity to see the Master, an ally.  But it wasn’t just concern for the old man that drew him.  Suspecting that the old man’s Itse was the knight, it was one of Oscar’s only connections back to where he needed to be. 

As he reached the top of the staircase Oscar slowed to a halt, wary that he might be seen.  A beam of light cut the darkness of the corridor from the open door and a murmur of voices reached him.  He could not make out the conversation but it sounded as though the Master was awake.  Creeping slowly closer Oscar was surprised to find he recognised the other voice, though it was somewhat unexpected in the circumstances.  It almost sounded like Josie.

Finally reaching the door Oscar peered around cautiously to see his suspicions confirmed, until Josie noticed the unexpected guest and gave a small shriek.  The Master slowly turned his head, showing no such sign of surprise despite the sudden appearance and his ill health.

“Ah, Oscar.  Up to old tricks I presume.”  The Master looked terrible; twice as old and tired as before, though Oscar was reassured to hear his voice carrying the same steady tone as it had always done. “It's good to see you up and about, even at such a late hour.  Try as I might I couldn't keep this one away.”  He lifted a weary hand and gestured towards Josie.

Josie beamed. 

“The Master is helping me to read!” she said, patting the pages of a book splayed across her lap. “Reckons it might help me get a new home.”

“That’s great” Oscar smiled back at her, before turning to explain his presence.  “Sorry to disturb you, Sir.  I heard you were ill and thought I would... er well I...” he stumbled over his words.

“Thank you, Oscar.  Don’t worry, come on in.” The Master said, before turning back to Josie. “Why don't you head back down now Josie, it's getting late.  But you can visit me tomorrow if you like?  I'll let the matrons know I'm teaching you.  They won't oppose you having lessons in your spare time, especially on a Sunday.  They might even see it as a punishment.” 

“Okay.  That’d be nice”.  The girl hopped off the seat, closed her book and placed it on the bedside table.  She smiled at Oscar and nodded to the Master again before creeping out of the door and disappearing down the corridor.

“Almost as good a sneak as you, Oscar.” The old man said with a smile. “She says you have been good to her?” The boy nodded. “It's good to see there is still some light to be seen, even in the murky depths.”  The old man paused, lifted the air mask to his face and drew a deep breath, the mechanical bellows briefly drawing into action.

“What happened to you Sir?” Oscar asked.

“Age?  Ignorance?  Perhaps both, but never mind.  The fact of the matter was I had a rather heated debate with some of the matrons and young Edmund.  Unfortunately the whole thing left me rather agitated and the old ticker struggled to keep up.”  He tapped his chest for emphasis. 

“Will you be okay?” Oscar asked.

“Oh yes, just a slight murmur.  A small setback but the doctor said I should right as a ninepence in no time.  Speaking of which, did he check you over?  We don't want you taking any more nasty falls.  You’ve been rather in the wars lately, if you’ll pardon the expression.”  Oscar fell silent, his null response a clear answer to the Master, who continued with vigour. 

“Well, I cannot say that this has come as a surprise.  In fact it reinforces everything I’ve been saying.  Some of the matrons have become actively negligent to all but a select few of the children.  This has gone too far.  This home was always intended as a sanctuary for abandoned children, not a source of further misery.  I fear I hold the blame.”

“But Sir, you are the only one who does care about how we’re treated.”  Oscar thought back to the night he was comatose, unable to move but aware of the Master speaking to him.  He knew more than the Master realised and wanted to let on that he understood, though he feared the revelation might embarrass the old man.

“I am old Oscar, but I am no fool.  I should have stopped this long ago but now it has grown into a beast which I struggle to tame.  I delegated the responsibilities to others and in doing so lost touch with the running of this place.  I chose the easy path - to hide away behind the scenes- while the matrons dealt with the day to day struggle of caring for orphaned children.  They had to deal with the broken hearts, the hopeless cases.  All alongside poor resources and higher work targets for the war effort. 

“No wonder they hardened to the children, what was there to strive for?  The circumstances were such that they had nothing to give and so they got nothing back.  And so they slowly changed while I looked away.  Now look what they have become and what they have to contend with; the likes of Edmund.”

“I can help Sir.” Oscar interjected.  “It's not lost yet.  I just need to get to...” He fell silent.  He had very nearly let his tongue run wild with tales of Etiainheim but where would that get him?  Transferred to a mental trauma home most likely.  The Master might be understanding but even he had his limits.

“It's okay Oscar, I know you’re up to something, you always have been.  You’ve spent a long time running from this place but now it sounds like you’re fighting for it.  Sad as it is to say, I'm glad you have come to see it as your home.” 

As the Master spoke Oscar gazed around the room reflecting on this thought.  It was true, he supposed.  He couldn’t just stand by and watch it crumble.

At that moment, a movement from the window caught his eye.  Looking out into the dim moonlit night he could just make out the main gate and a slight, bedraggled figure passing unsteadily beyond the railings.  Tapie!

“Sir, I'm sorry but I must go, I think I know a way to help.”  Oscar said urgently, climbing down from his chair.

“Sure old chap.” The Master smiled knowingly.  “Whatever it takes”. 

The Master’s voice echoed behind him, as Oscar rushed along the corridor. “Make sure you look after young Josie!”  

Oscar hurried down the stairs taking them two at a time before resorting to sliding on the banister: a far quicker and quieter way to get where he needed to be.  Reaching the bottom he barrelled into the corridor, pacing along it as fast as he could manage whilst preserving a modicum of silence.  He slipped through rarely used and hidden passages in the building like a snake weaving unseen through tall grass.  Making good use of the master key he exited the building and broke into a sprint toward the entrance gate, his footsteps bouncing on the springy grass of the Institute grounds.  However, upon reaching the gate he stopped short:  the bedraggled young woman was nowhere to be seen.

Panting slightly he looked around, but there was no one there.

“Tapie. Tapie!
” he hissed as loud as he could for fear the sound might carry and wake those who slept in the Institute.  But no response came, though he called again and waited. 

The disappointment of the situation washed over him and he sunk down with his back against the railing.  He shivered; it was not a cold night and the wind chill reminded him of the days he had taught Piggy to pick locks.  Reminiscing a little sadly about his friend, Oscar decided to wait a while in case  Tapie should make a reappearance.  Despite his best attempts to keep up the watch, he had not counted on the exhaustion of his night’s activities and was soon lured unwillingly into a deep sleep where he sat.  He slept fitfully, his dreams plagued with shadowy figures and black beasts; bizarre landscapes on the front lines; a ravaging war where towns were ransacked and razed to the ground, where people cried and sorrow reigned.  But it was not Etiainheim and his soul comrades were nowhere to be seen. 

Oscar awoke to the sound of birdsong and the faint sunlight bordering the horizon, initially confused as to his surroundings.  Etiainheim?  But no.  Within moments he recalled the events of last night and realised that if he did not get back to the dormitories fast he would be done for.  His previous punishments would pale in insignificance compared with the new torments which would await him. 

Oscar crept back into the Institute, skilfully hiding from Mr Simms the janitor and evading a matron who was early to rise.  He was just in time for the dorm was still filled with the regular breathing of the sleeping children soon to be woken.  He replaced the key in Edmund’s jacket before creeping back into bed feeling somewhat smug at his deceptive skill.  Little did he realise such smugness was unwarranted.  Although apparently sleeping, Edmund’s accomplice, Flynn had spied his duplicity all too readily through his lank, dark hair.

Chapter 17

It was Sunday, which for Oscar was doubly important as it afforded him the time to search for Tapie and to think further on a way out of the Institute; a way back to Etiainheim.  He was beginning to feel panicky now at having been away for so long.  Who knew what might have happened to Vergil in this time, let alone the other toys.

Arriving early to the dining hall for breakfast Oscar wolfed down the stale bread and a slightly turned apple.  As soon as he had finished he rushed outside to wait by the gate in the desperate hope of finding the wandering, crazy woman that was Tapie.  With no luck forthcoming Oscar had no option but to wait and reflect upon his position.  Nothing, it seemed, has the ability to warp the passage of time more than the necessity for an event to come and the having to wait for it.  But add to this an impending threat from a sea of surrounding enemies and time soon develops the ability to eek out every meagre second as though it were an unseen antagonist.  Fighting the rising frustration at his helplessness, Oscar waited.  Only the arrival of a young girl provided a break from the ordeal.

“Hey Oscar” Josie said, running over. “What’re you up to, mind if I join?” Oscar smiled at her. In truth, he did not really want the company, as any conversation with Tapie was likely to be awkward enough even without an audience.  However, he had formed a friendship with the young girl and -with the Master's words ringing in his ears- had a duty to abide by it.  Not that he would have had much choice: once he mentioned why he was waiting, the mystery of the circumstance glued the girl to his side.  Companions on an enduring watch, the two skinny figures sat down side by side at the railing and conversed away the morning.

Wiling away the time, the two kept themselves entertained scratching pictures in the dirt with a stick.   Glancing over at Josie’s creations Oscar was startled to notice a raggedy rat now immortalised in the dirt, looking not unlike Vergil.  Curious, he enquired as to the reason for that particular art.

“Oh no reason.”  Josie responded.  “I just felt like drawing a rat”.  It was strange, Oscar reflected.  Maybe he was leaping to conclusions but it seemed to him it just might be possible:  perhaps some of the peculiar, apparently reasonless actions of those around him were somehow influenced by the experiences and encounters of their Itse.  It might just have been conjecture on his part but it made him miss Vergil all the more for want to discuss the idea.

Eventually there came the sound Oscar had been waiting for: a whispering from beyond the gate and the shuffle of feet dragging on dry dirt.  He turned to Josie, speaking quickly

“Look Josie, I don't want to be rude, especially since you’ve been waiting with me for so long, but I need to be alone for a while to speak to my friend.  She’s a bit err... shy, and won't want to speak whilst anyone else is around.  Why don't you head over to the pond whilst I talk to her?  I can meet you there right after.” 

At the sound of the approaching woman Josie had jumped up and begun peering excitedly through the rails of the gate, but now she turned back to Oscar.

“Oh okay.” she sighed dramatically.  “But I can help next time right?”  Oscar nodded with a smile at the small girl, who soon turned and trudged reluctantly off in the direction of the pond.   

Oscar waited at the rails, trying to see along the outer side of the walls where the sound issued from.  The wild looking woman soon emerged into view and Oscar recognised at once the striking face of Tapie, albeit one hidden under a mask of dirt.

“Tapie, Tapie!” Oscar called to the young woman, who stopped abruptly and stared toward the boy but did not cease her murmuring.

“The little orbs, floating.  They glow like candles in the sky. Where are they?  I ...I can't see them any more!  It’s the birds, maybe they have them?  They watch me.  Always watching, I wish they would stop.” 

It was as though Tapie was in the midst of a conversation with someone who was not there, though now at least Oscar could make sense of her rambling.

“Tapie, over here.  It's me, Oscar.  You know me, we met in Etiainheim, remember?” 

The woman focused on Oscar properly now and drew towards him almost unwillingly.  It was as though she did not want to do so but found herself irresistibly influenced, perhaps coerced by her imperceptible other half.

“Oscar...Oscar....Oscar.” The woman looked up briefly, eyes bright and serious. “Oscar!  Hello, how are you?  We must be quick, my mind slips.....and.... I must get back to the forest, hide from the birds and the wolves, don't go into town.  Ohh no! The wolves don't like me there!” 

Oscar looked perplexed.  Could the real Tapie even hear him?  Frustrated, he drew a deep breath and tried to be quick.

“Tapie! Vergil is hurt, or worse.  The toy Itse, they’re all in danger.  And I can't get back to Etiainheim.”  Oscar looked despairingly at the crazy lady, waiting for a reaction.  She shook her head violently, as though to dislodge the mental haze that clouded her senses.   Finally she focused, her eyes losing their misted impression to reveal focused grey eyes beneath the heavy lashes.

“In danger?  I told him this would end badly. Where is he? What happened?” The woman's eyes started to cloud over again but she shook her head even more severely this time in an attempt to dispel the effects.

“Tapie, I need to escape and get to Etiainheim.  Do you know how I can?  I don’t know what to do.” Oscar pleaded urgently.

“Well, I'm not an expert with crossing…” she bit her lip worriedly then shook her head again, fighting to retain control.  “…not like Vergil, but I think I might know a way.  Though first you need to get out of here, this prison.  You need to escape the birds.”  Tapie gazed around fearfully, slipping again back into her ramblings.  Oscar pressed on regardless.

“I need a pick for the lock, Tapie.  A thin slip of metal or a wire.  Do you have anything on you?” He looked searchingly over the slight frame and at the basket of herbs, as the woman rifled absently through the many folds and pockets of her layered skirts and shawls.. 

“Here.” Tapie said with a jerking motion, as though losing control.  She held out a hand.  “Take this it's all I have, I think.”  The muddied fingers opened to reveal a handful of odds and ends, which she tipped unceremoniously into Oscar’s outstretched hand.  Loathe to look at what kind of disagreeable objects or poisonous herbs the wild woman might have carried, Oscar shoved the collection of items into his trouser pocket, for inspection at a later date.

“Oi you!” The yell rang out across the Institute grounds. “Get away you filthy beggar.”  A small projectile sailed past Oscar's face, slicing between the railings and striking the woman in her side.  Oscar didn't have to look to know the origin of the flight.  Edmund and the other children had obviously spotted Tapie.  The young woman was now curled on the floor, having recoiled from the impact, all sensibility lost. 

“Oh no, oh no!  Is it the birds?  This place is cursed, I must go.  I must get back to the forest.  Where are the orbs? They float like candles.”

With that the woman dragged herself to her feet and shuffled away, more rocks pelting her as she receded.  Fortunately for her, the many layers of mud-coated clothing appeared to give some protection from the onslaught.  Oscar called out to the receding figure as Tapie -his only connection to Etiainheim, his only way back- walked away.

“Meet me here tonight Tapie!  I'll try to make it out.  Just don’t forget.” Yet in amongst the sound of the rocks and the murmuring still falling from the woman's lips, Oscar feared that his message had not been heard. 

“Yeah, away with you, crazy witch!” Edmund and the other boys had reached the gate now, jeering and hurling rocks and insults at the receding figure.

“Back off Edmund, leave her alone.” Oscar said, but Tapie was now out of sight.

“Ossscar.  You still around?  Can’t get rid of this stain, eh lads?”  A few boys laughed in support.

“What's your problem Edmund?  Why don't you just do everyone a favour and get lost.” Oscar stepped forward making a defiant stance.  Edmund might just have cost him his only chance at getting back to Etiainheim.

“My problem?  I’ll tell you what my problem is.  Some stinking low life rat has been going through my stuff in the middle of night.  Eh Ossscar?”  

His hand flicked out from behind his jacket to reveal his whittling knife.  Moving closer towards Oscar he held it out threateningly.  Though Oscar tried to take a step back, the group of boys surrounding them jostled forward as an arc, trapping him against the railings.  Each boy looked uncertain as to where the situation might lead but was equally afraid of any reprimand from their peers for not being involved.  They acted as a group.

“You shouldn’t touch my stuff, Ossscar.  I thought that’s something you already knew, but you seem to be getting out of place these days.  Maybe you need a stronger reminder.”

Oscar drew his fist ready for an attack, but before it could come there was a rapping on the window pane high up in the Institute building.  As if in response, Matron McKay came pacing out of the main door. 

“Brek' it up lads, we’ll ave none o' that.”  Never before had Oscar been so glad to see one of the matrons.  Edmund’s gang dispersed in moments, leaving the two boys staring at each other as the matron reached them.  Edmund subtly slide his knife back into his jacket pocket.

“Be seeing you ,Ossscar.”  He hissed, before turning and striding back into the Institute, no doubt in pursuit of his deserters.

“C'mon Oscarr, git away from tha gate. We dinnae want you doing a runner eh?”

Still somewhat shaken from the unexpected violence of the confrontation, Oscar joined Josie by the pool.  The small girl’s face was the picture of concern and Oscar could not bring himself to give her further reason to fret.  Making light of the scene which had just played out, Oscar assuaged her concerns and proceeded to join her in skimming stones across the pond.  Despite her small frame she had an excellent arm and Oscar struggled to trump her in the contest.

“Listen Josie”
he said casually. “I'm going to try and leave tonight…”  The young girl gasped, looking upset. 

“No!
” she cried.  “Please don’t leave me.” Oscar looked at her solemnly.

“It’s okay, I won’t Josie, not for long.  I'll be back soon, I promise. There’re just a few things I need to take care of but I will definitely come back. Okay?  Just keep strong like I told you and stick by the Master.”  Oscar had made his case so confidently that the girl dared not argue any further, though she eyed him suspiciously.

“You better” she retorted.  This decided, the two continued with their leisure time.

That afternoon Oscar looked through the belongings bestowed unto him by Tapie.  There were as he might have expected from the random collections of a woman who dips in and out of reality.  However the assortment of items was not without value.  Disregarding some poison Ivy and a few suspicious looking berries, he was fortunate enough to happen across a collection of buttons.  After some deliberation, he convinced Josie to broker a trade with one of the girls from her dorm; the result being a hair pin.  He now had a suitable set of tools to replace those taken during his time in Etiainheim and the set he had given to Piggy. 

That evening as the matrons called for lights out, Oscar waited.  Staring wide eyed at the ceiling he counted the minutes until sleep would call him into its oblivion.  Years of night time skulking had conditioned his body to awake at midnight: he only hoped that he had not fallen out of practice.

He awoke on time, or near enough.  Moonlight streamed in from the window high about the bunks but all was quiet.  Carefully Oscar tiptoed out of the room and made for the gate, his newly acquired lock pick ready for use.  Yet unbeknownst to Oscar, another had awoken at the same time and now followed his trail. 

Oscar reached the gate with breathless anticipation, wondering whether Tapie would show. Yet the gaps between the railings were empty and Oscar exhaled with a troubled sigh.  Though he called out several times, it seemed Tapie was not even in within earshot as all was deadly silent.  Or almost silent, for suddenly there came the telltale crunch of gravel underfoot.  'She's here' Oscar thought gleefully but something in him recognised the discrepancy and his blood ran cold.  The sound had issued from the Institute.  Turning around he saw the outline of a boy.  As tall as a man, there stood the adolescent giant whose muscles were twice that of Oscar's and whose clumsy mannerisms betrayed a predatory eagerness.

“Osscar.  Bit late to be outssside now.” Edmund hissed.  “How about I give you that little reminder?  No matrons around to interfere this time”.  Steel glinted by Edmund’s side as he drew his left arm from behind his jacket and revealed again the wicked knife.  Oscar panicked, looking up in desperation to the Master's window. 

“Go on, call out Osscar.  Let the matrons see you out of bed.  I know you’re up to something but they’ll soon put a stop to that.  You lose either way.  So what's it to be?”

Biding his time and thinking fast, Oscar knelt down in the dirt as Edmund approached, adopting a manner that suggested defeat.  The towering figure loomed closer, already grinning in triumph.  Oscar watched as the ugly jutting jaw came nearer, now close enough to be in range.  Without warning, he swung his arm round, dispatching a handful of dust straight into Edmund’s eyes.  It was just enough: Edmund took a forward swipe with the knife but missed Oscar's face by inches.  Sidestepping neatly, the smaller boy swung round and with all his might, punched Edmund’s square in the jaw.  The giant fell, crashing into the earth with enough force to kick up a cloud of dirt.  Scrabbling around, he growled with such ferocity that the noise reverberated across the Institute grounds as though it were entombed.  Lights flicked on successively throughout the Institute building, from high up in the turrets until they reached the main entrance hall.  The matrons would be out any moment.