Monsterland by James Crowley

Author:James Crowley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2017-08-15T04:00:00+00:00

— chapter 26 —

The Burden of Abigail’s Chains

WHEN CHARLIE RETURNED to their makeshift camp, Franklin was coiling Abigail’s long chain in his hands. Charlie stacked the driftwood and joined Franklin as he knelt down next to the girl.

“With your permission,” Franklin said softly.

Abigail nodded and with his left hand steadying the iron on her ankle, Franklin wrapped his right hand in a length of chain and pulled. The heavy chain twisted, and then, with a metallic snap, it broke, leaving three links hanging down past her tiny foot.

“I will have to see about that iron cuff in the morning when there is light.”

“Thank you,” the girl said. “I don’t have much memory before that dock. It feels strange to be on different sands, that’s for sure.”

“There’s spring water from the walls of the canyon just there,” Charlie offered. “Wish we had some food for you, but it’s all back with the Ranger.”

“I am not thirsty, or hungry, just tired,” Abigail said. “As tired as I’ve ever been.”

So Franklin made her a pallet of his cloak and her tattered blanket, and the girl lay down to sleep in the sand with Charlie and the Monster at her side.

Franklin added a piece of driftwood to the fire and sat staring out at the river with his legs folded below his elbows. They did not speak for some time, until Franklin broke the silence.

“We should turn around after what happened today, for your safety. Same with the trolls, I could not forgive myself if something more were to happen to you,” Franklin said, and then muttered to himself, “I warned the Prime Minister, with his futile attempts at diplomacy, his charts and maps . . .” Franklin shifted, adjusting his shoulder, which seemed to have fallen from its socket. “You must listen to me, Charlie, if we are to survive in this place. What did I say before?”

“You said to stay close to the cabin,” Charlie said, unable to look at Franklin.

“And what did you do?”

“I didn’t.”

Franklin glanced over at the boy. “It was foolish to go on your own to help this girl. But it was also brave, Charlie. Selfless. And for that I am proud of you.”

Franklin threw another piece of driftwood on the fire.

“But from here on out, if you wish to continue, you will listen. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir,” Charlie said softly.

“What’s that?”

“Yes, sir. I understand,” Charlie said, then went on to explain that the little girl’s name was Abigail Rose and that she had been chained to the dock, forced to fish for the old man. He told Franklin of the squalor of her shack and the old man going after her with the stick.

Franklin shuddered. “It saddens me to hear of such treatment. I too have been chained like a beast, and while I cannot speak for this Abigail Rose, like a beast I acted.” The Monster rubbed his scarred wrists, lost in thought. “Back then, in those chains, I was angry and afraid. Sometimes confused. I did not know why I was feared.

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