Chapter Two part Four

"You keep a child down here?" Lasenby couldn't keep the note of surprise from his voice.

"Its extra space for when the dormatries are full, we have so many...." the Porter stopped under the accusing eye of Lasenby. "He unsettles the others," the Porter shrank away from him, shuffling ahead into the darkness. The light flickered on the sharp steps as they began to descend into the darkness.

Lasenby inhaled slowly up his nose as he held back his anger.

"I, unlike you, believe that a child's experience and education shapes the man they become. What villain do you hope to raise in this," he swang a hand in a circle to take in the heavy iron door and huge lock "place," he said finally after struggling to find the right word.

"But, but he has the Devil inside 'im, so he...."

"No. I will hear none of your nonsense. A child is like an any animal; you treat it with cruelty you get a cruel animal in return."

"No sir," the Porter's mouth sagged. The shadows from the lamp he held made his deep eyes sockets look empty like those in a skull but for the dark glint of light. He licked his lips and glanced to the side and then back again as if he feared someone might hear him. "There are rumours sir, "he knows things."

"Knows things?"

"Things he can't know," the Porter paused trying to remember things. After a while he continued. "He talks in his sleep. They say he is possessed." He nodded significantly and sniffed.

"Give me evidence," Lasenby's voice was low but there was a deadly edge to it. "Tell me exactly what justifies this treatment."




The Porter fumbled with a large iron ring. Three giant keys hung from it. He picked up one a slotted it into the lock.