Screechin to a Halt

Devious continued screeching despite his missing tongue. Fortunately, Meinwen was quite quick-thinking and grabbed the bucket out of Winston's hands, thundered down the stairs and braved the bathroom long enough to half-fill it with fresh water. Her return was prompt enough to stop the holy water from eating through the imp's skull though he was in considerable pain. Bone showed clearly through several of the areas of ruptured flesh.

"Why couldn't he just open one of his little gates?" Winston asked. "Poor little bugger." He turned to Devious. "Sorry, mate. It was instinct to lob the holy water at whatever looked scary."

"You're not convincing him, you know," I said. "Since when has an imp looked scary? He'll be fine once we open the cage and let him out. Iron bars, see, no doubt layered with spells to stop any portal use."

"How about right now?" said Meinwen. "He looks like a half-decayed zombie. One look at that and I'd be legging it through the graveyard."

"I suppose." I cast about for something to break the lock with. "Can you see a hammer or something?"

"No worries." Winston pulled out what looked like jeweller's screwdrivers and squatted in front of the cell door. A moment later the lock popped open and he stood back to let Devious shuffle out. One foot had been completely eaten down to the bone along with one arm and the side and top of his head. He looked a bit sorry for himself.

"Devious?" I said. "Go home and get cleaned up, then bring some more tea."



Image: Patricia Quinn - Down to the Bone