Story Cube Writing Challenge 1: A flashlight, a castle, and a lock.
"What exactly do you mean all of the flashlights are broken," Theodore asked, with a look of annoyance that complemented his disheveled hair. My young master had clearly been showering when the power went out. I could only make this out from the dim light the candle sticks along the walls provided me. I silently thanked Theodore's father that, despite this being the modern age, he still fancied the "gothic" look of candles and said it created a more "sophisticated air" to his home.
"I mean, sir, that most of their batteries are missing, or dead, and are of no use."
"Charles. You mean to tell me that throughout this large, expensive castle that we call home, you can't find one measly working flashlight?"
"Yes, sir. I've searched high and low." I bowed my head in obedience. Also seeing Theodore so annoyed made me uncomfortable.
A sigh came from his lips and he cleared his throat. "Charles, honestly... we'll figure something out. I can't let my loyal servant and friend get in trouble for not having a flashlight."
I smiled. Theodore was never in the same mood for more than a few minutes, at least around me, and I much preferred it when he thought of me fondly than not. "Thank you, sir."
"However, my friend... why, pray tell, do you need a flashlight when we have perfectly working candles right here? Are you being difficult again?"
I shook my head. "No, sir. Not at all. I just need to take care of the animals outside and in this storm a candle would be of no use to me." At eighteen years of age, Theodore was just two years older than me, but had no idea of the chores I did, for he never had to do them once in his life.
I thought I saw a tinge of red on his cheeks. "Oh. Right, of course. Well then... I don't suppose you've checked every single room?"
"There is one. Your brother's. He is away and has taken the keys to his room."
My master grinned in a mischievous manner that I had not seen in a long time and had missed dearly. "Why, if that is the only obstacle keeping us from your flashlight, then, my dear Charles, you've nothing to worry about. Follow me."
And I did as he led me through the winding hallways of the castle, of which I knew every stone, nook, and cranny. It was my home and workplace. "How do you intend to get into his room?" I asked. Theodore's elder brother Mikael was a private, somewhat paranoid man, whose room was not only secluded from the other rooms in the castle, but was also bolted shut with three locks, all with different keys.
"Simple. But you are to never repeat my actions, by mouth or by doing them. Are we clear?"
"Of course," I said eagerly.
When we reached Mikael's room, Theodore dug around in the pouch that hung around his waist, making a scrunched up face while sticking out his tongue just ever so slightly.
When he pulled his hand out, along with it was a long, thin piece of metal with a curve at the end.
I let out an involuntary gasp. "You're going to pick his locks? But... can you... can you really do that, Teddy? If you mess up..."
"Shh. It'll be fine.," Theodore said, in between a chuckle.
With that, he began to pick at the three locks and after about six minutes, he was finished, with the locks in tact.
Needless to say, I was shocked.
Theodore had the widest grin on his lips, that looked almost scary in the candle light. "Why do you think my brother got so paranoid?"
He went into the room and I followed him. We checked in the drawers, under the bed, in the closet, and then I remembered a hidden compartment where Mikael kept objects for emergencies. Surely there'd be a flashlight there.
I went to the wall beside his bed and felt along the bricks until I brushed up against the one with the widest crack. I placed the candle down and dug both sets of fingers in and grasped the brick tight and pulled. It gave way and I set it down, then quickly reached inside, blindly. After a few seconds my hand landed on a thick cylindrical handle.
I grasped the tool and stood up quickly. "Teddy! Teddy, I found it!" So excited to show him, I twisted the bottom and with a loud boom from outside, the lights shimmered on to reveal the bottom of a flashlight, but the top, instead of glass, was a rubbery, pink convex shaped.... oh.
My eyes and mouth were wide with shock as I stared dumbly at the thing i my hands. Not even Theodore had a comment and it seemed nature quieted herself down too, just so we could marvel in the humming noise that emanated from the what-I-wish-was-a-flashlight in my hands. The vibrations traveled up from my fingers to my shoulders and to my brain and I imagined that they shook every single coherent thought from my brain.
But as always, Teddy had something to say, even if it had taken him a while. "Well Charlie," he began, with a bitter smirk on his face, "it looks like you don't need a flashlight anymore."
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