The Three Blessed Kings

Chapter 18: One more nap

I think I fell asleep;
If only for a minute,
Or an hour.

But after that time,
Although my eyes stayed shut.
My mind had woken up.

I was being carried,
Over someone's shoulder,
Out of the test room.

I could make out whispers,
And remarks from the proctors,
As I stayed blind.

Through the great doors we went,
Into the labyrinth of halls,
That followed suite.

I stayed quiet and listened,
The grandfather clock,
Rung straight in my ear.

The ticking didn't cease,
But it only chimed,
Two hearty cries of glee.

There were five people about me,
I assumed,
Just using my hearing.

By the tap of their shoes,
I could tell,
We were almost to the exit.

I couldn't see.
If I opened my eyes,
I was sure to be kicked out.

My scent was limited.
Everything was blurred,
And smelled like ferescs.

Forget taste;
I haven't eaten all day,
So why would it help me now?

And as for touch,
The only thing I could feel,
Was my ride's rough shoulder.

Knowing all this,
I just relaxed and listened,
For any helpful clues.

I heard a great wind,
And felt the new day's cool air,
Rushing on my skin.

The sunlight kissed my brow,
And from that I knew,
We had made it outside.

Now for the scary part;
Where would they drop me off,
And for how long too?

My group of five disbanded,
As we went towards,
The other side of Borhn.

I hadn't been over here,
So my nerves built up,
Once more as we walked.

My ride's pace soon slowed down,
But no complaints,
(Except for no drinks on board.)

Though it wasn't of fatigue.
My ride had now stopped,
For we had made it.

But to my knowledge,
We shouldn't have left the town,
Where would I "survive"?

I heard a door creak open,
As the fresh air changed,
To a dusty sort.

A few mumbles and signals,
And then we went off,
Up the old wood stairs.

I counted them as we went,
And number six,
Was extra rickety.

A longer staircase,
But regardless,
We made it to the top.

And with that we entered a room,
At the end of the hall;
Second story.

It was just me and the proctor,
As he laid me down,
On the cold floor.

Arms at my sides,
I felt something new:
The coarse touch of a long rope.

I would be tied up.
As I figured this out,
I formalized a plan.

As his meticulous hands worked,
I breathed in,
Until my lungs were full.

I would then hold my breath,
Until his knots were finished,
And he had left.

He started at my shoulders,
Working his way down,
Mummifying me.

Once he hit my ankles,
He went back up,
And tied the supporting knot.

This very firm loop,
Was placed purposefully,
Behind my upper back.

With its location,
It would be near impossible,
To undo it.

But he wasn't done.
With a new rope to my feet,
He bound them as one.

And then proceeded,
To hoist me up,
Until I was hung upside down.

The blood rushed to my head,
As I got dizzy,
From still holding my breath.

One last touch;
He put something over my eyes,
And then left me alone.

He locked the door behind him;
I heard it crunch,
As his footsteps faded.

I waited a moment,
For any indication,
To start my test.

My prayers were answered;
A loud cowbell rang,
The noise coming from downstairs.

Once it had yelled out,
All the dizziness I had,
Was cleared instantly.

"Taker number thirty-two,
You may now proceed,
This final exam!

You have as long as you need,
To eliminate,
Everyone here!

You may not leave the house,
Until one side falters.
Please begin at once!"

As long as I need, huh?
If that's the case,
One more nap wouldn't hurt, right?