It's all dark. All around me; enticingly coating all my surroundings, there is darkness.

Blazing obscurity.  Echoing in the distance; the second bell.

Emanating from the far left of the room is a little gasp.  Imminently small, almost inaudible; barely perceptible in the acute silence encompassing our own miniature kingdom.

The narrowness of the room allows me to contemplate with ease his heaving chest with each rise and fall of his breath, heard deep and penetrating through my captive ears, already burning with the possible repercussions of my decision.

Reaching behind my own bed, I try to feel for the object occupying my preoccupations.

As I grip its elongated neck, careful not to strum the cords, I take a deep breath of my own.

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