CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

HADLEY

The explosion rocked the castle, but the cell door remained intact. Dozens of castle guards stormed the prison, only to run into Brutus, Abby’s fire-breathing puppy, who wanted to play.

“What went wrong?” asked Malley.

 “Come on.” She dashed into a darkened hallway. “The explosives didn’t work. Okay, it rocked the whole prison, except Alexander’s cell. We need another plan.” The dark corridor led to a jagged cliff with a river of lava flowing beneath. “It’s just dangerous.”

“What about the cell?” Malley followed Abby. He looked down into the abyss, nearly slipped, and then closed his eyes and inched himself along. “I suppose it’s too late to tell you I’m afraid of heights.”

Abby grabbed Malley’s hand, and they inched along the ledge, their backs against the cold, wet wall. Finally, they reached a circular stairway with no handrails that led down into the pit.

 “Are you sure this is safe?” Malley asked, standing as close to the wall as he could get.

“Not really, but it’s far safer than my father’s wrath. He doesn’t like it when I disobey a direct order.”

A terrifying roar came from below.

“I think the dragon’s awake,” Malley whispered.

“Hurry,” Abby yelled as she raced down the stairs three rungs at a time, Malley right behind her. The sound of flapping dragon wings echoed in the dark cavern. They reached a small door just as the dragon reached them.

“Well, look at what I’ve found.” The dragon’s voice was sickly sweet, and her breath smelled of barbecue. “The princess and her little toad friend have come to visit me. Look. It’s dinner time.”

“Go away, Hadley.”

Hadley pretended it hurt her feelings. “I’m so sad that little Princess Nora doesn’t want to play with me. But it doesn’t prevent me from playing with the toad, does it?”

“I’m not a toad. I’m a leprechaun. Leave now, and I’ll forget the whole thing.”

“Oh how delightful, a threat from the tiny creature. Mighty big words from one so small.” Hadley raised her head and roared. “What are you, besides stupid?”

Malley freed his shillelagh from his pocket. Sparks flew from the end. “I’m your worst nightmare, and now you’ve been warned.”

“Oh, I’m shaking. The nasty little thing’s going to hit me with his stick.” Hadley played with the leprechaun, pretending to be afraid.

“I’m a leprechaun and tired of being messed with.” Malley managed all his strength. “I warned you.” Malley swung his shillelagh, wildly hitting Hadley in the nose. Sparks spewed from the weapon, igniting a small fire on the dragon’s snout.

It shocked Hadley. The leprechaun dared to attack her. Nobody ever attacked her. “You will pay for this,” she growled, just as her nose burned out of control. “I’ll be back. You’ve just made a mortal enemy.”

“Yeah, just come back, there’s more waiting for you.” Malley collapsed in relief. He never expected it to work without O’Toole.

Abby patted the leprechaun on his back and curtsied, impressed by Malley’s bravery. “That was so cool, but we don’t have much time. I want you to go back to the cell and tell Alexander and O’Toole to stand clear of the door.”

“What?” Malley was shocked.

“You heard me! Now go,” Abby walked down a few rungs and turned to Malley, who refused to move. She placed her hands on her hips and sighed. “Honestly, you can do it.”

“Do what?”

“Go help Alexander, and tell him to stand clear of the door,” Abby yelled as she ran.

“What?”

                                                                 

Abby darted into a room. “Trust me. All I need to do is pull the main lever in the control room,” she yelled from the control room. “The lever operates all the cell doors, but something haunts the room. You don’t want to be here. Go help Alexander. Go NOW.” Abby counted, giving Malley time to find his way back to Alexander. The control room was empty. She knew it would be empty because her father arrested the last operator.

The room smelled like moldy bread. The ghosts couldn’t remember the last time someone had visited the control room. Its only function was to open the cell doors, and nobody ever got released from the prison, so the chamber became obsolete.

One lone folding chair sat beside a lone wooden lever.

I’ve given Malley enough time to reach the cell. A smoky gray inch thick film covered the chair. That’s so disgusting. I can do this, all I need to do is pull the lever and get out, Abby thought as calmly as she could.

The room grew cold as grotesque faces appeared on the wall. The faces developed into disfigured human beings. Abby backed away from the dust-covered chair. Trembling, she fell to the floor, unable to reach the lever.

An apparition separated himself from the others. Dressed in only a nightshirt and holding his head in his hands, he spoke. His voice was halting and labored. “Fear not, child. We won’t harm you. Many of us have been waiting a long time for this occasion. Too many of us have given up.”

“What do you want?” Abby asked without looking up.

“Why, isn’t that obvious child? We want you to free us too.” He let out a scream. “We have tarried here far too long.”

“Free you? How can I free you? You’re kinda all dead.”

“Indeed, we have passed our mortality. However, we are doomed to haunt this cursed place. You’re the only mortal brave enough to attempt pulling the lever.”

Abby realized that pulling the lever meant freedom for all the prisoners, not just Alexander. The apparitions parted as she walked to the lever. I hope Malley is ready. She thought as she gave a mighty tug at the lever.