The Plain White Room (7 page)

Lepus trudged through the forest, dragging the sword behind him. Dazed and exhausted, he no longer cared that he could see no further than an arm's length in front of him. The field had long given way to a stony path as thin as a doorway, surrounded by deep shrubs with dense foliage above. The trees blocked out all moonlight. Tears streamed down his face after slaying the invisible creature before falling to the ground. He stayed there for a time until rolling back and forth to force himself to stand and enter the forest. Lepus’s feet grumbled through the stone covered path. His shoes were pulling up gravel as he moved along. Through the brush and vines, he heard a crow calling but looking up he could still not see through the wall of foliage. There were no cracks and in front of him further down the path there was only black. It looked like an endless pit that was pulling him forwards. But there was no way he would go back and face the monsters he had left behind him.

He had walked for what felt like hours; he would collapse alone in the dark before he could make it back to the field. The crow called again and, this time, seemed closer, looking up Lepus thought he saw something in the distance through the dark. He lifted the sword from the ground and started running. Lepus reached out to grasp it. Pulling it towards him so he could make it out what it was. With the little light seeping through the creeping vines. He held it close to his face, but it was only vines that he had clasped. He moved further forwards and reached out with both hands. Feeling with feeble hands, he felt only more and more of the vines. The path had taken him nowhere. The vines to his left and right had converged to this point. The only way was back.

Lepus pushed against the vines, his arms sinking into them until his face pressed against them. Again the crow cawed, and in response Lepus let out a curdling anguished cry. He hacked and hacked at the vines with the sword, but it made little difference. As he hacked, he felt something brush his feet and then his shoulder. He turned around but saw nothing in the dark. Then a hissing came from above. He stepped back from the wall of brush and held the sword to the sky in defence.

Then the chant started. Delicate and soft at first. Lepus could not make out the words, at first, it sounded only like melodic hissing, until he caught a word or two. Then one more; “Feed”. He tightened his grip on the sword as the chorus crescendo, “promise… serve” Lepus started to hack around him. Thrashing towards the sky, then at the vines. Trying to get out and trying to hit whatever was descending from above.

“We serve… we serve” the chant continued. Lepus began to distinguish shadows moving above.

Only his eyes had adjusted from being in the dark for so long. He realised they were far above his head in the trees. Wielding his sword above his head was not helping. He continued to cut in front of him at the vines. All the time his head turned up, watching the shadows in the dark. “We serve, we serve, we promise not to feed” they chanted.

“Gives what we need.”

The voices got clear and louder as he hacked until he could take it no longer.

“What do you want?” He yelled with authority. The trees above started to sway from the movement of the shadows. As they did many of them rubbed together, and the noise they made sounded like deep string instruments. One of the shadows seemed to descend, but it was not above Lepus but further back down the path from where he had come. It hung in the air and was spinning like a spider hanging from its web. Although, through the dark Lepus could still not make out what it was. He raised the sword and barked “Show yourself!”

“The sword which is not yours, we come to ferry it. Let it go, or don’t you know, you will perish. It is certain.” It cackled, the chorus of voices still chanting above.

Lepus steadied his footing. Putting his right foot forward and bending his knees to centre his weight. He held it with both hands next to his shoulder ready to swing. “You wouldn’t want it. It’s covered in blood don’tcha know?” He gulped as soon as the words left his lips and squinted his eyes, trying to see as best he could. The chants from above started to grow quiet but did not break or waiver. The trees continued their song. The creatures hanging above made a clicking sound. Lepus recognised the sound from when he had been camping. Flint on a rock. The noise came again, but there was no spark.

Lepus tried to breathe slowly. He could not stop himself shaking but remained ready should the creature drop.

“What’s wrong? Do you need a match?” He yelled, trying to taunt the thing, but not feeling any braver. Some of the voices laughed from above, but it was hard to make them out.

The third strike made a spark and with the fourth, light poured throughout the cave of trees and bush. Lepus closed his eyes for a moment. The light now foreign and too bright, when he opened them again, he could see all around him but not far enough for him to see the chanting voices, which stopped without warning. He could see the giant creature hanging from a long vine in the front of him.

The creature wore the most elegant tunic Lepus had ever seen. Hanging from its rope, it held on with its hind legs, and it seemed to have a crinoline behind it. As the shadow cast a strange shape behind it. It also wore what looked like a safari vest. Although it was far more complex. With pockets and items far too intricate to spend the time to write alone of it Lepus had seen before, or would again. But these things he only glanced at. For his gaze fell on its veracious face. An ugly, grotesque contorted thing. With dripping constant moving maxillae. Motioning in, like they were encouraging feed to step inside Lepus guessed it had legs. He cared only about the two in front legs which were rubbing together, though. Laughing like a madman, it cackled and rocked back and forth on the vine.

As it did, the gleen of its hardened shell shore as light was cast upon it. Now and then it would shiver, and wings would poke out for an instant from behind it.

From behind him, Lepus heard again a cry and a monstrous crow pierced through the wall of leaves, twigs and branches just next to his leg. It glided just above the forest floor, with a flap rose up towards the sky and disappeared into the blackness above. Lepus heard screeching and creatures falling to the ground. The chorus started up again. Just as loud, but this time, it was only “we serve, we feed, we fight” and sounded more like a war cry than a morning light shone through. Lepus dropped to his hands and trees still clutching the sword and crawled through the gap. He heard a thud behind him as one of the taunting creatures leaped at him. He crawled as fast as he could but felt it clutching at his legs. He stabbed him with the sword then continued crawling. The animal yelped and whimpered but still sounded close behind. Lepus sensed he was close to the other side of the brush and freedom. He yelled back at the villain. “I would not hurt you, please turn back. Do not make me stab you!” He panted and clawed the dirt beneath his hands and knees. Reaching the end of the tunnel, he grabbed at branches and pulled himself out. Yelling, “You talk with such prose, I would not want to use this blade once more.”

Upon the other side, the brush gave way to a hill. Lepus tumbled downwards coming to the bottom he stood up and turned around brandishing the sword we a swift sweep. The creature stepped out into the light and yelped “I am solid, I am Merve, and I have, lived to serve!” it leaped at Lepus but turned to ash in the air. Covering Lepus in ash and soot. “Goodbye Merve,” he said, standing up straight.

Lepus had been so preoccupied with the creature chasing him out of the shrubs he had not heard the noises from where he’d come. Standing at the bottom of the hill his ears now heard the sound. High pitched screams coming from the hole he had just tumbled out of. The screeching, ear curdling screams became yelps and then faded. As if getting further away or quieter.

Lepus started to walk backwards, still staring at the hole. He wasn’t ready to turn his back on the nest which sat just behind that hole.

As he took his third step backwards, he saw a shimmering in the hole. He bent his knees and raised the sword with both hands. A single claw emerged from the hole, and its powerful talons dug deep into the ground. Then the black deep hole became shiny and solid, as the crow which had saved Lepus stepped into the light. It emerged slow its head darting back and forth. It moved with a distrustful grace.

Seeing Lepus, it ruffled its shiny feathers in the light and launched itself into the air drove to the bottom of the hill. Cutting through the air and landing in front of him.

At first, it leaned over him looking at the sword and then back up at Lepus. Its head turned on its side, looking with only one eye. Then it stood straight with a soft squawk.

It had a silver helmet on which covered most of its head excepting its beak. The helmet had a deadly sharp point it. The point was dirty with dried blood. Its large piercing eyes seemed unblinking, but it spoke in soft almost sweet tones.

“I am Corvus, Lady of the Stone and in times of peace emissary to the Dragon King. Mother of the murder Untail, at your service young master.”

The grand creature then leant down in a bow and spread its wings. Lepus dug the sword into the ground and with an awkward cough also bowed.

Once they were both upright, he scratched the back of his neck and said, “I’m sorry, ah… what?”

The crow's eyes somehow seemed to enlarge even further.

“What part confused you, lad?” The crow said with a matriarchal authority. Lepus took in a deep breath and then puffed up his cheeks and exhaled.

“Ah well, to be honest, the lot of it.”

“A murder is a group of crows, a squadron in this case.” Then often trips people up.”

“Oh okay, well great that was confusing me, but, to be honest, isn’t the only thing. To be frank, you're the first ah. Well, thing.” he said, not knowing if the word person was appropriate. “Through here that has spoken to me and not either run away or tried to kill me. I have no idea where I am or what’s happening. Let alone what all your titles mean.” Lepus threw his hands in the air.

“I see. Well, I’m afraid I don’t have the time or patients to be standing around giving you a geography lesson dearie. What I do have time to tell you is that I’m here to make sure you don’t die before you hide that sword.”

Lepus looked at the sword sticking out of the ground. “Hide it? That dragon didn’t say what to do with it.”

“Well, apparently he didn’t have the time either. I suppose he thought you’d run like a coward regardless.”

“Hey,” said Lepus stepping forward. “I’m not a coward.”

The crow became more rigid where it stood.

“Well, I can see not.”

“There was an army; it was just smart to come this way. Not even smart, just not mad to come this way.”

“Yes, of course, my lad.” she said, compassion creeping back into her words, “Where were you headed then?”

Lepus looked at the ground.

“Yes, well, I mean I’m not sure. I don’t know what this place is.”

The crow looked at the sky and said under her breath. “Right, smart.”

She turned her head back and forth once more.

“Well as I said we don’t have time to be standing around chatting all day. There are beasts about that I can’t dispatch as easily as those cockroaches. But you were going the right way so let's get moving.”

“Cockroaches?” Lepus said taken aback.

“What? Yes, cockroaches, that’s what those things were that I just devoured my child.

“They weren’t cockroaches, well they didn’t look like… why did it turn to ash?”

“Again, with the questions. We need to go, now!”

“Okay, Okay,” he said grabbing the sword.

“Can I ride you?” he said with excitement.

“What on earth!? The never! No, you may not ride me. How dare you! I will fly above and defend you from on high.”

“Wouldn’t it be faster, though?”

“More dangerous yes, anything could pick you off my back, what if I had to spin? Apart from the utter shame of having someone ride me! Now run!” it said glaring at Lepus and then launching itself into the air.

“But wait! I don’t know which way I’m going!”

The bird was almost a speck in an instant. High above, circling and diving. Lepus turned away from the forest land looked out over a dusty field. Beyond it he could make out a building as he pressed forward, realising it would be nessisary to enter the cloud of dust. He stood at the edge of the cloud trying to make out any shadows any movement but saw nothing. He coughed and pulled his shirt up over his nose. Looking at the sky, he could still see the crow overhead. With a deep breath, he stepped forward, and the cloud engulfed him.

***

Lepus stepped outside of his room. It was around 2 am, and the ward was as silent as the grave.

The hall stretched out in front of him shrouded in darkness. He shuffled one foot after the other down the hall. His slippers made a scratching noise as they brushed the carpet.

As he entered the open communal area, he yawned and stretched. He had lain awake in his bed listening to Tony mumble for what seemed like an hour before deciding to try and end his insomnia with a stroll.

He was certain it was not the sound of Tony which was keeping him awake. Nor the intermittent flashing of distant car lights. All these things he usually snoozed through.

He lay down on the closest couch. Expectant silence in the dark room he closed his eyes. But only for a moment as he had a mock cough from behind him.

Lepus sat up and twisted his torso to look behind him. Sitting at the other end of the couch next to the one Lepus was sitting on was a petite Asian girl.

She held a small purple book in her hands which she did not take her eyes off. 

"Sorry,” Lepus exclaimed sitting upright and turning to the girl. “I don’t mean to disturb,” he said patting down his untamed hair.

“That’s okay,” she said with a monotone voice, her gaze staying on the book.

Lepus placed his hands on the couch, without to raise himself up to leave. Then thought about lying in his bed, unable to sleep again. Would to sleep again. Would it be any different now!

He thought most likely not. So he stayed in that position bewildered for a moment.

“Can’t sleep?” the girl said closing her book and resting in on her leg, still held in her hand.

“Ah no, I guess not,” Lepus said releasing his hands.

“Me either, I can’t stay asleep the whole night most of the time, though.” she said.

“That must be frustrating,” Lepus said resting his head on the couch back. “What are you reading?”

“The Bible,” the girl said raising it back up in front of her face.

“It’s purple” Lepus questioned.

“Yes,” she said turning it around so he could see that the purple was just a protector cover.

“Would you like one?” she said.

“Ah no thanks, I don’t see how that would help me sleep. Wait, you have more than one?”

“Yep,” she said continuing to read.

“Are they all the same translation or…?”

“Yes they’re all King James, it’s the only correct version,” she said as if it was the most obvious answer to any question in the world.

“Right, okay then.” they sat in silence for a moment. Lepus thought her statement was going to cause him to have a migraine.

“I’m sorry, just ah … how do you know it’s the only correct one?”

“It is.”

“Ah, I see.” He said realising that he was entering on the edge of conversations he had had thousands of times. All about what he considered logic.

“So what do you do when you're not sitting around in hospitals reading?”

“I was studying pharmacology. Well, I just finished. My boyfriend Michael studied with me. But he died.”

“Oh great. I always found that fascinating. So procedural and straightforward. The efficiency of having thousands of medicine combinations on hand to be able to produce. Just waiting there for their potential. Instead of having everything just off the shelf, you know?”

“Yes, it’s a good I suppose.”

Lepus rested his head on the edge of the back of the lounge and spread his legs on the floor.

The girl raised the book in front of her face once more.

“Sorry, what was your name again?” Lepus said, staring at the ceiling.

“I hadn't said; it’s Charlotte, and yours?

“Lepus.”

“What a strange name,” she remarked, once again without looking from her book and in a monotone voice.

“Yes, I suppose it is.”

They sat once more in silence, Lepus for once in a long-time starting to enjoy the company of another. A sad reflection that she spoke so little. Now and then he would click his tongue.

She would turn a page, and it would make quiet rasping noises as she did. Every time she would lick her index finger to make it easier to turn the thin, almost transparent pages. These were the only sounds.

Lepus stretched and sat up. His neck started to crank due to his poor sitting position.

“So will you get a job at a pharmacy once you’ve left here?” Lepus quizzed. He had not considered that to himself these types of questions were unwelcome. So to her, they might be the same.

“I’m not sure.”

“I think I would enjoy a job like that. Not talking to anyone. Just making the correct measurements, the tactile enjoyment of sorting and counting the pills.”

“You do often have to talk to people.”

“Oh right, yes of course but you're out the back most of the time. Away from it all, aren’t you?” he said with an eager joy in his voice.

“I guess, I haven’t had much experience yet.”

“So what made you study pharmacology then, if not the peace and quiet?” Lepus said almost with a chuckle.

“Well I was going to study medicine,” Charlotte sighed under her breath, “I didn't get the marks, though. And, and my boyfriend was going to study it. So it seemed like a good choice.”

“Oh great. Has he finished now too?”

“No, he died.”

“Ah, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thank you.”

Lepus looked down at his hands and took a deep breath in. Not knowing what else to say.

“That’s okay. He’s in a better place, and everything happens for a reason.”

“Well, that’s a positive outlook.”

Lepus said relaxing into the couch.

“We met during our course.”

“I thought you said you went into it because of him?”

“Oh yes.” she said lowering the book once more with a smile.

“Well, I knew him before. We were in school together. I would watch him in math, but we never met.”

"Oh, okay. I suppose that’s sweet." Lepus wanted to ask more but felt her answers might reveal her to be more and more creepy. The morbid eeriness of this deterred him and if she had wanted to continue he felt confident she would have.

Silence fell once more. This time, distant indiscernible sounds marked the onset of dawn. Lepus yawned and in his head started to toss up the option of sleeping all day and forgoing the nine or so hours of work. A down day: you need to rest, to relax take care. You’ll be useless without sleep anyways.

A deep soothing tone resounded from the back of his mind. I ‘you can do it. Get breakfast and work. You’ll be wonderful, full of fire. You don’t need sleep. A response hissed.

“Hmm,” he said out loud to himself.

The girl looked up from her book,

“I’m sorry? Did you say something?”

“What, oh no. Sorry, I was thinking of something.”

“What’s that?”

“Oh nothing important, just trying to decide something,”

“Perhaps this could help you decide,” she presented the book with an outstretched arm.

“Oh no,” he chortled, “It's not a philosophical question.”

“Aren’t all questions?” she said with a matter-of-fact tone.

“Yes,” he laughed, “I suppose they are. Especially riddles.”

“Oh I love riddles,” she said putting down the book and sitting up straight.

“I’ve never much cared for them; most involve some ludicrous suspension of disbelief. Like ‘Oh the murder weapon was an icicle that melted. Charlotte smiled, nodding with eager anticipation.

“Yeah, I guess they are.” she said still nodding.

They stayed there for a long minute.

Her staring at him with an expectant look before he cottoned on. Like a storm, his mind raced with all the riddles he knew.

“Oh, you want to hear one.”

“Yes please!”

“Oh, ahem Okay, all … oh right, here’s one I don’t hate. I’m looking at a framed picture. Brothers and sisters have I none. But that man’s grandfather is my father’s son." he said pointing at an imaginary painting in front of him. The girl furrowed her brow, then leaned back.

Putting her finger on her lip, she let out a long "hmm".

The sunrise peaked out from behind the building next to them and beamed through a part of a big clump of clouds. At first one beam, then more. It came up fast; all the while Charlotte was thinking. Lepus sat back where he had been, this neck pressed against the back of the couch. The hands of God cast across his face as he fell asleep.

Charlotte stared at the floor, watching the sun dance as clouds started passing. She squealed, having finally worked out the riddle, but when seeing him sleeping, did not wake him. She whispered to him "Yourself,” then got up and went to her room.

Lepus awoke as other patients were rousing and walking past on their way to breakfast. He never saw Charlotte again, if he had believed in them he would have thought her a ghost.

***