The Music Box: Chapter Seventy-Five

“…oof!”

Knowing there wasn’t a second to lose, Emily raced towards where Crouch’s voice had moments ago been taunting her. She willed an unlit torch perched on the wall to spring to life and its flickering light fell over the room just as she reached the tangled mess that was Crouch, Oscar and Bernard, all grappling on the floor. The lolly bag was just beyond the grasping clutch of Crouch and he was struggling to reach it and draw it to him.

Just as his fingers closed about it Emily stamped down onto his hand, causing him to cry out in pain, furiously spitting curses as his fingers lost their grip.

Once she had realised Crouch had been right about her not having any sway over him, she had realised there was only one chance left. She had pictured Oscar and Bernard creeping into the room and flying with full speed at Crouch, tackling him to the ground. It had been her only chance and they had not let her down.

Emily reached down for the bag, but as she picked it up Crouch grabbed hold of her ankle, clutching it in his vicelike grip. Pain shot right through her, but she heard a howl and felt his grip release, turning to see Oscar had poked Crouch in the eye. Bernard now pulled Crouch’s hat right down over his eyes, blocking his vision as he lashed out wildly.

“I can’t hold him forever Emily,” panted Oscar.

“Go – get out of here!” added Bernard.

“But I can’t! You shan’t be safe if I go.”

“And you are not safe if you stay, Emily.” This was Minerva’s gentle, warm voice. Emily turned to see that during the struggle Minerva had drawn herself up from the floor. “You must go, for your sake the sake of your family, and everyone here you hold dear.”

“But I can’t just leave Crouch here with you all.”

“It is true that there will be no life for us with Crouch in here,” Minerva returned, “but nevertheless we must never let him out.”

Emily choked back a sob, but knew Minerva was speaking the truth. She had to go and she had to do what she had earlier promised to do – destroy the music box.

“But how can I ever thank you?”

“You already have, Emily. You gave us a life worth living; you showed us that there is more in the world out there than evil. Whatever happens, I am sure, some day, somehow, we shall meet again, in happier circumstances. Farewell, brave Emily.”

Emily smiled sadly at Minerva, blew a quick kiss to the panting Oscar and Bernard, who each winked back in reply, reached into her lolly bag for a humbug and put it in her mouth.