Knights Against the Night Part 36

The letter Bolt received back was disappointing.

He hadn't expected much, but clear instructions on what he needed to do, clear ideas on what was happening with Chester.

It would have been nice.

The letter dissolved, and Bolt considered how he would reply to the mouse. He wanted to know more, would the mouse give better answers later on? Maybe he should have tried harder to cultivate that relationship when he had the chance.

He would wait.

And think. Think carefully.

Chester was withdrawn, and Bolt didn't know how to extend the hand of friendship towards him.

Support. Did he want to support Chester? Should he encourage Chester to return to the workshop?

Don't let him go into the dark.

Why? Why had Chester been so insistent that Bolt shouldn't touch the dark?

Don't touch. Bolt thought. Touching had led to bad things so far.

Instead he sat down a few feet away from Chester.

"I'm sorry." Bolt said.

Chester tossed him a look. "And why are you sorry this time?"

Bolt looked down. This was going to be hard. "Because I didn't mean..." Bolt paused, shook his head, no this wasn't the way to approach this conversation.

"What are your options?" He asked instead.

Chester froze, his breath coming in little puffs, just on the edge of panic.

"Options?" Chester whispered.

Bolt nodded, "Your options. Why have you chosen..." he gestured at the room, "this."

Chester's eyes darted around the room, before settling on Bolt's face again. "She asked. She said. She..." Chester's eyes closed. "You'll look after Freddie for me, won't you Chess? Please... keep him safe, like you kept me safe." Chester's eyes opened again. "She asked."

Oh.

That...

Chester wasn't going to go anywhere, not unless he was dragged kicking and screaming.

Right. Okay. How to say this? "So you'll die trying."

"Yes." The answer was immediate. Firm. Chester's eyes blazed with a life that had been missing.

"You could return to the Workshop." Bolt said carefully, and the fire in Chester's eyes burned higher, turning to fury.

"NO!" Chester shook his head, "They won't let me come back. They won't let me keep my promise."

"But you'll live."

"Some things are worth dying for."