***
Outside, many eyes watched Marvin leave Morris’ room from the end of the corridor and when the old man had left their sight they decided it was time to move.
Keeping to the shadows they moved silently toward their target, stopping every few steps to check for noises.
‘Nearly there, keep going,’ whispered the smaller one. Their nerves were on a knife-edge and their ears pricked for any noise, but one in particular.
In the distance something made them hold their breath.
‘What was that?’ said the larger and he started to tremble.
‘It’s ok, must be that generator, come on, only a couple of doors to go,’ said his friend.
Finally they reached the door.
‘I can’t do it, I’ll make too much noise and it’ll come again, I know,’ said the larger.
‘Wha – …but…’ choked the smaller.
‘…no, no, no, I’ll go to the end and keep my eyes out for him over there and … ‘
‘OK, ok, just go, put me down here, if you see anything don’t forget me.’
With that Peter found himself outside the door and he muttered to himself as he watched his friend slope to the end of the passageway.
He knocked on the door with all his might.
Tap, tap.
Morris heard tiny taps at the door. Perhaps Marvin had forgotten something, again!
‘Come in,’ called Morris.
Nothing.
‘Come in Marvin,’ he called again.
Something wasn’t quite right, he was sure he heard whispering so he went to the door and listened.
‘Hello,’ he asked, ‘who’s there?’
‘Hello,’ a small voice called from the bottom of the door. Morris dropped to his knees and tried to look under but could see nothing.
‘I’ve come to warn you,’ said the voice, ‘he knows you’re here and you’re in great danger!’
‘Who? Why?’ said Morris.
‘The D –,’ all of a sudden Morris heard another voice from further down the corridor and running footsteps approaching.
‘I’ve got to go, I’ll be back, someone’s coming!’
‘But, who are you and who’s –?’ But the commotion outside meant that he was going to get no answers as it was clear a hurried escape was being made. He listened to heavy footsteps run off and fade away as a further set of slower footsteps approached his door from the other direction.
Frustration!
Knock, knock.
This time Marvin’s worried face peered around the door with a huge pile of food on a tray for him.
‘I’m so sorry Master Morris,’ whimpered Marvin, ‘there was so much to choose from that I picked as much as I could fit on the tray… chef’s not happy with me!’
‘This is fantastic!’ exclaimed Morris as he looked at the pile of burgers, fries and cakes.
‘Oh Marvin, you’ve done brilliantly,’ Morris marvelled at the feast as Marvin placed the tray on the table. ‘But –.’
‘– but?’ Marvin’s face, dropped with despair and Morris thought he might burst into tears.
‘Ketchup…there’s no Tomato Ketchup.’
Marvin threw his hands to his face. ‘I’m so sorry Master Morris, I’ll go right away and get it for you.’
‘That’s it Marvin, if you remember just one thing, make sure it’s the ketchup,’ said Morris.
‘Yes Master Morris…ketchup…ketchup, mustn’t forget the ketchup,’ Marvin repeated to himself as he hurried from the room and was halfway down the corridor before the door had shut… and this time, it was unlocked.
‘Hah…,’ said Morris smugly to himself.
It was time to explore.