The Infinidex - Part 4

“Oi!” A gruff, impatient voice called out.

I gave a short snort, sniffled a little because my boogies were getting in the way, and resumed bawling like there was no tomorrow because I thought the voice was but a figment of my imagination.

“OI, YOU LITTLE NITWIT! QUIT SQUEALING LIKE A CRAZY BANSHEE AND GET YOUR RUMP OVER HERE TO HELP ME!” That same voice bellowed with such resonance that the foundations of the cottage shook. Several thick, leather-bound books fell from the shelves, and the window pane rattled dangerously above me. Jolted from my state of self-piteousness, I turned around cautiously. I half-expected a wizened, old man, with a big, perpetually grumpy voice, but all I got was that…that table. On a second look, it really resembled an overgrown dog with paws that could (and probably would) smash one’s skull to ash.

“Well, C’MON! Why are you standing there like a simpering idiot? Start moving and get that horrid candle off me!” The table vibrated agitatedly. That affirmed all my suspicions of a talking table. I had thought that I was losing my marbles to be imagining such ludicrousness. Still speechless about my newfound realisation, I proceeded in a trance-like manner towards the table, step by step.

Upon reaching the table, I saw that there were two eyes, the size of saucers, and a wide mouth with wrinkly lips embedded in its flat surface. The eyes belonged to one who had lived for a very, very long time, one who had seen it all. I felt a table leg prodding me roughly, and in a fluster, I grabbed the candle holder by its snake heads and hastily placed it on the ground. The candle wavered a little, and so did the flame, but everything regained equilibrium the next second.

The table heaved a sigh of relief, and I stood there in shock because I could not believe that it heaved a sigh of relief.

“What? Haven’t seen a table sigh before?” The four-legged object retorted, hitting the nail on the head. “Eh, lady, you might want to take note of how you placed the candle – fire’s rather useful in this dimension of ours”.

I must have had a very bewildered expression on my countenance then, for the table continued, “Alright, I’ll return you the favour, since you got that thing off me. That mentally-challenged, good-for-nothing brute never bothered to alleviate my suffering. I’ve had horrendous boils on my nose since what seemed like three eternities”.

I was still suffering from shock, and could only stare blankly at the table, mouth agape.

“For starters, has it ever crossed your mind to use the candle flame on those books?” The table asked. By this time, I had regained my mobility and shook my head in awe. Those huge eyes looked at me incredulously, as if I was the world’s biggest retard to have overlooked that. “Okaaay…so why don’t you get that red tome right at that corner and try using the flame on its pages now?”

I turned to my left to face the book shelves, and saw that there was truly just one book bound by red leather. I took it out of the shelves, and opened it, only to discover that it was empty. For the initial few seconds, I was astonished at the pages and pages of nothingness and that overwhelming sense of déjà vu, but then, it all came back to me. My memories rushed in like the sea, wave after wave, layer after layer. I remembered the Frontyard Ornament, the ebony piano in the setting of a jazz bar, the failure of my planned escape, the red glow of the glass ball before I blacked out.

“Well, go on. Try it.” The table said in a significantly gentler tone, as if it knew that I had just recovered from my bout of amnesia.

I took the candle holder by the snake head again, and cringed a little, because I could feel five pairs of beady blue eyes goring through my soul. With the book in the other hand, I passed the flame under some random page for about 20 seconds. To my utter amazement, a beautiful gold skeleton key emerged from the page, like a 3-dimensional pop-up. It was embossed with many intricate carvings, and a tiny, perfectly-shaped ruby was encrusted in the middle.

“Ah, I see that freedom and adventure are what your heart desires”. The table quipped and nodded sagely. I gave it a puzzled look, and it said in response, “That red tome is the most precious book of them all. It gives you the key to your dreams, and in this case, in the very literal sense. There is no doubt that you yearn to escape from here, and this key will be the pivotal tool in helping you to do so”.

“I…I’ve tried escaping before, but in vain. It’s impossible to run away from Locks. I’m stuck here…forever…till the day I die.” I mumbled dejectedly, running my finger over the carvings on the key.

The table’s eyebrows furrowed (Yes, surprise, surprise. It actually had eyebrows.), and it replied, “What nonsense are you spouting! All you need is a little luck, some wit, and all the courage you can muster. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you the secret to the way of escape – the candle flame”.

“Huh? The candle again?” I questioned with considerable interest.

“Yes, the candle. See those snakes on the candle holder? They are the spies and the eyes of Locks, and they scrutinise your each and every move. This explains why Locks was able to find you so quickly after you attempted to leave. And yes, you aren’t the only one who’s feeling the creeps from those beady things”. The table answered with a visible shiver. “The trick to this is that snakes do not have ears, so they cannot hear a word of what we’re saying right now. Plus, snakes have very horrible vision, and worse still when they’re in total darkness”.

I looked at the talking table blankly.

“Man, you don’t get what I’m implying? Are you thick or what? Extinguish the flame and the snakes practically become five blind mice. Blind the snakes and Locks loses his eyes!” said the table in exasperation.

It finally dawned on me, and once again, my mouth was agape in wonder.

“There’s a catch to it though. The flame will rekindle itself after exactly 17 minutes. Then, Locks will regain his eyesight and he will hunt you down like never before. During the buffer period, you must run for your life towards a forest clearing, north-east of this cottage. You will see a lake with waters as clear as glass, and a mesmerizing waterfall. Walk towards the waterfall - yes, walk on water, and never look down. Just keep your vision focused on the waterfall”. The table said, this time with a solemn look on its face.

I was still stunned at the level of difficulty of the tasks that I would have to accomplish, and said nary a word. The table ignored my expression of idiocy and continued, “As ridiculous as it may sound, a door will appear when you reach the bottom of the waterfall. Only the one with the key will be able to enter. Once you enter and close the door behind you, Locks will be locked out from your world forever. Remember, you must make sure that the door is closed.”

I nodded quietly, slipping the key into my front pocket. It made a clink with the glass ball. I took the ball out and asked with a tinge of curiosity, “How about this?”

“Hmm, how did you get your hands on that? It is a rather rare enchanted object with various magical capabilities. It gives a red glow as a warning when it senses that you’ll be in danger or when an enemy is near. If you ever feel that your life is in danger and there’s no other way out, hold the ball in your hands and say the word “Dragoneptra”, and aid will come. You can only make use of that power no more than three times. The ball is also capable of other magical abilities which I have no knowledge of, unfortunately. Perhaps you might have the luck to explore its powers, if you ever make it through. Just be brave, and you will be safe. Now, no more questions; there’s no time to waste. You only have one chance. Locks will never let you go if he finds you again. Put the doorknob back into place, blow the candle and go!” The table nudged me and pushed me toward the door with its leg.

There were still so many questions running in my head. Who is this Locks? What sort of business is he running and who actually comes to patronize? What was this “cycle” that he mentioned and what broke it? Most importantly, who am I? Where is my family? How did I end up here? Why does Locks want to keep me here? But I knew that the table would answer no more of my doubts. Its eyes and mouth have disappeared in a twinkling of an eye, and all that remained was the wood-grain of a normal table top. I tilted my head to peer out of the window in the ceiling, and saw that it was yet another moonless night. I took a deep breath, put the doorknob back into place, and blew the candle with all my might.