original story 22 - victory

by bofa xesjum

victory is assured now, sidney thought. except that it might not be, he quickly added to himself. down in the pit, the two champions continued to struggle. boris the barbarian, sidney’s man, seemed to have the advantage over lady limbtearer, isidore’s rep. but now the lady seemed to be holding her ground. suddenly the lights went out. outside, fog shrouded the night. perhaps i should get out of here, sidney exclaimed, before the authorities get here. quickly, sidney, quickly, a voice in his head urged him. was it the voice of constantine, his old mentor who had recently escaped from devils island? sidney put his running shoes on. he wrapped himself in his cloak of invisibility. he went out into the dark corridor and down the five flights of stairs to the street. he hoped to find the streets dark and deserted. instead he found that the streets, and the city, had vanished. maybe, he thought, the railroad station is still open. but in what direction was it? he wrapped his cloak of invisibility tighter around himself and began walking. this is what comes of thinking bad thoughts, he thought. and of falling in with bad companions. poor sidney! he tried to think good thoughts. quiet potatoes cooling on a peaceful stove a long time ago obviously suddenly the street and the city reappeared. he saw a lamppost up ahead. all his bad companions who had led him astray were hanging out around it. he heard one of them call his name - even though he was invisible. so much for victory.