The Dead Room Trilogy

by Stephanie Erickson

  Ashley’s boss looked at him with fear. “Of course, Elder Mattli. I will handle it.”

  “I trust that you will.” He stood and left, leaving the two women uncomfortably alone.

  The look of pure hatred on her boss’ face wasn’t something Ashley would soon forget. Despite the fact that no words were communicated, Marsha’s feelings about Ashley and the situation were plain.

  She nodded to her boss and excused herself, only to be met with more glares out on the main floor.

  It went on that way for several weeks. Ashley struggled to keep up with the work, but since the others flat out refused to work with her, even she couldn’t get everything done.

  Soon, fishermen started to complain about productivity. Their orders were late, and repairs were being done poorly. When they confronted the workers, they were met with poor attitudes.

  Half-heard whispers and gossip told Ashley the rest of the story. Mattli sent someone to investigate, and the man reported that the majority of the employees were simply sitting around glaring at a single woman who was working her fingers bloody.

  That day, he transferred all the workers to other jobs, and Ashley’s boss found herself emptying and cleaning out animal pens in the farmlands. Ashley was promoted to her boss’ position, and she soon had the new net makers working together as a team.

  Still, word traveled fast on such a small island. Everyone knew what had happened—the power Ashley possessed. The new workers hated and feared her without knowing why. But at least they got the job done well.

  “I still don’t understand why you uprooted so many people just to spare my skin,” Ashley said.

  “Because it was the right thing to do.” True as that statement was, she somehow knew he wouldn’t have done the same for any other islander. He had always treated Ashley as an exception, although she didn’t know why.

  Silence settled between them until the other elders started trickling into Mattli’s home. Eventually, all nine were present.

  Branneth was the first to speak, an air of righteousness in her tone. “Ashley found the canoes.”

  “There was more than one?” Ashley asked.

  She met Branneth’s cold stare with a fiery one of her own. She wasn’t going down without a fight.

  “What do we do now?” Elder Meade asked, panic rising in his voice. A timid man who was short and walked with a bit of a hunch, he constantly worried his hands. Ashley often wondered what qualities Meade possessed to qualify him as an elder. Besides the fact that he was easy to control.

  Branneth was quick to supply an answer. “It’s obvious. We dispose of her. She’s becoming too much of a problem.”

  “And tell the islanders what? That she just vanished into thin air?” Mattli asked, clearly upset by the prospect.

  “She’s obviously a grieving widow. We could tell them it was too much for her, and she killed herself. It has happened before.” The implication in Branneth’s voice made Ashley’s skin crawl. And she’d said it so flatly, like it was no big deal. It made her wonder again about those campers. How many others had gotten too close to their secrets and paid the price?

  “Now, now, let’s not be hasty,” Elder Lehman said. Lehman wasn’t nearly as old as the head elders, but she wasn’t a spring chicken either. In her younger years, she’d had a child of her own, making her frame wide and stocky. In fact, her son wasn’t that much younger than Ashley was.

  Lehman’s age added a depth to the tone of her voice that Ashley found soothing at the late hour. “Suppose we let her take one of the canoes.”

  The elders cried out in protest at once, Mattli included. Lehman held up her hands. “Just hear me out. We let her take the canoe. Her curiosity about the world beyond the island will be satisfied, and our problem will…” She hesitated, as if she didn’t want to be too graphic. “Resolve itself.”

  A low murmur of discussion ensued. “And if she returns?” Branneth asked.

  “Then she’ll behave herself. Right?” Lehman turned her motherly gaze on Ashley.

  “I guess.” It was all too much for her to absorb. They might actually let her leave? And what exactly did Lehman mean by the problem will resolve itself? Because she wouldn’t come back to the island? Or because she would die out there? Or both?

  “Oh, that’s convincing. No, better to just be done with it,” Branneth said.

  “But what’s the harm in letting her go?” Lehman persisted.

  “Well, we will lose the canoe, for one,” Mattli said.

  “Not if I come back, you won’t,” Ashley interjected.

  The elders didn’t acknowledge her statement.

  Elder Burton sat in a chair off to the side, watching silently as the chaos unfolded. Burton was the oldest elder, though Alkoff had snagged the title of head elder. He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his bulky middle as he watched the goings on.

  Alkoff finally spoke. “How exactly did you come across the canoes, Ashley?”

  She struggled for words, feeling the pressure of all their eyes on her, demanding a response, a justification, anything.

  “For Ashby’s sake, she climbed the fence and broke into the shed,” Branneth accused.

  “And how do you know this, Branneth? Were you following her?” Lehman asked.

  Branneth straightened. “No, I was not following her, and I resent the accusation. Anyone within a half mile would’ve heard her pounding on the lock with that rock.”

  “But I didn’t do that until after I scaled the fence. And how did you know it was a rock?” Ashley asked.

  Branneth glared at her, but Ashley stood her ground. “I assumed you didn’t have any tools with you,” the elder finally said.

  “So you just happened upon her near midnight?” Mattli didn’t bother to hide the fact that he wasn’t convinced.

  “Who’s on trial here? She’s the one who was in forbidden territory.” Branneth pointed an accusing finger in Ashley’s direction.

  Alkoff sighed. “Enough. I believe we have the information we need. I suggest we move this conversation to a more private location. Ashley, I recommend you stay put until we return.”

  “Where would I go?”

  “That is the question of the hour, isn’t it?” Alkoff answered.

  She had no idea how long she sat there. Fatigue settled in, making her eyelids heavy, but every time her head drooped, she heard Wesley’s last gurgled breaths and started awake.

  In another room across the house, the elders debated their dilemma. Once they’d found their seats, Alkoff spoke first. “The question up for debate is what to do about Ashley. She is an important member of this community. I hesitate to dispose of her without just cause.”

  Elder Muller had been silent throughout the discussion, but they all knew he was of a mind with Branneth. He always was. “Ashley has always been a thorn in our side,” he said. “We were wrong to pair her with Wesley. I say we right that wrong tonight.” The menace in his voice was unmistakable.

  “I don’t see why she’s so important anyway. Jayden Ingram is perfectly capable of taking charge of the net makers in her stead.” Branneth folded her arms across her chest like a spoiled child.

  Burton frowned at her, clearly unimpressed with her immaturity.

  Losing patience with Branneth, Alkoff said, “No, Branneth. I don’t suppose you would understand why she’s important. You don’t need to. I do. And I’d like to find another way.”

  Lehman didn’t know her importance either, but she also didn’t appear to care. “My argument stands,” she said with a yawn. “Let her take the damn canoe and be done with it.”

  Mattli’s eyes met Alkoff’s. “No,” he said firmly. “There must be another way.”

  Alkoff’s expression softened. This was a difficult decision. The line had gone on for over three centuries. He didn’t want to be the elder responsible for ending it any more than Mattli did. But time marched on with or without them. In the end, Alkoff had to think of the island. If sending
her away kept some peace, he would do it. If it gave them the opportunity to find out what was out there, all the better. “If she is allowed to take a canoe, we do risk losing it. But, if she returns safely, we might get valuable information.”

  “Information we can trust the likes of her to keep to herself?” Branneth spat.

  Mattli rounded on Branneth. “Information I would trust her with more than I would you.”

  Branneth’s face turned red as her rage boiled over. “Now wait just a damned minute—”

  “That is enough.” Alkoff silenced them all, but Branneth’s rage wouldn’t be quelled so easily.

  “You expect me to stand here while Mattli likens me to a mere island dweller?” Branneth demanded.

  Alkoff leveled a cold stare at Branneth. “Elder Mattli has not uttered an untruth.” He paused, letting his words sink in. Branneth’s face contorted as she tried to absorb the blow.

  Burton remained silent in the shadows, studying the two elders. Alkoff didn’t miss his silence. He knew Burton watched his every move, waiting for the right moment to claim what he believed to be his. Alkoff would have to exercise caution with this debacle. It threatened to permanently divide the elders.

  “One of two things will happen: She will either return with the canoe or she won’t. Either way, we will get an answer about our future. It will just be earlier than we anticipated. It is an honorable purpose for someone of her status.” Alkoff looked at Branneth. “And if she doesn’t come back, you will get your satisfaction. Either way, I don’t want to hear another word about it.”

  “Sir?” Mueller asked quietly. He proceeded after Alkoff nodded an acknowledgement. “What if you sent the welder after her to wrap up this potential loose end? I realize he may not be willing to comply at first, but he could be offered amnesty for completing the task. Perhaps that would sway him. Why not send them both in the same canoe? He can deliver the information you seek, and then return with the canoe. We all know he has a history of being much more compliant than she does. Does this option not satisfy everyone?”

  Branneth bristled. “Give a known killer amnesty? Absolutely not. It’s outrageous.”

  “Oh come off it, Branneth. We all know what kind of man Mason is… not to mention what kind of man Wesley was. If he did kill him, it was in self-defense,” Lehman said, the disgust plain in her voice.

  “How dare you. My Wesley was an honest, upstanding, loyal man. We would’ve been lucky to count him among our number.”

  “Your Wesley?” Mattli asked.

  Lehman tried to get the conversation back on track. “Look,” she said, gesturing to Alkoff. “I actually think it’s a good suggestion. Why kill a man most of us know to be innocent if there’s a way out?” She thought for a moment. “If they take one canoe, he will have to deceive her initially, and then basically shoot her in the back while she’s right in front of him. Being that they’re good friends, he probably won’t be willing to do that. Why not use the second canoe and send him after her? This creates some distance, limits his contact with her, and may lessen the feeling of guilt.” She nodded to herself. “Yes. Send him after her, offer him amnesty, and see what he says. He might say no, but at least you’ve tried to spare him.”

  Alkoff glanced at Mattli, whose stricken expression showed just how displeased he was with this turn of events. He turned his back and paced to the window. “I need time to consider this option. Wait for me in the hall, please.” The elders began to disperse. “Mattli, you stay.”

  Branneth glared at Mattli as she walked past, as though an insult was trying to pry its way free of her mouth. But she kept silent as she reluctantly left the room.

  Once they were all gone, Mattli joined Alkoff at the window. “Branneth and Mueller are going to be a problem,” the head elder said, a heaviness to his voice.

  “Agreed. Wesley wouldn’t have been much better.” Mattli paused. “They aren’t the ones I’m most worried about.”

  “I’m aware.” Alkoff’s breath fogged the window so much that they couldn’t see out into the dark night anymore. Yet, they stayed at the window, considering their options. He knew Mattli was referring to Burton and the way he’d scrutinized the evening, remaining strategically silent about the matters at hand.

  Alkoff sighed heavily. “I’m afraid we must placate them if we are to achieve any of our long-term goals. We need them, unfortunately.” He turned to face Mattli with a glint of trouble in his eye. “However, if Mason were to fail at his task, well…”

  “This can’t possibly be our best solution. There must be another way. We can’t be responsible for sending her to her death.”

  “If you have another way, please don’t hesitate to say so,” Alkoff said. He didn’t want to be responsible for ending the line any more than Mattli did, but he could see no other solution to their problem.

  Mattli’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “We risk losing both canoes if neither of them returns.”

  “I’m aware. Jim, a scout team hasn’t been sent out in over a century. And the next one isn’t due for almost thirty years. We haven’t even selected the candidates. Yes, we might be responsible for ending the line of the savior, but we might also be responsible for taking our survivors home to the mainland. This could be our chance.”

  “But Ashley hasn’t been trained to be a scout. She doesn’t even know how to paddle a canoe. How can we possibly expect her to return?”

  “Have a little faith,” Alkoff said, staring out into the dark night, feeling it slowly surround him like a bad omen. “Burton will accompany you to speak to Mason Hawkins,” he said, letting Mattli know the discussion about Ashley was closed.

  “What?” Mattli said.

  Before he could protest further, Alkoff explained. “We must placate.” He said nothing more on the subject and moved toward the hallway, leaving a stunned Mattli standing at the window.

  Mattli didn’t like being alone with Burton. He was as likely to stab Mattli in the back in broad daylight, let alone in the dead of night in the middle of the woods. But he couldn’t argue Alkoff’s point. He would just have to be on his guard.

  “Jim, one more thing.” Mattli tensed, bracing for what might come next. “Mason must be convinced to go. If we can save two lives, we must.”

  “He won’t go willingly. He will never agree to it.”

  “He must, but make sure not to imply that he will still be given amnesty if he fails. Burton must believe in this arrangement. My hope is that their friendship is strong enough to prevent a tragedy. If it’s not, we will live with the consequences.”

  “Great. Any other impossible tasks you need doing?”

  “Water from the moon?” Alkoff answered cheekily.

  “That’s your answer for everything,” Mattli said as he ushered Alkoff out of the room to join the others.

  The rest of the elders waited impatiently in the hall, each shifting their weight or murmuring to the person next to them. When the door opened, silence fell on them.

  Alkoff addressed the elders as a group. “Mason will follow Ashley with the second canoe. Elders Mattli and Burton will deliver the news to the prisoner. This is my final decision. As elders, you are bound to support it.”

  “And we do,” they responded as one.

  Eventually, the elders returned. Dread filled Ashley when she spied Branneth’s gleeful expression. She looked to Mattli for reassurance, but he refused to make eye contact. Both were bad signs.

  Alkoff was the one to speak. She didn’t know if that was good or bad. “Ashley, you’ve put us in a very difficult position. We don’t treat this kind of snooping lightly. It borders on treason, and a few of the elders have made a strong argument for a fitting punishment. You’ve disrespected the society we’ve built.”

  She cringed.

  “Despite that, we’ve agreed to let you go, on one condition. You must leave now, before daylight breaks, and you must be far enough from the island at sunrise for no one to see you.”

  “Now?�
� That meant she wouldn’t be there for Mason. Part of her was relieved she wouldn’t have to see her friend’s last moments, but a voice in her head screamed that it was her responsibility to be there with him in his darkest hour. He had been there for hers. He had always been there for her. Still, the prospect of finally getting some of her questions answered made her heart pound faster in her chest.

  Mattli approached her. “If you return, you will maintain your silence on this and all other matters.”

  “If I return?”

  “Leaving the island is not without its perils,” Branneth said, a hint of glee in her voice.

  “And what will you tell the islanders became of me? Some will notice my absence in the morning… They will ask questions.” She deliberately avoided naming the event at which her absence would be noted.

  “We will tell them you are a widow in mourning, and the execution was too much for you. The best thing they can do is leave you alone for a few days, while you grieve.” Alkoff spun the lie easily, making Ashley uneasy.

  “And if I never return?”

  “What makes you think anyone will care?” Branneth said brusquely. “Are you going or not?”

  Alkoff raised a hand, silencing her. “If you don’t return, we will tell the island you chose to peacefully end your life. There is no funeral for suicides, so…” He trailed off.

  “So that wraps that up in a neat little package.” She didn’t know how she could leave Mason. But she didn’t know how she could stay either. Once Mason was executed, there would be nothing for her on the island.

  She sighed, knowing what she was about to do was unforgivable. “I’ll leave as soon as I can collect my things.”

  Alkoff nodded. “Someone will meet you at the docks in an hour.”

  4.

  As soon as Ashley left, Mattli and Burton were sent to visit the prisoner.

  Burton and Mattli didn’t speak, the tension between them palpable. Mattli didn’t trust Burton any further than he could throw him. He knew the man was after one thing—power. But Alkoff wanted to convince the dissenters that sending Ashley away was the best decision. So he pushed the exhaustion from his mind, resolving not to give Burton the opportunity to seize any power—at least not from him.