Nillium Neems by Francisco J Ruiz Page B

suspicious.
There are no cameras in this room or even nearby, so unless someone
physically catches me here, there is no proof that I’ve visited
you."
    Well that was a bit creepy. Apparently
whatever happened in this room was meant to stay here. But hey, as
long as it helps Hammy out, then it’s okay with me!
    He hugged me one last time and left,
hurrying off to whatever conniving he was up to in his efforts to
free me from this prison.
    I, of course, still had my Snoopy Cap on.
Ever since Hammy had given it back to me, and I had no intention of
removing it. Even while sleeping I would wear it. Never again will
this Cap leave my head.
    It seems hardly anytime at all had passed
since I got the Cap back, before all the weirdness started up
again. Which was cool I guess, since the absence of it had worried
me.
    Things started with the reappearance of the
Mushrooms, which I was glad to see. They sprouted up from the
floor, like blades of grass growing at high speed, till they
covered most everything around me. They weren’t screaming, just
hanging out. All in all, I was rather happy to see them back.
    Some kind of bat thing appeared next. I’m
not sure where it came from. One moment I was alone save for the
Mushrooms, the next I heard the skittering of tiny claws on the
ceiling and looked up to see it crawling erratically back and
forth.
    It was more like a bat shadow than anything
else, its features vague, undefined, as if it only half-existed.
Though it had wings it never flew, and it moved without evident
purpose, randomly, chaotically. It seemed vaguely menacing, though
I decided to ignore it after watching it for several minutes. It
didn’t seem to pose any immediate threat.
    After gently stroking the Mushrooms for a
bit, to let them know that somebody cared, I settled down on my cot
to wait for Siegfried to come back. He’d have some answers for me
with any luck.
    At least an hour must have passed, and I
grew more and more frustrated in that slug's tardiness. But then,
to my surprise and utmost joy, a familiar and much beloved rustling
arose from the wall behind me.
    I turned to see a tiny hole opening in the
wall, right before Mousy shot out of it, landing with a squishy
sound on the floor. The hole closed up a moment later, as if it had
never been. Mousy rustled once more, shook himself, and scurried
over to my outstretched hand. I closed it around him, lifting my
arm up and maneuvering the little guy onto my shoulder.
    Really, I cannot express how happy I am. Not
only do I have a friend in Hammy and have my Snoopy Cap back, but
Mousy too has returned.
    For the first time in ages, I have hope in
my life. It’s something I’ve never really had before, to any degree
at all. I’m actually starting to believe that with the aid of my
friends, I might not only escape this Hellish dungeon, but the
whole cursed building!
     
    Things are looking up. I can finally see the
light.
     
    Nil, Out!

 
    Day 62
     
    Things have taken an interesting turn. I
woke up this morning with a smile on my face, so happy at
yesterday’s events. I thought about going back to sleep, but the
sunrays of hope caressed my face, making it difficult to keep my
eyes shut.
    I opened them reluctantly, and then opened
them a great deal wider when I saw the door to my cell wide open. A
trail of the screaming Mushrooms, currently silent, led off into
the distance. Both Siegfried and Mousy were sitting on the floor
watching me.
    I frowned.
    "You two know each other don’t you?"
    They shared a glance and then Siegfried
nodded.
    "There is little time for discussion,
Nillium Neems. The path has been opened for you. It is up to you to
choose which one you will take."
    "Well, obviously I’d prefer the one that
takes me out of this place."
    "Then go." Siegfried
replied. "Go, but not for your own selfish reasons. If you do what
you can to free the lost souls of this building, then all of my
wishes and aid go with you. If you simply leave Atrium to