THE NEXT MORNING, MUTTER stood at the front of his cage as six of the Almightys’ Guards drug the body of the thing he’d called the Voice out of the room. It was oblong with no particular shape, just a blob. Two tiny arms stuck out from each side and four tentacles protruded from what was probably its head.

A wet trail on the floor left by the Voice’s body ran from the cell out the door. There was no way that thing had ever been a Guard. What else had it lied about? He glanced at the other enclosures. It didn’t matter. The Voice had been right about one thing. He needed to get out of here before the things in the other cells got free.

After dinner he paced in his cage. Soon, Ableson would be back for their nightly walk. He had two choices, ask for more freedom or escape with the chains around his ankles. If he escaped, he’d have to hurt Ableson and then the authorities would hunt him down. The streets that the strays inhabited were tough and if he was wanted someone would turn him in for a reward. That left asking for more freedom, but he’d have to be smart in how he worded his request. Unfortunately, he’d never been good with words, only his fists. He dropped on the bed, his mind racing and his muscles twitching with nervous energy.

The door opened and Ableson entered, grumbling under his breath. He sat at the desk.

Mutter walked to the front of the cage.

“I can’t take you on a walk tonight. With the”—Ableson’s eyes darted to the enclosure where the Voice had lived—“loss, the professor has dumped all the paperwork on me.” He smiled, sadly. “I’ll make it up to you tomorrow.”

Here was his moment. Good or bad, he had to try. “Sir?”

“Yes?” Ableson turned toward him, eyes friendly.

A surge of courage raced through him. “Can I go for the walk alone?” He couldn’t stop his legs from bouncing and his hands from clenching at his sides. “Please. I need to smell the air. Run. Swim. Please.” If he had to stay locked up, he truly felt that he’d die.

Ableson moved closer to the cage, studying him. Mutter could grab the Almighty, snap his neck and take the keys Ableson kept in his pocket, but he forced himself to remain calm, waiting for the right moment.

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“Can I trust you?”

He nodded, hope flaring in his gut.

Ableson glanced at the door. “Give me an hour. I need to make sure that everyone is gone. Then, I’ll let you run on your own tonight, but you have to swear that you’ll return. I’ll get in real trouble if you don’t.”

“I promise. I’ll come back. Thank you. Thank you.” He wanted to drop to his knees and kiss the Almighty’s feet.

Ableson’s eyes narrowed. “If you run, I will find you and then you’ll never leave the cage again.”

He swallowed and nodded. Ableson turned and went back to his desk.

The next hour was the longest in his life, but finally Ableson checked the hallway and then came to the cage.

“Put your ankle chain on.”

He’d been hoping the Almighty would overlook that, but he bent and did as he was told.

“Be back in thirty minutes.” Ableson opened the door.

“Our walk is an hour.” He wouldn’t get far with these chains on in thirty minutes.

“If you’d rather not go.” Ableson started to shut the door.

“No. No, please.”

“I’m taking a big risk by doing this.” The hardness in Ableson’s face softened.

He stepped out of the cage. “Thank you. You don’t know how much these walks mean to me.” They were the only thing keeping him sane. If he tried to escape and failed, the walks would end. He wasn’t sure he could live like that.

“I do understand. I’ve spoken to the professor about having outside pens too but….well, he doesn’t understand what being caged all the time does to you Guards and House Servants.” Ableson patted him on the shoulder. “Maybe, the success we have with you will help to convince him to let the others enjoy the outside too.”

He cringed inwardly. His escape would eliminate any chance the others had of ever going outside. Still, life was hard. He had to think of himself. “Thank you again.”

“Don’t let anyone see you,” said Ableson.

“I won’t.” He slipped out the door and hurried down the hallway as fast as his hobbled legs would allow.

Once outside, he headed straight toward the canal that ran near the woods. His scent would be covered by the water. He glanced back at the house and lab; all was quiet. He waded into the ditch, sinking into the cold, dark water. It was refreshing, invigorating. He began to swim, using his chained legs like one big flipper.

He flew through the water, switching from canal to canal but always heading for the city. There he would find something to remove the chain and then he’d lose himself in the strays’ alleys. Ableson and Conguise would search the surrounding areas first. It would be weeks before they thought to look in the city. By then, he’d have made a little money and he’d be gone.