Lion Head Mesa peach pit

Sometimes he had visitors.

Often there were questions and demands posed to him, which was a highlight to the boy's days, despite not knowing the words spoken. It was entertainment enough to keep his mind from rotting; the frustration of his captors was obvious.

This time, there was someone there but they held their tongue. Drusk felt empowered in the silence which he was so accustomed to, and rumbled from the shadow, Chakat shekh-jano? ha nakhaan mithrat..

A very low, drawling laughter crackles from the dark for a few heartbeats, then silence resumes. It is slow, heavy, and almost draconian.