The Prisoner

A shaft of sunlight fell across the worn herringbone floor, drawing his gaze upwards to the flawless blue sky beyond the row of Windows, three metres above. It was a perfect summer's day. The kind of day, many years ago, when he might have taken the dog and run through the fields into the woods, climbed each of his favourite trees, and returned filthy and exhausted in time for tea. No thoughts of responsibility or duty. An unfettered spirit, in touch with himself and every other living thing. No clues to the future, to what he would, or would not, become.

He glanced left and right. They were watching him, expecting him to crumble, waiting for him to make mistake. He daren't look behind to see how many more there were, mute and expressionless. A shudder ran through him.

His mouth was dry but he knew a drink was out of the question. Later, they'd smile apologetically, as though it were not their fault. As though it were inevitable; everything he'd done so far, leading to this.

He swallowed, licked his lips. Would he crack? Would he tell them what they wanted to know?

All the training, all the years of preparation, seemed worthless. He felt abandoned and defenseless in the face of what lay ahead and he clenched his teeth to prevent the last of his courage from escaping.

He thought about his family: his parents' pride and expectations. He was going to disappoint them, betray their trust. Even worse, he was going to let himself down.

He regretted all the time wasted on things he couldn't even recall. If he concentrated, if he could turn back time for a week, a month, a year, he could do it differently. Do it right. Tears pricked his eyes and he screwed them tightly shut, wishing it was a dream and he'd wake up, safe in his own bed, a carefree day stretching out before him.

How much longer? The waiting was torture in itself, calculated to undermine his confidence and shake the foundations of his knowledge. Sweat trickled down between his shoulder blades, prompting an involuntary twitch, and tension stretched his nerves until he expected an elastic snap as they gave away. It would come as a relief. Anything was better than this.

He studied the backs of his hands and inhaled deeply, forcing his shoulders down

He didn't want then to see he was already losing the battle. Flexing his fingers, he clasped his hands together, holding them between knees in an effort to stop the trembling. He was as ready as he'd ever be.

The door behind him swished open and clicked shut. Precise footsteps clipped a path towards him, their echo mocking his weakness. He bowed his head and held his breathe as they passed within inches before stopping. This was it. His vision blurred and panic clawed his guts.

A shrilling bell pierced the silence, followed by a brief, collective sigh.

'You may begin.'

He turned over his exam paper, picked up his pen, and began to write.