Sparks!

He squinted.

“They could’ve,” he replied quietly. “They’re mostly scavengers, but if they were hungry enough, they could’ve.”

 

Another mouse joined the first and they were both staring.

“Keep going.”

 

“Be brave, Calliope,” Ben said quietly. “We’ll get away. Just keep walking.”

 

Puck was frowning too, but he sounded more irritated than anything else.

“I think you’re exaggerating, Ben.”

 

“It’s just a few mice,” Puck complained. “This just seems a little dramatic.”

 

He sighed a little, but relented for her, crossing his arms.

They got quite a bit away, and Ben exhaled slowly.

“Okay. I think we’re alright.”

 

He exhaled as they hurried away.

“Those things are nasty. Edgar used to use them on prisoners.”

 

He laughed a little, but he seemed grim.

“Yeah. He put me in there once. You know those scars on my waist?”

 

He nodded, sighing a little.

“Yeah. Buggers. They’re not too bad with just a few of them, but they can easily be fatal in a pack.”

 

Puck rolled his eyes and Ben noticed, looking up.

“What?”

“You got beaten up by some mice,” he replied flatly. Ben frowned and fell silent.