33

Chapter 18

"Are you sure you're ok?" Joseph asked in concern as they left the theatre.

"Yes." Alexander answered shortly.

"Do you want me to call Doctor Franklin?" Joseph offered anxiously.

"No, I'm quite fine." Alexander replied coldly. "I told you before. My ribs hurt."

Joseph looked away awkwardly and sighed loudly.

"Well, alright." He muttered dejectedly. "If you need anything at all, let me know."

Alexander nodded in reply, and the two brothers walked side by side towards the Hotel du Moulin d'Or. They walked for some moments in silence and the silence stretched on between them for a few minutes.

Joseph looked up suddenly as they passed by the window where Henry and Charlotte watched them in silent amusement from outside. He saw that Charlotte had a huge grin plastered onto her face, and Henry smiled slightly, his eyes twinkling with humour. Joseph narrowed his eyes angrily as he glared at the couple; however, the anger faded almost immediately, to be replaced by sorrow and regret. Why had he reacted that way when they had been kind enough to bring Alexander here? He should have known that they would do something like this; they always managed to ruin the best part of his day whenever they wanted. He was so distracted by his regrets that he failed to notice the man standing behind him until it was too late.

The stranger grabbed Joseph roughly around the shoulder and spun him round sharply.

"Look what you've done." The man hissed viciously. "You've ruined everything."

Joseph stared at him blankly.

"What are you talking about?" He asked cautiously.

"It doesn't matter, you stupid idiot." The man hissed. "Just stay out of our lives again." Then he stepped forward and punched Joseph hard across the face.

Joseph instinctively raised his hands to cover his face and stumbled backwards, falling to the floor. With the strength of his attacker gone, he lifted his head weakly to stare in astonishment at the man who had hit him.

For a few seconds, nobody said a word. Nobody moved either. Then the man suddenly dropped to his knees next to Joseph, placed his arm under his shoulder and started pulling him up slowly.

"Come on," he grunted.

Still holding on to Joseph's shoulders, he half dragged him across the floor and then pushed open a set of doors on the opposite side. He shoved Joseph through, closed the door behind him, and then pressed his back against it, blocking it so that no one could enter.

Slowly, Joseph began to gather his senses. A mixture of confusion, fear and exhaustion washed over him, making his entire body ache. His mind was whirling, trying desperately to make sense of what had just happened, when suddenly a strange smell suddenly wafted through his nostrils, causing his stomach to churn uncomfortably.

He realised that the room was covered in thick, dark clouds. The smell of sulphur filled his nostrils and reminded him instantly of the terrible sight that had confronted him earlier that evening. His eyes widened with horror as he realised what must have occurred.

"I see the boy hasn't changed much since we last met."

Joseph's gaze flicked upwards, only to meet a pair of piercing grey eyes that were watching him carefully as he lay helplessly curled up on the floor. A sickening smile spread across the stranger's lips as he slowly approached Joseph. His movements were careful, calculated, precise; he moved in an attempt to avoid making any unnecessary noise.

"Please," Joseph pleaded shakily, his voice hoarse. "Don't touch me. Please. It hurts."

He felt as if he had just spoken to a wild animal. The man paused momentarily as he observed Joseph carefully, as if assessing his physical condition. He nodded once in satisfaction as he finally approached, grabbing Joseph tightly beneath the armpits.