Josh had never been downstairs before, not all the way, and was thinking that he really hadn’t missed much. Climbing down, down, down the tall, slippery, narrow steps had been fun; made him feel bold, like an explorer, but the chilly emptiness at the bottom was rather dull. Josh was about to hurry back up before he was missed, when motion caught his eye.
The wall was… dissolving, solid, colorless stone sliding away from the beams beneath the stair. Light glowed through the gaps, a radiance similar to Josh’s own, but… pointier? Not brighter, really, but much more sparkly. Josh drew closer, almost touching the closely placed bars. It was like a little room under there, or maybe a cage. Josh peered in, fascinated. A knowing, amused gaze met his wondering one: a quicksilver smile and a wink, at once greeting and admonishment. Shhh.
Josh had no idea what to say, anyway.
An entire section of gray stone wall curled down to land with a soft plop beside Josh’s bare feet. The opening was almost large enough for someone to squeeze through.
“Son. Come here.” Father’s voice from above permitted no delay or demurrer. Still astonished, Josh backed away to scramble up the stairs, slipping once and banging his knee, but not stopping until he stood, a bit breathless, in the door to Father's chambers.
“Yes, Father?” He asked, trying not to sound like he felt.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” replied Josh, automatically, staring up into Father’s face. Well…it wasn’t not true. Josh wasn’t doing anything now, and hadn’t been doing anything but standing there, looking. Still, his stomach squirmed. Who is that? Josh wanted to ask. He looks like me. Do you know him? Why is he down there? Father would tell him. Father never lied. Of course Father knew him. Father knew everything. Didn’t he?
“Nothing?” Father repeated, staring back at Josh. “Well. Let’s fix that, shall we?”
