They tried to stay calm, but after several hours Mary began to get angry. She shouted through the bars of their cell. She called the guards monsters, cowards and child-killers. But the guards did not reply. Some of them even laughed at her. “It’s no good,” said Edgar. “They don’t want to lose more of their children. If anyone gets taken by the marsh demon, they want it to be us.” “Well, it won’t happen,” said Mary. “Mr Blood will have a plan. He always does.” “Let’s hope so,” said Edgar. “But where is he?” Outside, a bell rang eleven times. It was one hour to midnight. Heavy feet thumped towards the cell. A group of guards opened the cell and walked in. Mary spat at one of the men. “I’m sorry, miss,” he said. “But if we don’t do this, two of our children will die. It’s you or them.” The guards tied their hands behind their backs and walked them out into the night. As they marched through the town, the streets were empty. No lights shone in windows.
