CHAPTER 176

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I enter the building of my own free will and hear a familiar beast growl. Apparently, its purpose was always to prevent me from finding the path which led here. And now that I'm standing in the hallway of truth, it keeps nudging me to the right. Then, as a distraction, it strikes up a conversation.

"I've heard somewhere that this building is up for demolition."

"Really? It looks pretty stable to me."

"My sources say it can cave in at any moment. We'd better get out before it's too late."

"No, I can't leave," I protest. "I'm looking for something."

"What are you looking for? Maybe it's something I can give you."

I stop in the hallway and stare the beast right in the eye.

"I remember you. The last time you led me to the wrong building."

"Didn't I feed you, clothe you, house you, and listen to you when you cried?"

"Yes," I reply.

"Then why would I lead you to the wrong building? Come now, Mary. It makes no sense."

"That's just the problem. You never let me do anything myself. You made me depend on you."

"Wasn't that a good thing? Just look how fine you've grown."

"Yes, I am grown now, aren't I?

"You'd be dead if it wasn't for me. Is this how you intend to repay my kindness?"

"I will thank you...for preserving me. Because of you I lived to be in this moment."

"Turn back, Mary." It grabs my arm. "The building can crumble at any minute."

"Not until I find what I came for."

"You won't find it here. Now the building with three levels, that's the one you need."

"I already tried. It flooded me out. My treasure's not in there."

"Well, there's no treasure here either. You're just wasting time."

"No, I'm not. It's here. I can feel it calling to me."

"A treasure that leads to no title is no treasure at all. Now on my three levels you get crowned."

"I don't need a title to know my true self. Even without your crown, I'll still be royalty."

"Trust me, Mary. You're searching in the wrong building. There's more than one level."

"I'm the only level I need. Now get out of my way! I won't put this off anymore."

"All right." The beast sighs. "At least let me help you. Look. That's the door over there."

"Which one?"

"The last one on the right."

"Are you sure?"

"I've travelled this path before. I know its truth. But I just can't teach it, that's all. I can't share what I know. What good is a prison if you let everyone get their hands on the key, right?"

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