The Torn Weft ~ COMPLET

Saint Barnabas institut

Agony and Tragedy exchanged glances and Tragedy too assumed his original form. The three of them, as a trio, could speak succinctly by telepathy. To convey a simple idea, a direct order. Tragedy touched his sister with his claw.

"Stay back, Sister. Protection."

The great black wolf that was Tragedy took the same path. Agony and the witch moved on more calmly.

— We haven't seen or heard anyone since we walked through the door. This is the psychiatric part, this silence is not normal...Be on your guard Zia.

Agony pulled a katana from her back and a glock from its holster under her jacket. The witch waved her fingers, causing a few sparks to fly. They walked down the long corridor, the transformation of the two men had caused a disruption in the electrical system and the neon lights were only emitting flashes of light irregularly. The doors on either side were, for the moment, only rest rooms or wardrobes or some consulting rooms. Nothing alarming but the emptiness of life. The psychiatric part of the hospital occupied three floors and the two basements of the west wing.

Misery ran on all fours through the corridors, following Griffin's trail. He couldn't understand it. He and Mutulu were human, how come he couldn't catch up with them? Tragedy was on his heels, he could feel his breath on his back. Misery was physically the strongest of the Cerberus trio, but when it came to making decisions, Tragedy was the one to decide. Misery braked, as he saw Griffin's shadow disappear at a crossroads. He resumed his human form in a cloud of black fog. Tragedy growled.

— Stop! Something is wrong!

Tragedy also resumed his form as they heard a door creak open and close a few feet away. Tragedy, drawn by the door, jumped up and down.

— We're going to lose them, Misery! Why are you...

— They're not there! It's an illusion! Do you realise that we've been running for ten minutes without managing to catch up with two humans? I don't know what's going on here, but it stinks of dark magic! It's strong enough to confuse the senses of a Cerberus.

— But...

Misery grabbed his brother—in—arms by the shoulders and shook him, searching his eyes.

— Tragedy. Don't believe what you see! We have been tricked! We are in a labyrinth.

— I... I...

Misery frowned.

— You're the smart one, so think! If you want to find Mutulu, get us out of here.

Tragedy looked at Misery just as anxiously as he did. He closed his eyes and took two deep breaths. When he opened them again his eyes were cold and focused.

— Let's recap. Everything's been weird since we walked through the double doors. Firstly Griffin letting his impulses control him, we're used to that, but Gwen should have been able to stop him, we haven't heard him since we came in. Secondly. Mutulu would never raise his voice at me. Never! And he'd never leave on his own. It's not possible. Then you've changed, and I've changed, and we're in a public place. And finally we've been going in circles for ten minutes.

Misery nodded.

— Good summary.

— So what we see is wrong. What we hear is wrong.

— But what we feel cannot be corrupted or deceived.

— Hidden yes, but not for us. We can find the magic by the smell. Please, brother!

Misery smiled at Tragedy and reverted to his original beast form. In this form the world looked different to him. Colours no longer existed for his pupils but for his nose. Smells were colours. And now that he was paying attention, he saw them. All around him and his brother were dirty brown threads of magic. The creature sneezed. He sent the mental image to Tragedy who nodded. Without a word, they turned around and Tragedy followed Misery as he followed the trail of magic threads like Theseus' coil.