The sanguine occupied the bed furthest from the door.His skin, which would have been naturally pale, now had a translucent quality with blue veins mapped beneath the surface.His eyes were ringed by circles so dark they seemed bruised.His breathing was shallow and he exuded weariness.Giles walked across to talk to him, indicating that the others should talk to Orwell first.
The lupine was sitting up, his big frame hunched and his cheeks flushed.When Bryn got closer he could make out a yellow tinge to the bloodshot whites of Orwell’s eyes.Orwell raised a hand in greeting to Gunnar.
“You look terrible,” Gunnar said.
Bryn winced but apparently it was the right thing to say because Orwell snorted with laughter.
“Say it like it is, Detective.”
“Call me Gunnar, and this is my partner Bryn.”
“The augur.The doc told me you were coming.You want to take a peek in my head, huh?”
“We think it might help us track down whoever is responsible for what happened to you, and others.”
“I don’t remember anything beyond arriving at the clinic.”
“That’s okay.If your subconscious has buried something, Bryn will still be able to see it.”
“Wow.Okay.If it helps.Are you gonna do vamp boy as well?He’s been real sick.”
“If he’s okay with it.Our colleague over there is a vamp too.”
“It helps you know, having someone around who knows…”
Gunnar nodded.“Bryn is very good at this.You won’t feel a thing and I’ll be the one asking a few questions, okay?”
“Sure.Let’s go.”
Bryn took the metal chair and gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile.“The wrist works best,” he said as he grasped Orwell’s arm.“I’m going to look at your most powerful memory first, okay?”
“Yeah, tell me what you’re seeing.”
“Okay.”Bryn closed his eyes and the images came instantly.“I’m seeing blood, a pool of it on the floor of the room.I think it’s a lab.It’s not your blood.You feel… Confused… Horrified, but you can’t move however hard you try.There’s a needle in the back of your hand taped in place.You can feel it.You’re watching two orderlies drag a body away.They’re smearing blood across the white floor.It’s a stark contrast.The body, a vamp I’d guess, has blood coming from his eyes and mouth, his ears, and from beneath him.The scrubs he’s wearing are stained dark…”
It took effort not to yank his hand away.Bryn opened his eyes to a concerned expression on Gunnar’s face.He gave a quick nod to show he was okay even as a slow throb started up behind his eyes.Orwell seemed shell shocked.
“That’s all news to me.What the fuck is going on at that place?”
“Did you overhear any conversations?”Gunnar asked.
“Not that I recall.”
“Truth,” Bryn confirmed.
“Did you get names of any other patients?”
“No.Fuck, I’m useless, aren’t I?”
“Of course not,” Gunnar said.“You’re the victim here.”
“What did they put in me?”
“It’s a drug called Thanacrine.It enhances gene abilities,” Gunnar said.“But so far, it’s failed.Subjects have developed severe psychosis and become extremely violent.”
“I didn’t get that way, though.At least, I don’t think I did.”
“Truth,” Bryn said.“The drug is being refined.It’s possible you were given a new derivative.”
