Marlin gives me a pointed look, “Don’t touch it.”
“Don’t touch it, he says.” Throwing his head back, the man starts to laugh, “As if the Sea Witch’s son knows anything about the other side. A man so bleached of emotion he had to find anew source to replenish himself. A splotch of red so vibrant itgushesfrom the slightest touch.”
The resounding click of Marlin’s dress shoes comes to a stop.
“Has she forgiven you? Has she forgiven you for letting her bleed out? On pavement, no less. Where her disgrace could be broadcasted and yourfailure-
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Dr. Faciler goes crashing into the metal door as Marlin yanks on the tight dreadlocks of his hair. Fury burns through the crisp edges of his suit, muscles straining against the custom material as he slams the weathered man over and over until blood spurts and neighbouring patients start to scream.
“Guards! Somebody help!”
Laughter breaks through the panic, a smooth harmonic sound that spills from a beaten face and drips onto the floor.
“Looks like the young man found some emotion after all.”
A card tumbles from the bloodstained slot and flutters through the air.
Marlin fishes it out of his suit jacket pocket and flicks it to the floor without a second glance.
“We’ve wasted enough time.”
He turns and heads for the closest door. I’m stunned, speechless, as I look at the man grinning at me through an inch of space. A bruise is already forming around his torn eyeball, the seedlings of black eye well and truly planted.
“I’m going to let you in on a secret, Christopher. Man-to-man, sinner-to-sinner.” His lips split, blood oozingbetween the gap of his teeth, “A friend of a friend doesn’t make him a friend.”
My heart starts to pound as the screams grow louder.
“Guards! There’s a madman loose in the hall!”
“Deville, are you coming?”
Marlin gives me an impatient look, his stone cold demeanour already set back in place.
There’s a stutter in my step as I follow him through to the next area, a hesitation in my hands as I take the keys from him.
The high security chamber unlocks with a beep and my temporary crew member slips through, his white hair glowing in the darkened room.
“Are you ready? Oh, I said are you ready!”
The song is no less creepy this time around, the same dreadlocks hanging through the metal slot as the man grins at me with bloodstained teeth.
The discarded card lies face-up on the ground. A familiar portrait stares back at me, a gruesome piece that howls in agony and sends chills racing down my spine.
A wolf screams as hunters drive their arrows through him, ripping the fur from his skin and leaving hideous marks behind.
It’s a perfect replica of my tattoo except for the words written along the bottom.
What are you afraid of?
Chapter 41
CALISTA
Having a brute on speed dial does come in handy.
“Higher, Vector.”
