Page 46 of Master A-0011
“Red.” I was breathing heavier again. My heart hit against my chest so hard it stole the oxygen I was already having a hard time finding. “Red hair. Red.”
“What’s that, Ms. Mallory?”
I ignored the doctor, meeting the Main Master’s hard eyes.
“Long hair. Red. Lots of hair.” He stepped in as my gaze mindlessly went back and forth, trying to recall what my brain was so desperate for me to know. “A woman…I think. I’ve seen a woman. Long hair. A…woman. The screams. Screaming. A woman.”
“What woman, Pearl? Do you know her name? What about this woman?”
“I-I don’t know. There’s…something. I’m scared. But I’ve talked to her. A woman…”
The rail went down on the side of my bed and Elec quickly eased to sit. His tone turned smooth like satin.
“Look into my eyes,Pearl Mallory. This long-haired woman. Did she ever tell you her name?”
Blue sucked me in, and I felt my body turn just as calm as my mind was starting to.
“I don’t think so. But she came to me. Or…used to come? I think…I was with her? Lived with her? Or…saw her?I don’t know.”
“It’s okay.” He snapped his fingers next to my ear. “We’re going to go slow. I’m going to lift my hand, and I want you to follow my finger, okay?”
“She scares me. She…scares me.”
“Watch my finger, Pearl.”
I didn't look because I was obeying. I didn't have a choice. My eyes were stuck to his finger like a magnet. As it started to travel through the air. I couldn't turn away.
“Everything you tell me isveryimportant. You’ll tell me nothing but the truth. How old were you when you saw this woman?”
“Thirteen…maybe? Young. No. Before that. Way before that.I don't know. I can't remember the first time she came to me. I think I was sleeping. But…something. I….”
“Do you remember the first thing you heard her say?”
“She didn’t come to me the first time I heard her. I just heard her voice. It was like yours. It…pulled. She was speaking to my father.”
“Your father?” Elec’s tone shifted to an emotion I couldn’t quite detect. “What did she tell your father?”
“I…don’t…” Pain split in my head making me wince and cry out. “I don’t know. She…”
“You’re going to do it because I told you to. We all have our roles, Quincy. You made a promise. You have obligations.”
More, the pain in my head had me crying out.
“Main Master, her heart rate is at dangerous levels. As her doctor?—”
“A little more. Pearl, what do you hear her saying?”
“Roles,” I sobbed. “She’s talking to my father. We have roles. Obligations. She wants him to do something. To….” My hand shot to my head. “To…kill…kill. Her voice is…changing. Kill Claudia. Kill my mom.”
“Okay that’s enough. Shh. Okay. Pearl Mallory, back to Pearl O’Brien. Back to your place as a wife and mother. You’re better now. You’re at home. Happy. Be happy.” The snapping by my face had me retching on recognition. The Main Master’s eyes were big, and he was breathing just as hard as me. But he didn’t stick around. He was spinning for the door. Running. Racing. To what, I wasn’t sure. The fog was heavier than ever. The doctor was helping me lay back and I was tired. So tired. So…suddenly…happy.
Master A-0011
My teeth were still embedded in Vicki’s cheek as my door flew open. I knew who it was, but I didn’t stop. My jaw flexed and I sunk into her muscle even more, biting down with all my might as I ripped my head back, taking another chunk of her face. The metallic tang of her blood washed over my tongue, but it wasn’t the taste or even the texture that had a rumbling sound leaving me. It was her fear as she screamed and fought against the restraints that bound her arms and legs. It was the muffled wails from Sissy and Quincy that kept me feverish to do more.
“God dammit, Ethan. You couldn’t answer your phone?”
I spit out the chunk.