“But… but Dr. Hunt, the very definition of Eight is-” Soren starts, before the doctor interrupts.
“I’m aware. But throughout time, evildoers have disguised themselves as virtuous. Many historical texts believe the universe is trapped in a cycle of destructive forces pushing us to the end.”
“The end? The end of what?” JJ asks with a grimace.
“Of life… of our planet.”
Real airtight logic.
We watch in silence as the Dr. scurries back to the gatehouse.
Soren mumbles, “He’s clearly insane. Right?”
“Why wouldn’t he show us the book?” JJ asks us quietly, glancing around to see if anyone is listening.
I’m less concerned about the book and more by the thought that we’ve been lied to this whole time. I have to shake it off though. Just because Fraine knows Hunt, I don’t. Besides, all Hunt offered were guesses. We’ve made just as many as he has, the difference being that ours come from firsthand experience.
JJ groans and throws up his hands. “We’re no closer to any answers, and now we have to factor in Sentinels and what not.”
“What am I supposed to take for the headache I just got?” Soren asks with an eyeroll. “Dr. Mumbo Jumbo didn’t give us any concrete answers.”
But their voices fade into background noise, as my mind stays stuck on Sentinels.
When I was eighteen, the vivid dreams started. I kept journals of them, picking them apart for meaning. Nothing ever surfaced.
It was easy to keep them to myself. Yeah, I’m fun like that.
My parents didn’t simply want perfection… they demanded it. With an Olympic skier for a sister and a Broadway actor for a brother, the message was clear. It was a constant reminder to be extraordinary.
The last thing I’d ever do was tell them I might be cracking up.
JJ comes to an abrupt stop, tipping his head towards Eric. We’re approaching the clock tower north of Commons Hall. My heart stops to see him from the distance standing on the ledge of the clock, over three hundred feet high. His behavior has been erratic lately. The disappearing act last week, his birthday passing without a word to anyone, and now this.
“God damn, dude,” JJ’s twang rings through the air.
Eric slowly turns, standing on the ledge of the clock tower, one hand braced against the stone opening. It’s alarming torealize he hasn’t been acting like himself at all. Is he going to jump?
“What’s up, my guy?” Soren calls out as we race to the stairs leading up to him.
Silent, I push ahead of both JJ and Soren, ignoring the burn in my legs. I’m not losing my roommate today.
When we reach him, I grab the back of his shirt, while JJ hooks an arm around his waist. “Van Cleave?” Anger seeps through my tone. If he’s messing around, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Eric’s face is vacant as he shoves us off him. We’ve managed to pull him back inside, barely keeping him from banging his head against the rough stone floor.
“W-what…” He stands up. “How did I get up here?”
“You need to get or fire a therapist.”
JJ’s jaw drops open. “Could you take a break from being a dick for a second?” He turns to Eric. “Buddy, what’s going on?”
With a slight tremor to his hand, Eric wipes it across his mouth. “I think it’s time to tell you guys something…”
Chapter Nine
Bizzy (Elizabeth)
It’s been three days since my visit with Dr. Fraine.
