The Mirrored City by Michael J. Bode

Author:Michael J. Bode [Bode, Michael J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 9781517287146
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Published: 2015-09-08T16:00:00+00:00

They made their way to the third floor and saw more guards on each level. Each room they passed was barred shut, each one a window into madness and misery. As they passed, a toothless woman snatched something from her waste bucket and shoved it into her mouth, chewing openly, with her face pressed against the bars.

Bejia explained, “It’s not uncommon for people to take on other identities in here. We have two Achelons and a man who claims to be possessed by Harrowers. Shannon Ibazz is a well-known name to the people of Baash. Her recent departure caused a scandal. The man Victoria spoke of, Rancis, could have heard any number of people talking about it.”

“Did you question him at all?” Heath inquired.

“Why would I? Shannon and this creature here ruined my life. I never wanted to hear that name again.”

Lyta sighed. “I’m sorry for what I did to you, Bejia. If I’d known, I never would have done it. It was pointless and stupid, and now Shannon’s going to pay for my mistake.”

Bejia shook her head. “Those houses, the games we played… Honestly, I’m glad I will never become a First Wife like Mother Safina. I like healing and using my Light to help people. I don’t forgive you, but I have made peace with the consequences.”

They reached Rancis’s cell. He was obese, at least three hundred pounds, naked, and manacled to the floor, shivering. He turned to look at them. His eyes were pale white, but they widened in recognition. His voice was high. “Lyta?”

The way he said it made Lyta’s skin crawl. “Shannon?”

“Lyta,” the man’s face twisted in anguish, “help me.”

Lyta grabbed the bars of the cell and ripped them open, breaking the lock bolt out of the stone. She rushed to wrap her arms around the man’s heavy shoulders. “I’m here, Shannon. I’m here.”

“It hurts so much, Lyta. Please help me.”

Lyta rubbed his bald head. “Tell me how. Where are you?”

A chorus of voices around her answered in unison, “I don’t know. It’s dark and it’s cold.”

Lyta looked to the door, to see Bejia and Heath staring off with blank white eyes.

They spoke again with small frightened voices. “Please help me.”

Lyta stood, her hands trembling. “Shannon, how are you doing this?”

Shannon’s plaintive plea became like a chant, repeating over and over as everyone in the atrium joined in with Rancis, Bejia, and Heath. “I’m so scared. It hurts so much.”

Lyta walked out onto the balcony. The guards stood frozen at their posts, sobbing. “Lyta. I need you, Lyta.”

She glanced over the railing. In the courtyard, patients, healers, and guards stood, a sea of alabaster gazes fixed on her. “You’re the only one who can help me.”

Only one figure moved. A slight girl with long brown hair twirled and danced joyfully. Victoria smiled and spread her arms wide and then hugged herself. She yelled, “I found Shannon. She’s all around us. Now I can go home. I’m going back to the Moon!”

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