Free Harbinger (The Bleeding Worlds) by Justus R. Stone Page A

silence. It struck Gwynn that Sophia’s father was not one to talk much. What kind of relationship did this man have with his daughter? Mr. Murray’s discomfort level seemed to rise with every step that brought them closer to the locked doors of the psychiatric unit.
    Mr. Murray punched a code into a numeric pad beside the door. An orderly had them sign in and escorted them down the hall to a waiting area where an older woman sat staring out the barred window. The blond curls identified her as Sophia’s mother.
    “It’s nice to meet you.” Mrs. Murray said. She smiled, but her eyes were tired.
    “Thanks. Nice to meet you too.”
    “The orderlies are just making Sophia…presentable. We should be able to see her soon.”
    Mr. Murray cleared his throat. “Could I speak to you a second, Sweetheart? Privately.”
    They went out into the hall and left Gwynn alone in the waiting room. The hospital had painted the room a pale green with soft fabric chairs bolted to the floor. There were no other pieces of furniture and nothing hanging on the walls. It felt cold and sterile. A disheveled stack of magazines, the newest of which being over a year old, seemed the single thing that gave the appearance of life. How could anyone’s mental health benefit from such stark surroundings? Minutes that Gwynn didn’t keep track of passed. The door opened and Mrs. Murray returned.
    “They say we can go see Sophia now.”
    Gwynn looked behind her. “Umm, where’s Mr. Murray?”
    The question made her look flustered, maybe even angry. She recovered and attempted a weak smile. “He had an important meeting today. He appreciates you coming Gwynn, he just needs to keep working. I think it’s his way of coping.”
    “Okay. Well, let’s go see Sophia.” Gwynn said it with enthusiasm, but it filled him with dread.
    The orderly escorted them down the hall. They stopped and the orderly opened the door. Gwynn worked hard to compose himself. The walls had numerous drawings taped to them. There were monstrous images of creatures Gwynn had never seen, dark circles that spun inward to a dark point that frightened Gwynn more than most of the monsters. In the centre of the room, a small girl that had once been Sophia Murray rocked back and forth. Where once she had radiant blond curls, her hair now hung limp and dull. None of the life and vitality he had known Sophia to have lived within this shell. Gwynn understood why her father ran away to work. Seeing such vibrancy diminished was devastating.
    “Sophia?” Mrs. Murray gently touched her daughter’s shoulder. “Sweetheart, you have a visitor. Gwynn is here to see you.”
    Sophia’s eyes locked on Gwynn’s—too many swirling emotions made them unreadable.
    “Alone.” Sophia muttered.
    Mrs. Murray probed Gwynn, concern in her eyes. He shrugged his shoulders and put his hands up.
    “Sweetheart, since it’s his first visit, maybe I should stay.”
    “Alone.” Sophia shrieked.
    Mrs. Murray relented. She backed out of the room. “If you need me Gwynn, just knock on the door.”
    “Uh… Okay.”
    The door shut behind him and Gwynn stood alone with Sophia. He tried to speak to her, but he stumbled over his words.
    “Sit.” Sophia said. She rocked back and forth, her hands in constant motion, but her eyes fixed on Gwynn. He sat.
    Seconds took minutes, minutes hours, time played tricks with Gwynn. He started to believe the few intelligible words she had said were a fluke. The girl in front of him seemed broken beyond any hope of repair.
    She lunged at Gwynn.
    Before he could react, she grasped his face between her hands. He struggled in vain, she wouldn’t let go. He thought to cry out for help, but something in her eyes held him a silent prisoner.
    “The shadow is moving.” She said. Gwynn’s eyes darted from side to side.
    His mouth went dry, his voice a hoarse whisper. “I don’t see anything.”
    “Behind you.”
    Gwynn tried to turn his head, but Sophia held him in