16. HEIR

She was spinning in a whirlpool of hateful memories. The University of Melbourne disappeared – as if an uncontrollable memory found the memory of it not hateful enough and decided not to concentrate on it any longer. Black and white frames flashed before her eyes – it seemed that her mind was choosing the right memory to dwell on. Floating off into the distance, green eyes never left Cymon, who clung to Elias like a wild cat. Her boyfriend, Claude, wanted to break the grip, but Cymon roughly pushed Claude aside. Her eyes searched for Michael, but they never found her – or rather, her uncontrollable body did not allow her to do so. The black picture froze before my eyes, like a frame from a film. Purple ripples appeared – they immediately disappeared, the frame became colored, and a burning primal fear appeared in the chest. She began to blink frequently. The smell of burning filled her nostrils, hot crimson earth appeared under her feet, a huge, broad-shouldered man named Frank appeared in front of her eyes, and the sound rang in her ears:

«I advise you to answer the question, otherwise I will kill the girl.»

Frank aimed his prosthetic crossbow at her face. The red trident protruding from the crossbow, shining in the light of the sun, seemed to touch the tip of her tongue. She involuntarily shrank, but immediately the trident disappeared behind her back, covered with a leather jacket. Michael tried to block her. The palette of her terrible feelings was diluted by something bright, she began to fight with Michael, trying to push him to the side. She was surprised that it was impossible to move the thin, lanky Michael from his place – he stood just like a wall. But she did not give up trying to push Michael aside. She didn’t understand what would happen next, she still didn’t know how she ended up here, she was sure of only one feeling. This feeling squeezed her body in an invisible vice…

Fear.

Only she had no doubt about her fear…

– What with her? She is alive?

– Where is she looking?.. E-Emy… Some kind of red field is reflected in her eyes…

– Emy, my love, wake up! Elias! Elias, do something!

– I can not do anything. Judging by her behavior, she is watching an anti-film.

Four silhouettes froze at the side window. Emy threw her head back on the seat, wide open green eyes frozen. Michael and Claude bent over the unconscious Emy, Cymon and Elias stood a little further away. Elias had a cut lip and the letters FO on his face were bleeding slightly.

– What is an anti-film? Cymon asked Elias.

«A negative moment from the past that appears before your eyes if you don’t take lycids,» Claude answered, holding Emy’s hand. – How long will it last, Elias?

– Don’t know. She’s only tried lycids once, so the first time shouldn’t be long.

– Will these anti-films constantly haunt her? – Claude asked in fear.

– For the rest of your life, if you don’t take lycids.

Michael, as if shell-shocked, did not take his eyes off Emy’s sloppy hair, dyed in different colors. Her new vest smelled damp. Her flat stomach, which her new top was unable to hide, was covered in goosebumps. With some disdain, Michael looked at Claude’s hand, squeezing Emy’s slender fingers. Michael was sure that it was only Claude’s fault that Emy decided to try Lycids, and no one else. In reality, it was Elias’ voice that brought him back: