A Million Bodies by Erica Pensini - HTML preview

Chapter 15

“Iris,” I hear again, and opening my eyes I see Professor Arthur Miles, bent over me, frowning and flustered.

“Hi,” I say, my voice hoarse.

“What on earth happened to you?!” he exclaims, relieved and angry at once.

“How did you get in?” I ask, instead of answering his question.

“The door was open,” he tells me.

“Oh…” I say.

“So what happened?” he insists.

“Ok, but how did you come up with the idea of coming here?” I ask.

“You phoned me!” he exclaims, emphasising every letter of his three word reply.

“Oh, I phoned you? I cannot recall that,” I say pensively.

Arthur remains silent, waiting for me to continue.

“I drank a potion and then I had a dream-” I start.

“You mean you used drugs and then you hallucinated?” Arthur retorts.

“We have to go to a monastery,” I state, ignoring his comment.

Arthur sights.

“Which monastery are you talking about now?” he asks me.

“Are there any monasteries around here?” I want to know.

“Something weird is happening here,” he tells me.

“Arthur, do you know if there are any monasteries around here?” I insist, addressing him by name for the first time ever.

“There is a place four hours from here. It’s a very strange spot, I ended there long ago…” he starts, and pauses, lost in some thought.

“What about it?” I ask, “Why do you call it strange?”

“I…I cannot say,” he replies, his tone low.

“Let’s go,” I decide.

“I don’t know what we’re getting into,” Arthur mumbles, lowering his eyes.

“We are already into it, Arthur,” I say, locking my yes onto his, still lying on the floor.

“Gosh Iris. Ok, let’s go,” he capitulates, offering me his hand and pulling me up.