Mind Over Psyche Read Online Free PDF Page A

If his aunt and uncle see him like this, of course they’re going to think he’s gone off the deep end.”
    â€œWell, what do you want me to do?” Edith finally snapped. “Do you have any professional sug gestions?”
    â€œMatter of fact. Give him a blood test. Make sure he doesn’t have too much junk in his system. Better yet, cut the meds, even if it means putting him in a straitjacket and tying him to his own bed. Then we could get his side of t he story.”
    She placed a hand on her forehead, and he knew she was fighting between the desire to follow his suggestion and to throw him out. She’d taken a chance on hiring him, specifically to befriend Deryl. She’d given him a lot of leeway with the troubled patient, and suddenly, everything pointed to her having been disastrously wrong. He felt sorry for her, but his anger far outmatched his sympathy. He waited, stance determined, gaze strong and expectant.
    â€œAll right. I’ll approve the blood test. But the other I’d have to run past Randall, and I think we know what his answer will be.”
    *
    R un. Fight.
    Deryl lay quietly on his bed. Behind closed eyes, his mind worked furiously. Earlier, Joshua had come in with one of the nurses and explained that they were going to draw some blood to check that he wasn’t over-medicated. That gentle suggestion was all Deryl needed; he used what energy he had to force the drugs still in his blood to the artery and out the piercing needle. He wasn’t sure it would work, but to his surprise, he felt his head clearing. The gibbering part of him still lay curled up, fearful, assailed by thoughts and senses that weren’t his, but the dazed, pliable part of himself began to fade away, leaving him i n control.
    His body felt sluggish and sore, and he didn’t dare try to move except with the same drugged lethargy. Psychically, however, he had more freedom. He gathered energy from the ley line.
    If I can just teleport out of here, I can hole up somewhere, sleep off the rest of the effects, figure out some kind of real plan—
    A familiar calling broke his thoughts.
    I am th e Miscria.
    No! His conscious mind rebelled, but his fearful self latched onto the Call like a lifeline. As he struggled to keep control, his sense of the outside world faded—until a sharp prick on his arm brought him completely awake with a panic ked start.
    His eyes snapped open to see Sachiko, a pained expression on her face, pulling a needle out of his arm. Joshua stood beside his bed, speaking something reassuring, but he felt his friend’s suppressed fury. Behind him, Dr. Malachai stood: calm, controlled. V ictorious.
    I am th e Miscria.
    R un! Fight!
    â€œNo!” Deryl stood and lashed out with his mind, shattering the bathroom mirror. A shard flew to him. He caught it, at the same time half-psychically, half-physically grabbing Joshua and spinning him around. He held the broken glass against his friend’s neck. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, then louder: “Everyone get out of this room! Leave me alone!”
    â€œDeryl!” Sachiko shrieked.
    Malachai smiled an I-Told-You-So smile, and with a twitch of his hand, waved in the orderlies waiting outside. “Put that down, Deryl. You wouldn’t hurt Joshua. He’s your bes t friend.”
    His fearful self yearned toward the Miscria. Towa rd Tasmae.
    â€œShut up! Get them out of here! I want two minutes alone.” He fought to keep his voice steady. His legs felt like jelly; if he hadn’t been leaning on Joshua, who was frozen with fear, he wouldn’t stay standing.
    â€œDeryl, don’t,” his friend breathed.
    Sachiko started to back up, but Malachai held his ground. “Stay there, nurse. Deryl, we ’re only—”
    â€œRandall!” Sachiko in terrupted.
    Joshua’s fright was as sharp against his mind as the glass cutting into his palm. Deryl tried to call the