The Spiral Effect Read Online Free PDF

he liked the
way she looked. Would make a good trophy. Disgusting pervert—what
my dad called him. Daddy fought him—tore up his mind—but not before
the bad man could perform the 52 card pickup.”
    52 card pickup?
    “You know, that mean game adults trick kids
into playing?”
    I’m not sure.
    “Of course. That’s probably—never mind. The
52 card pickup disorganized some of my daddy’s thoughts and
memories. One moment he thought he was ten and fishing with his daddy; a second later he was confused because he thought
mommy was still pregnant. Luckily he had already taught me so much.
I was able to put his current memories and thoughts at the front of
his mind and store away the older, disorganized memories. The bad
man wasn’t too good at the trick, must have just learned it because
only a small amount of memories were affected. I could store them
in a mental box.”
    Taylor stops walking. I had been watching
her the whole time, so I am shocked at what’s in front of us.
    “Whoever did this to you was really strong.”
Taylor squeezes my hand. “I hope—I hope you were able to stop
him.”
    Me too.
    Towering before us is a massive warehouse.
I’m unable to judge its width and height, but it seems to go on for
miles. The steel door, at least five times the height and width of
your normal door, stands slightly ajar, just enough for the strong
breeze to escape. Sheets of white paper with blue and black ink
stick, tightly wedged, between the door and frame. This is bad.
    How long did it take you and your dad to fix
his memories?
    “A—a month.”
    And his fit in a box?
    Taylor nods.
    How big?
    Taylor spaces her hands about 18 inches wide
and then 12 inches high. Great.
    “I’m sorry.”
    It’s not your fault. If anything, I should
thank you.
    “Thank me?”
    If it weren’t for your traps, I never would
have realized someone had—had played 52 card pickup with my
memories.
    “Oh. I’m sure you would have,
eventually.”
    Sure. But it probably would have been too
late.
    “So, those other people’s memories, you’re
trying to figure out how to stop this?”
    And how did you know that?
    “Sorry. I peeked at some of your files.
Don’t be mad.”
    I’m not mad. Yes, I am trying to—
    Find the Cause.
    Find the Source.
    Find the Beginning.
    “Do you need help? Cleaning the mess?”
    Thank you, but if it took you and your dad a
month to fix only a small box worth, this could take years. I can’t
keep you from your mom, from your body that long.
    “We could travel with you, help you collect
memories, fix yours.” Taylor says.
    The idea is appealing. Help would be
appreciated. But looking deep into her mind, I know I can’t
accept.
    “I’ve been able to keep it at bay.”
    I know. But helping me would only wear down
your defenses. This is going to be a taxing job. You’ve already
used too much power today. You need to rest, not use it for weeks.
Maybe a month.
    “But you could save the world.”
    Not at your expense.
    “But…”
    I’ll be fine. I can do this. I’ll figure it
out, how to save the world, and you.
    Taylor nods and wipes the few tears dripping
from her eyes.
    Now go back to your mom, find a car, and
keep away from the cities. And stop using your powers for a
while.
    Taylor hugs me tight. As she holds me, I can
sense copies of her and Mary’s memories enter my files. She’s
pushing herself too much, giving way for the virus to grow and
spread.
    Time to go, Taylor.
    I begin to expel her from my mind.
    “Wait.”
    Sorry.
    “Look for the hero—look for Alex Wonder!
    Before she’s gone, I let her know I
heard—that I understand. Alex Wonder: The Hero —Got it. I
hope she listens and takes a break from using her psychic
abilities. Someone that young doesn’t need to suffer like those
jumpers. But to be sure, I’ll try and keep tabs on her and her
mother from time to time.
    Find the Cause.
    Find the Source.
    Find the Beginning.
    I know. I know. At least now I have a step
in the