“Only two at a time.” The nurse looks sternly at us. I turn to look at Uncle and he nods his head at me.
“Yes, you can go first. But just for five minutes. He’s critically ill and we have much to do.”
“I understand.” I eagerly pull Mireille into the small room with me, hoping to get some answers. A strong, strange odor hits my nose, causing my eyes to water.
“I hate hospitals.” Mireille mutters under her breath.
I step forward, slightly intimidated by all the clicking machinery attached to the man in the bed. He’s wrapped all over with white cloth and gauze, and the skin I can see looks horrible. Mireille leans over him.
“Well, he’s asleep. Now what do we do?” she turns back around and looks at me, putting her hands on her hips. “Should we wake him?”
“Noir…” I can barely hear the whisper. I duck around Mireille and take a look. The man’s eyes are now open, and looking sideways at me.
“Of course you have come.” his voice is hoarse, as if he has been yelling. “Noir always destroys that which creates it.” He closes his eyes again.
I look at Mireille. She looks as confused as I feel.
“Come then, finish me off.” he moans. “I’m in such pain…may the dark hands release me.” He groans again, eyes still closed.
“We didn’t come to kill you.” I want to take his hand, but am afraid of hurting him if I touch him. “We came because of the book.”
“I have failed you.” his eyelids flutter momentarily. “Oh, why was I not destroyed too?” his voice sounds as if he’s ready to cry. I can feel his despair.
“But the book wasn’t destoyed!” I blurt out, desperate to somehow console him. He makes a small coughing sound.
“What- what-” he coughs again, his eyes watering.
“It was stolen by Dumond Droger.” Mireille says evenly. “Do you know-”
“Droger! God help us!” his head jerks up and then drops back as he chokes out a pained moan. The machinery starts wildly beeping. I jump back, bumping into Mireille. The door flings open and the nurse rushes in, her face livid with anger.
“What are you doing to him!” she runs past us to the clicking machinery. “Get out!”
“You must get it back!” Frere Mueller’s voice is so hoarse I can barely understand him. His padded hand reaches out, trying to grab mine. “Promise me!” I lean forward and take his hand, his eyes burning a plea into my heart.
“I said get out!” the nurse breaks my hand from his, pushing us back. Mireille curses under her breath and turns to the door. I shove the nurse aside, hearing her hit the floor behind me. I kneel down next to the moaning figure. His eyes are full of tears.
“Promise me….don’t let him destroy you. An-” he gasps out. I hear the commotion behind me and feel hands on my shoulders, roughly pulling me to my feet.
“I promise!” I’m being yanked backward now, out into the hall. Something is flashing red and people are milling all around, but I can only concentrate on one thing.
Promise me…don’t let him destroy you.

Page 22