D r. Tom Truckle takes me to the Mushroomers’ ward. My footsteps echo in the overwhelming silence. On both sides, the Mushroomers are gripping the bars, speechlessly staring at me. I still remember when they’ve been my dearest friends and fans. I remember the times they encouraged me to escape and when they helped the Pillar dress me up and forge a university card. They don’t seem so fond of me anymore.
I think it’s because of Black Chess. Fabiola made sure they knew about it.
“You said you knew someone who can help me.” I urge Tom to stop.
“I did.” He nods, signaling at the Mushroomers.
“Them? What could they possibly know?”
“More than any sane person does.” Tom plasters on a fake smile while squeezing a key into a Mushroomer’s cell. When it turns, it squeaks like in a horror house.
The cell is one of the bigger ones, with more than twenty Mushroomers inside. These are usually the most peaceful, the ones who are mad but keep to themselves. They never harm anyone. Tom adores this type of insanity.
I follow him inside, face to face with the anticipating Mushroomers.
It’s hard to tell who’s afraid of who now. But I can relate. These days, we’re all afraid of each other in this world. We wonder which side we’re on: the mad or the truly mad.
“Tell Alice about the walls, boys,” Tom addresses the introverted Mushroomers. “Don’t be afraid. She will not join Black Chess. She changed her mind. In fact, she came to see you.”
None of them seems to buy into it — not even me. I don’t know who I really am at this point in my life. I’m trying my best, but it seems subpar, a mere wishy washy endeavor without cutthroat results.
One of the Mushroomers takes the flashlight Tom offers him and waves it toward the cell’s walls. Rotten and dark substances cover the surface. But following the beam of the light, I realize I’m staring at writings on the wall. Just like in my cell.
The Mushroomer stops at a certain spot and kneels down. So do I. He wipes the wall with the back of his hand and kills a small spider in the process.
“Read.” Tom points at the wall. “This will answer your question.”