The Radcliffe Asylum
I cup Constance’s eyes and bury her head into my chest so she doesn’t see what the Pillar just did. One of the cameras covering the situation is splashed with blood on live TV. It seems like the camera man hasn’t noticed yet and is in shock.
The surprise is too heavy that everything seems to happen in slow motion all around. Screams and panic seem distant to my ears, even the things broadcast are blurry for a moment. In a million years I didn’t expect what the Pillar just did.
“I want to see!” Constance pulls herself from under my arms.
“You’re too young to see this,” I say.
“Blood, killing? Are you serious?” Constance says. “It’s all over the news on TV all day. Most of the games I play contain worse scenes than this.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
Tom steps closer to the TV, staring in horror. Then he pops down five pills in a row. “That stupid Pillar is going to get us all killed!”
Can’t argue with that, either.
“Are we going to be okay, Alice?” The March falters under the pressure and longs for my hug.
Instead, it’s Constance who pats him. “Be strong, March. You’re not a kid anymore.”
Can’t stop admiring this little girl.
“I think I should push the button now,” Tom says. “They will be in a rage and will want to kill us right away.”
“Just give it some time,” I suggest. “They won’t do it right away. Wait until we understand what’s really going on.”
“What do you mean by that?” Tom barks at me. “The Pillar just shot the Queen of England!”
“I noticed,” I say. “But it’s not over yet.” I point at the TV. Whatever the Pillar’s plan is, he is not finished yet…