The scene opens within a formless void, a filtering of nothingness, there were no walls, no ground and ever expanding.
Amidst this, Kyrie hovered, not needing anything for support, his body lighter than a feather.
Within the void something watched him, a trailing vision that seemed to originate from everywhere and nowhere, within the space.
He could sense it, an uneasy weight on his being. And then he turned his eyes backwards.
There she was, a silhouette with no definite shape, seemingly as formless as the void itself.
Everything about her gave off uncertainty but her eyes betrayed her.
Those ever beautiful eyes that seemed to house planets and the secrets of the cosmos.
" The Architect. " The suspended Kyrie spoke in a whisper as if in response.
The void itself twisted and turned as the darkness framed what seemed like a smirk exactly where the silhouette was.
The smirk was one of amusement, almost as if she was watching a play unfold quite interested in the eventual outcome.
Kyrie was about to speak again but his voice seemed to have been lost.
Crack!
The scene shattered.
Knock! Knock!
Kyrie's eyes snapped open. Even as he stared at the ceiling that was covered by shadows.
He looked around, noticing the lights of the gas lamps coming in through his curtains.
He had fallen asleep, passed out from practicing so much and having such a sumptuous lunch.
He rubbed his crimson eyes slowly as another knock came in the company of a call.
" You alive in there K-Y? "
Kyrie easily recognising the voice got to his feet even in the shadowy room while answering.
" You bet I am. " he replied,. making his way to the door and with a single twist of the gear-like knob, it opened.
Negan stepped in, still wearing his day clothes with his sleeves folded and his coat draped over his right hand.
His waistcoat spotless as ever as he took off his scarf placing it and the coat, on a near-by stand.
He moved towards a device, adjusting the regulator slightly with clicking sounds in the background and immediately the room brightened.
The gas lamps positioned around the room and house in general came alive one after the other.
Looking over at Kyrie, he inspected him for a split second.
" You look good, " he paused while he avoided the couch that was calling to his lazy side. heading to the kitchen instead.
" Guess you really needed your beauty sleep "
Kyrie's mind still lingered on why the Architect had decided to suddenly show herself.
He was lost in this train of thought nd almost Ignored Negan's question.
" You can say that " he replied smartly. Now paying attention to the litted room.
" Hmmm " Negan studied him keenly, the lag in reply meant something was up with the boy.
" You okay ? Don't tell me you're already hungry "
Kyrie smirked following behind Negan.
"Katherine's cooking can do that to you "
" Mhmm.. mm " Negan knew exactly what he meant.
They soon sat in the dining area. On the table were plates of roast chicken which had steam hovering above it, mashed potatoes, and vegetables.
There was an unusual silence between them even as the gas lamps flickered every now and then.
The savour of Katherine's cooking didn't wane even for a moment.
Kyrie ate slowly this time. His mind was still hovering around his dream and what it meant.
Negan on the other hand ate with controlled mannerism, each fork twist, spoon scoop felt like a work of art.
Leaning back in his chair like he had no care in the world, he finally spoke
" So… how did Katherine and Iris treat you?"
Kyrie raised his eyes slightly, glancing at Negan.
" Well.. Katherine was very warm, I enjoyed her company so much… was like I was with my sister all over again."
The latter portion of his statement inaudible.
" Iris on the other hand was quite efficient, straight to the point "
Negan chuckled. "That's sounds exactly like them. Katherine has always been like that. Too kind for her own good."
"And Iris?"
Negan's smirk grew. "Iris is quite focused. Especially when she is working, she's like one of those machines.
But outside all of that" He paused, taking a careful bite of his chicken.
"Let's just say she's got a lot of other softer sides. He winked. You just have to earn her trust."
" You would know " Kyrie remarked rolling his eyes.
" Maybe." Negan's responded with a teasing tone. He neither confirmed nor denied.
"Iris has her way of showing she cares. Katherine's much obvious about it. With iris, you have to pay close attention."
Kyrie shook his head, a smile on his face.
"You've got quite the network Mr Cross " the latter part of the statement, a shade at his fake alias.
"I do what I can." He replied still relaxed.
" Enough about them. How are you feeling? Really. Any sudden headaches?"
"No," Kyrie said. "I actually feel... good. Better than I have in a while."
" That's good." A hint of relief in his eyes while he nodded.
" You should know I found the specialist"
Kyrie surprised, set down his knife and fork
"The one Edwin had mention?"
"Yeah. That's the one, I did some digging and I managed to track her down.
She is unconventional, isn't registered or anything and doesn't work for the government. Just does her job."
"What kind of specialist?"
"Telepathic Healer. They claim she has dealt with fractured minds before. If anyone can figure out what's going on with your episodes, it's probably her."
Kyrie became uncomfortable, his heart pounding in his chest.
Someone who could read minds.
That was definitely a problem.
"When?" Kyrie asked.
"Tomorrow. Before noon probably. I've already set it all up." Negan's expression grew serious.
"Look, I know you want this to end as much as I do. We need to understand what's happening to you and why the episodes come and go. I think she might help stabilize things, it's worth the try."
Kyrie nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll go."
Negan relaxed slightly, leaning back again.
" Her name's Madame Daphne just in case"
Soon they finished eating and in truth Kyrie's mind was already racing ahead. Anxious about the next day.
A telepath in his head seemed like a bomb waiting to go off.
What would she find? He wasn't the original Kyrie. His memories as Brett ? Or maybe that there was more to him that what meets the eye.
He wasn't sure what and how to feel but one thing was certain, he had to be careful.
Both of them cleared the table and were in the kitchen doing the dishes with Negan washing while Kyrie dried.
" I almost forgot, what's at 12 Millwall Street? "
Negan paused for a second before continuing what he was doing.
"You have found your journals,that's good"
He handed Kyrie a plate while he spoke.
" That's actually your own place, it's across the city from here." Handing him the cutleries as he continued.
" When your episodes are not too frequent, you stay there but since the last incident I think it's safer you stay here."
" Incident? " Kyrie asked.
" Well, the last time you stayed there for long, Edwin was the one who found you after an episode,starved and barely coherent." He sighed.
"After that, I figured it was safer if you stayed here until you were more stable"
" I see " Kyrie said nodding as it made perfect sense.
The original Kyrie was in a worse shape than he thought.
" I will be fine now " Kyrie said softly.
" I'm sure you will " Negan who was done washing, rinsed his hands, wiping with an apron.
" We will see Daphne just to sure. "
They left the kitchen even as night sky fully fleshed out and the streets of Strevus became quieter.
Kyrie was now in his room, his eyes going through the journals, making mental notes of the addresses, names and desperate scribblings.
Tomorrow, he had meet Madame Daphne. he would have to face a telepath.
And somehow, he had to figure out ways to keep his secrets hidden.
He closed the journal and lay back, eyes on the ceiling.
There was also The Architect who lingered in the background seemingly amused by him.
The more he thought about it, the more disturbed he was.
Kyrie didn't want to think any further and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him again.
Tomorrow would either bring answers.
Or more questions.
Author's Note >>>> I'm trying a new typing format with more sparse paragraphs.
Comment which you prefer going forward.
Thank You!