Issue 1 Downtime

The phone rings in that strange, urgent way no inanimate object should be capable of.

She sighed and picked up the phone.

"Headmistress McManus."

"Ah yes." The voice at the other end sounded nervous.

"This is Dr. Klein. From Brookridge Institute. You, ehm, had requested to be informed in case of any changes concerning an inmate. There... Well there's been... We're having a situation."

She frowned, rather concerned now.

"What kind of a situation?"

"Yeah that... ehm... We're not sure."

"You're one of the few places that can handle a telepath of her caliber. What can possibly have you stumped?"

"That's the thing... We're not sure it's her. All the collars are still reading as online and the dampers are up. But... There's... well we had to close off the ward she's in. The guards are refusing to go in there and well I... I'm not sure I can blame them."

"Explain. Now."

"I... I'm not sure I can. I... We've tried to take a look and there's... quite a bit of blood and one of the guards from the night-shift is missing."

"Well... we think we found him... We were hoping maybe you could send someone to take a look at this..." Now Dr. Klein just sounds scared behind his mask of barely maintained professionalism.

"...I'm coming personally."

"Thank you. Our X-Corp liaison suggested it might be better to call you instead because... well... you'll see..."

"I'll be over as quickly as I can."

"Much appreciated!"