September 28, 2011 - 9:11am — Cypher

The room was silent and still. The only noise that could be heard was the soft hum of the air conditioner in the background running hard as it blew cool air into the stale, interrogation room. Three of its four walls were a solid gray slate, while the fourth wall was a double-sided mirror. A single fluorescent light hung above the metal table separating the two men sitting inside. Cypher sat uneasily in the chair. Having in a situation like this before, he could only expect the worst. His right leg crossed dangling over his left knee nervously shaking. His arm propped up on the chair's back with Migisi perched on his shoulder, playfully tugging at his hair. Her head twitching and bobbing as she curiously looked around the room. Occasionally making a soft tchy out of boredom.

"A butterfly," he quickly replied.

Across from them sat an aging man of Asian descent. His round face staring straight at Cypher with a stern look in his dark brown eyes glistening behind his glasses. He held up a card with a black inkblot splashed on it. Sighing, he tossed it to the table before holding up another and waited for a response.

"A pretty flower."

Groaning, Dr. Heung wiped the sweat gathering on his forehead, "Come on, Cypher... Tell me what you really see."

A brief chuckle crawled up his throat as he leaned forward, motioning the doctor to come closer. Tchkay! Migisi snapped at him as his sudden movements caused her to lose her balance. Taking to the air, she hovered slightly above him before landing on top of a stack of the doctor's papers nearby. The crunching noise of the papers surprised her as the sheets shifted beneath her weight. Her feathers rustled as excitement crawled up her tiny spine. Overjoyed to have found something to focus her attention on, she began to peck away at the paper. Holding one corner of a sheet in her beak, she tugged at it with a few shift jerks of her head. Enjoying the sound the paper made as it moved.

Beside her, the two men continued their conversation in a foreign tongue. Cypher had uncrossed his legs and now slouched. Nervously rubbing his hands together with his elbows propping him up on the table. His voice was low as he spoke. His face hidden be the faint shadow of his fedora's brim on his face as he refused to meet the doctor's gaze, "You see, doc... What I really see is a dog with its head split open. Right up the middle. Blood splattering all over the place..."

Dr. Heung's eyes widen as his brows rose. Tangling into a sympathetic, yet confused, mess above his glasses. Stunned, he slowly lowered the rorschach card, "Are you sure...?"

The serious look on his face disappeared as he smirked, "No, doc, it looks like a damn black mess like every other bloody picture you have shown me." He leaned back into his chair, slightly more relaxed.

"Damn it, Cypher!" Frustrated, Dr. Heung stood up and began to pace side to side in front of his patient. His hands shaking in the air, "You know how this work. The AoM requires a standard evaluation once every six months. If there is even the sightliest possibility of mental instability, they will not hesitate to send you back to Westbury." Dr. Heung took a deep breath to calm himself as he returned to the table. He sat down and reached over to his stack of papers to search for his evaluation files only to see Migisi nesting in sheds of paper. "Shoo!" He placed the back of his hand to the small bird's chest, carefully pushing her off of his work.

Tchk tch tchkay! she angrily cawed as she stumbled onto the cold metal surface. Her wings flapped madly as she regained her balance, anxiously returning to where Cypher sat. She fluffed herself up, trying to give off the impression that she was twice the size she actually was. A hissing noise seeped from her opened beak as she drew her head in closer to her body.

"Shhh... Easy now, my dear," Cypher placed his arm on the table, encouraging her to come to him. Huffing furiously at Doctor Heung, she hopped onto the finely dressed man's arm, turning her back towards him. If the doctor would not acknowledge her importance, than she would go to one who did. She never could understand the words he spoke to her, but his voice was always soft and sweet sounding when addressing her. Very rarely ever harsh or loud. She purred lovingly with her eyes partly closed as he began to rub her beneath the chin.

Dr. Heung's eyes fell upon the pair, examining the interaction between them. In particularly, he studied Cypher. The uneasy look that had lingered before in his eyes had disappeared as the bird cuddled close to him. Almost as if she brought a sense of security. He rubbed his chin as he quietly reached for his clipboard, intrigued by the way the bird's attention towards Cypher seemed to change the man's attitude slightly. In the past, Cypher always seemed annoyed and uneasy during their sessions. Now he seemed to be able to smile slightly but not to Dr. Heung; he smiled only to Migisi.

"Am I excused now, doc?" he said breaking the silence. "I have a job to do.






The bell rang on queue at three in the afternoon, signaling for most students that class had ended for the day. As the charm-filled chime of the clock tower echoed over the courtyard, the bustling students filtered out of the front doors of Kleitman University. Heading either to their dorm rooms, other classes, or the nearby coffee shops. One girl broke away from the herd and followed the unbeaten path through the garden in the center of campus. The warm breeze blew softly across the campus yards, welcoming her journey through the shrubbery. Blades of grass scrapped away at her pant legs. Flowers danced around her. Almost as if they had sprung to life at the sight of a new guest. Her brown ponytail bounced playfully with her steps as she hurried, her bag clenched close to her. The events from earlier in the week were still fresh in her mind, as they replayed themselves. She could still see the egg flying in the hair as it launched away from her arched arm. Soaring majestically until it broke open upon hitting Tief's car in the student parking lot. Anogelia had begged Shika to forgive and forget their classmate's harsh words, but that was something the young girl could not do. She had to avenge her hurt friend but now was paying the price.

Shika slowed her pace as she reached the student medical building. The building was one of the newer ones on campus. Standing majestically at the edge of the campus grounds in the glowing sun. Its unique architecture standing out against the bland class buildings. Anxiously, she opened the front door and stepped inside. The health center took up the whole first floor and offered free medical services to all Kleitman's students. Most commonly used as the health center, which took up whole first floor of the building. The second floor housed a few student ran programs and support centers. On the third floor was the student advice program where other students were able to volunteer to help others with emotional issues and stress; the counselor's office was there as well. He had asked to see Shika on Monday after the egging event took place. They had talked briefly about a program he suggested she should join to try to keep herself out of trouble. It was now Wednesday; the day she needed to give him her answer.

Quickly, she walked up the flights of stairs and entered the silent hallway. The doors to the student offices were always closed to ensure privacy of the counseling that took place within them. Dr. Ross' office was located at the very end. She gulped as she placed her hand on the handle, hearing the faint sound of him and another voice talking. Pushing the door open, she looked curiously into the room. Dr. Ross was sitting at his desk, typing away at his computer as a second man stood leaning against the desk. She had never seen him around campus before. He seemed old enough to be a senior but he was dressed far too nicely to be just a normal student.

"I don't care who you work for, sir," the counselor firmly stated. "I cannot give out students' personal information without consent from their guardians unless they are over twenty-one years old. Then I need their consent."

The second replied with a charmingly deep voice, "Perhaps you do not understand the severity of the situation, doctor. All of the missing students had spoken to you within a week or two before their disappearance and..."

"Are you accusing me of something, mister...?"

"Smith. John Smith."

Dr. Ross rose out of his seat to meet with man's eyes, "Look, Mr. Smith, I've already explained myself to the police in the past. I am in no way tied to any of it!"

"But you are still a constant factor in all the cases. Your patient records might hold vital information regarding their whereabouts, such as if they all suffered from the same disorder, or..."

"I already showed everything I had. I have no more information to give out," from behind the finely dressed man, Dr. Ross could see the outline of Shika standing bewildered in the doorway. "And if you please excuse me, I have a patient to tend to."

The man glanced over his shoulder. Shika blushed slightly as she got a look at him.. His handsome features were cast aglow in the afternoon sunlight that streamed in through the window. His crystal blue eyes sparkling as the sun's rays reflected off of them, like two sapphires set aflame upon his oval face. He stood straight and pushed himself off the desk, stepping closer to the door, "My apologies, doctor. May I come back later then?"

"No. If I see you again, Mr. Smith, I am calling security to escort you off campus."

He smirked in amusement at the threat, "Very well, sir." Carefully, he pushed his way through the door, passing Shika on the way and tilting his fedora politely to her before disappearing down the hall.

"Sorry about that, Shika. Please take a seat." He pointed to the chair located by the front of the desk as he sat back down in his swivel chair. "How have you been since Monday? Staying out of trouble I assume?"

Shika's head hung as she stepped forward, still thinking about the conversation she had overheard, "Umm...Yeah, I'm ok." She sat down pulling her legs in closer together as she shifted her weight uneasily.

"Good!" Dr. Ross smiled an unusually sweet smile. An overly happy vibe seemed to reek off of him despite the confrontation he just had with the mysterious man. While she understood that it was his job to be a welcoming, comforting person towards the students seeking his help, he seemed a little too happy based on the situation. "Now, onto business! I was worried about you. I know how difficult it can be to be on your own, but you seem like a strong girl, Shika, though I would still recommend you get into a student program or club. It will help keep you busy and distract your mind from all the depressing thoughts that you tend to have. It will give you an outlet to release your pinned up emotions onto. Plus, it will give you an opportunity to make friends."

"Yeah about that..." looking away from him, she thought about the things she had heard him and Mr. Smith previously talk about. Student disappearances...?. The doctor cleared his throat, snapping her out of her train of thought drawing her attention towards him once again. Suddenly feeling very uncomfortable to be in his presence, she stood up and looked towards the door, "Actually... I'm sorry, Dr. Ross, I need to go. I forgot I had to... to meet a study group for my social studies class!" She turned to walk away, hurrying as fast as she could but could feel the doctor's heavy gaze fall upon her, weighting her down like a stone.

"Oh, so you're not going to join the Triquetra Sorority?" Dr. Ross got up and stepped around his desk. Shika stood motionless as she watched him step up to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "You should at least stop by the house and talk to a few girls. I think it will benefit you." The corner of his lips curled on his face, creating a smile that was not warm like his normal smile. Instead, it filled her with fear.





The sun slowly began to set in the west, causing the sky to explode in bright yellows and oranges. Cypher leaned against a tree in the courtyard holding his pocket watch open as he gazed down at the time. Migisi looked down at him from a tree branch above his head where she had waited for him to return. Mesmerized by the glistening watch in light, her head tilted to the side as her beady eyes remained glued onto the watch. Her needy gaze followed it to his pocket where he slipped it away, disappointing the bird slightly.

Sighing, he crossed his arms as he watched the medical building, waiting patiently for the brown haired girl to appear. The glass door finally opened and the girl emerged with her head hanging. It rose slightly as she heard the sounds of his footsteps as Cypher approached her. She gasped, surprised to see him. The two stared at each other before Shika finally broke the silence, "You're that guy from earlier. The one I saw in Dr. Ross' office, but what are you doing here?"

Cypher stood tall in front of her as he held out his hand, "I am investigating a series a disappearances regarding some of the students here at the university. Your counselor seems determined to not cooperate, which is making things difficult. If you do not mind me asking, young lady, have you witnessed anything strange happening on here at the campus?"

Shika's heart raced within her petite chest as she looked up at with widened eyes. Biting her lip in the process. The girl chewed nervously at her lip, wrapping her arms more tightly around the cloth-bound book at her chest, "Um..Nothing at all..."

Sensing something was wrong, his eyes narrowed at her reluctant response, staring into her own as though attempting to read her mind. She let out a stressful sigh, causing her arms to rise and fall with the movement of her deep breath. The corner of the cloth drooped exposing a part of the book's cover. The book was clearly old. Having a worn leather cover with yellowed pages. A simple pattern was embroidered into the center - a five-point star. With a stern look, he gently reached out and placed a hand on her chin, tilting her face up towards his, "That is potentially dangerous stuff you are getting yourself mixed into, my dear. Walk away while you can."

Shika jerked her head away from him as she turned away. Stomping her foot in frustration, growing tired of having people telling her what to do, "What do you know!?"

Cypher smirked, "I do not know the specific contents of the book you are holding, but I know that symbol. It could be something peaceful and enriching or something satanic. You should be careful if you are going to pick up playing with magic."

Surprised that the mysterious man recognized the pentagram, she withdrew herself farther from him, "You're not just an everyday guy, are you?"

"Indeed, I am not, he smirked again with a sense of pride. "You can call me Cypher, as for what I do, it does not matter at the moment. Knowing what is going on here is of greater importance."





Night had fallen onto the campus. Many of the buildings sat dark in the moonlight, except for the resident halls and the sorority homes. A few blocks of the city right next to the campus was made up of nothing but the sorority houses. Loud music rose from a few them as the house mates partied over studying. Others sat quietly, nestled in the mess. One house sat at the very end of the road, tucked away into the shadows. No noise came from it despite the lights being on inside of it.

Shika hurried down the street with Cypher following close behind; Migisi enjoyed stretching her wings as she flew slightly ahead of them. Most of her time was spent inside either in Cypher's office with him or his house. Being outside was a huge treat. Once again she settled herself in a tree not far from where Shika and Cypher stopped. Loving the feeling of a real wooden branch beneath her feet, she scuttled across the branch chirping happily despite the grim atmosphere that surrounded the house.

"This is it," Shika pointed towards the two-story home. "This is Triquetra."

Cypher stood inquisitorially with his head cocked to the side with his hands in his pockets, examining the building. For the most part, its exterior looked normal. Painted a pale yellow color with a large sun porch and a white picket fence surrounding the property giving it a stereotypical, serene appearance, "And what did they say you had to do?"

Placing her hand on her chin as she thought, "Well, for my initiation they said I needed to be purified and find something to use for an offering, but I don't quite know what they meant though..."

"I see. Is Dr. Ross tied to the sorority at all?"

"He is dating the sorority mother. I guess that's why he encourages us all to join it."

He remained silent as he paced for a moment in the yard. Hypothetically looking over his opinions and the risks involved. He needed to know what happened within the sorority but he could not put the young girl at risk. He could try to sneak inside to place a few hidden cameras, but that would require additional funding that he was sure AoM would not provide. Plus, it would take away time to act. Running out of choices, he took the first one that could be doable at that very moment, "Stay here."

"What? Why?" Shika blinked in confusion.

"Trust me and just stay here," Cypher began to make his way towards the front door when Migisi began to grow antsy. He had been fairly distant towards her since they arrived, and had begun to grow annoyed with the human girl getting all the attention over her. Chy! Chy! She called out to him as she launched herself from the branch and landed on his shoulder, curiously looking over at him. Playfully nipping at his nose. "No, Migs, you need to stay here."

"Are... are you talking to a bird...?"

Pushing his hand beneath Migisi's feet, he got her to perch upon it. He lowered his arm so that she was at his chest level as he turned to walk back towards Shika, "Ah yes, I suppose I did not properly introduce you to my little friend here. This is Migisi; Migs, this is Shika and she's going to take care of you until I get back." He held his arm out forward, attempting to pass Migisi off to the puzzled girl.

Curiously, the bird hopped from his arm to the girl's, "I am...?"

Cypher nodded, "Just give her attention and she won't be a fuss."



He left the pair standing in the dark yard as he made his way back up towards the porch. His footsteps where heavy on the wooden planks. For a moment, he stood silently as he tried to listen for any sound coming from within the house. Yet, there was nothing. No sounds of the girls who supposedly lived there or a television set or anything. There was only pure silence, but the lights were on. Someone had to be home. Placing his back against the wall, he peered through the window to see a shadowy figure disappear into one of the rooms near the back of the house. He leaped over the railing of the porch. He made his way to the backyard, being careful to move as quietly as he could. There was another door leading into the kitchen. Peering into the nearest window, he took note that the room was dark and unoccupied. This was where he would enter.

Digging into his pocket, he felt around for the thin, long lock pick he had brought with him. The copper colored pick sparkled in the moonlight as he placed his hand on the door knob, jamming the thin wire into the lock. For a few moments, he wiggled the pick around until he heard the faint click. Silently, he pushed his way in closing the door behind him. He now found himself standing in total darkness with his hands stretched out in front him in attempts to guide himself through the house. The light was on in the dining room, casting a glow under the door separating it from the kitchen. Muffled voices could be heard. Crouching, he cautiously made his way towards the door to eavesdrop when suddenly, the door flung open as the light blinded him. Throwing an arm up to shield his eyes, the other instinctively reached around for his revolver. However, his hand grabbed nothing but air as he wiggles his fingers at his side. A defenseless feeling crippled him at the realization that he had not brought it.

Before him stood an older woman dressed in a white dress. Her once blonde hair was now frosted with signs of gray. Any youthfulness she may have once possessed shrunk away as wrinkles began to spread under her eyes and on her jaw line beneath her makeup. Behind her stood two strong youthful men in black robes. Their faces hidden by the shadows created from the hoods pulled around their heads. "How the hell did you get in here?" she sharply asked.

"I let myself in," Cypher pointed behind him, making a jester towards the back door. He sighed to himself as he began to realize the rising threat that was appearing behind him. The woman herself was not a worry, but the two men were. Their clothing making it obvious that some sort of ritual either was about to begin or had already taken place. It was too late to turn back now and there was no reason to be desecrate now that he was fully exposed to his enemy. "I can let myself out as well if you would like."

"Get him," she snarled as she motioned for the two men to go after him.



Obeying, they stepped around her. Both pulled their arms out from the long sleeves as they began to circle him, sizing up their target. Cypher took a step backwards with his hands clenched in fists. Arms rose above his chest as he braced himself, anticipating the first attack. His heart throbbed as adrenaline began to build. Taking deep breaths, he attempted to keep himself calm as he listened carefully for movement. His head snapped back the moment he heard the faint sound of a footstep coming near him. The attacker swung towards his jaw, missing slightly jut as Cypher staggered back to avoid the blow. Losing his balance slightly as the second attacker grabbed his shoulder from behind.

His lean frame spun around at the force of the grab. Two firm hands wrapped around his shoulders, pinching nerves as the assailant threw his head forward, head butting the inexperienced English man causing his fedora to fly off his head. Their skulls cracking at the moment of impact. Groaning, Cypher was thrown to the floor where the first man returned for a second attempt. He grabbed him by the vest to pick him up. Throwing him up against the kitchen wall with a heavy thud. He pulled his hand back and punched him directly in the jaw. Another swift punch followed, busting his lip open as he let out an agonizing yelp.

Lifting his leg, Cypher kicked swiftly. Feeling the fleshy stomach of his attack before the man was pushed off of him. Dazed by the pounding he received, Cypher stood on rubber legs with his arms raised again. Taking sharp short breaths as he waited for the next attack. The two opposing men looked at each other before nodding. Silently agreeing to double team him. Gulping, Cypher tried to prepare once again but was quickly overpowered. The men grabbed each of his arms, holding him in place. One kicked him behind his knees, causing weaker Cypher to collapse as they gaze away. They held him in place as they dragged him over in front of the elderly woman, who watched the ordeal without any change in emotion.



Cypher knelt before her as he struggled against the two robed men's grip. Looking up at her with eyes glazing over and blood trickling down from his split lip. Stepping closer, her fingers drug along the counter top. Her long nails tapping along the marble before her wrinkled fingers calculatingly fastened around a butcher knife near the sink. Picking it up, she examined the blade and tested its sharpness with a quick prick of her own finger. Keeping her eyes on the intruder. They squinted at the sight of the red band wrapped around his arm. She stepped up to him where she placed the blade beneath the thin material, cutting it lose. Kneeling down, she swiftly placed the blade beneath the thin material, jarringly cutting it loose. It fell into her waiting open palm and she paused to run her fingers across the letters stitched into it. The woman's expression darkened before suddenly she leaned in as it ignited a repressed hatred within her, pressing the knife to his throat, "I have seen these initials before. You are from the Agency of Mystery, aren't you?"

He smirked as he spit a bit of blood out of his mouth. Somewhat surprised that she was aware of AoM, "Why in bloody hell would I tell you?"

She twisted her arm, allowing the blade of the knife to gently brush against his skin. Just as a reminder of the danger he was in, "I suppose it was just a matter of time before they sent one of their dogs to snoop around my operation."

"How do you know about the Agency?"

She laughed maliciously, as though his ignorance mused her, "Did you truly expect a high priestess to not know her enemies?" She continued to toy with him as she ran the blade alongside his face. Sadistically getting satisfaction from the way he would flinch,"Just as there have been legends about us, there have been legends about the Agency. The exorcists with pride in a false sense of justice. Fighting for humanity's sake by performing genocide to all you do not understand." She gazed into his eyes as she drew her face closer to his before placing the tip of the knife right on his cheek. Swiftly, she jerked her hand slicing a small cut into his flesh. Blood trickled down his cheek as he winced in pain. She ran her finger over the cut, then rubbed the moist blood between her index finger and thumb. "Your accent is heavy; you're not from around here. So tell me, boy, is your blood of pure heritage?"

Cypher let his head hang as he heard the woman turn to walk away, "Hell if I know... But what does it matter?"

She was ignoring him as she began to search through a cabinet in the corner of the kitchen. He could hear the shuffling of glass and pill bottles upon the wood shelves. Her footsteps grew louder as she returned in front of him. A glass of water and a white pill in her hands. Panic shot through Cypher's stiff body at the sight. He attempted to stand to fight back but the grips of the two men were too strong. They held him tightly down towards the ground as the woman ordered for the strongest to grab him by the throat. He felt the firm hand hold his chin in place as the woman shoved the pill down his throat. He gagged, attempting to spit it back out but the rush of water she then poured into his mouth carried the pill down his esophagus. Raspy coughs followed as he tried to force himself to vomit, but could not. As he knelt before her, he could feel his limbs go numb as the world darkened around him. The woman had ordered the men to let him go, upon which he immediately fell forward landing heavily onto the tile floor. He tried to pull himself to his feet, using his elbows to lift himself but collapsing once again. A cold sweat began to develop as he felt a fever begin to bite at him as his vision went dark.

"What shall we do with him, milady?" one of his capturers asked.