The Risen: Dawning (36 page)

A
gate rattles against its metal clasp with fingers searching to understand the cause of the barrier that is blocking its entrance to the music that floats in the air. Translucent eyes follow the length of the metal wiring looking for a clue to its operation. Its fingers slide along the diamond shapes looking for a gap, or a break in its pattern, to reach through.

The gate gives its secrets away under the examination, unable to keep them hidden forever, and the hand slides between the two metal poles finding a new pattern. It feels along the two poles with its mind racing to put the puzzle together. This piece rocks against pressure applied to it, sliding along the other metal pole and a faint memory comes forward.

Before long, the eyes find the logic that has been escaping it. Pulling upon this new piece lifts it up, freeing it from its holding. The barrier still does not move for it and it voices sounds of frustration over the failure as it tries again to solve the puzzle.

The barrier does shift now, where as before it was a constant force blocking it. The eyes watch as different focal points of pressure affect the movement of the barrier. Gripping the metal tightly, it pulls it sideways instead of pressing upon it, and is rewarded with the sound of movement.

Growing more confident with the logic, it walks down the length of the barrier, pulling the metal shapes with it, watching with grinning satisfaction as the barrier moves with moans of betrayal. The music that draws it here is no longer blocked. The barrier is removed, and it smiles with the victory, as screaming pitches of a melody lure it into a newly discovered area.

It is not alone. It is joined by others like it. Others that have followed with the same curiosity as to what they are hearing. Others that are hungry and have run out of prey to feed them. The new area fills with their many forms, as they creep, silently into the darkness before them with one shared purpose.