“Take it back, Gilbert. You no longer need the stones. You might not need us,” Trunk said. “Whatever you do now, don't interact with what you see. If you do, the weather may change." Gilbert didn't have time to respond. The feather glowed bright red at his touch. Visions of his friends formed in Gilbert's head. Mr. Pinkerton moved David Balducci, Pamela Johnson and Stephanie Peterson to the holding cells. His Uncle Arnold was tied up on a stretcher, bleeding from his wounds after being tortured. Gilbert wanted to scream but couldn't. He stood there admiring the horror as if he were there in the same underground room. Stunned, Gilbert clutched his throat as Prod Silvers' lean body lifted his Uncle Arnold off the stretcher with the power of his wand. The glare hit the gaping gashes, causing his uncle's wounds to boil. The searing sound made Gilbert cover his ears with his hands. No screams came from his uncle. He lay inert. The wounds opened and closed as the gray rodents entered the openings. His skin moved in waves as the creatures made their way into his body. Uncle Arnold's eyes snapped open. His face grimaced strangely, in an evil way. His arms went up, snapping the belts as if they were useless rags, dry and rotten. With a sudden start, he sat up to shift with his legs dangling from the stretcher. Gilbert jumped in fear. He felt two hands holding his shoulders as two more sweaty palms pressed the red Phoenix feather into Gilbert's hands. He trembled, hampered by the horrified expressions of his friends, as they stared at Prod patting his Uncle Arnold on the shoulder. *** Uncle Arnold coughed then repositioned his body before standing up. He was taller than normal. His shoulders were broader. Have the muscles sprouted out... from the center of the card... have the creatures made their way into their bodies yet?" "No, my Evaluator. They resisted parasitic excavation." "Hmm, interesting. I wonder how they do it?" "Nothing opens their skin, no matter how sharp the blade," coughed Prod. "And our illustrious Phoenix, Mr. Porter, has had no effect on them here either?" None, they seem impervious to fire.” “Well, it'll all be over soon.” Baker Dan's body stiffened with joy.***Gilbert swallowed. There was a knot in his belly, he was sure it was more, maybe a whole string. He dropped the red Phoenix feather and stared at it as if It was a trick. The sudden realization of where the gray mouse was coming from, tormenting Trunk, made him want to vomit. “Trunk, this is too much for him,” Orson said. “Yes, but… " Trunk stopped suddenly. He missed grabbing Gilbert. Gilbert fell to the ground unconscious.