This started a few weeks ago while I was in Florida with Natasha. I was up early one morning and decided to take in the sunrise on the beach.

What I found was a body on the shore. It was a little girl. When I drew near, I could see sand covering her face. It was sticking there, especially around the eyes from the blood.

Her eye's had been plucked out by some means.

Her breathing was shallow and it seemed that she had gone into shock. Not surprising given the state I found her in. I immediately called for emergency services and then set to administering what first aid I could.

Having recently returned to the area, I checked in on the girl. Her parents were located in the interim and have been by her bedside as much as they could since she was found. Her name is Clara Kalb and she is six years old. She's been in a coma since I found her. None of the doctors know why as shes appears to be in perfect health.

With her parents permission I conducted my own examination. I can find no medical reason for her condition. It's like her mind is just someplace else.

The local authorities theorize that her eyes were taken by crows (pictures indicate she had some very bright, blue eyes) while she was napping out on the beach. Then she got lost and turned up where I found her. They also suspect that the trauma of the event has caused her mind to retreat within itself.

Talking with the parents has revealed some additional facts. She scored quite high on various aptitude tests. She was very creative with a colorful imagination. I've seen several of her drawings and she may have been a prodigy.

On her mothers side, there is some alleged history of psychic history.

Recently, she had been complaining about being visited by 'the boogy man' (her words as related by her parents) at night.

I found no evidence of foul play nor of supernatural activity at her home.

Indeed Mr. Caliburn. So far as I am concerned, this coma is a medical mystery.

I'm going to run some tests today and see what sort of brain activity is occuring.

That's an interesting lead, Hannah. And while I have my doubts about a connection, it's worth looking into.

So I won't be around for a few days. Natasha, if you're reading this, try not to put yourself into any situations where you might need to call me.

Before I go though, I should relate the additional information I have discovered.

First of all, the girl has entered a state of near constant REM sleep. This is a relatively new development and it is worrisome. REM should be part of a deep sleep cycle, with a person slipping in and out of it over the course of a night.

Also, the brain is quite active. The areas associated with fear seem to be hyperstimulated. As are areas responsible for creative thought and imagination. She appears to be having a constant nightmare, of her own creation.

She... that is to say, Clara, is still completely unresponsive to any outside stimuli. I have been consulting with her physician and we have discussed several therapies to attempt to snap her out of it.

I’ve missed field work. Don’t tell my family. Still, I'm glad to be back and I have made some small progress.

This particular research mission required some rather fancy clothes. Almost like cosplay. Might be why I was so excited about the chance, despite the seriousness of the matter.

My search for a very unique patient would start out in Milwaukee. It was Hannah that gave me the idea to search out patients with somewhat similar conditions. Not that I did any searching in Milwaukee. But I figured that since I was going to be in the neighborhood, so to speak, I should take care of some business.

After my arrival, I bought a paper and took a stroll down the market square.

“Shine your shoes?” a boy’s voice called out to me.

I lowered the paper to spot a lad between the ages of ten and twelve. His dirty clothes suggested too much time spent on polluted streets. Yet they were in good condition, suggesting he was cared for. I let my eyes drop down to my new shoes. I hadn’t polished them in my rush to get underway, “very well.” I took the available seat.

“You’re from out of town, ain’tcha?” the street urchin asked.

“Indeed,” I answered with a smile, “what gave me away?”

“Your accent. It’s a funny one, boss.”

Remembering a crass joke I heard once, I said, “please don’t call me boss. Dr. Knight, if you please. And since introductions are being made, may I have your name?”

“Ehrie,” he said as he set about smearing polish about on my shoes.

“Harry?” I asked, mishearing his name.

“Eh-Ree,” he clarified for me. “But Harry is close enough.”

“Ehrie,” I attempted the proper pronunciation, “what do you hear? What’s new in the city?”

He started filling me in on various gossip while he worked on my shoes. I listened while I started reading the paper once more. Canada was mentioned. Apparently there was some trouble with the Métis in Saskatchewan. The government and the mounted police seemed to be on top of things, however.

Never trust a prophet, I always say.

Locally, all the talk was about the new President.

Ehrie was finishing up, and a professional job he had done of it too. “Ehrie, can you direct me to the office of public records, or Registrar?”

“Have some paperwork to file, do you?” he asked with a grin. “It’s just down the road that way a few blocks.”

I gave him a dollar for his efforts, a sum he seemed to think was generous indeed, “there anything else I can do for you, Doc?”

“Not really…” I was somewhat keen to get on with what I was here for.

“Wait! I know a magic trick!” He then proceeded to some very fancy card tricks.

“That’s some talented sleight of hand you know there, Ehrie,” I said, ruffling the boys hair. “But it’s not magic.”

“How do you know that?” He demanded.

I then proceeded to explain exactly how he had done each trick and why it worked the way it did. I concluded with, “never credit to magic what can be explained rationally. There are many mysteries in this world but real magic is rare indeed.” I tapped his forehead, “this here is one of the greatest mysteries of all. Use it to solve the others or risk becoming a sucker for the next huckster to pass by.”

Then I shook his hand and went on my way. Ehrie was a smart boy who would go places.

P.S. The flowers that Hannah sent were recieved and placed in the girls room. Variegated Tulips are a bit of an odd favorite for a young girl but hopefully their scent will bring some peace to her mind.

After my paper work was filed, I had to travel to Spain. There was a ten year old girl there with no eyes. I needed a translator to consult with the child’s physicians but such was easily provided.

This child had been born with no eyes and she wasn't in a coma. So unfortunately, it was not related to the case I was studying. But when the physicians heard about my case, they excitedly told me of a similar one in Berlin. This one was of a young boy of about ten years.

So it was that I soon found myself in Berlin. Again a translator was used to communicate with physicians, parents and legal professionals.

This case had remarkable similarities.

The boy was a talented visual artist, whose sculptures were those of someone who had trained for decades.

He complained of a ‘scary man’ who visited after dark, to his parents.

His eyes had apparently been snatched out by birds although there were no witnesses to the event. A portrait revealed some very soulful brown eyes.

After losing his eyes, he fell into a coma. This coma was somewhat different however. He could respond to some outside stimuli. For example, he could be forced to swallow food and water. Sometimes he would mutter in his sleep but always unintelligibly.

Otherwise, my examination showed he was in a near constant state of REM sleep and the areas associated with fear were also nearly constantly stimulated.

Aside from minor differences in the coma state, it seemed to be a near identical case.

The only other curiosity of the case was that the parents had wanted to let the boy die naturally. They were blocked by a local lawyer by the name of Coppelius who had gotten the child to become a ward of the state. He had argued that this was a medical mystery and the child should continue to live so that medicine might be advanced by the study of his condition.

There is quite a divide between these two cases and yet the similarities are unmistakable. I shall have to see if I can find any other cases of this occurring.

I belieive it is Eastern European/Jewish.

I'm afraid there has been no change in Clara's condition although I haven't given up as yet.

There was an interesting break in the case on another front, however. I discovered a case that occurred about thirty years ago. A Beth-Anne Blanche-Field was allegedly attacked by birds while on the beach in Sydney. Her eyes were plucked out and she was discovered in much the same manner as Clara. She was seven years old at the time.

She died while in coma about three days after I discovered Clara.

I have been in contact with her parents and siblings. They tell me that she was a young artist, painting vivid landscapes. Her brother, only a year older than her, remembers that she had trouble sleeping and confided in him that an ugly man would visit her when she tried to sleep. She shared a room with a younger sister who has no recollection of nighttime visitations.

The search for more cases matching this profile continues.

In the meantime, I considering some experimental virtual reality technology to attack the problem.

An update.

Help has come from a new quarter. A chartible organization calling itself the "Hourglass Foundation" has approached Clara's parents. The charity helps children with medical problems but has a special interest in children in coma's.

The foundation was started by Edward Peterson when his own daughter went into a coma. I have met the man and he has allowed me to examine his daughter and to review evidence and information pertaining to the case. There are remarkable parrallels.

I have begun sharing information with the organization. Apparently they have encountered a few other cases that were similar in nature. They are curious about the progress I have made in my own studies. It seems like a good idea to pool resources in this matter.

It is heartening to see others so willing to assist others in need.

Although it is causing some issues. They wish to examine some of the equipment I am using and I am quite unwilling to allow it. It could greatly complicate things. I am concerned that they may try to block my own attempts to help through well meaning interference.

I continue to be frustrated by this Hourglass Foundation. While they have made all information available to me as promised, I have been restricted in the use of tools I can use to examine the daughter of the head of the Foundation.

They are also attempting to block my attempts to help Clara. First they attempted to persuade the family to limit my activities. Fortunately I have their trust so I have been allowed to continue. Then they threatened to withhold thier support but I assured the family I would provide any finicial and medical assistance they and their daughter might need.

The Foundation hasn't withdrawn it's support. However, they continue to warn of potential health concerns that my treatments and investigations might cause. I feel as though I'm back in the damn middle ages!

I am almost done preparing my VR equipment. Soon, I will be able to see directly what Clara is seeing.

I was thinking of letting others come observe when the time comes. Maybe even participate.

Slayer wrote:I have some experience with the mind, and the depths inside that one can hide. But I think Wie may be better suited for this task as her abilities are quite strong as seen by the help she provided Nemesis.

If she offers her assistance, I will accept but the fact is that she is just one person with limitations. She has her own concerns to deal with at the moment.

Besides, I have not entirely ruled out more mundane causes as yet. Just because I am currently at a loss for an explanation does not automatically require a supernatural answer.

I shall post when my fancy gewgaws are ready. Supernatural occurence or not, it is sure to be an interesting experience.

Speaking of breaks, I've spent all morning repairing damage caused by a couple of mischievious little bastards.

The surprise was on them though, as they were caught and dealt with.

I'll be delayed a few days, that is all.

With our Avatars programmed and the two of us hooked into our virtual gear, we entered Clara's dream.

There is always some initial disorientation whenever one shifts from one reality to another. It takes awhile for the mind to start reconciling new sensory inputs to something more recognizable. I’ve experienced it many times and it still takes me a second or two to get my bearings.

To his credit, the good Doctor Boggs recovered nearly as fast as I did. I suppose warping reality to one’s will prepares one for having reality warped around you.

He looked quite different. Younger, slimmer and buffer. His clothes fit neatly, as though perfectly tailored for him. Well, strictly speaking, they were. It was a good thing. The purpose of the Avatar program is more than merely cosmetic. As human beings, our self-confidence is connected to our image of ourselves. We were going to need every advantage we could muster here in Clara’s mind.

Looking around, I recognized the landscape now around us. “I’ve been here before.”

Dr. Boggs adjusted his hat, “Oh great. Where are we?”

“Hell,” I stated simply.

“Worst. Trip. Ever.” My mystic companion deadpanned.

At least I’m sure he was deadpanning.

“Are you guys superheroes?” It was a small, scared girls voice coming from behind us.

Turning, we both regarded the person we had come to save. Little Clara was dressed in a dirty sun dress. It was burnt in places. Likewise, her face was smudged although her beautiful eyes were plain to see even through the dirt. In her hands, looking almost out of place were a bouquet of flowers. An exact match for the flowers sent by Hannah. Apparently some part of her mind had been able to perceive them and then take comfort from their scent.

Dr. Boggs and I exchanged looks. Then he turned back to her and took a knee to face her evenly. “Sure sweety. We’re here to save you from the bad guys.”

Her little face gathered all the seriousness a six year old is capable of. “Good. Because they’re not happy you’re here.” Then she nodded past us.

Turning, we faced the unhappy horde of misshapen demonic creatures.

Eldritch energies flowed from the tips of Dr. Boggs’ fingers and at the ground around our opponents. Immediately, their feet were rooted to the blue glowing substance that now snared them.

Some were not immediately caught and came charging around their immobile fellows. I leapt into action to meet them, drawing my two swords as I did so. To think that the jocks at school teased me for taking fencing lessons. If they could see the chunky salsa I was currently turning my foes into, they may have reconsidered their condescending attitude, I think.

Dr. Boggs followed up his initial spell with a number of energy bolts, targeting individual demon creatures that tried to get around my bladed dance. Empowered as he was, they usually exploded into ichor with a single hit.

When the dust and guts settled, Clara was staring at us with the widest eyes you’ve ever seen. “You guys really are superheroes!” She wiped away a tear that had started to streak down her cheek. “Can you save some friends of mine?”