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“Fascinating, dead cousin.” M bobbed his head. “You could be correct.”
“Actually, my name is Pavel.”
“The brain has this innate ability to filter experiences in order to maintain mental stability.” M went over to a bookcase and began browsing the titles. “Where is that book on defense mechanisms?”
I raised my eyebrows.
“This was a concept originally proposed by Sigmund Freud and later expanded by his daughter Anna Freud.” M shook his head. “Lunita have you been messing around with my books?”
“No one cares about your boring books.”
M gave up his search by the bookcase. “These mechanisms serve as the brain’s unconscious guards, defending the ego against anxiety and unacceptable impulses.”
I leaned my head to the side. “So you not being able to see the city is your brain protecting you?”
“Maybe.” M gestured to Pavel. “It was your dead cousin’s theory, but I agree he may have a valid point.”
Pavel cleared his throat. “Again, my name is Pavel.”
“It is.” M nodded. “But right now you are dead, which I must remember in this moment so I can further study this concept. You are not real. It must be noted. But are you some detached part of Kazimir’s mind or—”
“I am not important.” Pavel nervously shifted his weight to his other foot. “Please give him a clue so that we can leave.”
M eyed me. “A clue?”
Lunita chuckled. She had plopped herself down into M’s chair. “The nasty lion thinks he is Watson.”
“You mean Sherlock Holmes.” M scowled at her. “Get out of my chair.”
Lunita huffed and rose.
M put his view back on me. “What type of clue do you want?”
“I want to help you all find the original.”
“Aww.” M clapped his hands. “That is a very interesting turn of events. Especially if you can see what we can’t see.”
“Exactly.”
“The human brain, in its quest to protect the individual, will alter, omit, and even distort reality.” M held out his hands. “While these mechanisms serve a critical protective function, especially in the face of trauma or distress, they also pose challenges to self-awareness and authentic living.”
I looked around. “My mouse said you had some room with diagrams and things in there. However, she did say she couldn’t understand some of the garbled writing—”
“Garbled.” M touched his chest. “There is nothing garbled on those boards.”
“She had difficulty reading everything.”
“Did she?”
“Yes.”
“I wonder if you can read it.” M headed over to a door between bookcases, opened it, and disappeared.
Fascinated, I headed that way.
Pavel followed, but the little girl and Lunita remained in the office.
Once I stepped in, so much caught my eyes.
