Brookridge Institute for Criminal Meta-Humans

[Narrator]

The unassuming building stood in a clearing in a forest near Sheffield. The only thing visible at a distance that alludes to the buildings purpose is the reinforced and electrified fence surrounding it. On closer inspection one would notice the barred windows and armed guards. To enter one would have to pass through several security checks, including an airlock. Once inside sterile, white hallways stretch out through the building, lined with doors that would seem more at home in a nuclear sub. Walking along one of the hallways one would eventually come to a door marked with the following.

Subject File: 00-0428-23-5607-01
Subject ID: Bell, Mary
Directing Agency: Scotland Yard, Special Containment under X-Corp Authority

[Melpomene]

Melpomene (she refused to react to being called Mary) was sitting in the bare cell that was now her home. Without anything to distract her all she could do was replay and obsess over what happened what had happened again and again. I had her. I was right there. She had lost. How did I lose? She ruined everything. I would have had her, all of them!

Maybe Samantha's unrestrained mental attack had knocked things out of order or maybe the psychopath's mind had been balancing on a narrow edge for decades and just couldn't cope with failure. Whatever it was, Melpomene was not doing very well as evidenced by the scratches ranging from 'almost healed' to 'fresh' on her neck where she had clawed at the inhibitor collar.

[Narrator]

A narrow slit opened in the cell door.

"She has been complaining about the birds. Says they keep getting into her room somehow."

"Not much we can do if she refuses therapy. Though from the files they send us I doubt it would be of much help either."

The small window is closed again.

[Melpomene]

Inside Mel is nervously staring at the ravens lined up on every available surface inside the cell. "Stop staring at me you pests! Go away, bother someone else! What do you want from me!?"