Tailing the two Randises, I asked, "Alright, Rahm, Radhika, what do we know?"

For the first time through this ordeal, Rahm spoke up, "My mother just awoke from one of his spells last night." His voice was scratchy and he seemed to struggle to recall his story. "All she remembers is seeing a man who read something to her and that's it. She didn't even remember her own name."

"Rahm had told me this and I didn't believe him," Radhika picked up after her cousin fell silent. "I was convinced that they'd both knocked their heads over something. But then, not more than a few hours ago, I saw a strange looking man on a horse reading to a little boy. I couldn't hear what the two said but the boy then just collapsed to the ground and the man bent over the boy and wrote something down. Just like that, he climbed his horse and rode off." To illustrate her story, Radhika added hand motions. It was a small reminder that my ears indeed weren't deceiving me.

I crossed my arms, preparing to face a whole terrain of untouched grounds. "Any idea where this young boy is?"

Radhika nodded. "I'd confronted the man about what he'd done and when he refused to take any responsibility for what happened, I took the boy to the hospital." As we passed it, she pointed up to the town's children's hospital. "Miyal Perru was his name. His sister is in there with him right now. Another thing, the man's eyes glowed while he wrote."

"They glowed?" My jaw dropped and I looked over at Rahm, who only nodded. "Are you sure he's a Lentie?"

"If the man wasn't bluffing, then yes," Radhika sighed, just as stumped as I was. "I asked him his intentions and he said he was only searching for a Lent, his mother."

I blinked, astounded anyone would bother searching for a Lent, then requested, "Take me to where you first spotted the man and Miyal."

After a few minutes of silent walking, Radhika continued talking about this mystery man, "He swore that he didn't mean to harm Miyal and that the boy should be fine in a few days. While waiting for Mr. and Mrs. Perru, I thought about my suffering aunt so after they arrived I went to Rahm's house and told him what happened." Abruptly, Radhika stopped walking, looked around, and pointed down a backway alley leading towards the border, "It was here."

Rahm nodded and added, "I rushed to find my brother to watch Mama then Radhika and I then came to find you. I know what the man said, but it's very possible it's the same man Mama encountered. If so, then I fear a second mind has been erased in this town." A shiver went down my spine as Rahm wrapped up his final sentence.

Before heading down the alley, I turned to the two of them, "Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of this. I've been entrusted with Gyran and I cannot allow a mind eraser to run loose in it." I took off my hat and gave them a small bow. To which they bowed back.

"Thank you, sir," the Randises said in unison before making their way back.

I, however, turned to the alley and sighed.

Alright, Mystery Man, your reign on Gyran has to come to an end soon. Preferably before it even starts.