Stefan took the book in his hands and looked at a low-definition copy of a handmade illustration titled Life cycle of ‘Paractus obliquus’ (common name: paractus). It showed the three developmental stages of a monster plant that started, indeed, similar to a large artichoke. The first stage of development looked very close to what Rosario had described. The second one showed a similar organism but much taller, with the scales opening slightly at the top. The last image presented the plant now thrice its original size, with all the scales piled towards the bottom half of the creature and pointing outside, like the petals of a blooming rose. From the opening at the top of the monster plant emerged five stems, pointing upwards and then down at the end; each one carried a large spherical structure.

It wasn’t a unique developmental pattern, but what caught Stefan’s attention was a note indicating this plant produced, during all of its stages of development, small independent offshoots of around two centimeters in length, which the author called “parasitic offshoots”.

The siblings had never heard that before, and Stefan began reading in a whisper.

Once infested, the parasitic offshoot can modify the host’s behavior, causing it to act in defense of the otherwise helpless plant.

“Can monster plants really do that?” asked Franziska.

He shrugged and continued.

These ‘helpers’ can act not only as defenders, but can also have the function of providing the ‘Paractus obliquus’ with nutrient sources and aid in dispersing its large seed pods.

“Those would be the bulbs hanging from the stems, right?” She asked again, pointing at the third illustration.

“I think so. Let me finish.”

Infested animals found in the vicinity of a paractus specimen included mammalian, avian, and reptile species. In all cases, the parasitic offshoot nested itself subcutaneously in the back of the neck near the ‘foramen magnum’, thus positioning itself in an anatomic area from where it can access the central nervous system, while at the same time avoid been bitten or scratched off by the host. There is no evidence to exclude the possibility of parasitic offshoots infesting human beings. To the author’s knowledge, this species hasn’t been observed in regions adjacent to the Highland, but it is recommended for it to be exterminated as soon as suspicions of its presence arise.

Stefan put the book down. “A plant that produces mind-controlling parasites… that’s creepy,” he admitted. “I’m glad Rosario killed it.”

“I think the lizard I found in the camper was infested too,” said Franziska, still too interested in the topic to be disturbed by its implications. “It had that weird bump on the back of its neck. Do you think the people that attacked us were infested as well? Maybe the lizard called the infested people to come and protect it, and that’s why they attacked.”

“And it would also explain why people were hunting animals to feed the monster,” added Stefan, lost in thought.

The explanation made sense, but the idea of a monster plant that could manipulate people just like that was disturbing. Lost in thought, Stefan silently watched the boats at the harbor and wondered how much could a paractus really influence a human being. Was it all based on broad instinctive calls? Or could there be a more sophisticated level of instruction? The monster Rosario encountered was a young one, but what about a more developed one?

After a moment, he stood up. “We should go back. It’s ten-fifteen, and Rosario is probably waiting for us at the inn. We’ll ask her and see what she thinks.”

*****

The siblings greeted the innkeeper, who announced their companion hadn’t returned yet, so they went up to the room. It was only a few minutes past the agreed upon time; Rosario would probably be back at any moment.

Franziska sat near the window and looked outside with a disappointed expression. “Maybe they invited her for a tour around the castle… she could have invited us too.”

In the end, they didn't buy anything other than the book and the chocolate bar. Stefan packed them and waited. It was now eleven o'clock.

“Stefan, I’m bored,” said his sister, still by the window.

“I’ll go get us something to drink in the meantime,” Stefan announced and left the room.

He walked down the hallway and to the stairs, at the same time he heard the door open in the lobby below, and masculine voices talking to the innkeeper. As he got closer, he managed to understand their exchange.

“Gentlemen, you know I’m always willing to collaborate with the guards’ job, but this is quite the unusual request.”

“I’m aware so, ma’am, but it’s for you and your guest’s safety. The visitors are crystal hunters who arrived in town yesterday, and it was confirmed that insufficient inspection was carried out before allowing them to enter the town. We need to check their belongings to make sure they aren’t accidentally carrying crystals with them. I have to ask you to keep this information private, as we don’t want to raise unnecessary alarm. Now please, we need you and the other staff members and guests to leave the house.”

In other circumstances, the situation would have been acceptable to Stefan even if he knew he wasn’t carrying crystals; he was aware of the fear people had of crystals, so it was best to cooperate. But after the discovery he and Franziska made today, about the monster plant that could control people’s minds, he would not let anyone get close. Especially not after the attack from the day before and Rosario’s delay in coming back from the castle.

He started walking back to the room, and after hearing fast footsteps on the wooden stairs behind, he began to run, yelling Franziska’s name. But the men were faster, and one held him firmly by the wrist.

“Come with us calmly. Make a scene and your teacher will pay for it,” whispered the guard in his ear.

At the end of the hallway, Franziska opened the door and froze at the scene.

“Franzi, go back! Run!” yelled Stefan, before the pain of his hand being twisted took the breath out of him.

Franziska disappeared back inside the room. It took the guard only a few seconds to reach the door and open it, but the girl was nowhere to be seen. He started looking in the obvious places: under the bed, inside the closet and the bathroom, and after not finding her, he began turning the room upside down in anger. Only then did he realize the closed window was unlocked.

The guard looked outside but didn’t see the girl either. He was sure she had run out that way, pushing the window back to its closed position before hiding somewhere on the roof, but he didn’t dare step onto the clay tiles.

The other guard, who was still holding Stefan by the arm, entered the room. “Go get help. She can’t be that far.”

Hidden behind a chimney up in a nearby roof, Franziska saw Stefan and the guards leave the inn, then walk towards the castle and past the gate, which was promptly closed behind them.

 *****