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ignored Jinx and continued. “Because of the severity of the damage, we couldn’t afford to expend any energy on creating personal portals. We already had to waste energy locating Doors that led to Chicago. We’re going to need every bit of M-power we have left to fix this mess before dawn.”
    And since the M-gineers couldn’t be certain precisely where in Chicago those Doors led, each member of Neil’s team had chosen a different one, hoping at least some of them would let them out close to the Bean.
    “So you’re forced to travel by Door like the rest of us ordinary schlubs,” Jinx said. “That must really put your little gray undies in a twist.”
    Neil scowled but otherwise didn’t rise to the bait. “Now thanks to you two, I have to jog to AT&T Plaza – unless I can get a cab this time of night.” He nodded to Quietus. “I assume he had something to do with your monumental screw-up.”
    I was used to how crotchety Neil could get when he had to do a rush repair job – especially a big one, and I had to admit that Jinx and I had caused an impressive amount of damage, even by our standards. But that didn’t bother me as much as the fact that we’d failed to prevent Quietus from claiming another victim tonight, and I was in no mood to put up with Neil’s crap.
    “Better get moving,” I said. “The clock’s ticking, and you’ve got work to do.”
    Jinx grinned. “A lot of work.”
    Neil’s scowl deepened, and for a moment I thought he was going to start yelling at us, but instead he sighed.
    “Which direction?” he asked.
    “North,” I said, and pointed.
    Neil gave us a last dark look before turning and jogging off in the direction I’d indicated.
    Quietus had, naturally enough, said nothing during our conversation with Neil, nor had he displayed any physical reaction. He’d remained statue-still the entire time, which I found way creepier than his silence.
    “Let’s go,” I said to Jinx. “The sooner we get this sonofabitch to the Rookery, the better.”
    “You think Sanderson will let me interrogate him?” Jinx asked, practically salivating at the thought. “I’ve got some new toys I’ve been dying to try out.”
    I shrugged. “You can ask, but after what you did to Scuttleback, I think Sanderson will say no.”
    Jinx made an exaggerated pouty face. “That wasn’t my fault! I didn’t think his shell would break that easy!”
    If Quietus thought anything about our exchange – or for that matter, even heard it – he gave no sign.
    Neil had left the Door open when he departed, but only dark was visible inside – thick, impenetrable shadow that was blacker than the blackest night, blacker than the inside of the deepest subterranean cavern. Which, considering it led to a city inhabited by living nightmares, was only appropriate.
    Maintaining our mutual grip on Quietus, we stepped into the darkness. I reached behind me and pulled the Door shut, sealing us in otherworldly shadow.
     
    The transition from one dimension to another is supposedly instantaneous, but it’s never seemed so to me. There’s a moment in between when the darkness closes in and clings to you like a second skin – cold, clammy, and claustrophobia-inducing. You’re sealed in completely, like an insect caught in amber, trapped, unable to move. There’s an instant of panic, a nauseating, soul-chilling fear that this time you’re not going to make it through to the other side, that you’re going to be stuck here, wrapped in darkness, forever.
    The voices are the worst part. I’ve never told anyone on the Shadow Watch about them because they’d probably think I was crazy, and Sanderson would pull me off active duty. The sound seems to come from inside my ears as much as outside, a chorus of soft, eerie whispers, like distant ocean waves breaking against a cold, barren shore. Sometimes I think I can almost make out words, but just when I’m on the verge of understanding, I emerge from the darkness, and