The Book of Wounded Healers (A Study in Perception)

How many heartbeats does it take to change the world?Ben Matthews, recently home from committing himself to a psychiatric center, spends a relaxing late-May day bonding with his son, Jiminy, at NYC's South Street Seaport when the East River to Brooklyn and beyond transforms into a white sand desert. Three creatures, their images shimmering in the heat like a mirage, walk across the sand towards The Battery and TriBeCa South. Ben is knocked down and loses track of Jiminy as people race to safety.The desert fades away and the three creatures walk up to Ben. The one in front says, "We are Healers from the Land of Barass." It points to the one on its right. "He is Cetaf, who cries for his own pain." It turns to the one on its left. "This is Jenreel, who tends to his own needs. I am Beriah. I will tell you how I feel."The creature offers Ben its hand. All Ben can think of to say is "I've lost my little boy."Beriah helps him up. "Then you must find him."Ben, aided by The Healers from the Land of Barass, embarks on a quest through Manhattan and learns he's lost much more than his son, and finds much more in himself.