Angela sat at a booth at the back of the restaurant, reading the menu. Phillip should have been here by now. But he was a stranger in town, and probably didn’t know his way.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4FyJhCbbL
A text message came in on her phone, and she tapped the screen to read it, hoping it was from Phillip. It wasn’t.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGcNB2UQrYT
“Here she is. Can I help you read the menu?” the waiter asked, his English heavily accented.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTpi0FVvJ4
She looked up to see a young man in dark glasses place a backpack on the seat and slide into the booth seating, “No, thank you.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2m0LtJrIC
“Can I get a drink for you?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1OAhMGI8Y
“Tea, please.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYtJw2u3DP
The waiter left, and Phillip extended a hand across the table, being careful not to knock anything over, “Angela? I hope?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1jiQeO0AV
Angela shook his hand, “Yes, it’s me.” He had a firm handshake, and his hand was cool.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxIdPYBsh75
He collapsed his cane and tucked it into a pouch on the side of his backpack, “I’m sorry I’m late - the cab driver couldn’t find the address.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwZJFcXaEe
“That’s all right - it’s good to meet you.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE7Lf7txVHz
“It’s good to meet you, too. Could you tell me - do they have lemon chicken on the menu, here?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1L7nCHWCQV
“They do. It’s good, too.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxrbcAZY0B
“Wonderful - I’m looking forward to that.” He smiled broadly, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Angela. How are you feeling?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUOmtVZv5Q
“Fine, just fine.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoD07oJWOyl
“And your leg?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPPE5sgHlZ0
“It’s healing. A little slower than I would like, but it’s healing.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPP1f4ayh2w
“Glad to hear it.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVretRkpHm
Angela looked up to see the waiter coming toward the table.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWxYFK4bRsQ
“Tea is here,” he said. He quickly set down two cups and saucers, then poured tea into both cups, “Careful - very hot.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cSLFP4ZpE
After the waiter left, Phillip sipped his tea, “After I died, I was adopted. In the following years, I accumulated plenty of scrapes and scratches. But I was living in a new home, exploring a new world, and I had lost my vision.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnhXEK9yl34
Neither Ray nor Phillip had thought to tell her this. Angela glanced between his dark glasses and the cane that protruded from his backpack. She remembered him saying that he’d been kicked in the head several times.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWAJ4ylv0A
She brought her attention back to what he was saying, “I was always bumping into things, and I helped in the garden - I thought I was getting all these little injuries from pulling weeds, and trimming rosebushes. I didn’t think anything of it.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7evJvdeC3H
“And then I woke up with a gash,” he pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a 3 inch white scar.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj7a96KCfG
“How old were you? What did you do?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQzPvCfqOa
“Almost 17.” He let his sleeve drop back into place, “My Dad - my new Dad - was already in my room - I’d been yelling in my sleep. It was apparent that I hadn’t done that to myself, so together we made up a story about my falling on the pruning shears in the garden shed, and went to the hospital. I missed school, I lied to my social worker, and I went home exhausted.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡugTZf2EIpe
She studied him, “Why did you have a social worker?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodaQe8DZQC
He grinned, tracing with the side of his hand the scar across his right cheek that showed starkly, “After I was killed by my foster-father, and it was decided that I was the type of person who would put up with abuse. Which I had. Ironically, it was when I stopped putting up with being abused that things got really ugly.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsuiOsby7F
“Anyway, I was assigned a social worker for more regular check-ups.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MxQg3ArOA
Angela watched him intently, “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtu69fC4Yfk
He shrugged, “It was a lifetime ago.” He chuckled, “Quite literally, in fact, a different lifetime. My new life is better. Except for the risk of dying in my sleep.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjGqodWud0
“And that’s not a little problem.” She frowned. “You said it was about three years ago that you figured out what was going on. Is that when you sent Ray to watch the E.R.?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUeJgbhkYN
“Exactly,” his fingers traced the outside rim of the teacup, “That’s also when we started researching violent deaths on the night of the new moon. It took a lot of effort, but we did locate a few cases that seemed similar. We think it was started again at least 20 years ago now, maybe earlier.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf1qNTg5b7t
“Tell me more about the Hunters.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRPa7ceDrk
Phillip sighed, “The crux of the matter is the Hunters.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq6NdDF88A
He reached over to unzip his backpack, “Before I forget, I brought this for you.” He held out a well-read book titled SAS Survival Handbook, “I recommend you read this, and take a self-defense class. The knowledge we have in life, we carry with us into our dreams.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiseBYBGje
She took the book, “Thank you.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAODQABqcx9
He produced a small book-shaped package, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. He handed it to her, “This is the original journal.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe01SjuP1r7
Angela untied the package and set the paper wrapping on the bench-seat beside her. The book’s plain leather binding had started to rot, and she lifted the cover off. The pages inside were yellowed onionskin.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH8IoOzZOA
She turned to several pages randomly - the writing was the same as the photographed pages she’d seen. She glanced up at him, noting again the dark glasses. That’s why it’s been transcribed. You can’t read it for yourself otherwise.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQ5TLPeFKL
“You’re welcome to read as much as you like. But there’s a slip of paper denoting the beginning of the relevant passages,” Phillip remarked.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkDCgC4AiW
Angela flipped forward and removed a neatly folded letter from between the pages, “Do you mind if I borrow this tonight, and bring it back tomorrow?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIGSKUhcD7
“Keep it as long as you like. Give it back to Ray when you’re done - he’ll take good care of it until it can be returned to its library.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nZAYe6brW
“Thank you,” she carefully tucked the paper back into the journal, then re-wrapped it in its protective brown paper before tucking it into her purse.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYErF9jkOb
“You said you were doubtful at first?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHzYVCT0HL
“I didn’t want to believe. I mean, it’s not good news, right?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6oZsAGwkx2
She shook her head, “No, it’s not. But it’s better than not knowing.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcQ0MVYHSI
The waiter came to take their orders, and Phillip told him that a third person would be joining them, but he would be late, and they would not wait for him.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kx5cM2Shd
“How long have you known Ray?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8zocLhVmfj
“After I was adopted, I went to a new school. He was on the welcoming committee, and we became friends pretty quick. What about you? You didn’t bring anyone with you to discuss this.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kl40QUdSB
“No. I didn’t. I don’t think anyone will believe me. My dad might have - I don’t know. It doesn’t matter - he had a fatal heart attack a few years ago.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxtAzrycun
“I’m so sorry.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg6D05cFvz
“Yeah, me too. I have people in my life, my mom and my friends, who helped me after the accident. But no one who can help me with this.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEIdLNeBwc
“Well, then, Ray and I are here for you. And Ray is close enough to help out more than I can.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxGh2bYIXq
“Thank you.” Angela paused uncertainly, “You said there are things you wanted to talk about in person.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCdJ3fyIb8
“In person,” he echoed. “I did say that, didn’t I? Some of those things, we ended up discussing on the phone. But not all of it. You remember Nathaniel mentioning Bogdanov’s Spell that Protects against Eavesdropping?"796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHGftFc5nsr
She nodded, “He used it to protect the conversations he had with Paul.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9Jcj43Syo
Phillip reached his hand across the table, holding it out expectantly, “Would you please?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0LN83k8UF
She looked at his hand for a moment, uncertain. But this was exactly why she’d wanted to meet in a public place - to be sure that if something went weird, she would be safe. “Are you telling me that you can do that, too?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH3wIvVr7eS
He gave a small nod.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5ioTLiyY0
She took his hand, and felt a thrill of energy flow through her. It took some effort not to pull away, but after a moment, the feeling subsided, leaving her feeling as though her body had become almost weightless.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSaTMw4cIF
“I’m trusting you, Angela, not to spread word of my practice. Like I said, we still have to worry about persecution.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuemn1QI55E
She watched his hand, then switched her focus to his face. He had to lean forward slightly to hold her hand, and the overhead light highlighted the stark scar that ran across his right cheek.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uzjN7vK2F
Before she could think of a response, he continued, “We have a lot of resources at our disposal. The man who adopted me is a wizard, and the man I call my uncle is a spell-writer. I, myself, am considered an novice wizard. But we have nothing to do yet. We need a way into the world that the Hunters have closed off to us. I’m hoping you and I can work together to find that.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Kf62Mcz3v
“You really are being Hunted, too?” Angela asked.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW3RYRxulf1
“I am. I am as motivated as you to put an end to it.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡolJMHIv7Zs
“I’m frightened of what’s going to happen.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlknj8XtkI
“I am, too. But like I said, I’m here for you. And if anything happens to me, my father will continue to try to find answers for you.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2sbnBz2nJH
“Have you found anything?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLlrSuuldt
“I have a charm and a rune for you. The rune will help you remember who you are in your dreams. The charm is new - I just made my own last month. It helps you remember more of the dream when you wake up. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN4HR5sWx4J
“What did it help you remember?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OwU1IhMTu
“A small waterfall. It’s not much, but this is the first month. I’m hoping for more in the future.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyRmwMzBkJE
“More, like what?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPANJUKChcR
“If I could learn my Hunter’s identity, I think my uncle could rewrite Rose’s Spell for Entering Dreams with information we could obtain. You and I aren’t the only ones with this problem. People are being killed, and I have to put a stop to it.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapvdTXKhC6
“Why you?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80W2m8ZniY
“It doesn’t have to be me. But I’ve taken it on as my primary objective. And not just because I don’t want to be another victim of the Hunt. I have an obligation to help anyone I can - it’s part of being a wizard.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiX3LnpjvnK
“And your dad?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cfUJDsdsO
“He holds the same obligation. But, well, this type of magic isn’t his specialty.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzRcwkFPLoP
“Explain, please.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcexpUg00u6
“Every wizard has a realm of influence, a type of power they can best channel. Mine is the earth - I’m good at things pertaining to plants and animals, and the ground itself. My dad, though - he’s an energy wizard. None of the realms are particularly inclined to help with dream magic, but my realm is much closer than anyone else’s.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomFxN6UcUg
“What about your uncle?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Gsb6u6x6Q
“Uncle Roger is a spell-writer. Spell-writers are such a rarity - they have absolutely no ability to channel magic.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcAmSkSZnyn
“How is that rare?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtslOygu1J
Phillip shrugged, “At this point in my training, my ability to channel magic is roughly 83. An average person - you and Ray, both, will probably rate between 30 and 40.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNwhTpx2p5
“Uncle Roger’s ability is zero. Absolutely zero. That enables them to experiment safely with all the parts of magic-work, on a theoretical level. Spell-writers are really rare - you find one for every thousand wizards.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP5HBIj7da
“And you just happen to know one?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjvZAvP1vAH
“He’s my dad’s best friend - they trained together since they were in high school. It took months for me to realize Uncle Roger had his own home - that’s how often he was around.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSL2kQOhHOh
“We’re lucky to have a resource like that, then. And how many other wizards are willing to help us?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFxG1fwwgB
“Our Guild. That’s,” he hesitated, “we lost about half of our numbers a few years back, right before I realized what was going on with the Hunters. All the Guilds east of the Mississippi did. Anyway, our Guild is eight strong, including myself and my dad. But if we asked, we could get a lot more help than that.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp43bhFdcnG
Angela sighed, “But there’s no sense asking for help if you have nothing to do. That’s why you were looking for me.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNvKinPLKe
Phillip nodded, “Exactly.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3A64JoPH8
Angela noticed the waiter coming toward them with a tray, and released Phillip’s hand. A brief sense of disorientation passed over her, gone before the waiter set her plate in front of her.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡONH5jQBBj5
After the waiter had gone, Phillip’s right hand found the chopsticks next to his plate, and he picked them up, “We’ll talk more later. For now, though, tell me about school. What are you studying?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzchlSJxgf
“Communications. I wanted to be a journalist, but now I’m leaning towards editor. You?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu4kxN465K
“I wanna be a social worker. I want to help kids not be stuck, like I was, in a terrifying situation they feel they cannot escape from.”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPSv7LTB2Q
“So what were you doing this last weekend, that you didn’t want to tell me about?”796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbRYwhpMU5J
“You know how I said Nathaniel kept a journal of who he helped, and how? I got to make an entry in my own journal this weekend,” Phillip was smiling.796Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2BZjXnHODh
and then Add to home screen.