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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGj9CV5v0NK
A text message came in on her phone, and she tapped the screen to read it, hoping it was from Phillip. It wasn’t.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVA7qZFH08j
“Here she is. Can I help you read the menu?” the waiter asked, his English heavily accented.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqgWzfdjVy
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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YCZmzxG1t
“Can I get a drink for you?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg287u8rcbM
“Tea, please.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vBEsftkyn
The waiter left, and Phillip extended a hand across the table, being careful not to knock anything over, “Angela? I hope?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOY2ol1gPBX
Angela shook his hand, “Yes, it’s me.” He had a firm handshake, and his hand was cool.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlVeptsox1D
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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8ZRGSjyfg
“That’s all right - it’s good to meet you.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb00WWhDfbE
“It’s good to meet you, too. Could you tell me - do they have lemon chicken on the menu, here?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ66GAIgNrLR
“They do. It’s good, too.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfa9E5WfUxT
“Wonderful - I’m looking forward to that.” He smiled broadly, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Angela. How are you feeling?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZ05V777j4
“Fine, just fine.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS69Beev4x
“And your leg?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡruR58qjPK1
“It’s healing. A little slower than I would like, but it’s healing.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1LdhdhWb5
“Glad to hear it.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4FJb1n3kca
Angela looked up to see the waiter coming toward the table.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLvusfSyin
“Tea is here,” he said. He quickly set down two cups and saucers, then poured tea into both cups, “Careful - very hot.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7kO2ec5re
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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGzb2eaq0s
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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4VTh9kFGX
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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyd9G9JVckB
“And then I woke up with a gash,” he pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a 3 inch white scar.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC86Dic9qH0
“How old were you? What did you do?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLFHpM7PFU
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwioAR7EJv
She studied him, “Why did you have a social worker?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJMmq75X1v
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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowfBC221ox
“Anyway, I was assigned a social worker for more regular check-ups.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5X4izjlyBQ
Angela watched him intently, “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GdMXtiXtY
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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnHOK1BvHs
“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.?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SNzOkKOMs
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvqsFlrILX
“Tell me more about the Hunters.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjKKHgmAEY
Phillip sighed, “The crux of the matter is the Hunters.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ799cZAH2wK
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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44jBg5Nq7g
She took the book, “Thank you.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnIufsvWHY
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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEJazckifE
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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliBYlZQRe1
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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HZHqiU1Y0
“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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOjASPKAnm
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?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdMJEjQ2p2x
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxxiBkn8NP
“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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjbB9SHqAQO
“You said you were doubtful at first?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpr1jlcdVJL
“I didn’t want to believe. I mean, it’s not good news, right?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmQUK4SpyP
She shook her head, “No, it’s not. But it’s better than not knowing.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNKGMUWnOj
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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWkmXo70MX
“How long have you known Ray?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiwWFCMEd7U
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEgOYBu86lx
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzitlIlsZp5
“I’m so sorry.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD8EHx3Xuw
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bWYlu0VBx
“Well, then, Ray and I are here for you. And Ray is close enough to help out more than I can.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6D9pg9IEZ
“Thank you.” Angela paused uncertainly, “You said there are things you wanted to talk about in person.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpVLGf9Ovy
“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?"510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpDCDnlhx7r
She nodded, “He used it to protect the conversations he had with Paul.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut37mZIK8i
Phillip reached his hand across the table, holding it out expectantly, “Would you please?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIilWGuCrG
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?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLuQTZGgV2n
He gave a small nod.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzKyxIZyfa
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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrmbjulGcpi
“I’m trusting you, Angela, not to spread word of my practice. Like I said, we still have to worry about persecution.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqcnc7sC3e1
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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg0pKbxYKL
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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBhQ9tMZDT
“You really are being Hunted, too?” Angela asked.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFZKfzzZv2
“I am. I am as motivated as you to put an end to it.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapC8kSG5D0
“I’m frightened of what’s going to happen.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRdak6dKCbV
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHudqizqpRa
“Have you found anything?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyd0089efh
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡki4hmQi705
“What did it help you remember?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxL38juQYcU
“A small waterfall. It’s not much, but this is the first month. I’m hoping for more in the future.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii9RZHMxJI
“More, like what?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYivOJPFf3k
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhX0faGJKTY
“Why you?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuuP6cg29g
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfLyPAcnX5
“And your dad?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt2NMN2I0wB
“He holds the same obligation. But, well, this type of magic isn’t his specialty.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P2P2lDoPE
“Explain, please.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMzpGYnqhA9
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjhu9fGmxG
“What about your uncle?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPGyh7PTss
“Uncle Roger is a spell-writer. Spell-writers are such a rarity - they have absolutely no ability to channel magic.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkKq4MWQgv
“How is that rare?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR62DR6E8jI
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 40.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qiMtXOZTW
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCeLVIibZS
“And you just happen to know one?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhUfr7XraN
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9U4TLfnII3
“We’re lucky to have a resource like that, then. And how many other wizards are willing to help us?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCMrvoQa43
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXrJGQMxZAn
Angela sighed, “But there’s no sense asking for help if you have nothing to do. That’s why you were looking for me.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fMfRbJsRr
Phillip nodded, “Exactly.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQv0E4amI2
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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJ6d2zoeY1
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?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡADKKXHynTK
“Communications. I wanted to be a journalist, but now I’m leaning towards editor. You?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6wlTI7NS0
“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.”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpyPKsEncf
“So what were you doing this last weekend, that you didn’t want to tell me about?”510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVK5ZbAsM1
“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.510Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3el3w6fCV1
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