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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPAHpZo1bz
A text message came in on her phone, and she tapped the screen to read it, hoping it was from Phillip. It wasn’t.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYdSEVxbCeD
“Here she is. Can I help you read the menu?” the waiter asked, his English heavily accented.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjux2f2qAOA
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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgLFRho2Zf
“Can I get a drink for you?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDw4vKGrnkR
“Tea, please.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKQCRMXqrB
The waiter left, and Phillip extended a hand across the table, being careful not to knock anything over, “Angela? I hope?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8EadVv48V
Angela shook his hand, “Yes, it’s me.” He had a firm handshake, and his hand was cool.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVy5ue3Y8F
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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEAyOcNtF5
“That’s all right - it’s good to meet you.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2C5vOfFAg
“It’s good to meet you, too. Could you tell me - do they have lemon chicken on the menu, here?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLfvuBb6Qq
“They do. It’s good, too.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqH2MLyGHd
“Wonderful - I’m looking forward to that.” He smiled broadly, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Angela. How are you feeling?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZPHSrN1M4
“Fine, just fine.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsPglGEeopE
“And your leg?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbkP5AwH4S
“It’s healing. A little slower than I would like, but it’s healing.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD66HSParF2
“Glad to hear it.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig5UmxKj1K
Angela looked up to see the waiter coming toward the table.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5bYDkjBr5
“Tea is here,” he said. He quickly set down two cups and saucers, then poured tea into both cups, “Careful - very hot.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqrprQMtlC
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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIcVOJlah1
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFphtL20j9n
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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYuV6y9EQF
“And then I woke up with a gash,” he pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a 3 inch white scar.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAW7LgcQ3Q5
“How old were you? What did you do?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGCHYPSBkS
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQk6IzY0Vk
She studied him, “Why did you have a social worker?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDwsGi3tTJ
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQ8FUwPmjK
“Anyway, I was assigned a social worker for more regular check-ups.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLZ20amW93
Angela watched him intently, “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Tq8QwBL5
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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKbBn1qFJE
“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.?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfH9JryHwl4
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUxws1hgAV
“Tell me more about the Hunters.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfeRpbzzWP
Phillip sighed, “The crux of the matter is the Hunters.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡidqp3Ftmq1
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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8afJ2SlXE
She took the book, “Thank you.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9CNImKI4O
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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJWY3MMWXnh
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FS25tZnmu
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzP5lPW2IS
“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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW54eCOqi3g
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?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKQajT744IR
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wymq47vVf
“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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpaZj4E63q
“You said you were doubtful at first?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7oBuUk69U
“I didn’t want to believe. I mean, it’s not good news, right?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDd5vyHP8Mi
She shook her head, “No, it’s not. But it’s better than not knowing.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfcbnCWdUd
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqv6iQOqps5
“How long have you known Ray?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIHcvdWtg2
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5o3tEGlBok
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1y296wjgm
“I’m so sorry.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5DKBwNkud
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HpCKu5AzI
“Well, then, Ray and I are here for you. And Ray is close enough to help out more than I can.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFYfU7hvKC
“Thank you.” Angela paused uncertainly, “You said there are things you wanted to talk about in person.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILCTHbnw2Q
“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?"540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCeSP6KLw0G
She nodded, “He used it to protect the conversations he had with Paul.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNhrRRQ3Mdg
Phillip reached his hand across the table, holding it out expectantly, “Would you please?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmBOAF3dgx
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?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOQpk3Hqy3m
He gave a small nod.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fF10aIXFL
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCKKRWhrOug
“I’m trusting you, Angela, not to spread word of my practice. Like I said, we still have to worry about persecution.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDQ2lhgIrL
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2bf8UmSvm
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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6pkIO6bbxk
“You really are being Hunted, too?” Angela asked.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdbnwljF2h
“I am. I am as motivated as you to put an end to it.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDin5Syekx
“I’m frightened of what’s going to happen.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6uE0CthPLo
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz03MfgPGP
“Have you found anything?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX9XuMWXZu4
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPA1VF9OUke
“What did it help you remember?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzTexh8yMq
“A small waterfall. It’s not much, but this is the first month. I’m hoping for more in the future.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49HJKT32xw
“More, like what?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBczB7HHIXV
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfu26B4wX8A
“Why you?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVZmtqZLoP
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPfH8w3Kdo
“And your dad?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmS2UXoI18q
“He holds the same obligation. But, well, this type of magic isn’t his specialty.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhnr00N7deh
“Explain, please.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3vIgDfRor
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnDJDOpyA6
“What about your uncle?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaUOIbTMh0
“Uncle Roger is a spell-writer. Spell-writers are such a rarity - they have absolutely no ability to channel magic.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSyMVGSw5La
“How is that rare?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b3BcCeB4H
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 40.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlKcZ2Ug0y
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp2NwsMzQwO
“And you just happen to know one?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6zK5su5T9
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgkh7RtI2v
“We’re lucky to have a resource like that, then. And how many other wizards are willing to help us?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxY6s37EPzs
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jYbLjp67d
Angela sighed, “But there’s no sense asking for help if you have nothing to do. That’s why you were looking for me.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzJuWJwcFd
Phillip nodded, “Exactly.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKK5GZ775e
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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnwLet6uDS
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?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVTr5KTirp
“Communications. I wanted to be a journalist, but now I’m leaning towards editor. You?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8OyLEnOak
“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.”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnpBwBcoeT
“So what were you doing this last weekend, that you didn’t want to tell me about?”540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64inJWaTKZ
“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.540Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4Rpr7c3tw
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