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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnxWGbZiL4g
A text message came in on her phone, and she tapped the screen to read it, hoping it was from Phillip. It wasn’t.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmO5uJXDl7t
“Here she is. Can I help you read the menu?” the waiter asked, his English heavily accented.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OKeTHcwR5
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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknfaKo0KmX
“Can I get a drink for you?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzAoKTYQxc
“Tea, please.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIIlSIxhGRN
The waiter left, and Phillip extended a hand across the table, being careful not to knock anything over, “Angela? I hope?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXIDwK5lBo
Angela shook his hand, “Yes, it’s me.” He had a firm handshake, and his hand was cool.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPExBhCWeSe
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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6qwrE0ez4
“That’s all right - it’s good to meet you.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNDBNUKmRb
“It’s good to meet you, too. Could you tell me - do they have lemon chicken on the menu, here?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCx89SbxAt
“They do. It’s good, too.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPHwGsAOfw
“Wonderful - I’m looking forward to that.” He smiled broadly, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Angela. How are you feeling?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdfh6k65w3o
“Fine, just fine.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBvYNNYD9Y
“And your leg?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxARc7PxDt
“It’s healing. A little slower than I would like, but it’s healing.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Td1EoXK9u
“Glad to hear it.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7nmboWs5Xz
Angela looked up to see the waiter coming toward the table.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPK3QfIWOi
“Tea is here,” he said. He quickly set down two cups and saucers, then poured tea into both cups, “Careful - very hot.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2AVwaK2Y2h
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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmk1CB0KaYU
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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQovNu9COv
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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBNzYl3oMv
“And then I woke up with a gash,” he pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a 3 inch white scar.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbfBoTiahb
“How old were you? What did you do?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ9biGZnOK0
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssiQwXQTsE
She studied him, “Why did you have a social worker?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtMy3VEucj
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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRiG7zjS98E
“Anyway, I was assigned a social worker for more regular check-ups.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VuXWgHPWL
Angela watched him intently, “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtbS58qTaR
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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOBOwwuTeu
“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.?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNecXbR1uxa
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYlUVSjYXo
“Tell me more about the Hunters.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqFBck29CS
Phillip sighed, “The crux of the matter is the Hunters.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpBdqUF3WT
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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJILiVrFEFp
She took the book, “Thank you.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iQXnjpPFE
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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NhKkXj6OB
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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoGY4s1z8K
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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf9G3vSM2D
“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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7lNy07Wbzq
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?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTUW4kJ1P6
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUsD4qIqo2
“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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiianNYTCMd
“You said you were doubtful at first?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdTrZna3fq
“I didn’t want to believe. I mean, it’s not good news, right?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKvfwxLtBK9
She shook her head, “No, it’s not. But it’s better than not knowing.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtADXJbD99M
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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBsS10GBnh
“How long have you known Ray?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IitDUrT6J
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq2pI5DCAO
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxujnLAhFUf
“I’m so sorry.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWipeI2JgP9
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPW5WV83AWV
“Well, then, Ray and I are here for you. And Ray is close enough to help out more than I can.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRB158FCb0z
“Thank you.” Angela paused uncertainly, “You said there are things you wanted to talk about in person.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HzhhzdSg7
“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?"430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbe7n7DRoEX
She nodded, “He used it to protect the conversations he had with Paul.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKVgAHOXa4
Phillip reached his hand across the table, holding it out expectantly, “Would you please?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHigKDLM4B
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?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbbqfzeXRXV
He gave a small nod.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2cnQFFydFu
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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLK004nvST
“I’m trusting you, Angela, not to spread word of my practice. Like I said, we still have to worry about persecution.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgsRkvskpw
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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlyFpNmt2K1
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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsFFbyYq6W
“You really are being Hunted, too?” Angela asked.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vquKJclAo
“I am. I am as motivated as you to put an end to it.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjLHtTkRoQ
“I’m frightened of what’s going to happen.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJytuaIvWA
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmN36Ld0g2n
“Have you found anything?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzF7itCowL
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMPT7VjPTO
“What did it help you remember?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cRYJf3LLa
“A small waterfall. It’s not much, but this is the first month. I’m hoping for more in the future.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ONsPzUlBH
“More, like what?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkyiwjZC6ag
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4HoGd64Zc
“Why you?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCklMNEruJ
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuUjJN4jLM
“And your dad?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Jlabg18CH
“He holds the same obligation. But, well, this type of magic isn’t his specialty.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTReZDHR89v
“Explain, please.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVjPxwhoPxX
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsckvLse00M
“What about your uncle?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoxeK8sYqZ
“Uncle Roger is a spell-writer. Spell-writers are such a rarity - they have absolutely no ability to channel magic.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6nteR6slWk
“How is that rare?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9My4lx6yKV
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 40.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡss2xaErlRv
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdqSJSEBxl
“And you just happen to know one?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCdKum9sLB
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYj8rQuGz6
“We’re lucky to have a resource like that, then. And how many other wizards are willing to help us?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu90RqFhTmy
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnySDc1oA0M
Angela sighed, “But there’s no sense asking for help if you have nothing to do. That’s why you were looking for me.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniyrcQm6kU
Phillip nodded, “Exactly.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NSK7ZMpmq
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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTyBmOs6VK
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?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpk8QQfBiT
“Communications. I wanted to be a journalist, but now I’m leaning towards editor. You?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kRD24Q3Qz
“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.”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBsMJlhwUk
“So what were you doing this last weekend, that you didn’t want to tell me about?”430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBaGngPDtnA
“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.430Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfT7gL2mct
