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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMQWJUresM
A text message came in on her phone, and she tapped the screen to read it, hoping it was from Phillip. It wasn’t.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7LGLeDH0L
“Here she is. Can I help you read the menu?” the waiter asked, his English heavily accented.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWixGlyNex
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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVK6gnnG9KM
“Can I get a drink for you?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMdALDdaXX
“Tea, please.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCY4ADTvAt
The waiter left, and Phillip extended a hand across the table, being careful not to knock anything over, “Angela? I hope?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9gZkpDRMB
Angela shook his hand, “Yes, it’s me.” He had a firm handshake, and his hand was cool.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AkNt5Pc9V
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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWladYpeHIt
“That’s all right - it’s good to meet you.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWJG5c7J97
“It’s good to meet you, too. Could you tell me - do they have lemon chicken on the menu, here?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGMm9uAyBi
“They do. It’s good, too.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSl344YTDVY
“Wonderful - I’m looking forward to that.” He smiled broadly, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Angela. How are you feeling?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrRLL5drja
“Fine, just fine.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0zjeSFvWBo
“And your leg?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowznVdXCf5
“It’s healing. A little slower than I would like, but it’s healing.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6JAPaRFwV
“Glad to hear it.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfVCItgFtU
Angela looked up to see the waiter coming toward the table.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY4thlA61B
“Tea is here,” he said. He quickly set down two cups and saucers, then poured tea into both cups, “Careful - very hot.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN71ZWVHMeq
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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s61daxbWj
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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3b7Xs9cRhl
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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsYGO62aYS
“And then I woke up with a gash,” he pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a 3 inch white scar.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt6CTut3e8Z
“How old were you? What did you do?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1O5LmmUjSE
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgB7oZpNJF
She studied him, “Why did you have a social worker?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGbdhpT6MmZ
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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPZEIzC5r9
“Anyway, I was assigned a social worker for more regular check-ups.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJBldU779s
Angela watched him intently, “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhg1Xucr2n
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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPvq94U6l9t
“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.?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCIDpHtflfN
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21vizLGU4P
“Tell me more about the Hunters.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSdNRLCV5i9
Phillip sighed, “The crux of the matter is the Hunters.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkKS1Yjpje
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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgwVGPaFaKl
She took the book, “Thank you.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTz5jpsqsq
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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZqqDyXLGZ
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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfmvuXggbh
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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZrMd9UceV
“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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0MIUQMBRbx
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?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0lM6pAAQ3
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7UysiraJW
“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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyhIyxGiOd
“You said you were doubtful at first?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBQR87IfID
“I didn’t want to believe. I mean, it’s not good news, right?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQSN224WLi
She shook her head, “No, it’s not. But it’s better than not knowing.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHZRa8iMsD
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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZ1IEyZYsw
“How long have you known Ray?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCOUp2OUXG
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZKGkG2Si8S
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPUZh8XoDp
“I’m so sorry.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ3auIn5ou
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2u9KtwW3g9
“Well, then, Ray and I are here for you. And Ray is close enough to help out more than I can.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvmsKpCV7Z3
“Thank you.” Angela paused uncertainly, “You said there are things you wanted to talk about in person.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcuEZ5w3ka
“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?"587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaeZrT4MkG
She nodded, “He used it to protect the conversations he had with Paul.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHw7ogZYD1
Phillip reached his hand across the table, holding it out expectantly, “Would you please?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBAnJzJ9r1
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?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxfMIixgOE
He gave a small nod.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtIpoPLCEJ
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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLg1dFqRlX
“I’m trusting you, Angela, not to spread word of my practice. Like I said, we still have to worry about persecution.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrl9nAnYP7k
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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2lbkJWc4E
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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWXIOnJ5SX
“You really are being Hunted, too?” Angela asked.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaNGcTvcvme
“I am. I am as motivated as you to put an end to it.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAeZ0zgbDCR
“I’m frightened of what’s going to happen.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVncrBwA1l
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt7WanCBOWR
“Have you found anything?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kg81tIZn7
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr2ZXeUXF76
“What did it help you remember?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm70zWnmR7y
“A small waterfall. It’s not much, but this is the first month. I’m hoping for more in the future.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C6WRvkrAg
“More, like what?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WUHTkMqwf
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkj7kvofbg
“Why you?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0fucttVQI
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDvNDK5OdS
“And your dad?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx16B0qElmD
“He holds the same obligation. But, well, this type of magic isn’t his specialty.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2WbZ65itk
“Explain, please.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0kTJl6jx1
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLevOwYaSOS
“What about your uncle?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCgVT1CCoad
“Uncle Roger is a spell-writer. Spell-writers are such a rarity - they have absolutely no ability to channel magic.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6vUp140lk
“How is that rare?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Z3podKVQL
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 40.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwEAVU1gwW
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdGGpoBugX
“And you just happen to know one?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIUEW2lcNar
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuz5vH8zKlF
“We’re lucky to have a resource like that, then. And how many other wizards are willing to help us?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWz1c6txWQg
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWfiowabmm
Angela sighed, “But there’s no sense asking for help if you have nothing to do. That’s why you were looking for me.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5skVcfzsl
Phillip nodded, “Exactly.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVluLRH5LxU
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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBgip0w3Mws
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?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXsJr10Sek
“Communications. I wanted to be a journalist, but now I’m leaning towards editor. You?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3C56Pm4tgt
“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.”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEUPRSHYAm
“So what were you doing this last weekend, that you didn’t want to tell me about?”587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzaCXJ5EBz
“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.587Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisnIXZHaG8
