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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXOfYoTkMg
A text message came in on her phone, and she tapped the screen to read it, hoping it was from Phillip. It wasn’t.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCH21SOZuxa
“Here she is. Can I help you read the menu?” the waiter asked, his English heavily accented.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGe9oFRtXht
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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco4335sfzc
“Can I get a drink for you?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0LskWg06BX
“Tea, please.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLJ7okwULR
The waiter left, and Phillip extended a hand across the table, being careful not to knock anything over, “Angela? I hope?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaEhAWEQrwd
Angela shook his hand, “Yes, it’s me.” He had a firm handshake, and his hand was cool.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdVx6dKgtM
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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4n3HiK5Ep
“That’s all right - it’s good to meet you.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUh1vVlJlfM
“It’s good to meet you, too. Could you tell me - do they have lemon chicken on the menu, here?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbug5Pd7cS0
“They do. It’s good, too.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5H9sCrjqS
“Wonderful - I’m looking forward to that.” He smiled broadly, “I’m so very pleased to meet you, Angela. How are you feeling?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyLAeDOgdU
“Fine, just fine.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv9y91fDWF
“And your leg?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciufrtsIVA
“It’s healing. A little slower than I would like, but it’s healing.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9wpcwR17ae
“Glad to hear it.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ptmQwHKRw
Angela looked up to see the waiter coming toward the table.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Q1cnYBWTS
“Tea is here,” he said. He quickly set down two cups and saucers, then poured tea into both cups, “Careful - very hot.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAfEwf9Ktr
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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFEnfKkvzt
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikLjVDZJYi
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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneWMBOUhEE
“And then I woke up with a gash,” he pulled up his left sleeve, revealing a 3 inch white scar.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRzh6f3OdaG
“How old were you? What did you do?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkdrH8BnAL1
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXtPxpmePGv
She studied him, “Why did you have a social worker?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwQd2Q5lfw
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyShOMy7BPg
“Anyway, I was assigned a social worker for more regular check-ups.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nPTHKLbnp
Angela watched him intently, “I’m so sorry. That must have been awful for you.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHWzr9iRUiY
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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOM0wV84Yaj
“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.?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdxaEZSM2f
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZMNGSYzcz
“Tell me more about the Hunters.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH42ubvrmEa
Phillip sighed, “The crux of the matter is the Hunters.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1YZfmAiG7
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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsLLCn4QZMy
She took the book, “Thank you.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbmGXdJNkf
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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcD5mWgpLWm
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Dscibp7sY
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOzdVZufdx
“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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMiSB6RjPS1
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?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspO9cjeRFU
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSILB63uZB
“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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNOARbIi5r
“You said you were doubtful at first?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0xa4PauLz
“I didn’t want to believe. I mean, it’s not good news, right?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9oNZDF0kLB
She shook her head, “No, it’s not. But it’s better than not knowing.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT4GSHoJGig
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBMYU603kD
“How long have you known Ray?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uktgGRKAU
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2iQT5eaDQ
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nTjIexxpT
“I’m so sorry.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyxgiihtVM1
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HuMRhk5s3
“Well, then, Ray and I are here for you. And Ray is close enough to help out more than I can.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S3XHvlyBq
“Thank you.” Angela paused uncertainly, “You said there are things you wanted to talk about in person.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSOMdc2zvd
“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?"620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVcnJigsspD
She nodded, “He used it to protect the conversations he had with Paul.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEnIYCEZvJ
Phillip reached his hand across the table, holding it out expectantly, “Would you please?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLSEw4EYiFp
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?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlwtRP2j8O
He gave a small nod.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6Ik5Kijmi
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1W1ytsj226
“I’m trusting you, Angela, not to spread word of my practice. Like I said, we still have to worry about persecution.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs66JCXpBdb
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTBBKDa4A9
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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FVD8VdvLU
“You really are being Hunted, too?” Angela asked.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1EcWzQywoe
“I am. I am as motivated as you to put an end to it.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj6CHUYf1lS
“I’m frightened of what’s going to happen.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHSyMVR9mi
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTi98kmPLEI
“Have you found anything?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHNIA28Poe
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ix1EpmQwu
“What did it help you remember?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaLnXifFTu0
“A small waterfall. It’s not much, but this is the first month. I’m hoping for more in the future.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMv1eFzHIZ5
“More, like what?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5eeHUsXzqV
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdsZdUMbXJk
“Why you?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7KfYssQZn
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6OwHDEwkrD
“And your dad?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDSZR39Yzr
“He holds the same obligation. But, well, this type of magic isn’t his specialty.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxc4I3rXoh2
“Explain, please.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmBLOoVYk9
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTRMjvefcm
“What about your uncle?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsEwUqaNlH
“Uncle Roger is a spell-writer. Spell-writers are such a rarity - they have absolutely no ability to channel magic.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHJ28gNIuYE
“How is that rare?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvVEb2czQJ
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 40.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2q8Wo3yKh
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvk9o9geMP
“And you just happen to know one?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPrybZLPBl
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ94ItWiZ9Fy
“We’re lucky to have a resource like that, then. And how many other wizards are willing to help us?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5oYOMJkIgZ
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9A8odgSrE
Angela sighed, “But there’s no sense asking for help if you have nothing to do. That’s why you were looking for me.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHjPATiinu
Phillip nodded, “Exactly.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFt1kA4hnA
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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6crunnrayv
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?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4B8UcktWta
“Communications. I wanted to be a journalist, but now I’m leaning towards editor. You?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvTePm9ujH
“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.”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdzo1wgr8p
“So what were you doing this last weekend, that you didn’t want to tell me about?”620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoWFLj1xiA
“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.620Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FxWpzXsaj
