Nightmare's Edge

  With that, he turned and caught up with Amber, looking back to make sure Daryl and Kelly followed. “So how do we get out?” he asked.

  “As you might have guessed, we will also get out through a dream.” After a minute or so, she stopped and looked around.

  “Yes, this is the place.”

  When Kelly and Daryl joined them, Amber pulled the mirror from Daryl’s bag and laid her palm on the surface.

  Within seconds, her soft glow strengthened into a brilliant aura.

  “Francesca, my beloved, are you watching?”

  A face appeared under Amber’s hand. She slid fingers away, revealing a bleary-eyed Francesca Yellow. “I’m here. Do you need me to do something?”

  Amber’s aura dimmed to normal. “Are you still in the observatory?”

  “Yes. Solomon and Tony set up a cot and a mirror stand in one of the offices.”

  “Can you go to sleep?” Amber asked. “I need to follow your dream path as a way of escape from here.”

  “Sure. Nathan’s napping, so I was about to join him.”

  “Put the mirror somewhere that will allow me to see you while you sleep.”

  The four gathered around to watch the scene in the mirror. The heels of Francesca’s hands pressed against the sides of their view, then her face bobbed up and down for a moment as she walked the mirror square to another location. Soon, the image settled. A baby, wrapped in a blanket, slept on the floor next to a low cot. Francesca, wearing loose gray sweats, slid into a sleeping bag that lay on the cot. “Can you see me all right?”

  “Quite well,” Amber said.

  “It’s kind of hard to go to sleep on demand, but I’ll do my best.”

  “Just close your eyes. I will sing a lullaby. It will calm your mind.”

  When Francesca’s eyes fluttered closed, Amber began a song in a lovely alto, her voice silky and pure.

  A gentle wind, a tumbling brook,

  A kiss good night, a well-read book,

  The blessings of love coming down from above

  Are found in simple places,

  In places of the heart.

  A crackling log, the smell of life,

  A candle’s flame, a loving wife.

  The finest treasures are never measured

  By monetary rules,

  The treasures of the heart.

  After a few seconds, the mirror emitted an aura of its own, a yellow glow that surrounded the square. It grew at a rapid rate, enveloping Amber and then the others. Soon, it took over the environment, illuminating the expanse with a fuzzy yellow that quickly morphed into lights on a ceiling, walls and hangings on the sides, and a carpeted floor beneath their feet.

  Immediately in front of Amber, Francesca slept on a cot with the edge of her sleeping bag tucked under her chin. Next to her on the floor, little Nathan lay curled in his blanket.

  Nathan looked at the mirror. Their surroundings had become an exact copy of Francesca’s office area. She was dreaming about the room she was sleeping in.

  Amber handed Kelly her candle, then, still holding the mirror, she sat on the cot and rubbed Francesca’s back. “Can you hear me, my beloved?”

  Francesca squirmed and let out a “Hmmm,” while in the mirror, she stayed still and quiet.

  “Arise, my love.” Amber prodded her shoulder. “We must join you in the waking world.”

  Francesca sat up and blinked. Then, as if counting, she nodded at each person in turn before breaking into a wide smile. “You found Kelly!”

  “We did, and Solomon, too, but he and his Francesca have embarked on a different journey.” Amber rose from the cot. “Now, wrap your mind around us and awaken. Although you are very weary, you must arouse yourself and take us out of this world of dreams.”

  While Francesca slid out of the sleeping bag, Nathan kept an eye on the mirror. A shadow crossed the sleeping woman’s form, growing bigger and darker. “What’s that?” Nathan whispered to Kelly.

  Kelly grabbed his arm. “I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”

  The image now showed a lean pale hand reaching for the baby.

  “Amber,” Nathan said sharply. “Wake her up! Quick!”

  “My beloved!” Amber cried, turning the mirror toward Francesca. “Awaken! Now! Expand your thoughts and wrap us into your dream.”

  Francesca’s eyes shot open. Jumping to her feet, she spread out her arms. “Come close, everyone!”

  Nathan, Kelly, Daryl, and Amber hustled into a tight group, holding candles at their chests. The little Nathan in the dream world faded away, as did the cot and the walls.

  Francesca clutched her eyes shut and screamed, “I’m trying to wake up! I have to save my baby!”

  Nathan angled his head toward the mirror in Amber’s grip. The pale hand now covered the little boy’s eyes, and light began to surround the attacker’s fingers.

  “Why aren’t I waking up?” Francesca stamped her foot. “My baby needs me!”

  “Okay,” Daryl said. “I guess I have to.”

  Francesca jumped. “Ouch! Who pinched me?”

  A strong gust of wind swirled around their huddle. Wrapping them up in a cyclonic funnel, the wind pulled them toward the mirror. Francesca slid into the reflection first, followed by Daryl, then Kelly.

  Nathan resisted the pull, more out of instinct than fear.

  “Allow it to take you,” Amber shouted through the rush. “I must be last!”

  Nathan let his muscles go lax. As he stretched toward the mirror, everything warped. The funnel’s suction pulled his breath away. Now that his body had been fully taken, he tensed his muscles again. He had to be ready for a fight.

  One second later, all was clear. Francesca held the baby in her arms and rocked back and forth. Although he whimpered, he seemed fine.

  Grunts and screams erupted from behind. Nathan pivoted. Kelly and Daryl were sprawled over Mictar, beating him with their fists. A black violin lay on the floor at the stalker’s side.

  Just as Nathan cocked his arms and made ready to pounce, Mictar flung Daryl away, sending her tumbling across the carpet. She rolled against a wall and sat up, stunned but breathing.

  “Stay back!” Mictar shouted, clutching Kelly around her waist and pinning her arms. “Or I will kill her.”

  Nathan threw down his candle and ground in its wick. He had to think fast. He couldn’t just wait. That would be the worst option.

  A bright glow made him turn. Amber appeared at his side, still holding the mirror.

  Dangling Kelly like a rag doll, Mictar leaped to his feet, his eyes wide. “Beware, supplicant. You know I will not hesitate to take this wench’s life energy.”

  Amber’s eyes flashed like two suns. “And I will dissolve your bones into dust. Now that I have you in my sight, you cannot hide from me.”

  Kelly twisted and rammed her knee into Mictar’s groin, but without even a wince he jerked her around and again wrapped his arm around her waist, squeezing so tightly, her eyes bulged. “If you allow me to escape, I will release her unharmed.”

  Nathan looked for a weapon but saw only a stapler on a nearby desk. “Why should we trust a liar?” he said. “Once you’re free, you’ll just kill her.”

  “Then it seems we’re at an impasse once again.” A crooked grin bent the scar on Mictar’s face. “You won the previous battle. What will you do now?”

  Amber touched Nathan’s elbow. “Just say the word, and I will kill that monster, and we will have no obstacles to saving the worlds. You, your mother, and my beloved will play the musical key at Sarah’s foundation points. If Kelly dies, she will be honored on the three Earths for a thousand years.”

  Mictar loosened his grip on Kelly, allowing her to breathe. “Is that your choice? Shall I take this harlot’s eyes and do battle with the supplicant?”

  Panting for breath, Kelly choked out, “It’s okay, Nathan. Let him take me.” She pulled one arm free and showed him her hand. A heart-shaped smear still covered her palm.

  Na
than’s legs quaked. He knew what the heart meant. It was her way of saying “I love you.”

  With tears flowing freely, she used that hand to blow him a kiss. “Now go save the world.”

  “So,” Mictar said as he squeezed Kelly harder and moved his long fingers toward her eyes, “will you trust me to leave and release her, or shall I kill her now?” His eyebrows lifted. “Or do you have another offer?”

  Nathan leaned closer and studied the stalker’s face. What did he have in mind? Was there really another option? Kelly’s head drooped, her hair dangling. Had she fainted? Could she breathe?

  Finally, he extended his wounded hand. “Take me hostage instead.”

  “What?” Mictar half closed an eye, but he seemed more delighted than curious. “Why you?”

  “I’m a gifted one, too. With Kelly, you get only what you left behind. With me, you get a full dose of life energy.”

  “Nathan.” Amber pulled on his sleeve and whispered, “Without you, we won’t have a third violinist.”

  He showed Amber his bleeding palm, keeping his voice as low as possible. “I can’t play anyway. Maybe you can sing the key.”

  “I do not know if Sarah will respond. I am not one of the gifted.”

  “Then set up a keyboard at the spot. Kelly can play it.”

  Kelly didn’t even flinch at the sound of her name. She looked more like a rag doll than ever.

  Nathan took a step closer, again extending his hand. “So, what do you say? Will you let her go and take me hostage? I give my word that I won’t try to escape.”

  “So, allow me to understand you correctly.” Mictar loosened his grip on Kelly. Her body stayed slack, but she seemed to be breathing. “Are you saying you trust me to let you live once I escape?”

  Nathan spoke through clenched teeth. “I trust you less than I trust the Devil himself, but at least Kelly will survive.”

  “Wait!” Daryl said as she struggled to her feet. “Let me tag along. I’ll be kind of like insurance. You know, if Mictar doesn’t keep his word, I can . . . uh . . . drag Nathan’s body away.”

  Nathan grimaced. That wasn’t very good insurance, but it was better than nothing. “How about it, Mictar? Can she follow?”

  Mictar pointed at Amber. “As long as the supplicant stays here.”

  Amber sat on the cot, her eyes now glistening. “I will stay with Kelly and my beloved. We must plan the world’s escape from interfinity. Without Nathan.”

  “Very well.” Mictar threw Kelly to the floor, picked up his violin and bow, and grabbed Nathan’s wrist. “Come, fool.”

  Amber rushed to Kelly, sat at her side, and gathered her limp body into her arms. “She is alive, Nathan. I will care for her.”

  Daryl touched Amber’s shoulder as she passed by. “I know I’m not your beloved,” Daryl said, “but I’d appreciate a big helping of supplication. I have no idea what I’m doing.”

  As Mictar led Nathan toward the office door, Nathan looked back. His eyes blurred by tears, he could barely see Kelly nestled in Amber’s arms. Now that he would probably die at the hands of this monster, maybe he would never get to tell her what he had to say. The simple message ached to get out, but he never had the courage to release it. Somehow, he had to let her know. “Amber, please tell Kelly — ”

  “No more chatter!” Mictar jerked open the door and pulled Nathan into a curved hallway. His voice lowered to a whispered growl. “I don’t want to alert the fools in the observatory.”

  Daryl slid through the half-closed door and pressed her body against the wall, several steps away from the stalker.

  “You two lead the way,” Mictar said. “I want to keep my eye on you.” He raised a hand, showing Nathan a flash of light in his palm. “If you want that girl to live, I advise you to put aside all thoughts of escaping.”

  After quickly scanning his surroundings, Nathan recognized their location: the security corridor on the floor below the telescope room. The smaller elevator was probably a dozen paces in one direction, while the exit door lay about thirty paces in the other. “Which way?”

  Mictar pointed toward the exit. “Do you know where the back door is?”

  “Yeah. If it’s like the ones on the other Earths.”

  “Good. Move along.”

  Nathan looked at Daryl. Her eyes blazed with fear. Somehow he had to make sure she’d survive, but how? Obviously, the closer to Amber they stayed, the better her chances. “If you want to kill me,” he said, “why not do it inside? At least it’s heated in here.”

  “I want it cold. You will see why in a moment.”

  While Nathan and Daryl walked three or four steps in front of Mictar, Daryl formed signals, keeping her hands close to her waist. She spelled out, “Any ideas?”

  He signaled back, “Not yet.”

  Ever so slowly, she pulled out her shirttail, exposing a mirror at her waist.

  As he watched, Nathan kept his head as still as possible. Which mirror was it? The one Amber had?

  Daryl spelled out “Blue” and re-tucked her shirt.

  Nathan pushed open the security door that led to the main hallway and held it for Daryl. As she exited, Mictar grabbed Nathan’s shirt collar. Then, when all three had come out into the corridor, he let Nathan go and returned to his position a few steps behind.

  Nathan shrugged out the tightness in his clothes and continued toward the back door. He glanced at Daryl’s shirt. Could that mirror help? Since Cerulean wasn’t his supplicant, would he respond to their call?

  When they reached the exit, Nathan pushed it open. Again, Mictar hung on to Nathan’s shirt while Daryl walked outside.

  As soon as Nathan stepped out into the cold breeze, he shivered and slowed his pace. “How far do you want to go? This is as good a place as any to commit a murder.”

  “I fully intend to kill you, but that was not my reason for coming out here.” Mictar used his fistful of Nathan’s shirt to jerk him closer, but instead of placing his lethal hands over Nathan’s eyes, he dug into Nathan’s back pocket.

  “Ah! Here they are.” He threw Nathan to the ground and displayed the card and folded page. “I learned about these coordinates when I tortured one of the cult members, but it was not until I overheard your conversation with your father that I learned where to find them and how to use the codes.”

  As Daryl helped him to his feet, Nathan glared at the stalker. Did he know only an interpreter could understand the codes? If he had been eavesdropping, wouldn’t he have heard that he needed one? Did that mean he would still go after Kelly?

  Mictar held the card toward the fading sunlight. “The cultist told me the truth. The cold weather has revealed more codes.”

  He flipped it around to show them. Nathan and Daryl squinted at it. A new line of symbols had appeared near the bottom edge.

  Carefully folding the paper around the card, Mictar smiled at Nathan, a truly horrible sight. “I must thank you for coming along so easily. Although I yearn for the girl’s energy, this revelation is far more important. Now, which of you should I kill to satisfy my hunger? I am unlikely to be able to hold you both.”

  Easing back a step, Nathan hid his fingers behind his back and spelled out, “Run.”

  Daryl set a fist on her hip. “So, Mictar, how are you going to use it? Even if you figure out what the codes mean, I’ll bet you don’t even know ‘Foundation’s Key.’ ”

  Nathan whisper-shouted, trying not to move his lips. “Quiet!”

  “Do you think me a fool?” Mictar waved his violin. “Of course I can play that infernal piece, but I will not be baited into it. I see through your ploy.”

  “Chicken?” Daryl pushed her thumbs under her armpits, flapped her elbows, and made a horrible clucking noise.

  Nathan shouted through clenched teeth. “Daryl! Cut it out!”

  “You fool! You will be my sustenance.” With a grunt, Mictar reared back and thrust his hand forward, as if throwing a boulder.

  Just as a black jagged streak shot
from his palm, Daryl jerked out the mirror and deflected the bolt right back at him. It splashed against his shoulder, spreading dark liquid across his chest and arm.

  Spewing a barrage of raging sounds, he hurled streak after streak, aiming low and high. Daryl blocked the first two, but the third struck her knee.

  Nathan dropped to the ground and swept his leg through Mictar’s, toppling him to the gravelly surface. With a quick thrust, Nathan leaped to his feet to attack again with his fist, but the stalker reached out a long arm and grabbed his ankle.

  Stumbling, Nathan fell face first, scraping his cheek and nose on the sharp pebbles. He cringed at the pain, but only for a second. Flipping over, he kicked and punched but struck only air.

  As he climbed to his feet, he searched for Mictar. Just a few feet away, Kelly knelt on the stalker’s back, yanking his ponytail. Growling, she clawed at his eyes from behind. “I’ll give you a taste of your own medicine.”

  Nathan leaped toward them, but the sight of Mictar’s black stuff made him stop short. It had already spread over half of the stalker’s torso and was now creeping around toward Kelly.

  He snatched her arm and pulled her off Mictar’s body. As he backed away with her, he found Daryl, standing as if stunned.

  Her own black splotch crawled up and down her jeans.

  “That stuff will kill you!” he yelled.

  She shook the cobwebs away. “Enough said.” She set down the mirror, kicked off her shoes, and pushed down her jeans, revealing long thermal underwear covered with smiling cartoon bunnies. She then dropped to her seat and began kicking off each pant leg. “How about giving me a hand?”

  Kelly pulled the cuffs and slung the jeans away. Setting her hands on her hips, she grinned. “Well, look who came prepared.”

  “Yep.” Daryl’s cheeks flushed. “My mother always told me to wear clean underwear. You never know when you might have to show someone your bunnies.”

  After helping her get up, Nathan looked at Mictar. Now almost completely black, the stalker picked up his violin, struggled to his feet, and shuffled away, slumped and wobbling. “I have the codes, Shepherd,” he said weakly. “I will win this war.”

  Nathan searched for a weapon. Should he finish that monster off? Should he risk getting any of that black gunk on himself?