Prophetic

“Well, I don’t know the context, and definitely couldn’t say anything yet, but ... just be cautious. The vision doesn’t affect our mission, nor any of us, so it’s got to impact you somehow.”

“Thanks for telling me. I will, as I said, the wife is looking for something to hold over me, and though we’re not currently doing anything, I can easily slow anything down until we’re both free and clear.”

“It is unusual, though,” Alison acknowledged. “Before everything’s been mission related, and the visions have increased the closer we get to it. Do you think this is related, something separate, or might this be a further increase in your psychic abilities?”

“I’m guessing the latter.” Dan stopped, taking a sip of his drink while wiping his brow. “Anytime these things change, it seems to herald something, but I haven’t a clue what. Still, this is the first time it’s actually helped someone, rather than heralding something tragic pending.”

He set his glass back down and leaned forward again, “though we were planning to identify and evaluate the second explosion site. That’s likely to take most of the day. Since each location is vital, it’s essential to plan how we’ll intervene.”

“Still, it needs to be done. Speaking of which, do we have enough people to act at three different locations at four different times, while there’s active panic in the streets? If we need to pull in some undercover officers, identifying the perpetrators is essential.”

“I hate to ask, but why are you unavailable overnight? If something develops, we may need to act fast, so you’re being out of touch may prove problematic.”

Dan and the two women glanced down, as Laura bit her lip. “It’s part of why he’s able to experience these visions, however it’s even more unbelievable than the rest of this scenario.” She glanced at Dan for confirmation before continuing. “Essentially, he spends every night visiting the land of the dead, and ... tonight he’s taking us along.”

“Wow!” Shortie Tompkins stated.

“I went with him the first time, just to prove his unique talents aren’t directly tied to these journeys. But having proven it isn’t dangerous, Laura’s accompanying us, hoping we can figure out how to communicate once there. We have a few ideas we’re eager to explore but are still unsure its possible.”

“Whoa!” Avery responded. “That’s out of my purview, but I can confidently convey you can’t be interrupted overnight! After all, having the three of you dragged out in the dead of night in an ambulance would only focus attention of each of you.”

“His story gets stranger every day,” Mike agreed. “Sometimes, it’s easier not asking the obvious questions.”

“Geez. Despite knowing it’s safe, and having already been there once, I’m still nervous,” Laura admitted, twirling her wineglass in both hands, taking only token sips.

“That why I offered wine, hoping it would relax you.”

“Honestly, I wouldn’t worry,” Alison advised. “The last time, I wasn’t even asleep. Dan never has trouble sleeping, so when he slipped into the void, me took me along. So, it won’t matter how tense you feel now, as sleep doesn’t seem to be a requirement.”

“I’m not sure whether that’s comforting or more terrifying,” Laura admitted, taking another sip.

“So, I was curious, how do you bring us along?” Alison inquired, taking a heftier drink, completely comfortable in Dan’s home. “Do you reach out beforehand, carrying us across? Do you feel yourself slipping away, then stop to grab us as you go? Is it a conscious decision, or an automatic one?”

“It’s a mixture,” he admitted. “As you suggest, it’s not like I fall asleep and then am pulled in. Instead, the voyage initially excites and ultimately relaxes me. That’s the key, being relaxed enough to let go, so I’m drawn in. Once it starts, your bodies will just go limp, which is why we feel so refreshing in the morning.” Dan chuckled. “But then, is anyone conscious of losing consciousness? But as I feel myself drawn from my body, I quickly check to ensure you’re there, essentially grabbing your soul and dragging it along.”

“Well, it didn’t feel like that,” she reflected, her eyes taking on a dreamy delight. “It feels like the gentlest of touches, not physical but a momentary merging of souls, as if part of yours enters mine, and as they merge, fills me with peace, so I feel secure throughout the voyage.

“It’s not as if I’m actually ‘pulled’ out of myself. Instead, it’s like I simultaneously exist in two separate worlds, and can only remain there for so long, before I return. Thus, it’s not a conscious thought. It’s simply fate, rejoining my disjointed spirits. I guess that’s why I feel both so energized and relaxed. Knowing I’ll awake rejuvenated relaxes me, while having visited my other self energizes me. In the end, spending my entire waking day here exhausts me, explaining why I fall asleep so quickly and why I go so willingly.”

“I hate to ask,” Laura asked, taking a bigger drink, her eyes no less leery, “but what’s your limit? Will an additional person cause you to drop someone midway through, or could you take a dozen if you had to?”

“No, I doubt I could take anyone else. I have to feel close to anyone I take. In a way, our souls have to already be connected. I doubt I could pull Gio or even Chrissie along, as we don’t share the same connection.”

“Is that because of your breakup?” Laura asked, the caution dropping from her eyes. “Or because your deception broke your previous trust in one another?”

Dan shrugged, taking another sip before answering. “I never envisioned this until Alison forced the issue. I was as surprised as anyone when it succeeded, and like you, terrified that taking her one way, I couldn’t bring her back. So, we’re all making this up as we go. But you and Alison share the same connection to me. We not only trust each other, you’re the ones driving me to try new things and accompany me during the day.”

Laura put her glass aside—still half full. “That’s the most reassuring thing you’ve said all night. Wine is nice, but it only makes frightening things scarier.” She reached out, taking their nearly empty glasses. “Let’s put these away and head to bed. I’m as relaxed as I’ll ever be, and delaying will only dilute the confidence I’m now feeling.”

“No,” Alison countered, standing and taking her glass. “I’ll handle cleanup. Being familiar with it, I’m not worried. Dan, help her get comfortable and I’ll join you in a few minutes.”