"But why do I feel like less of a human and more like one of you?" Trent asked. "Why is it happening now after all these years?"
"The season is nigh and the more your knowledge enhances, the more the enemy is entitled to give you a fair fight. If you didn't have these dreams, you would have been defeated without a fair opportunity. You are experiencing slight portions of what is yet to come. When the season is in its mid and if the Evil One wins the battle he has commenced with you, you will be completely transformed into one of us, denying forever, the part of you that is human."
"What season is this?" Trent queried.
"You will know when the time comes; you will sense it as we do. Now, I must go. My power is diminishing and soon I will not be able to emerge into your subconscious mind or into its state of reality anymore. Do what you must, my son and protect those you love."
The phantom vanished as suddenly as it appeared leaving Trent unaware of when or where the enemy would strike. Nonetheless, Tina was his main concern. He knew that if Tarrow detected how much she meant to him, he would try to destroy her and there was no way he was going to allow that to happen.
He switched on the living room light and took a good look around suddenly remembering how at ease he felt when Foster was alive. The fear that presently overwhelmed him would have been a fear that both of them shared and conquered together. He was alone now - no one to help him fight this ominous battle.
Heated and exhausted, he took a quick shower. Afterwards, he decided to take a nap and hoped to wake in time, fully refreshed, to catch the evening news.
A few hours later, he pitched up, thinking that he'd slept the night away. He looked at his wrist-watch and was relieved to discover that it was only 6:15p.m. The news would be aired at 7:00 sharp and he had to be at Tina's by then. She had insisted that they watch the news together that night.
He climbed out of bed, pulled on a pair of slacks, threw on a white T-shirt and washed his face. After walking out the front door, this time he ensured that it was locked behind him. He dodged traffic by taking short-cuts through abandoned roads, though he knew that he had more than sufficient time to get there if he had taken the normal route. In less than half an hour, he arrived at the apartment complex.
At a quarter of seven, he knocked on Tina's door. Instinctively, on twisting the knob and discovering that the door was unlocked, he let himself in and spotted Tina slouched out on the couch in front of the television.
"Hi, sweet pea," he said, sitting down beside her. "Did you know your door was unlocked?"
With eyes glued to the television, she leaned over and kissed him. "Na. Sure didn't. By the way, I've made a few phone calls and no one seems to know about the blackout earlier today. Weird, isn't it?"
"No one else noticed? That is weird," Trent said. "How could they not have noticed?"
"I don't know, but it'll be on the news in a bit and they'll know I didn't dream this thing up. What time is it, anyway?"
"Ten to."
The last ten minutes of waiting seemed like an hour. Their eyes were glued to the tail-end moments of the comedy show, but their minds were focused on the upcoming news.
Finally at 7:00p.m., Debbie Gables greeted her viewers before progressing into international headlines.
"Oh, no!" Tina was frustrated. "We have to sit here and wait for fifteen minutes more before they get into the national news. I completely forgot their backwards format."
"What makes you think it isn't an international story?" Trent said. "It could have occurred in other countries as well."
Broad silence ensued. Not a word was uttered until fifty minutes of the broadcast had ended and still no word of any blackout - national or international - was mentioned.
Tina was baffled. "Trent, there's only ten minutes left before the news ends and they haven't mentioned it yet. I would have thought that something that unusual would have been the top story. Wouldn't you?"
Just then, Trent realized the blackout was only meant for him and Tina to witness. The Evil One was able to place them in an aura of darkness while everywhere else had light. A shiver slid down his spine and he felt almost numb. "I guess that's it then," he said after much thought.
"I think it's horrible. I have a mind to call those blasted people up and ask them what the hell they're doing down there... it most certainly couldn't be their jobs!" Tina angrily exclaimed. She dialed directory assistance, got the number, then did just that.
"Goodnight," went a lady's voice on the other line, "WKLB".
"Hi, I'm calling to find out why the blackout wasn't mentioned on the news tonight. I've watched the entire program and I'm shocked you guys didn't think it important enough to report," she said sternly.
"Ma'am, I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Perhaps, if you'd enlighten me, I'll find out why that story wasn't aired," the switchboard operator calmly replied.
"There was a nationwide blackout today. Where were you guys?"
"Right here, ma'am, but I have no idea what you're talking about. What blackout? In what country?"
Tina paused for a moment wondering if she probably was losing her mind. "Hold on a moment, please," she told the operator. "Was I dreaming or what?" She looked at Trent. "Wasn't there a blackout? Weren't we driving in darkness for a while and heard cars passing us by without seeing them or where we were going?"
"Yes, we were. You were not dreaming," Trent assured her. "It's probably just some alien encounter that only the two of us experienced. Never know." He smiled. "Tell the lady you were mistaken and politely hang up before she really thinks you're crazy."
After convincing the operator that she probably had dreamed up the whole thing, Tina switched off the television.
"How come you're taking this so casually, Trent? Doesn't this bother you at all?" She said.
"Of course it does, but there's no point hurting our heads over questions we have no answers to." He rested his arm around her neck. "It was nothing, so don't think about it."
She looked at him a little dubiously, but soon, remembering how much she trusted him, decided to do as he advised and put the odd occurrence in the back of her mind.
* 6 *
Four days later, Laurie showed up at Greg's house. She let herself in through the back door and went straight to the living room where she found Solange lying on the couch, reading a book.
Upon seeing Laurie, Solange sat up and looked at her. Laurie's face was pale and narrower than before, and she had lost a considerable amount of weight. Her eyes were a little sunken and her lips, white and chapped.
Solange stood up, gripped Laurie's shoulders and asked, "Laurie, are you all right?"
"I'm fine, Liza. I had the flu for a few days; that's why I didn't come by to see you."
"I know. Come, sit down. Let's chat for a while." Solange crossed her knees, rested her hands in her lap, and asked. "How's your aunt Hazel?"
"She's fine, but how do you know her name?" Laurie was curious.
"A few days ago, I decided to pay you a visit because I hadn't seen you for a while. We ended up introducing ourselves and she showed me to your room. Well, not exactly in that order, but it happened. Didn't she tell you?"
"No. Auntie Hazel just said that while I was asleep, an angel visited me. She usually speaks that way... in parables, I mean. So, I don't worry about it."
"Do you and your aunt Hazel get along well?" Solange probed.
"Yeah. She's the only family I have and she takes good care of me."
"What does she do for a living?"
"She's a psychic or somethin' like that," Laurie replied, "… and she's really very smart, too. I know, because she said she saw the whole thing happen and I believe her."
"Right. But you never told me what thing you were referring to, Laurie."
"I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to tell," she said, crossing her lips with a finger.
"Then I guess it's not important, huh?"
"Maybe… maybe not. Auntie Hazel says that
sometimes the past is worth forgetting and then again, sometimes it's not. She also says that what you don't know, won't hurt you and I believe her.”
Solange peered at Laurie's sunken, blue eyes. "So you believe everything your auntie Hazel tells you? Not that I'm saying you shouldn't…"
"'Course. My auntie never lies. She knew that my ma would leave me even before she did and my ma never told her she would."
Solange noticed that by the way Laurie spoke, she seemed almost as if she were programmed to do so.
Laurie was offended by Solange's remarks and made no effort to conceal her displeasure.
"Laurie, I didn't mean to offend you or your aunt in any way. I was not implying that you shouldn't trust her. Of course, you would, 'cause she's your aunt. Let's just change the subject. Shall we? Do you have any friends around here? I don't remember seeing you with anyone since I moved here."
"I don't have any friends, 'xcept for you," Laurie said.
"Why not?"
"'Cause Auntie Hazel says I don't need any. But she says it's okay for you to be my friend."
"Why's that?" Solange asked curiously.
"'Cause she says you're good and you're different."
After a while, Solange got up and prepared four tuna sandwiches for lunch - two for Greg for whenever he arrived, and one each for Laurie and herself. They ate them outside on the front porch with two tall glasses of lemonade at their feet.
Five
_____________
A WAY OUT
* 1 *
That night, Trent stood at the front door of his house and peered inside, for the first time hoping that the Evil One was actually there waiting for him. Failing to switch on the light, he stood next to the mantle and shouted: "I am here, Tarrow. Show yourself!" He knew nothing about the spirit world except what he had observed on television and decided to give what he had seen a try. A few minutes passed and nothing happened.
Trent was adamant about having another face to face encounter with the specter - this time on his terms. He sat on the sofa in the middle of the living room and waited. Suddenly, there was a noise. He turned and noticed that a figurine that had been near the edge of a side table had just fallen onto the mat. He composed himself once again and called out to Tarrow a second time. No answer. After a third call, there was an echo. At that moment, Trent was on edge, but decided to face the Evil One no matter what. He called again, the echo followed eventually dissipating into thin air. He held his head down; his mind bushed.
Nearly half an hour later, there was still no ghastly visitation. Frustrated and disappointed, Trent stood up and picked up his keys to take with him into the bedroom. Then suddenly the wall directly facing him beamed. A fluorescent-green lettered message was scribbled onto it which read: "The season is nigh... I will have my revenge." It remained on the wall for approximately thirty seconds, then disappeared.
The note on the wall worried Trent like no words or vision ever had before. He shuddered at the thought of what that awesome power could do to him and to Tina. His enemy was real; he was no longer just a product of his daydreams and nightmares. He was alive and extremely well.
Trent stood in the room for a while staring at the blank wall. The fact his life seemed to be drastically changing at that moment in time was a harrowing truth.
That night, he could not sleep, but stayed awake thinking of what he could possibly do to prevent what deep within he believed to be the inevitable.
* * * *
The following day, Trent went right to work, but not on his usual file verifications. Instead, he pulled out the phone book and probed the yellow pages making notes of several so-called psychics that lived in that town.
Around ten o'clock, there was a knock at his office door. It was Peter. Trent slipped a pen on the page he was at and closed the phone book.
"Hey, I meant to mention this earlier when I saw you," Peter started. "Stacey's gonna visit her folks in Michigan this weekend and I'm thinking of throwing a grown man's slumber party. Wanna come?"
"Na, buddy, perhaps some other time," Trent said, uninterested.
"What's the matter?" Peter asked. "Are we getting soft these days?" He collapsed into the chair. "Look, if you're worried about Tina, don't be. You can always find some lie to tell her for the time being, can't you?"
"I don't think so, Pete. Besides, I have lots of things to do at home myself."
"For goodness' sake, Trent, you live alone. What could you possibly have to do that would consume your entire weekend?"
"Things."
"Things like what?" Peter was puzzled. Convinced that a reply wasn't soon forthcoming, he said: "All right. I give up. Have it your way. But if you change your mind, let me know, okay?"
"Sure Pete. Now get outta here before I call security!"
With Peter gone, Trent could peacefully compile his information, then devote a few hours to the company's affairs. “A few more calls and I'm done," he muttered.
While flipping through the pages, one particular advertisement caught his attention. It was printed in bold: Madam Sosu can solve all your problems.
The telephone number was listed underneath.
Trent jotted down the number adding it to the twelve contacts he already had. He then closed the phone book, pulled his work-tray closer and resumed the Trust's work. He glanced at the clock which stood above the door and was stunned by the time. It was already 10:55. Between day-dreaming and flipping for numbers, time seemed to have passed so quickly.
He constantly thought of the last ad he spotted: 'Madam Sosu can solve all your problems.'
These words had struck a chord. Anxious to make contact with this professed psychic, he stopped what he was doing and picked up the phone. Just then, Tina walked in. She quietly shut the door behind her.
"Hi, honey. Just came by to see how you were doing." She walked over to him and secured a kiss.
"I'm fine, my love. And how art thou?" Trent smiled.
"Wonderful," Tina replied as she sat on his lap and started nibbling his ear.
Trent cleared his throat. "Ah… Tina, I really have a lot of work to do right now. I'm up to my neck with it.
"Okay. Well, how about lunch today? Any plans?"
"I'm not taking a full lunch-break today," he replied, "but we can have dinner later on. I wanna work at least until six or seven."
"All right, then, suit yourself," she said, climbing off his knee and ironing the back of her pleated skirt with her hand. She gave him one last kiss, then left him to his work. Upon his request, she closed the door.
An air of anxiety overwhelmed Trent as he dialed the last digit of Madam Sosu's telephone number. On the third ring, a voicemail clicked in: "Madam is presently busy. Hold the line or call back later."
He opted to hold the line. The voicemail clicked in again sometime later and he continued holding. Ten minutes later, a rather shaky voice came on the line: "Yes, how can I help you today?"
"Madam Sosu?"
"Yes?"
"My name is... well, never mind the name. I have a little problem, a big one actually and was wondering if I could possibly meet with you to discuss it. I'm willing to pay any fee you deem reasonable," Trent remarked.
"Your first name is Trent. You were born on July 1st, 1963. Your mother's name was Grace and your father's... well, that one isn't very clear to me right now. Someone very close to you passed away a few years ago and right now, you are gripped with immense fear for some reason," she said.
Dumbfounded by her revelations, Trent asked, "How do you know all that? We haven't even met yet"
"I read your voice," she replied. "People don't come to me 'cause I'm hocus-pocus, you know. Come to my place and we'll discuss things further."
"Name the time."
"Eight o'clock tonight. Moonshine Road, trail on the right. Drive straight to the end. Be here - no earlier, no later."
Following the intensely brief conversation, a million thoughts raced through Trent's mind and he was confi
dent now that Madam could, in fact, help him.
At 12:30 that afternoon, he decided to go out for a quick bite to eat and more than anything, he needed some fresh air. Before leaving, he peeked at the round, crystal mirror pinned to the wall just above the marble stand, brushed his hair back with a hand, then dashed out of the office, hailing Tina with a nod.
As he headed outside into the blistering heat, he envisioned a super club from Burger's with everything on it. Luckily, when he arrived there, the diner wasn't crowded, so he anticipated a short wait. Dan and Roy, the two teenage boys from the printing company down the street were currently being served. They had only stopped in for ice cream cones. On seeing Trent, they waved and as they reached into their pockets for change to pay for their cones, Trent glanced at his watch.
"Sir, can I take your order now?" The blonde with pigtails asked Dan and Roy walked off.
"I'll have a club please, with all the luggage," he replied. However, from the lady's puzzled expression, he figured that she hadn't the slightest clue what he had meant. "You know... all the luggage - everything on it."
"Why certainly, sir. Why didn't I figure that out myself?" She wrote up the order and passed it through to the back. She was definitely new there for she didn't call him by name. Everyone knew Trent Matheson and everyone respected him.
Trent glanced at his watch again. One and a half minutes had passed, four and a half left to go. From he walked in, he surmised that six minutes was what it would take to be in and out of there with his lunch. Two minutes later, he glanced again. What are those people doing back there? He wondered. After five and a quarter minutes, his sandwich was on the counter, bagged and ready to go. He smiled inwardly, satisfied with his nearly precise estimation.
Afterwards, he hurried back to work and winked at Tina who was sitting at her desk eating some cheese and crackers. At the office, he shut the door behind him, wheeled his chair toward the window and unwrapped the giant club. A moment later, just as he suspected, Tina walked in.
Immortals- The Complete Real Illusions Series Page 7
