Curran cleared his throat. “I’ve had some of those lately myself.”
“Steve. I think it might have been.”
“Explain that to me. I’m a little groggy.”
“I dreamed I was in Darius’ house. Walking around. I walked upstairs.” She hesitated. “I saw him, Steve.”
“You saw him? Darius?”
“Yes.”
“What was he doing?”
“He was asleep. In his bed.”
“Describe his bedroom to me.”
“Not much to describe. It’s not very nicely decorated. A bed, some exercise weights, a dresser I think, that’s about it.”
Another pause. Longer this time. “Okay. So what happened?”
“He was mumbling in his sleep.”
“You hear what he was saying?”
“It was in some weird language. One I’ve never heard before.”
“Plenty of those around. Could have been anything.”
“It sounded old, Steve. Very ancient. Almost singsong. It scared me listening to it like I was.”
“What are you thinking?”
“Is it possible I heard him communicating with…?” She trailed off; surprised she didn’t want to say it herself. As if saying it would reinforce the idea that it had actually happened.
“The Devil?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know,” said Curran. “I suppose anything is possible at this point.”
“You don’t think it was a dream?”
“Might have been, although you described his bedroom perfectly. Not the kind of thing you’d be able to pull out of thin air. Haven’t researchers found that people tend to have out-of-body experiences most often when they sleep?”
“I don’t know,” said Lauren.
“Well, no matter. You weren’t able to hear what he was saying. Not much we can pull out of this.”
“Steve…there’s something else.”
“What is it?”
“He spoke to me.”
“What?”
“Just as I was leaning in, trying to make out what he was saying. He opened his eyes.”
“He was awake?”
“I think he woke up.”
“You sure he spoke to you?”
Another crash against her bedroom window. Another gust of wind. It’s like all the evil is outside trying to get in, she thought. Trying to get to me. “Positive. He looked right at me.”
“He saw you? How is that possible?”
“I don’t know. My god I don’t know.”
“What did he say?”
“He said, ‘hello Lauren.’”
“That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“No death threats or anything?”
“He didn’t have to. If you’d seen the way he looked through me. Like I wasn’t even there.”
“You weren’t there, Lauren.”
“But I was.”
“Okay.”
“It scared me, Steve. I got the impression in just those two words, and standing there watching him mumble in his sleep. I got the impression it’s going to happen soon.”
“The resurrection?”
“Yes.”
“Well, he can’t do much right now. He’s got two cops and Kwon sitting on him. Be tough to get out of that house without someone noticing him.”
“I don’t think any of those measures would stop him if he really meant to get out and do something about it.”
Curran’s voice sounded fully awake now. “You think Kwon’s in danger?”
“I think we’re all in danger.”
“Goes without saying,” said Curran. “But what about imminent danger? I can phone Kwon if you need me to.”
Lauren closed her eyes, still clutching the sheets to her. “I don’t know. I can’t honestly say. I just keep seeing his eyes. The way they looked. So cold. So hollow. Vacant almost, you know? Like he wasn’t even in his body.”
“Want me to come over?”
She hesitated again. Part of her wanted him to. Part of her yearned for him to come over and wrap her in his arms, to make the rest of the world dissolve into nothingness. He could protect her, she felt. She knew this. She desired it.
“No,” she said finally. “I’ll see you in a few hours anyway.”
“You’re sure?”
“No,” said Lauren. “I’m not sure. But it’s better if you don’t.”
“Why’s it better?”
“Because we won’t be tempted to make a mistake.”
“It might not be a mistake, Lauren. You ever think about that?”
“All the time, Steve. All the time.”
“You’re sure.”
“I am.”
He sighed. Lauren could feel his desperation even down the phone line. “All right. I’ll pick you up at seven. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“You call me if anything happens.”
“I will.”
“Or if you change your mind.”
“I will.”
“I can be there in ten minutes.”
“I know.”
“Ten minutes,” said Curran. “Not long at all.”
Lauren smiled. “Good night, Steve.”
“Good night, Lauren.”
Curran called Kwon.
Not that he was overly concerned, but he did find Lauren’s detail of Darius’ bedroom unerring. He sat on the edge of his bed, down slippers keeping his feet warm. They were the only things that could it seemed.
Kwon answered on the third ring. “Why you bothering me?”
“You always answer the phone that way?”
“Only when I know it’s some sex-starved cop on the other end.”
“Funny.” The winds outside howled. One of the shutters sounded like it had worked its way loose and was banging against the side of the house.
