“It’s difficult even for us. I doubt either of us could enter that place if we tried,” Gray added.
“Yes, but could Celine?” Alexander posed.
Gray considered it. “Perhaps. But even if she’s found a way, how is he getting there?” Gray asked, pointing to Damien.
“So, Celine is trapped in Shadow World?” Damien croaked, his voice still hoarse. Millie poured him a glass of water to sip.
“No, I doubt it. I’m not sure even she could survive there for weeks. She must be coming and going. But from where and how?” He pondered a moment. “You say she’s not there at first when you arrive?”
“This time she wasn’t,” Damien answered. “The other times she’s there, but I can’t see her at first. And her voice is all distorted. But I can feel her, she can touch me.”
“This time she wasn’t there when you arrived, though?” Gray repeated.
“No, she came and asked what I was doing there. She said I couldn’t stay but to tell you Shadow World and then everything went black.”
“Amazing,” Alexander remarked. “She has found a way to slip in and out of Shadow World AND to call a human there, too.”
“More importantly,” Gray added. “She’s found a way to communicate.”
“I am… astounded,” Alexander admitted. “This is quite a revelation.”
“I agree. It’s… almost beyond belief,” Gray answered. “I am also, however, concerned.”
“Concerned?” Michael inquired.
“Yes,” Gray replied. “We have a way to communicate with Celine, but it’s dangerous. These physical symptoms will continue to wear on Damien each time he enters Shadow World.”
“Perhaps that’s why she only makes contact for minutes at a time,” Alexander suggested.
“Yes, it seems she’s being cautious. She’s well aware of the toll this would take on him,’ Gray responded. “Still, we must be cautious on our end, too. We must keep an eye on him, monitor him day and night. He should never be left alone.”
“I agree,” Alexander replied.
“He’s slipping into this every time he tries to sleep. It’s exhausting him,” Gray added.
“Sedatives may help with that,” Millie chimed in.
“Yes. A sedative will likely stop him from being able to slip into Shadow World. But we must be careful not to block Celine’s ability to communicate,” Gray answered.
“It will be a delicate balance to strike,” Alexander admitted.
“Wait, you guys are proposing he continue to go there?” Michael asked, incredulous.
Gray turned to Damien. “Do you think you can communicate to Celine to contact you during the day? So, you can rest with a sedative at night?”
Damien considered it for a moment. He nodded his head. “I can try. I am learning to navigate this place. If I stay focused on Celine, it’s much easier.”
“No, no, no, wait!” Michael insisted. “This is dangerous. Are you serious?”
“Yes, I’m serious. Why do you two never believe I’m serious?” Gray queried.
“I can do it,” Damien affirmed. “I’m okay. I can do it. I want to do it.”
“All right,” Gray said. “Then we move forward with this plan. The next time she contacts you, tell her the plan. And ask where she is. Once we have that information, we’ll determine what to do next.”
Michael sunk onto the couch next to Damien. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” Damien answered. “Exhausted, but okay.”
“You should remain here tonight. You’ve taken quite a physical toll,” Alexander suggested. “You shouldn’t waste energy returning to the main house. I’ll have a room prepared.”
“And I’d recommend a sedative,” Millie added.
Damien pushed himself straighter. “No. We haven’t told Celine the plan yet! She may try to contact me!”
“We can’t risk it,” Gray countered. “You’ll take the sedative. We can’t afford for you to slip off to Shadow World and become too ill to return.”
“But…” Damien began.
“No buts. Besides, Celine knows not to draw you back too soon. And if she tries and can’t reach you, she’ll try again.”
“One more night. I can withstand it,” Damien argued.
“Damien,” Gray lectured, “I want her back as much as you do. We have to do it smart and safe. We’re making progress. We have a lead. We’re one thousand times better off than we were hours ago. Take the win.”
“He’s right,” Michael agreed. “You’ve got to rest up for the next time Celine contacts you. You have to stay focused so you can tell her the plan.”
Damien sighed, frustrated but resigned. “Okay.”
“Wonderful. We’ll administer the sedative following dinner. You’ll have a good, long sleep. You’ll be more than ready the next time Celine contacts you,” Millie commented.
“One more thing,” Gray added. “Let’s keep this development to ourselves. It doesn’t leave this room, understood? Shifting alliances or not.” Everyone agreed.
Damien spent the hours until dinner teaching Michael how to play chess. The activity kept him quiet and resting while allowing his mind to relax. Alexander and Gray searched for information among Alexander’s reference collection about Shadow World. They hoped to learn as much as possible, including a way to enter the realm themselves. If they could enter the world and speak with Celine, it would ease the burden on Damien.
When dinner rolled around, they had learned nothing to allow them to enter the realm. For the time being, the responsibility to communicate with Celine laid solely with Damien. After dinner, Millie administered the sedative, despite Damien’s protestation. He had temporary misgivings about the sedative. Eventually they convinced him it was for the best. He assented, agreeing only after the promise of one final game of chess as the sedative kicked in.
As they finished the game, Damien yawned. “Tired?” Michael asked.
“Very,” Damien admitted.
“Get some sleep, buddy. See you in the morning!”
Alexander walked Damien to his room. “What you’re doing is very brave, Damien,” Alexander told him as they walked.
“Thanks. But I’d do anything for Celine.”
“I realize that. But Shadow World must be frightening, especially now that you know the dangers.”
“I’ll be okay. Celine will protect me.”
Alexander smiled at him, nodding his head. “She will.”
Damien shook his head as they entered the bedroom. “I’m concerned about
