Two Clocks Past Midnight Part 7 (27)
“Why is your favorite color your favorite?”
That was Allen Wrench’s first question, and it threw off guard. Why would he ask that? Also, not what was my favorite color. He was gauging how close I was watching his words. Seeing if I would give more than needed.
I answered, “It became my favorite when I was young. I just never changed it. I still do like it.”
He pursed his lips and nodded. It was my turn. But what to ask. He said Melissa and Jennifer were, but cut me off from asking why. It was a bait to waste a question. I needed to ask something else.
“Why were you in Jesse’s dream last night?”
“I was investigating the Dream Eater, and wandered in. Her mind shines bright in the Dream World. Tell me, what do you know about the Dream World?”
“Nothing. I've never studied dreams.” I had to make sure I was answering fully while not giving too much and also pulling all I could out of him. I asked a basic question, “What should I know about the Dream World to protect myself and my friends.”
“The Dream World is the result of the naturally high level of psychic energy that exists in a populated area doing sleep. It's only semi physical and requires know-how of psychic force to interact with it, on top of skills in the art of wayfinding through Otherside. At least if you want to go there physically as opposed to a mental projection or psychic link. There are different risks with each approach, but personally I would prefer to lose a limb over losing my sense of honor or childhood. As for direct defense, standard mental wards both basic and advanced would do the trick. I can have books on the subject delivered to your dorm. If you want.”
That was a lot of information, but I would bet none of it was a secret. Had I wasted a question? I wouldn't know until I heard his question.
“How did you find yourself dream walking last night?”
What kind of question was that? I already told him I didn't even understand the Dream World stuff. How would this change anything?
“Randomly.” I settled on as an answer.
“Randomly?”
“Yes, sir. Randomly.” I pushed forward, “What are you going to do when you find the Dream Eater?”
“Depends. If they are a practitioner I will bring the full force of the law on them. If they are a wild psychic, I will either drive them off or put them down. And if they are an unknowing soul helplessly harming others I will give my help however I can.”
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That answer was terrifying. It meant this man, who was a professional in his field, had no clues on what was going on. That didn't bode well for me.
“Alright. My turn. Here's a simple one,” Allen set his gaze at me and locked eyes with me, “How much of The Black Book have you read?”
I kept my face hard as stone. I stood up and turned away, “Good day, Mr Wrench.”
“Jessica, before you go, I want to stress that you don't have to involve yourself any further.” Allen said, “More importantly, you're not ready to be involved in these things.”
“And how do you know?” I shot back without looking. I didn't want to show my face to him.
“Well first, the fact you did nothing to stop me from reading your mind.”
“You what!” I whipped around enraged, but restrained myself, “Mind reading is illegal.”
“Active mind reading, yes,” he said matter of factly, “Passive mind reading? That's more tolerated. And you did nothing to protect yourself. You also have no idea where to even begin your hunt, and while true I'm also hunting blind I'm a professional with expertise and experience. I can handle myself.”
I was shaking. My nerves were unraveling. “Can you guarantee no one will get hurt?”
His eyes widened and he pursed his lips before sighing out, “No. Of course not. Try as I might, someone will likely get hurt, and badly. Even as I try to prevent it.”
I gritted, “Can you guarantee my friends will be safe!”
“No. And neither can you.” He said flatly, “You're better off learning how to protect yourself, and trusting them to keep themselves safe. I know that's hard to do, but do understand that all of them are all fairly strong on their own. Such is the case for most people. After all, humanity didn't survive twelve thousand years cowering in the face of danger. Have faith.”
I took a deep breath and sighed. He was right and I told him as much.
“Good.” He nodded, “Now of course, I can tell this warning was completely wasted on you. So I also want to let you know that you can trust me. I'm an ally in this. You can come to me if you need help, or have anything to help me.”
I just nodded and turned, opening the door where Ms Viy was practically pressed against trying to listen in.
“Oh! Jessica! Ms Black! Are you and Mr Wrench done?” She sounded like she was hiding a nervous break.
I walked past her when Allen called out, “I currently have a direct line with the DDH. If you want to contact me, just call their office and they'll patch you through.”
“Got it.” I barked back and dismissed Ms Viy when she offered to escort me back to class. I made sure I was too fast for her to catch up without running. I needed to get away from there. My nerve was slipping away bit by bit.
I didn't return to class. Instead I darted through the halls to a place I discovered my first month here. A little place near the center where the wall bent in a weird way. With the alignment of the lockers it created a cozy hiding spot that was well known by other delinquents. When there were already three others there.
One of them was likely a humanoid otherkin and the second some kind of spellcaster I guessed. Both boys. They wore uniforms with baggy hoodies. The third was a girl with paper white skin and pure black eyes with blood lips. Her attire was a gothic pseudo noble. A mundane's image of a vampire or witch. They all had a cigarette with smoke trails being sucked by a nearby vent.
“One of you have a light?” I asked.
“Damn girl. You look terrible.” The pale witchy girl smiled with shark teeth and held up a pack of fancy smokes, “Take one of mine. Platinum Pride Premium. Twice the buzz with twice the cancer.”
