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to another time and place where nightmares were real. To relive it in the flesh. To do so would
require watching the events unfold minute by horrible minute. Avy shivered. She would have to
witness a murder, all the while keeping her eyes peeled for evidence. If she did know how to get to
160 Gate Walker
that place, maybe it could be stopped. Would that mean stopping her own birth? If there had been
no crime there would have been no Janus to set things right. Avy would not have been fathered.
It was all so damn confusing!
She gazed up at a puffy cloud that looked like a bearded old man.  Why can t you ever make
things simple? she asked the face. She looked to either side of her, embarrassed by her outburst.
Both men were flat on their backs, eyes closed. Chubby already had a snore in full swing. She lay
back, cocked her arms under her head.  Oh, why not?
* * * *
She yawned. Her face felt tight with an irritable burning sensation. Wincing, she realized
she had been asleep. Checking her watch, she found that six hours had passed. The sun was an
orange ember in the west the same sun that had given her a nice little burn. Both men beside her
were still asleep, their faces blotchy pink. She had an impulse to wake them but decided against
it.  Let  em rest, she muttered.
She walked to the water s edge. There were a few families left in the park. Some couples
strolled hand in hand on the lakefront path. The waterfowl had retreated to the center of the lake.
She put a hand in the water, bringing a cool palm to her face, making small pats to bring some
relief to her burnt skin. It felt good.
Then her nose wrinkled.
A pervasive stench hung heavy in the air. The odor tweaked something in her memory. Sure
enough, when she turned around, she saw the transient standing on the lake s edge not twenty feet
from her. He did not wear his blanket over his shoulders like he had before, but stood cloaked
in a filthy raincoat that reached to his knees. It appeared more than a coincidence that this man
would be in close proximity to her again in such a short amount of time. He looked ridiculous in
a family park setting.
He turned his head toward her with a spastic jerk.  Ah, it is the lass again. You should refrain
from following me, you know. His chuckle sounded like a death rattle.
She didn t get the joke, nor did she want to.  What do you want?
 I want for nothing except another beautiful day like today. I want it tomorrow, too. I want to
have many more beautiful visions, including someone like you gracing that panorama. He raised a
hand in the air for dramatic effect. A sparrow flew by him, nicking his finger. The bird somersaulted
into the water, where it floated on the surface for a moment before it tipped on its side and sank.
She took a few steps back.  I haven t got time to discuss psychology or sociology with you.
Nobody understands your stupid doubletalk. I don t like you including me as a character in your
little fantasies either. Your Thespian delivery went out with W.C. Fields. Goodbye.
Avy walked away with hurried steps in the direction of the reclining men. Sebastian had
just sat up when she reached him. He rubbed his face, then gave Chubby s foot a shake. The other
man awoke.
Avy glanced over her shoulder.  Let s get out of here.
Chris Stevenson 161
Sebastian yawned.  Gah, how long have I been asleep?
 Hours, Avy said.  Can we just go?
She did not want a confrontation that might result in an out-of-control scene. The point was
moot when both men got to their feet and Sebastian looked past her toward the lake. He stepped
around Avy, then scowled.  You again! What the hell are you doing here?
The decrepit man cranked his head in several directions.  Ah, hell has nothing to do with
this place. I thought I was a free man in paradise.
 I think you stalk pretty women, said Sebastian.  Your motives don t have anything to do
with walking around in paradise. I asked you what you were doing here.
 Why, I am a resident of this fine city. Have been all my life. This is one of my favorite
haunts.
Chubby stared at the man, uncertainty washing across his face.  I ve been a resident in
Raleigh all my life. I sure as heck don t ever remember seeing you. Nobody could miss someone
like you in lockup, and you look like the type that would have been there at least once. You don t
even ring a small bell.
 Is that another of the Praetorian Guard who harkens? Greetings. I am like Quasimodo, the
one who rang the big bell. I am never seen but often heard. Who might you be, you voluminous
mass of preponderancy?
 I think he just insulted me, said Chubby.
 This isn t worth it, said Avy, clutching Sebastian by the forearm.
 You must tell me, said the man,  if both of you are entitled to the delights of yon damsel,
or if you are permitted to accost her at the same time.
Sebastian made swift strides across the grass, his fist cocked for a punch. Avy caught up
with him, attempting to halt him with an arm lock. He drug her a short distance across the grass.
 Stop it! she yelled.  Can t you see what he s doing? This is what he wants he s baiting
you!
Sebastian pulled back, fuming. His face had transformed to a mask of rage. Avy could see
the pulse pound in his neck. He made a move to throw her off, but then relaxed.
Chubby arrived at his side.  She s right. He s looking for a lawsuit. I know the kind. Let
him go. He ll try it with somebody else.
 Please, honey!
Sebastian turned around, unclenching his fists. He took Avy s hand, then escorted her toward
the car. They could hear the transient s voice rise up from the knoll.
 What s the matter, magic man? Afraid of a little competition?
Sebastian broke his stride but kept walking. Avy found the accusation stunning. The  magic
moniker referred to Sebastian s vocation. It meant the transient knew at least that much about them.
They drove back to the motel in silence. Gretchen met them at the door. Chubby threw the
deadbolt after they were inside, then picked up his dog.
162 Gate Walker
 I ve never seen that person, said Chubby.  It doesn t mean he hasn t been living in some
back alley somewhere. I m wondering if he is just another one of Drake s men hired to harass
us. You ve already spotted him once near the motel and now he shows up in the park. I m not
saying he s dangerous or anything. Maybe he is meant to throw us off our routine while they have [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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