“I wish I understood what was happening to me,” responded Dana.
“Visions aren’t usually that precise,” said Corinda. “They’re often clouded with symbolism and all sorts of cryptic elements.”
“It’s driving me nuts,” said Dana.
Corinda swirled the cold tea in her cup. “You joke, but visions have broken a lot of minds over the centuries.”
“And gotten some burned at the stake, I bet.”
“That, too. And while we don’t have to worry about that kind of thing, the reaction by the unenlightened is often negative and hostile. You saw some of that in the gym yesterday.”
Dana glanced at her. “The fact that you know that is really creepy.”
Corinda looked pained. “I know. I’ve been creeping people out all my life. It’s not fun. Those of us with gifts are often made to feel like we’re evil, or sinful or wrong because this is part of who we are. However, I don’t recall asking for this burden, and I suspect you didn’t, either.”
“Not on your life,” said Dana. “Not in a million years.”
“Which leaves us right where we were,” said Melissa.
They sat and thought about it for a bit as the flow of people in and out of Beyond Beyond continued with the regularity of a tide. Angelo walked past carrying a red metal toolbox. He glanced at them, and Dana met his eyes. It was only for a brief moment, but there was an electric connection that she felt all the way down to her toes. His face was serious, unsmiling, almost troubled, and as soon as he noticed her looking at him, his gaze darted away. Why? Was he embarrassed? Did he not like what he saw? Was there something about her? Dana didn’t know. Whatever it was, Angelo moved away quickly and vanished into the back.
“What should we do?” asked Melissa, oblivious to the exchange.
Corinda snapped her fingers. “Got it,” she said. “Sunlight.”
“Right,” agreed Melissa at once.
“Why?” asked Dana. “What’s he got to do with this?”
“With the murders?” asked Corinda. “Nothing. But he has a gift, too.”
“Which is what?”
“That series of classes he’s giving? Psychic Emergence? It’s for people who have, or think they have, gifts like yours. He has a talent for helping people cultivate their gifts, develop them. I bet he could help you.”
Dana felt apprehension rise up in her chest. She wasn’t sure she wanted her “gifts” to get any stronger. But what if Sunlight could help, though? And what if, by helping her focus her visions, Dana could prevent the murder of another teenager?
“Okay,” she said uncertainly, “let’s try.”
A line was forming at the front register and Corinda stood up. “You girls go find Sunlight. I’ve got to work; then I have back-to-back readings.”
“But—” began Dana, but Corinda cut her off.
“After you see Sunlight, go home and meditate on this. I will, too, and then come back tomorrow so we can compare notes and make a plan.”
They agreed. Corinda touched Dana’s cheek.
“Be strong, little sister. You’re becoming powerful, and that is always a frightening process. Have faith in your own power and trust the larger world. It holds all the answers.” And with that she was gone.
CHAPTER 29
Scully Residence
5:54 P.M.
When they went looking for Sunlight, they learned that he had already left for the day. So Dana and Melissa had walked home, talking about everything but getting nowhere they hadn’t already reached. It was so maddening that they eventually lapsed into a shared and troubled silence that pursued them all the way to their door.
Dana went to her room and was doing homework when the phone rang, and a moment later she heard her mother call her name. “Dana! It’s for you.”
There was a phone on a small table at the top of the stairs, and Dana hurried out to take the call. She didn’t have her own phone, but almost no one ever called her. She had no real friends here and none of any depth back in San Diego. Sometimes her dad asked to speak to her if he was away, but he usually asked for both girls. She lifted the receiver.
“Yes?”
“Hey,” said a familiar voice. “Got a sec?”
It took her a moment to place the voice.
“Ethan…?”
“Yeah, I was thinking—”
Dana covered the mouthpiece and yelled very loudly, “I got it, Mom!”
After a moment there was a discreet click as the downstairs phone was laid back in its cradle.
“I didn’t interrupt dinner or something, did I?” asked Ethan.
“No,” she said quickly. “I was studying.”
“Frogs?” he asked.
“Frogs,” she agreed, and leaned back against the wall.
“Best thing to think about before bed. Frog guts.”
“How’d you get my number?” she asked abruptly.
“Huh? Oh, I got it from Eileen, who got it from Dave, who got it from your sister. Is it cool that I called?” asked Ethan. “I’m not like … overstepping or anything?”