Page 29 of Dark Visions

“Good morning, Angela,” said Aislinn.

“So, how was your night?” she asked with a glint in her eyes.

“Actually, we read parts of your sister’s book, and it helped,” said Kane. “Aislinn had another vision, and I was touching her. I saw it too. I was able to call to her, and she came out of it. It was the most surreal thing I’ve ever experienced.”

“You are her anchor!” cried the little woman, clapping her hands. “I knew it! You’re able to pull her from the vision.”

“The vision was still horrible,” said Aislinn. “Nothing about that changed.”

“You can’t change what is real, child. But the fact that Kane can pull you from the depths of such horrible scenes will help you tremendously.” Aislinn nodded, and Kane reached for her hand, linking their fingers. Dr. Brennan smiled at them. An improvement.

Aislinn explained the scene from the night before and how Kane had called out to her. He said all the right things and pulled her toward him, the blood disappearing. Dr. Brennan took notes and nodded.

“What do we do now? We seem to be on the right path of helping Aislinn control the visions, but how do we help stop these heinous crimes?”

“That, my dear, is an entirely different matter. In order to do that, you would need to have the visions days in advance and identify the faces, track the criminal, and catch them in the act. A difficult task by any account. However, to expect that Aislinn should attempt to have the visions earlier could be detrimental to her health.”

Kane nodded, and Aislinn paled slightly. She wanted the visions to stop, not to speed up. There had to be a way to have a compromise.

“I want you to try to have positive visions, Aislinn,” she said. “Read the chapter on dream memory, and focus on the things it suggests tonight. I believe you have the ability to access positive visions, but you haven’t had the practice as yet. If you focus on positive things, beautiful things, I think your visions may change for you.”

“That would certainly be a change of events,” she said, grinning.

“Don’t worry, love. It will all work out for you, I promise. Now, when will you go to Ireland?” she asked. “I’d love for you to meet my sister.”

“Well, I haven’t really had time to think that far ahead,” said Aislinn, smiling at the older woman. “We have some things to figure out here first.”

“Yes,” said Dr. Brennan, nodding her head solemnly, “I suppose you do at that. Well, I’m here if you need anything at all. Don’t hesitate to call me. Just know this, Aislinn. You are normal, just better than normal. There is nothing wrong with you at all. Learn to control the visions, and you will be able to change the world.”

Aislinn nodded at the woman and hugged her, stepping back and smiling. Kane shook her delicate hand and felt the warmth seep into his body. Taking Aislinn’s hand, he led her from the building and back toward his truck.

“How do you feel about stopping at the mall?” she asked. Kane’s face scrunched up, and she laughed. “I need a few things, Kane. I don’t have a lot of clothes, and I’m going to need to start interviewing sooner or later.”

“Okay, for you, anything,” he said with a forced smile. Aislinn could only laugh, and Kane thought it might be the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Christopher Krauss waited for his brother patiently. They were close as children, so close that most people thought they were the same person. In recent years, since the murder of his wife and son, his brother Michael had distanced himself from Christopher. It was painful for him, and he missed him dearly. When Michael learned of their deaths, he plunged his fist through a wall, suffering irreparable nerve and tendon damage, forcing him to leave the world of an elite surgeon and serve in the less glamorous life of an emergency room doctor.

Christopher felt tremendous guilt, even after all these years, thinking of that night. Had he been with his brother, perhaps he could have stopped him from punching the wall and ruining his career.

The restaurant was busy with a Wednesday evening dinner crowd, and he took a slow sip of the Chardonnay in front of him. He was used to his brother’s tardiness and didn’t really mind it any more. Even as children, Michael was always late for school, the last to get dressed or eat breakfast. Seeing his brother walk in the front door, he stood to greet him.

“Michael,” he said, pulling him into a hug, “it’s so good to see you! I’ve missed you.”

“It’s only been a few weeks, Christopher,” he laughed. Secretly, he loved that his brother held him tight and wanted to see him more. If he could just tell him the things in his mind, the things that made him sleep less and worry more.

“I know that, but still, I miss your company, Michael. You need to come around more often.”

“I promise I’ll try,” he said, sitting across from his brother. The waitress held up the bottle of wine, and Michael nodded. Pouring the glass, she set the bottle back in the bucket of ice and handed him the menu.

“Why don’t you and I take a trip together? We could go to Vegas or Paris! We both have vacation time due to us. Let’s do this!” he said excitedly.

“Christopher, you’re getting ahead of yourself. I’m needed at the hospital.”

“I know your work is important to you, Michael. Mine is important to me as well. We need this, though, you and me.” He pleaded with his brother, and Michael nearly gave in. Not yet. Not quite yet. He wasn’t done with his mission.

“I’ll think about it, okay? Let’s just enjoy a wonderful dinner.” Christopher nodded, and they gave their orders, chatting casually.

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