Dennis and I approached October with a bit less trepidation than usual, given that nothing has happened for almost three years following the Air Siren incident.
This quiet interlude has been very peaceful for us and we have been able to focus on our relationship and careers. We even talked about starting a family soon. I said that I felt it was better to wait till after Halloween/ Samhain, just to be absolutely sure. Dennis agreed, just to be absolutely sure.
Several weeks ago I was asked to interview a New York Times best selling author who would be in town for a book signing. I've covered these many times, but this time the author was Jocelin Evers, a purported psychic, and the book was "The World Unseen: How Does It Affect You?" I tried to pawn the assignment off on Galvin or Eileen- since she's into anything New Agey- but the managing editor believed that I would be more objective. If only he knew!
"Really, Brenda, I don't see what you're all worried about," said Dennis at dinner that night. "She's probably just another fraud."
"I guess you're right, but what if she's not? There goes my objectivity out the window."
"I seriously doubt that," he said. "You're always completely professional. No matter what."
Leaning forward, I ran my finger though his adorable short curls, and kissed him. "No matter what," I murmured.
We wound up doing the dishes much later.
I arrived for the interview about an hour before the book signing, as we had agreed. I intentionally had not googled her to get a more honest first impression. Jocelin Evers was not what I expected. She was a petite older woman wearing a navy suitdress and her hair done up in a French twist. She jumped up as soon as I entered and grasped my hands in both of hers.
"Mrs. Ealing! So happy to meet you!"
Suddenly she went very pale and whispered, "Y o u ' r e the one they call the Gate Crasher."
"Pardon?"
"Come, dear, let's sit down in here- where we can talk privately."
She knew. About my annual visions. About the Air Siren incident nearly three years ago.
"They didn't like your interference," she said.
"I didn't like letting an innocent man die."
"Do you know who he was?"
"Yes. At first I thought he was just a businessman. Instead, he was a diplomat returning to his country to stop a civil war."
"And he was successful."
"Yes... All of the Air Siren's victims were involved in peace efforts, weren't they?"
"Yes, dear. God only knows what the world would be like if the rest had been able to complete their missions."
"That's what Dennis said- Dennis, my husband."
"He knows?"
"He's known nearly from the beginning. Plus, he's been there several times when it happened."
"Good that you have him to lean on."
"Yes. He's my rock."
"Well, they've shut the Samhain Portal down for you so he can relax. At least for now."
"Do you know how much longer it will be like that? It would be so nice to know ahead of time."
"I wish I knew."
YOU ARE READING
The Gate Crasher
HorrorBrenda's career and marriage are both going great and she hasn't had any visions or supernatural experiences for nearly three years. Will this calm interlude last or will she again confront the dark unseen forces threatening our world? This is the t...