Prophetic Dreams

Chapter 3

“Michael, How ya doin?” James asked when he answered the phone.

“Not bad, and you?”

“Well I’ve been better, let’s put it that way.”

“Oh? What seems to be the problem my man?” Michael asked rather perplexed.

“I am not sure how to say this without you thinking I am insane, how bout we get together for coffee?”

“Yeah I can do that, just me and Darla here anyway and she is busy checking another system for bugs so I got time to kill.”  Darla was Michael’s computer he had built.  It was a bit of a Frankenstein machine but could direct a rocket to the moon with the right mind behind it, and James was not sure if Michael didn’t have some sort of plans along those lines. 

“Okay sounds good, how about Cousins in an hour?”

“It’s a date”, Michael said with a laugh.

When James pulled into the parking lot at Cousin’s restaurant he noticed Michael standing under a tree on the other side.  The man under the tree could be mistaken for no one else.  He was in his early 30’s and balding, he stood about five foot three inches tall, and that was when he was wearing his good shoes.  In his loafers he was scarcely five foot one.  He had the pudgy little face of a hobbit and ears that truly didn’t belong to him.  He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt that read, “My true love is Unix”, it didn’t mean anything to James, just more Greek in a sea of computer slang.  The unruly mass of black curls sticking out from under his ball cap looked like some sort of creature that was trying to escape.

Michael was hanging up his I-Phone when he noticed James coming across the parking lot.  “James!” Michael shouted, “How the hell are ya buddy?”

“Well like I said on the phone, I’ve been better”, said James giving Michael a firm handshake.

“Lets go inside and get some coffee then shall we?”

“Sounds good.” Said James.

When they entered the restaurant they could smell the fresh cinnamon rolls that Cousin’s was famous for.  They were always big enough to cover a small dinner plate and were served hot with plenty of butter.  After they were seated and the waitress took their order Michael leaned over to James.  “Okay spill it, this is obviously huge because I’ve never known you to clam up like this.”

“Okay, but you have to promise me that this stays confidential and that you wont have me committed.”  James said with a serious tone.

“No problem man, just tell me what’s going on.”

James went into the whole thing in detail stopping only long enough for the waitress to bring their food and get back out of earshot.  “So what your saying is you went to Israel and found some charm or amulet or whatever it was.  Then you started having nightmares, so you went to some crazy lady in a creepy old house in the middle of nowhere and she gave you some book and told you you’re the one?  Then on your way home you stumble upon some old shack and it is the one you dream about?”

“Uh…Yeah.” James said solemnly.

“So what can I do to help?”

“Well remember when I worked for the planning office?”  James asked rhetorically, “I tried my old password and it worked, I looked for the old homestead and it wasn’t there, however there was a file in there that was encrypted, that I want to see.  I need you to crack it so I can read it.”

“Are you sure that file has anything to do with the old place?”  Asked Michael.

“No, but I have a feeling that someone didn’t want anyone to read it for some reason.”

“Okay, this is obviously important to you.  Be at my place tonight at nine.  I need to get back and see how Darla is making out with that other system.”

“See ya.”  James said as they walked out the door and headed for opposite ends of the parking lot.  The beat up little pinto started without protest.   James sat in the lot for a minute wondering what he was getting into, and worst of all, what he was getting his friend into.  He hadn’t slept for two days now, he knew he was going to crash soon, he was dreading that time in dream land.