Whisper to a Scream (Book One of the Dark Whispers Universe)

FIVE

FIVE
SEBASTIAN
He sensed something in the air. Sebastian slipped outside to investigate and quickly realized what it was.

"Mom..." He mumbled.

His father joined him outside. "Oh boy..." He said. "That's not good."

"Dad, we have to find her before they do," Sebastian replied.

"You're right about that. Banno lost Zatanna... He'll need a replacement."

"What do we do?"

"You go home. I'll handle this." He started to open a portal. To Sebastian's surprise, the Cloak of Levitation wrapped  around his hand and stopped him.

It was almost comical watching his father struggle against the stubborn Cloak. He kept trying to free his hand, but the Cloak wouldn't budge.

"Damnit, I need to send him home where it's safe," he insisted. The Cloak responded by wrapping itself around both of his hands and tying a knot.

"I think the Cloak disagrees, Mate," John said from the door. "Maybe the boy's here for a reason." He paused. "What the bloody hell is that energy?" He demanded.

"I think my mom's in this realm," Sebastian explained.

"How'd she get here?"

"That is an excellent question. Wanda can do a lot of impossible things, but I've never known her to cross between realms unassisted."

"She had assistance," Sebastian said with certainty. "I feel the energy around her."

"Wong..." His father growled as he sensed it, too. "And he says I have bad ideas! What was he thinking?"

"Well, I can't speak for your friend, but I get the feeling the Universe is moving chess pieces into position," John said. "Our realms collided because of Banno... Maybe that means it's going to take all of us to stop the bloody bastard."

"He's right, Dad," Sebastian said. "Can you see how this ends?"

"I wish. I didn't actually see any of this coming... But I have a feeling our realms didn't connect by accident," he replied. "And if I'm right about who is behind this..." He shook his head.

"You think one person did this?" John asked.

"I think one person set things in motion knowing exactly what would happen... And I can't ask her."

"Why not?"

"She's dead. She has been since before Sebastian was born."

"That's not an issue."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I can summon her," John replied with a casual shrug.

"Trust me, she's not the sort of spirit you just summon. Besides... If I'm right, we need to let this play out. We'll figure it out along the way."

John's cell phone rang, making all three of them jump in surprise. "Bollocks!" He cried. He took a deep breath before answering. "What is it, Clark?" He paused, visibly tensing.

Sebastian and his father both sensed the seriousness of the situation and neither dared to speak. After several minutes, John's face turned both horrified and furious simultaneously. "That bloody bastard..." He mumbled. "I'll kill him." He paused again. "No, Clark, Dinah's not handling this. I'll ask Emily myself. She's more likely to tell me than Canary. Besides, this is more than a little sensitive, considering he's Zee's ex-whatever." He paused again. "Bollocks... Zee..." He mumbled. "I'll call you back, Clark." He hung up.