Shadow

Chapter 12 - Origins

'We need help,' Abbie said, browsing frantically through her phone. 'We need to know what it is we're dealing with here.'

Jimmy looked at her, smiled nonchalantly, and then concentrated on the road. In a way, he found solace just by Abbie's presence. She said something to him a couple of hours ago which flashed in his mind in big neon-styled words: We're stronger together.

That was certainly the case. Just being in each other's company was strength enough. He found that Abbie could be herself around him, and not have to tip-toe around him, especially when it came to the topic of drugs. He caught her shivering every now and then and she rubbed her arms but then proceeded to focus on her phone.

'What is it you're looking for?' Jimmy asked.

Abbie tapped her index finger on her phone a couple of times. Jimmy supposed she was trying to click on a link.

'A psychic,' she replied. 'Fortune-teller. It's Vegas, after all.'

'Why are you looking for that?'

'Might be the only shot we got at dealing with whatever this thing is.'

'You don't believe in that mumbo-jumbo, do you?'

'Well, you didn't believe there would be a talking jackal with eyes that burn red, did you?'

Jimmy sighed. 'I guess you're right. Looks like all bets are off now. But where the hell are we going to find someone like that, especially at this time?'

He stopped in front of a red light on Spring Mountain Road, right across from The Auto Center, which serviced and sold used cars. From a great distance, he could see the two infamous buildings which had ENCORE and WYNN written on the side and next to it the Treasure Island Hotel, with an advertisement poster that he couldn't quite make out.

'Found him,' Abbie said and showed the screen of the phone to him.

Jimmy took the phone and studied it. 'The Great Dumaka?' he quizzed.

'He's supposed to be this famous psychic fortune-teller,' she explained while reading from the phone. 'Apparently, he's really good and his readings are accurate. He's got a lot of five-star reviews, and he's entertaining at The Mirage.'

'The Mirage?'

'Didn't you see any posters and stuff when you were in the hotel?'

The green light came on, and he gave the phone back to Abbie as he accelerated.

'Well, I know there were posters and advertisements in the lobby, but I just didn't focus on it. My attention was elsewhere, as you can understand.'

'Yeah.'

'And you think this guy can help us?' he asked.

She shrugged. 'We got no other choice. Besides, it'll be a good way to find out if this guy is a phony or not. If he can't figure out what it is that's after us, then that's his career down the drain.'

Jimmy liked the way she thought. There was more to her than met the eye. If she hadn't thought of this, he wouldn't have known where to begin. He had already lost Richie this evening and then found himself embarrassed by asking for Harry's help — again. It hurt his pride, because this was his business, and it was dangerously personal that he did not want to involve another human being, and never in a million years would he have thought of involving a fragile teenager in his desire for vengeance.