So a thing I have Over Yonder is split awareness. I can be in entirely different and disconnected scenes simultaneously. Works great for transferring information and objects between worlds. However, it also works great for putting too much strain on my mind when shit is going down.
I mention that because I am still in the Shamblings’ embrace. Surfaced just enough to not be in unbeing with them, but they are not letting me go. Not entirely.
But a piece of me walks into a bookstore run by a kindly elderly gent with unusual hobbies. There are pleasantries then he leaves me to wander the stacks by myself as some friends of his have arrived with a bit of trouble in between them.
“This will take at least an hour, so if you see any books you fancy buying but are pressed for time, leave a note with your name, the book titles, and the cost on the counter. You can come back later and settle the charge.”
“We just met, Sir. I could take cruel advantage of that.”
“You wouldn’t. And even if you did, I have ways to settling it myself. You’re fine. Now, I must attend to this. Excuse me.”
And he was gone to deal with things in the basement.
I wandered the stacks and saw many interesting titles, but for all my childhood love of reading, I am ignorant of which esoteric authors and titles to seek out. My wandering brought me near the door to the basement where I heard familiar tones.
It seems the kindly elderly gent is a priest of sorts. No… magician. From what I could make out, the folks that arrived have one more spirit than they have bodies and the stowaway is either refusing to pay the fare or leave empty handed.
The part of me held by the Shamblings groans and involuntarily pushes against them. Something is wrong. I should leave.
I look at the book I am holding. The marbled cream color twists over the jacket. Something is very wrong. I am not alone.
From the basement, the cornered spirit shouts something unintelligible. I recognize the tone of the words to be challenging and insulting, but what was actually meant escapes my cognition.
It doesn’t escape what is shadowing me. I feel a surge of anger and dominance from outside myself as it moves to answer the challenge. It grips me and slides into the vacant space in my spirit. I stumble as the possession takes me over quicker than I can understand what is happening.
In the Forest of Shadows, the Shamblings bury me in the core of the hive. Whatever has seized me in the bookstore will not have that piece.
~*~
“Sip some tea, dear. It will fill that spot and warm you up.” I did as I was commanded. The taste brought me fully into consciousness. The kindly elderly gent was standing over me. I was seated at a small table in the rear of the bookstore. A second man was with him. I recognize him as one of those escorting the stricken person earlier. He was scowling as deep as the kindly elderly gent was friendly.
“My apologies for not noticing your vulnerability sooner. At least what borrowed you did so for good, but still, I will not allow my customers to be so abused any further.” He took the empty cup from my hand and glanced at the bottom before putting it out of my reach. “Anything you can tell me about what slipped in?”
The Shamblings were still holding me away from the surface. Any knowledge of what happened is probably there with them.
“No, Sir. Just… it was angry. Not at me and not at you. At something going on in the basement. Something didn’t know their place and it was going to demonstrate it with prejudice.”
The scowling man snorted. The kindly elderly gent chuckled in sincere mirth. “Well, that it did. That is a very curt assessment of the proceedings it intruded upon, and indeed, it did place the errant… something… in its proper place. With prejudice.” His attempt to contain his mirth gave his mouth a feline smirk. The mirth did not reach his eyes, however. The orbs glinted as if a knife’s honed edge. “However, it still tread where it was not to, and did so upon a person that did not grant it permission to. I’ll have none of that.”
He took my hands softly but firmly. He pulled them forward slightly but the action pulled my consciousness low. Magician. Definitely magician. “Take a rest, dear. You have been through much and your soul is bruised for it. Whatever is holding you elsewhere is doing as it should, but you are still vulnerable here.” Another tug and I passed out as I fell forward.
~*~
“I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry…”
“I will see to her safety and comfort, and then I will see to you!”
“I had to know! And she was…”
“NOT ANOTHER WORD FROM YOU! You have betrayed my trust and her [unintelligible]. HOW DARE YOU! SHE IS NOT YOUR VESSEL TO FILL AT YOUR LEISURE!”
My bones were smouldering. Or at least that’s what they felt like. My mouth tasted of ash and soot. It took me several more breaths to realize I was trembling. Still. My muscles ached as if I had been through several long fits with no respite between them. I struggled to be fully here. I tried to speak but all I could manage was a low groan.
A strong hand wiped away tears from my face, revealing them by their sudden absence. “Forgive me. I thought this would be a safe place for you. I thought here you could find the answers your consciousness is seeking. But I see now all the books here are empty to you, and now you have been violated once again.” I could hear the tones of barely constrained rage. And the tones of deep sorrow. “Go now. Go to those that are holding you safe. Remain with them tonight.”
He placed his hand upon my face and pushed gently. The action removed me from this dream.
The Shamblings held me tight as the fits began again. Mercifully, they buried my consciousness with my body as they moved to immobilize me completely.