Darkest Designs by Dale Mayer

she’d have to sit down and clarify what this meant to her. And to her mother. It also showed her how lacking in beliefs she was. Without a strong religious background giving her defining guidelines one way or the other, she hadn’t formulated any theories about death and afterlife herself. And now she’d experienced something so foreign to her world, that she knew she’d have no one else to discuss this with down the road. And that was sad.
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    â€œStorey?”
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    She took a deep breath. This so wasn’t the time. With an attempt at a reassuring smile, she nodded. “Yes, let’s do this.”
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    The codex on Dillon’s wrist started a series of notes that she’d never heard before. The sound achingly sad and heartbreakingly beautiful. Almost funeral. She spun a look at Eric and realized he was just as surprised as she was.
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    She watched as Dillon slowly appeared to sink in on himself. Fascinating. His features dimmed, his body slowly becoming fuzzy around the edges.
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    She’d expected the black mist to circle him and it did, but it seemed softer, more cloud like than she’d seen before. Instead of a hard port, dragging the body away to a new dimension, it was baby’s breath gentle.
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    Tears welled up inside as she realized this was the end of Dillon as she’d known him. She could only hope he was traveling to somewhere so much better.
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    The music slowly faded as if moving a long way away. And it probably was. The fuzzy mist darkened to the point she could barely see anything within its depths.
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    Eventually the music died altogether. She waited. Would the mist disappear too?
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    It did, slowly. Dillon appeared to sway in place, then almost in slow motion his body disintegrated with the mist. Leaving nothing behind. Unfreakin’ believable. And unfreakin’ beautiful.
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    She was moved beyond tears. A warm hand wrapped around her shoulders.
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    â€œAre you okay?”
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    She smiled tremulously. “Yes. Or at least I will be soon.”
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    â€œHow long do you think before we know if it was successful?”
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    She’d like to know that herself.
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    â€œStylus? Do you know if Dillon has arrived?”
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    He has.
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    A smile broke free, and Storey released the breath she’d held unconsciously. “Dillon is there.”
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    â€œReally?” Eric’s happy gasp made her laugh.
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    â€œYes.” Even she could hear the relief wreathing her voice as she asked, “Stylus, is he all right? Is he awake? Talking?”
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    Not yet. He will need time to acclimatize.
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    That wiped the smile off. “Any idea how long?” She reached up and squeezed Eric’s hand at the worry etched on his features. Again, he couldn’t hear all of the conversation. She gave him a thumbs up gesture.
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    He settled back slightly and waited.
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    This is an unknown. Depends on how long he needs to recuperate.
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    â€œOkay. Let me know, please, when anything changes.”
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    She turned to Eric and relayed the information.
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    He shrugged. “We’ve done what we could for him. Now it’s out of our hands. Do you think we can leave?” He looked around and shuddered. “I’d like to get out of here.”
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    â€œMe too.” She took a deep breath. “Stylus, what about us? Can we leave now?”
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    A heavy buzz filled the air.
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    A quick glance confirmed Eric heard it to. “I presume that’s the styluses talking again. Not sure why that hum is so loud.”
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    â€œIf it helps us escape, I don’t mind.”
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    We don’t know if the transfer for the Broken One will work in the physical dimensions.
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    Uh oh. Her next problem had appeared. “Eric, the styluses are not sure that the Broken One will be able to transfer in the regular dimensions. I believe they think the process might be easier if we