Sarah swore softly as the overflowing cup sent scalding coffee over her hand. Ignoring the pain, she focused on the TV, ears straining to catch every word of the morning news. "Richmond Police say there are still no clues in the execution-style murder of Corrine Larson. Larson, whose body was discovered in a dumpster outside her apartment complex early Monday morning, was a three-time award winning journalist for the Richmond Herald."
The story continued, but Sarah stopped listening as the erratic beat of her heart pounded inside her head. Monday. She'd tried to put the dream out of her mind. Rationalized it. Just a dream brought on by the death of Johanna Nelson.
Rubbing her temples, Sarah brought her attention to the screen just in time to see a pretty young brunette with deep brown eyes smiling at her. "No," she whispered.
"Mommy, that's the pretty lady."
Sarah jumped. She'd been so focused on the news story she hadn't heard Nikki enter the room. She struggled to control her emotions, turned off the TV, and forced a smile as she turned to her daughter.
"What pretty lady, honey?"
"The one in my room last night. I'm hungry."
Sarah shook herself mentally. Was it possible? She knew it wasn't impossible that Nikki had inherited what her grandmother called "her gift," but dear God, she was only five years old.
And the spirits had never actually materialized to Sarah. They only came to her in dreams.
Sarah struggled to control the shaking of her hands as she pulled down a box of cereal. This was definitely one of those situations they didn't cover in Sheriff 101.
"How about a big bowl of cereal?"
"Okie, dokie."
Sarah felt a pang of fear as she watched Nikki bounce up to the table. She always seemed to bounce, her strawberry blonde curls in constant disarray. So full of energy, bursting with life. So tiny. So helpless. Too young. She was much too young for the dreams.
"Here you go ... one bowl of cereal and a glass of OJ, just for good measure." Sarah forced her voice to sound natural. Taking her coffee, she sat across from Nikki, wondering where to start. She questioned people all the time. But how did you question a five year old? Especially a five year old who seemed to take the appearance of a strange woman in her bedroom in the middle of the night as a normal occurrence.
"Nikki, tell me about the pretty lady."
"I'm not supposed to tell. Can I stay with Millie today?"
Sarah controlled her impatience, taking her time, choosing her words carefully.
"Why aren't you supposed to tell, sweetheart?"
Nikki shook her head as she scooped up another mini-wheat. "It's a secret."
"Nikki, look at me." Sarah felt her patience waning as Nikki chewed slowly, making a huge display of swallowing loudly before meeting her mother's eyes. "You shouldn't have secrets from Mommy, remember? We talked about this."
"It's okay, Mommy. I know when people are bad. She's a nice lady. I think she's lost."
Sarah sighed in frustration. Nikki had always been the world's best secret keeper. Her soft blue eyes pleaded with Sarah for understanding, for trust.
"Okay, you keep your secret ... for now. But, young lady, if you see her again, you have to promise to tell me."
Nikki bobbed her head, smiling.
"Get dressed. I'll call Millie and see if it's okay for you to stay with her today."
"Whoopee!"
Sarah couldn't help but laugh as she watched Nikki dance up the stairs. Nikki was her life. Without her...
"It was only a dream," she whispered. Corrine Larson had nothing to do with her life, or Nikki's. Still, a cold chill ran down her spine as she dialed Millie's number. She remembered the feeling of dread, pain, and death that had jerked her from the dream. But most of all, she remembered the heart-wrenching cry, He's coming, Sarah. He wants to destroy you.
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