The Master of Dreams by Mike Resnick

Author:Mike Resnick
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DAW
Published: 2019-04-15T23:00:00+00:00

18

—And found himself back in the hospital room, reaching out his hand toward Rofocale, who was still connected to half a dozen tubes.

“What the hell is going on?” muttered Raven.

We’re both in immediate danger, answered Rofocale’s voice within his head. They’re coming to get us, even as I communicate with you.

“Who is coming to get us?” demanded Raven.

No time! came the answer. They’ve already entered the hospital. We’ve got to get out of here!

Raven looked around the room, saw a wheelchair in the corner, and rolled it over to the bed, then paused.

What is it?

“You’re connected to oxygen and half a dozen tubes.”

Rip them all out—and HURRY!

Raven did as he was told, lifted Rofocale, and transferred him to the wheelchair.

There’s a service elevator off to the right. Use it. They’re coming up the main elevator, and we don’t want to run into them.

Raven wheeled Rofocale out into the hall, saw that there were no doctors or nurses walking back or forth, and began pushing the wheelchair at a trot. He rounded a corner and entered a service elevator, then waited for the doors to close.

“Okay, you’re safe for the moment,” said Raven. “Always assuming people were really coming after you when and how you said.” Then: “Shit!”

What is it, Eddie?

“Lisa!” answered Raven. “If these guys really mean business, I’ve got to go back for her! Hell, you seemed in such trouble I didn’t even pay attention to her!”

It’s all right, Eddie.

“What do you mean, it’s all right?” snapped Raven. “If these guys are half as dangerous as you seem to think . . .”

She’s not here, Eddie.

Raven frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”

You each opted to go back to your home world.

“Right,” said Raven. “And this is our world.”

This is your world, Eddie—not hers.

“What are you saying?” demanded Raven.

I’ll explain later. But right now they’re reached my room and realized that we’ve left. There are—let me count—four of them, plus one they left covering the exit in the lobby.

“What the hell did you do to make them so mad at you?”

They’re not after me, Eddie. It’s you they want.

“Me?” said Raven. “I don’t even know who they are!”

But they know who you are.

The elevator stopped at ground level.

“This place got a basement?” asked Raven.

Let me examine it. A brief pause. Yes, we can descend one more level.

“Okay, let’s give it a shot. Maybe there’s some other exit from down there. And once we’ve got a little breathing room, I want some answers.”

You deserve them, agreed Rofocale, as the elevator reached the basement level and Raven emerged behind the wheelchair.

“And first and foremost is this nonsense about Lisa.”

Movement to your left, Eddie.

Raven turned and stared into the darkness. “Probably a mouse,” he said.

Probabilities are meaningless where the Master of Dreams is concerned.

“Who?” demanded Raven.

Lower your voice, Eddie. We, well actually you, are being hunted by the Master of Dreams.

“Sounds like something from a bad comic book.”

He is much more than that.

“Has he captured Lisa?”

No, Eddie, he has not.

“Then maybe that was her off to the left.

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