Mosh and Holly exchanged a glance. “We know somebody that fits that description.”

“I strongly doubt it. The odds are astronomically against it.”

“Odds go out the window when my brother’s involved,” Mosh said. “Owen has collected some absolutely bizarre karmic baggage. He’s why I’m here. He’s one of the people trapped inside the Last Dragon.”

Dr. Blish’s mouth fell open but no sound came out. For a second Mosh thought that he’d simply died of shock. Then his mouth began to move again, like a fish out of water gasping. Finally he was able to get the words out. “No, no, no. Another one of them? And he’s on the other side? This is terrible. Absolutely terrible. Do you have any idea what this means?”

“No.” The door was kicked again. There was still no give. Mosh was just glad they had a hostage so they couldn’t just start shooting through the walls. “Not really.”

“In the intervening years we have learned from other incidents involving the bonding of humans to spirit entities from other planes. Stricken has procured some ancient weapons that he believes will not only destroy the host, but at the same time permanently banish the alp back to its home…But if the host is destroyed, and there is another one of these chosen vessels present in its home realm…”

“We’d be banishing it to someplace where it could just take over another body…”

“And doubtlessly continue to travel between our worlds, wrecking havoc on us all,” Blish finished for her.

“Oh, hell no. This nightmare thing is not going to possess my brother.” Mosh looked to Holly. “Is that possible?” She shrugged. Holly had no idea either. “No way, man.”

Mordechai’s voice came into his head for the last time. “Thank you, boy. We know enough now. The Champion will be warned. Now you must prepare yourself. You must face your fear.”

The lights flickered. The banging against the door ceased. Mosh realized that Holly’s breath was visible as steam. A tingle of dread rolled down his spine. He began to shiver uncontrollably.

“It’s too late.” Dr. Blish sounded utterly defeated. “He’s found me.”

“Crap. He’s here!” Holly sprang into action. She grabbed onto the shelf that was keeping out Paranormal Tactical and began pulling it aside. “Help me, Mosh!” Potentially getting shot by angry Hunters, but maybe having help, sounded a lot nicer than being stuck inside with the nightmare monster. The metal of the shelf was cold to the touch.

The lights died.

There was a new presence in the storage room with them. Mosh could feel it, only a few feet away, standing dark and cold over the wheelchair that held the cowering scientist.

I remember you…The words pounded their way into Mosh’s thoughts.

“I’m sorry.” The doctor’s voice cracked. “I’m so sorry for what we did to you, Marcus.”

It’s too late for apologies.

Mosh screamed as the world was swept away.

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Mosh!

I was Owen Zastava Pitt again.