“I’m dying, son. Congestive heart failure. Pretty advanced. Didn’t think I’d even make it down that tunnel. I’m at the end of my days, but I’ve got to see this through. I intended to go with Lynn to find you in Colorado, but the Suits got to me first. I’ve never forgiven myself for putting her in such harm’s way. And now I feel I’m doing the same with you. You must understand why I have to see this through. We have to determine how it is you can stop Lily. Because whatever is in your grandmother, if you trigger her…”

She’ll die.

Steven continued. “She hasn’t been activated yet. But I fear it’s coming. But if you can control what’s within her, maybe even prevent it from awakening, then there’s a fighting chance she’ll survive.”

“But I don’t know how. I can only assume I trigger all of them in the dreams. I can stop Lily, but I can’t even communicate with the rest. I don’t have the slightest idea how to figure that out.”

Steven looked in the rearview mirror. “We’re a good distance off the lake now. We need to get off this main road. Cops could be around, making sure no one’s still here.”

The rain started to heavily pelt the car as they turned down a neighborhood street, where yards were already flooded.

“We better start squatting somewhere quick,” Steven added.

William spotted a shotgun home built on a slightly higher elevation and pulled in. He ran up to the front door, knocking loudly. When no one answered, he went around to the back. Finding it unlocked, he entered, calling out if anyone was home. He was greeted with silence.

He ran back out to the car, finding Lily still passed out as he lifted her, covering her head with the blanket to shield her from the rain. He carried her in, finding a bedroom. Gently laying her down, he sat on the edge of the bed.

“So what now?” Steven whispered from the doorway.

The raining was hitting hard now. All his life, the pattering sound had made William drowsy.

“Need to try something. Give me a little bit.”

“I’ll try to scrounge up some food. Don’t know how long they’ve been without power here.” Steven quietly closed the door.

William lay down beside Lily, his arms behind his head. A familiar anxiety rose in his throat. For a year now, he’d fought falling asleep. He began to breathe, long and slow. He should have told Steven to give him a few hours. It could take that long to even fall asleep—

A moment later, he hovered above the churning waters, the storm barreling around him.

He realized it then. He wasn’t asleep. It had never been a dream.