Page 19 of Dark Visions (Strange Gifts #1)

Driving toward the university once again, Kane held tight to Aislinn’s hand as if she might disappear at any moment.

“Your friend seemed jumpy this morning,” she said quietly.

“Yea, I’ve been thinking about that. Adam said he was always different, and I knew that too. Things just seemed to happen when he was around. Unexplainable things. We were in the same unit my first few tours, and then he moved into an elite unit.”

“What do you mean unexplainable things?” asked Aislinn.

“I don’t even really know. It was more as if he was the good luck charm for our unit. When the odds seemed against us, suddenly, they turned in our favor. A weapon that was out of reach was suddenly within reach. It sounds crazy.”

“It’s not crazy at all. If my life has taught me nothing else, it’s taught me that anything is possible and that crazy may be the biggest possibility of all.” Kane nodded at her as he parked the vehicle outside of Dr. Brennan’s building.

They found her in her office, still hidden behind the stacks of books and papers. She looked up from her computer and smiled at them.

“Well, good mornin’ to you!” she said, standing to greet them. “I was hoping I would see the two of you this morning.”

“Good morning, Angela,” said Aislinn.

“So, how was your night?” she asked with a glint in her eyes.

“Actually, we read parts of your sister’s book, and it helped,” said Kane. “Aislinn had another vision, and I was touching her. I saw it too. I was able to call to her, and she came out of it. It was the most surreal thing I’ve ever experienced.”

“You are her anchor!” cried the little woman, clapping her hands. “I knew it! You’re able to pull her from the vision.”

“The vision was still horrible,” said Aislinn. “Nothing about that changed.”

“You can’t change what is real, child. But the fact that Kane can pull you from the depths of such horrible scenes will help you tremendously.” Aislinn nodded, and Kane reached for her hand, linking their fingers. Dr. Brennan smiled at them. An improvement.

Aislinn explained the scene from the night before and how Kane had called out to her. He said all the right things and pulled her toward him, the blood disappearing. Dr. Brennan took notes and nodded.

“What do we do now? We seem to be on the right path of helping Aislinn control the visions, but how do we help stop these heinous crimes?”

“That, my dear, is an entirely different matter. In order to do that, you would need to have the visions days in advance and identify the faces, track the criminal, and catch them in the act. A difficult task by any account. However, to expect that Aislinn should attempt to have the visions earlier could be detrimental to her health.”

Kane nodded, and Aislinn paled slightly. She wanted the visions to stop, not to speed up. There had to be a way to have a compromise.

“I want you to try to have positive visions, Aislinn,” she said. “Read the chapter on dream memory, and focus on the things it suggests tonight. I believe you have the ability to access positive visions, but you haven’t had the practice as yet. If you focus on positive things, beautiful things, I think your visions may change for you.”

“That would certainly be a change of events,” she said, grinning.

“Don’t worry, love. It will all work out for you, I promise. Now, when will you go to Ireland?” she asked. “I’d love for you to meet my sister.”

“Well, I haven’t really had time to think that far ahead,” said Aislinn, smiling at the older woman. “We have some things to figure out here first.”

“Yes,” said Dr. Brennan, nodding her head solemnly, “I suppose you do at that. Well, I’m here if you need anything at all. Don’t hesitate to call me. Just know this, Aislinn. You are normal, just better than normal. There is nothing wrong with you at all. Learn to control the visions, and you will be able to change the world.”

Aislinn nodded at the woman and hugged her, stepping back and smiling. Kane shook her delicate hand and felt the warmth seep into his body. Taking Aislinn’s hand, he led her from the building and back toward his truck.

“How do you feel about stopping at the mall?” she asked. Kane’s face scrunched up, and she laughed. “I need a few things, Kane. I don’t have a lot of clothes, and I’m going to need to start interviewing sooner or later.”

“Okay, for you, anything,” he said with a forced smile. Aislinn could only laugh, and Kane thought it might be the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.