Evil Waking

by Michael La Ronn

  May 5

  On Urban Renewal Development Agreement with Royal Society of Dream Mages (RSDM), to develop private property at 7600 Market Street. Motion Rejected 6-1.

  August 13

  On Urban Renewal Development Agreement with Royal Society of Dream Mages (RSDM), to develop private property at 1512 Austin Avenue. Motion rejected 4-3.

  September 5

  Regarding complaint of demon nest near 1512 Austin Avenue. Authorized payment to Royal Society of Dream Mages (RSDM) for extermination. Motion carried 6-1.

  September 20

  Regarding complaint of demon nest near 7600 Market Street. Authorized payment to Royal Society of Dream Mages (RSDM) for extermination.

  December 15

  On Urban Renewal Development Agreement with Royal Society of Dream Mages (RSDM), to develop private property at 7600 Market Street and 1512 Austin Avenue. Motion carried 4-3.

  “Sounds like Balthus got his way,” I said.

  “He was relentless in his pursuit of it,” Femi said. “For the record, I opposed him every time.”

  “So what did he do?” Destiny asked.

  “He proposed building a new office for his non-profit,” Femi said. “We rejected it, so he moved demon nests near his proposed sites, destroyed them using taxpayer dollars, convincing some of the council members to change their votes.”

  “That’s corruption,” Niecy said. “Don’t you go to jail for that?”

  “Not here,” Femi said. “I show you this to help you understand how Balthus works.”

  “So we need to take out the demon nests near the shop,” I said.

  “It’s part of a larger plan he has in store for you,” Femi said.

  “We can knock out some demon nests,” Darius said. “That’s easy.”

  “Makes sense,” I said. “Let's go.”

  “Not yet,” Femi said. “This is what you must understand: nothing in this city is that simple. You must learn to think deeper.”

  “I can't think deeper right now,” I said. “My head hurts enough.”

  “How did Balthus attack you?” Femi asked.

  “Physically,” I said.

  “How else?” Femi asked.

  “That's it,” I said. “If you haven't noticed, I've been on the run all night.”

  “But it began with a death threat, did it not?” Femi asked.

  I shrugged. “Look: don't take this the wrong way, but my critical thinking skills aren't working the greatest right now. Whatever you're trying to say, just do me a favor and say it. Otherwise, I'm out of here.”

  Seriously.

  I didn't appreciate being spoon fed information.

  “Your death threat included an ultimatum,” Femi said. “Balthus threatened to release a damaging article about you. You must be proactive and release a video refuting the claims before they come out. That will put Balthus on his toes. Combine that with destroying the demon nests, and we have a recipe for fighting back.”

  “Ahh,” Darius said. “But how’re we going to distribute the video?”

  Femi tossed her keys in the air.

  “We’ll cover that at our next stop,” she said.

  21

  I had seen the Channel Nine Studio building many times—a strong glass building with blue and green panels and open floor plans—but I had never been inside until now.

  The place was empty except for the janitorial crew cleaning the bathrooms and sweeping the floor.

  Femi traded us to Morgan Davis-Davies, a thin woman with a bob haircut, tons of makeup and bangles on her arm, who let us into the lobby and escorted us to the third floor to the photography studio.

  We passed the news studio, the place where all the news happened, and I had a little bit of a fan girl moment as I saw the set.

  Nana watched the Channel Nine news every day. In the morning, afternoon, and the evening. Every time we were in the kitchen and the news came on, all conversation stopped.

  And unlike other families, we talked about the news. Nana asked us questions, made us come up with answers.

  So watching the news was a real thing in my house, even after Nana passed. Darius, Destiny, and I watched it every day.

  “Pretty cool,” Darius said, looking in the studio. “It's smaller than it looks.”

  “I'll invite you in during a shoot sometime,” Morgan said.

  Unlike Femi, she was more talkative and social. I would have been shocked if she were over thirty years old.

  “How did you get connected with Harriet?” I asked.

  “Lakeway grad,” Morgan said. “I was a communications major.”

  “Damn, man, Harriet’s snatchin’ up all y’all Lakeway grads,” Darius said. “You better pay attention, Destiny.”

  Destiny pushed him.

  Morgan turned to Darius. “Are you a student at Lakeway?”

  Destiny laughed.

  Darius gave her a mean glance.

  “I'm sorry,” Destiny said. “I didn't mean it like that.”

  “I'm not a student,” Darius said, “but that little precocious ball of fire over there is.”

  “Oh, that's fantastic!” Morgan said. “What major?”

  “Just got accepted,” Destiny said.

  “Well, look me up some time,” Morgan said. “We Lakeway folk stick together. We’re cool like that.”

  She opened a door into a photography studio with a backdrop and a digital camera set up on a tripod.

  “Great,” I said. “Another photo shoot.”

  “Video shoot,” Morgan said. “Damage control.”

  Morgan directed me to stand on an x marked on the backdrop.

  “What am I supposed to say?” I asked.

  “Speak from the heart,” Morgan said.

  “About what?” I asked. “About how pissed I am?”

  “We’re doing proactive damage control,” Morgan said. “We need you to record a video about what Balthus has done to you so we can distribute it across the city when his article on you comes out tomorrow. We need to divide public opinion. That’s the only way to save your business.”

  The realization hit me.

  “Do you think he can actually hurt my client base?” I asked.

  “If you don’t defend yourself, yes,” Morgan said. “So, back to the video. Speak from the heart but don’t get angry. Just be honest.”

  I didn’t know what to say.

  What was I going to say, that Balthus wanted to destroy me because…

  This was unnatural to me.

  Harriet’s soldiers whisking me around the city just didn’t feel right.

  I wanted autonomy again. I wanted to control this.

  I hated the fact that I didn’t have the skill set to do it.

  Morgan turned on the camera and recorded a few test runs. Destiny fixed my hair, and Niecy directed which way to face my body.

  Darius grabbed a stool and watched with his arms folded. I knew he had the same reservations I did. We were alike like that.

  “Let’s roll,” Morgan said. “Remember, we can edit later if you make a mistake.”

  The record light on the camera flashed on.

  I took a deep breath.

  I still didn’t know what to say.

  But I spoke anyway, hoping I’d find truth as I delivered my message.

  22

  “My name is Aisha Robinson, and I’m a dream mage. I am recording this video because my life is in danger. I don’t know any other way to solve this problem than recording a video to speak my truth.

  “At the time this video will be released, so will an article about me.

  “It will say that I’m a fraud. It will also make some pretty outrageous comments about me that are so silly that I hope no one will believe them.

  “To clear the air, yes, I am the one who saved the city from that crazy demon a while back. I didn’t do it for fame. I didn’t do it for money. I did it because it was the right thing to do, and if I were a citizen, I would want someone else to do the s
ame thing.

  “For the last couple years, my cousins and I have operated a dream-reading business that is one-of-a-kind in the city. Basically, we help people solve personal, emotional, and practical problems through dream science. As a dream mage, one of my most humbling responsibilities has been to use my powers to help people.

  “Trust me when I say that I’m not in this for the money. I’ve turned away more clients than I’ve taken on, and some people would say I am crazy to walk away from serious amounts of money that I’m offered.

  “But I’ve built a reliable business based on integrity. My Nana always taught me that if you don’t have that, you don’t have anything.

  “But my integrity is under attack right now.

  “I received a letter from Jim Balthus, the president of the Royal Society of Dream Mages. I had never heard of him before, but apparently, RSDM’s goal is to ensure that dream mages are treated fairly in society.

  “Not only did his letter have racist undertones, belittling me and my abilities, but he threatened to destroy me if I didn’t bow down and accept his demands, which included but were not limited to extortion and manipulation.

  “Look: I don’t give a damn about heritage, tradition, dream mages back in the medieval ages, or whatever. That history doesn’t resonate with me because, historically, it has excluded me and people who look like me. All I care about is today. And today, we live in a society that believes people should live their lives. It’s not perfect, but threats from Balthus are threats not just to me, but our society.

  “Balthus claims that I attempt to glamorize and romanticize the dream mage profession. That’s bullshit. Plain and simple.

  “He claims that I am not registered with the state. Unlike demon hunters, dream mages are a protected class of magical beings and not required to register for anything.

  “He claims that my company’s promotional promises are false. Talk to my clients about what I’ve done for them, and you’ll hear stories about redemption and revelations. We don’t have disgruntled clients, and that’s a fact. None of the services we provide are fraudulent.

  “His other allegations are also bogus.

  “And you know what? He had the audacity to try to use these things against me.

  “I am here before the public to tell you not to believe anything Balthus says.

  “If anyone wants true proof that he is lying, come and visit me at my shop. I won’t stop fighting back until the marks against my name are resolved.

  “Peace, love, and light.”

  23

  “Aisha, you did a really nice job,” Morgan said as she drove us away from the studio.

  “Let's hope it works,” I said.

  “It was a peaceful shoot compared to the last one,” Destiny said.

  “Get used to photo shoots,” Morgan said.

  “Me?” I asked.

  “No, you, Destiny,” Morgan said. “Lakeway grads are always in the news.”

  Destiny laughed nervously.

  When Morgan wasn't looking in the rear view mirror, Darius repeated her words mockingly, then folded his arms, looking out the window.

  “I encourage you to join a sorority,” Morgan said. “I was a member of Beta Kronos Kappa. Historically, there have been a lot of shifters there. I gave you my card, didn't I?”

  Destiny held up a copy of Morgan’s card.

  “I'm definitely going to call you,” she said.

  “Don't get any ideas about going anywhere else,” Morgan said. “Some of the tech schools are good, but they don't have the culture or academic rigor that Lakeway does.”

  Darius rolled his eyes. He went to Valley Tech, one of the schools Morgan just trashed.

  “Where do you go to school, Darius?” Morgan asked.

  Darius closed his eyes, then sighed quietly.

  “Valley Tech,” he said.

  “Oh,” Morgan said. “Well, okay. Good for you.”

  Awkward silence.

  “Anyway,” Morgan said, “your video shoot was good, Aisha. I will edit and get it distributed.”

  “At least we didn't have to worry about Dre during the photo shoot,” Destiny said.

  Darius mumbled something and looked out the window.

  “What's the matter?” I asked.

  Darius shook his head.

  “Hey, we’re close to Hope Station,” Darius said. “Do me a favor and let me off in a couple of blocks.”

  “Are you sure?” Morgan asked, concerned.

  “It's cool, D,” I said.

  “I know it is,” he said. “But I've gotta pick up Dre. Y’all reminded me that I dropped him off at a wizard tech Shop.”

  Obviously, he was looking for an excuse to get out of the car.

  I didn't blame him.

  “I'll go with you,” I said.

  Morgan clucked her tongue. “We’ll all go. This would be the perfect time for Balthus to ambush you, Aisha.”

  Darius directed Morgan to a nearby curb. Darius and I both climbed out of the car and started down the snowy street.

  “You want to talk about it?” I asked.

  “Naw.”

  “She got on your nerves that much, huh?” I asked.

  “I told you I don't want to talk about it,” Darius said.

  “That Morgan chick is a little bougie,” I said.

  “A little?” Darius asked. “That bitch is bougie as hell.”

  Bougie: short for bourgeoisie. Middle class black folk mentality that makes them think they're better than you. Morgan? She was a textbook example. She meant well, but…

  “Just ignore her,” I said. “She doesn't matter.”

  “Yeah, okay,” Darius said. “Apparently, neither do my choices in life.”

  “Your choices are just as valid as Destiny’s,” I said.

  “I've never been the smart one,” Darius said. “Now I'm gonna hear all about it every time I visit Destiny on campus.”

  “Since when do you care about what people think?” I asked.

  “When they insult me to my face,” Darius said.

  We stopped in front of a brick store front with bars over the windows. A neon sign in the front window read JB’s Wizard Tech Shop. The window was filled with old electronics.

  “I hope this old boy is done with my shit,” Darius said.

  I stopped him.

  “Listen,” I said. “Destiny doesn't look down on you for going to Valley Tech. Neither do I.”

  “I know,” Darius said.

  “If anything, I'm the one that needs to be lookin’ up to you. I'm the high school dropout.”

  “A’ight,” Darius said. “But if she says anything else, I can't promise I won't punch her in the back of the head.”

  “I'll do it for you,” I said.

  “Deal,” Darius said, pushing open the door to the shop.

  A bell jingled over the door. The shop was wall-to-wall aisles of electronics.

  Old computers. Remotes. Microphones. Flat screens. Circuit boards. All glowing with magic.

  Darius leaned on a glass counter.

  There was no one behind the counter, but someone was moving around in the back room.

  Darius whistled.

  “Hey, yo!”

  A middle-aged man stuck his head out of the back room.

  “Ah, you're the young man with the dream resonance image machine.”

  He frowned.

  “I finished it about an hour ago.”

  “What's the diagnosis?” Darius asked.

  The man wandered onto the shop floor, checking the aisles. He stopped in the center aisle, pressed a button on a shelf, and a black case floated down to the glass counter. The man unlocked it, revealing Dre.

  Darius ran his hands along the machine’s black chassis.

  “You never looked better, Dre,” he said. “Thanks for polishing him, man.”

  The shopkeeper grinned.

  “I like to take care of my customers that maintain their equipment. No charge for the polis
h.”

  Darius spent hours with his toys, taking them apart and rebuilding them in our garage. It was nice to see it saved him some money.

  “What was the problem?” Darius asked. “I about pulled my cornrows out tryin’ to solve this.”

  “Bad coils,” the shopkeeper said. “You put a lot of stress on them.”

  “Aww, damn,” Darius said. “I swear I changed them a couple of months ago.”

  “But you've got an older machine,” the shopkeeper said. “The harder you work them, the harder the coils fail. Especially if you're recording nightmares. But I don't have to tell you that. More than likely, you're gonna have to replace this unit soon. It'll be a hundred bucks today.”

  “A’ight,” Darius said. “I appreciate you, man.”

  I slapped the bills on the counter, and Darius looked at me curiously.

  “You didn’t have to do that, cuz,” he said. “I got the money.”

  “Save it for something else you need,” I said.

  He kissed me on the cheek, then locked up Dre and shook the shopkeeper’s hand.

  We walked outside into the blistering cold and walked half a block up to Morgan’s coupe. She popped the trunk and Darius lugged the case inside.

  “You got a dead body in there?” Morgan asked as we climbed back into the car.

  “Yep,” Darius said. “I wouldn’t ask any more questions, though, or you might be implicated in the murder Aisha and I just committed.”

  Then when Morgan wasn’t looking, he rolled his eyes and looked the other direction.

  “Ya girl’s been calling you,” Destiny said, holding up my phone.

  I hadn’t even noticed I had left it on the seat when I climbed out of the car.

  I glanced at the screen.

  Kathy had called me nine times.

  I had two voicemails. I listened on speaker phone.

  “Hey, Aisha, this is Kathy. Just calling you back. I had a revelation. Call me back, okay?”

  “Hey, Aisha, this is Kathy again. Maybe I’m crazy, but I’m pretty sure I just saw a Somnient walking down the street…Should I call the police?”

  “Does that girl have any IQ at all?” Darius asked. “Goddamn.”

  “Let’s head back to the shop,” Niecy said. “I’m thinking I’m gonna have to conjure up some more weapons.”