The Mountain - VII

VII.

                Thorne sat at the bedside of the doctor for the second night in a row. During the day Thorne went about reading and going over texts with the doctor. A cot had been set up for him in the living room so that he could be a live in. Thorne didn’t mind this not having anyone to go home too. He sent a line to the station letting someone know that he was working a case, not specifying what case, just so they knew he wasn’t out messing about. Though he wasn’t sure he’d get any flak either way.

                The confusion he had the first day still persisted but the doctor was adamant that this vein of inquiry, in his dreams no less, would lead to a break in the case. Thorne was most excited about that. With no case of his own, and a feeling from the captain that he was just a pretty boy who couldn’t hold his own, he was only kept on the payroll owing to his father. Thorne knew that, the others knew that. It made things difficult especially when he wanted to put his hand into a case to help. The others would brush him off but Greed was the only one to extend the feebelist of olive branches. As of yet he failed to prove himself, needing to be saved or helped by Greed rather than helping the man. So jumping into this case was the only way he felt he could show his worth.

                So, sitting next to Lewis Cairn’s bedside, holding a notebook with instructions, Thorne felt like he was doing something rather than nothing, even if talking to a man in his sleep seemed foolish. Cairn had devised a plan. Explaining to Thorne the things he saw and the landscape and the fact that when Throne spoke to him whilst asleep he heard him, Thorne would ‘lead’ Cairn through by suggestion.

                The first test was a moderate success. Thorne spoke to Cairn in sleep, telling him to move forward five paces, stop, turn about, and return five paces. Cairn explained that in his dream he didn’t have full control of his body but having Thorne direct him from above seemed to work wonders. He had to be sure not to touch the doctor though. Touching him would send a tremor through his nerves that translated to an earthquake in his dream causing him to be ripped from one realm back to his bed. They tested that as well to make sure the phenomenon wasn’t an aberration. All tests were successes.

                The current test as Cairn laid down was to see if progress was kept from one dream to the next. Whether they had to traverse the expanse in one session or if Cairn’s feet and body would save his place like a bookmark. The expanse was so hard to discern progression that Thorne devised a plan. He’d have Cairn’s dream body mark the ground somehow to denote his current place when entering the dream and another when he was done walking. The process was tedious but Thorne read the script that was written to keep them both on a track. First they had to establish contact which was the most difficult part of the process but not impossible. If Thorne was too early he’d simply wake up Cairn, if he waited to long he’d miss a critical window for initial contact.

                With a watch in hand and the script in the other Thorne watched as Cairn closed his eyes and put himself in a meditative state to fall asleep faster. Once the first interval of time had passed Thorne spoke.

                “Doctor, this is Thorne. Making contact.”

                Cairn’s body twitched but didn’t speak.

                Thorne tried again.

                “Lewis Cairn, can you hear me?”

                Cairn’s lips moved slightly and he mumbled. The mumble was proof enough that Cairn was hearing him.

                Turning to the paper in his hand Throne instructed him.

                “Where you stand, take your right heel and make an x in the ground. Respond when this is done.”

                A few seconds passed then Cairn’s lips moved again with a soft mumble.

                “Alright, take five steps forward, respond when this is done.”

                Another mumble.

                Thorne directed Cairn to move forward five steps, make the ground with his heel then respond. After fifty paces and ten marks he instructed Cairn to make a new different mark.

                “At your feet make a circle. Respond when this is done.”

                Cairn mumbled.

                “Alright doctor I’m going to wake you up now.” Thorne put aside the watch and the sheet of paper and started to shake Cairn’s arm. In a moment the doctor was roused from sleep.

                “Thorne…”

                “I heard you attempt to speak so that was a success. Do you remember placing markers on the ground?”

                “Yes but it was damned hard. The ground was less like dirt and more like stone but I marked it well enough. How long has it been?” Cairn asked rubbing his eyes.

                “Two hours.” Thorne reported.

                Cairn looked astonished.

                “Two hours? It felt like I was waiting a half hour between each time you talked to me. I thought I had been under a whole night.”

                “When will we check to see if progress was made?” Thorne asked stepping aside to let Cairn get out of bed. The room was dark and there was a draft. The older man moved across his apartment to turn on the heat.

                “Tomorrow. In the meantime, you can get some rest. All this off circadian sleep has messed with me a little. I’m going to take a walk to clear my mind. Feel free to stay or leave. We can resume tomorrow night if you like.” Cairn said turning from the thermostat on the wall and instead dressing to leave the house. Thorne was still dressed in his day clothes and decided that he’d head home as well. Sleeping on a cot wasn’t what he thought of a good night sleep and felt if the doctor was going to take a break from their rigorous researches he’d oblige the notion. This also gave him time to think and set his mind straight when it came to the situation he was in. To figure out what he hoped to accomplish with this case. He bid the doctor farewell and exited to the street pulling his collar up against the cold night. Behind him he saw the doctor quickly move down the street in the opposite direction. Part of him, the part that was indeed a detective despite what the others thought, wanted to follow him to see where he was going but the other part, the part that was tired and cold wanted him to go home to his bed. That part won out and he found himself in his apartment turning on his own heat.

                The answering machine, a novelty bought for him by his father, showed that he had missed a number of calls from being gone. Three lights on the device blinked denoting three missed calls that with a recorded message. He tossed his hat down sat in the lounge chair next to his phone, pulled out a pad and paper, put the receiver to his ear and started the first message.

                “Hello? Thorne…is this a machine? Thorne! Damn it.” It sounded like Captain Vincent. It ended rather abruptly.

                Throne pressed the second button.

                “This is your father. Son, don’t forget the family dinner this Friday. We have a lot to discuss about your future. Call me back.” The sound of his father’s voice, deep and resonant made his stomach drop. Thorne dreaded their monthly family dinners. Where all his siblings returned home to report on their current successes. The urge to solve the case grew in intensity.

                Thorn pressed the third button.

                “Detective Thorne, this is Officer Wilson. Captain Vincent instructed me to inform you of a new case you are to lead. Please report in as soon as possible.”

                “A new case?” Thorne said placing the receiver down on its base. He hadn’t been given a new case in two weeks since, the murders started if anything he was taking up space. With that in mind Thorne withdrew into the dark of his room. The next few days promised to be busy and he was ready.

                Cairn welcomed the cold wind as the left his apartment. He made sure to check that Thorne wasn’t following him before going farther away. While Cairn appreciated the help and felt Thorne was indispensable at this point he wasn’t wholly sure of the man’s intentions. He didn’t know much about the detective, only knowing his family lineage, being a son of Arthur Thorne, the banker and coming from that money. Cairn knew little else. Greed didn’t speak of him much and the little they had interacted before he showed up at his door wasn’t enough to shine a light on the man’s intentions. But the past few days Cairn sensed the man was trying desperately to prove himself, whether it was to himself or someone else Cairn couldn’t tell but he welcomed the help. Deciphering the twilight dreams and attaining the summit of the mountain were his main concerns now. Whenever he laid down for sleep his chest pulled him to discovery, all his mind was bent on it. Now that they were potentially making progress it made his heart race.

                Since the beginning of his night queries he had spent little time outside only venturing out once or twice to get food or other necessities. He returned once to the radio to speak on his new ideas but has since abandoned  the realm of discussions for the realm of inquiry. His phone still rang with desires for radio or television spots so he simply unplugged his phone from the wall.

                As he traversed the dark city streets letting his mind make heads or tails of the dreams he let his legs move as they wished. Funny how in dreams he longed for control but waking he gave in to his subconscious to lead him where it wished. This night as the temperature dropped his body seemed to yearn for warmth and some nourishment. His legs led him towards a small diner that smelled of grease and smoke. He wasn’t dissuaded and sat mechanically at the bar. The other occupants were few but loud. Their conversations didn’t interest him though as he ordered.

                “Tea and a hot ham sandwich. Thank you.” Cairn said.

                The waitress nodded and went away to relay his order. Next to him at the bar sat a woman who looked him up and down before ordering herself.

                “You look rough.” Said the woman.

                “Long nights.” Cairn said without glancing at the woman. He wasn’t in the mood to talk, he wanted to think.

                “I know how that goes. I work nights myself.”

                The waitress returned with their drinks.

                The woman took a sip of her mug. Cairn could feel her eyes on him again.

                “Wait a minute, I recognize you. You’re that doctor who’s been on the tv. You’re working the case.”

                “The same.”

                “How’s that coming along?”

                Cairn didn’t answer.

                “Classified eh? I understand. In my line of work secrets are important.”

                “Your line of work?” Cairn looked over at the woman finally. She was thin, almost sinewy. She had rings around her eyes like she hadn’t slept more than an hour in the past five years. She was chipper in her voice despite her demeanor.

                At his question she put a finger to her lips with a smile. On her hand was a tattoo. He fought to keep his eyes from reacting. But he was sure she noticed. It was the same symbol he witnessed all those years ago.

                “Though I’m sure we could help each other out.”

                “Oh?”

                “The people I work for are looking for something.”

                Cairn wanted to play off his reaction.

                “Are you a fed? Looking for the murdered as well?”

                “Not exactly. We’re more interested in something we believe he has.”

                “Something?”

                The woman pulled out a card and slid it over the bar towards Cairn. It had a number and nothing else.

                “Call me when you find him. I’ll be very interested in what you find.” With that the woman got up and left without another word. Cairn felt a new chill enter his bones. He watched her leave then slipped from his seat to follow after her. He dropped a few bills down on the bar and exited the bar. She was fast. Already down the street turning a corner. Cairn jogged to find her but when he turned the corner himself there was no trace of her. He wondered if he should tell Thorne about this or keep it to himself.

                Feeling exposed out in the open Cairn hastened to get home before the hour got any later. Being confronted by an agent of some clandestine faction shot through him. Had they kept an eye on him since he was a child? Surely not. Now he felt he needed to be more cautious. Firmly believing he shouldn’t go out in public alone now or on television again. Not until this was over and he was back home again. Chicago was growing darker and darker the longer he stayed. No matter the benefits this case would bring his career he didn’t want to be enticed or approached by that woman or her compatriots another time. Once back in his apartment he decided to lock up and wait out the night for Thorne to return. The shadows seemed deeper and darker now. He wasn’t known to be fearful of much but this night gave him reason to be.

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