Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Rupert had gone silent. Chris figured the conversation was over and was about to put his phone down when suddenly, an image popped up on the screen.

"What about this?"

Chris had no idea what had gotten into Rupert in the middle of the night-why was he sending portraits, of all things? Still, he opened the image, just to humor him.

One look, and Chris froze. He felt a chill run down his spine, which wasn't helped by the fact that he was standing alone in a deserted hospital corridor in the middle of the night.

He quickened his pace, tapping out a reply.

"It's identical."

"I used to think it looked like Sylvia when she was a kid, but now I can see the difference. Those eyes-they're exactly like yours!"

Chris shut himself in his office, gulped down some water, and tried to steady his

nerves.

He'd always thought dreams were just dreams—nothing more. But now? He wasn't so sure anymore.

"I see."

Rupert didn't respond again.

Chris didn't get a wink of sleep that night.

...

the other hand, had been given a dose of sedative and slept like a baby. When she woke

Naomi, who was sitting by her bed and pouring oatmeal into a bowl. Sylvia immediately

arm.

"Mom-I know that doctor."

spilling the oatmeal all

surgery. Mom, can you help

time. There was no way

off. She looked at Naomi, searching her face for

gently pulled her arm free and kept her eyes on the oatmeal. "Sylvia,

her, stunned. "Mom, what's going

the nurses from the

They won't be back for

of town. They won

months. There's even an announcement

"An...announcement?"

forced out the words. Just

eyes turned red

choked out, "They're basically

take the blame.

have no choice,

Sometime's

just have ow

pill."

I'll take the hit, but there's no way he'd let

off the covers and tried to get out of bed, but