Dreams and Shadows (The Aylosian Chronicles Book 1) by Jeffrey Collyer Page A

woman who was here; the one that man tried to shoot. Is she okay?”
    The man who knelt next to him smiled, “I’m not surprised your head hurts after that. But the ambulance will be here shortly, and they will check to make sure you are okay. As for the woman: well, as she is evidently not safe here, we have taken her somewhere where we can protect her. But yes, she is well, thanks to you.” His face turned very serious, “You did a remarkable service today, young man. The lady – and I – thank you deeply for that.”
    “What happened?” Michael asked. “It all seemed so strange. It was impossible, but… I don’t know. I think I’m confused. It’s probably my head.” He remembered outrunning a bullet, but as that was impossible, he couldn’t understand what had happened. He certainly knew that he had hit his head though, and he guessed that the knock had affected his memories. Maybe he would remember later.
    He looked around and saw another man lying on the ground nearby, blood oozing from his shoulder. Fear filled Michael’s stomach, “Did that man get shot? Is he hurt badly?”
    The man at his side looked over at his wounded companion. “Yes, he was hit by the bullet, but it is not life-threatening. He will be taken to the hospital where he will be taken care of.” He looked back at the young man lying before him. “What is your name?”
    “Michael,”he replied
    He nodded at that, seemingly pleased,“Well Michael, the ambulance and police will be here any minute,” Michael could hear the sirens drawing close now, “but before they arrive, the lady asked me to give you a gift: a token of her thanks. Are you able to sit up so that you can take it?”
    His head still drummed with a steady pain, but he found he was able to sit up, and he looked at the man who still knelt beside him. Reaching into his jacket, he carefully withdrew a crystal medallion about the size of Michael’s palm. There was a silver chain attached to it.
    “This is really quite delicate,” the man explained, “and I assure you is priceless beyond measure.” He looked into Michael’s eyes, “For the moment, it is probably best if you put the chain around your neck to keep it protected, but before you do I’d like to show you something.”
    The first police car had now stopped nearby and the police were exiting their vehicle. They would be here soon, but he looked at the medallion as the man pointed to it, continuing, “You won’t see them clearly just now – and nor should you. But when you are quiet at home tonight, please take the time to study the etchings engraved on this. If you pay careful attention to it, you will see quite stunning detail. Indeed, I can promise you that if you look very closely, you will see things you never thought possible.”
    Michael looked back at the man. His face was serious, but he seemed to have said all he needed to. Ignoring Michael’s questioning look, he lifted the chain, motioning Michael to lower his head. As he did so, the chain was hung around his neck, and the man carefully lifted the medallion so that it was hidden beneath Michael’s shirt.
    There were more police officers here now, and the ambulance had pulled up; the paramedics rushing towards the man lying nearby with the gunshot wound. Michael looked over to see them kneel down at his side. He watched them for what must have been a couple of minutes, when he seemed to hear in his mind the words, “Trust yourself.”
    The words caused a shot of adrenaline as his dream was instantly brought back to his memory. He remembered his arms outstretched: he had been looking at the clouds when he had heard those words, about to be struck by lightning. With a start he turned back to the man who had given him the medallion, but he was gone.
    He touched his chest, and could feel the medallion beneath his shirt. It was the thing that now connected him to the woman, and he determined he would honour her by keeping it close, and studying