Abigail: "I can help, but I need to get a few things from the car first."
Markus: "Is it just the stuff in the bag? I'll get that for you."
Abigail: "Thank you, dear."

Tristan looked nervously at Abigail as Markus bounded off down the stairs. She made him feel like his every thought was being broadcast for the world to hear, that she knew his innermost secrets.

Abigail: "Tristan, was it?"
Tristan: "Yes, ma'am."
Abigail: "I can't read your mind, so you can relax."
Tristan: "I'm not so sure about that."

Abigail: "I only know what they tell me, and they really tell me very little."
Tristan: "To be honest, I'm not sure that makes me feel any better."
Abigail: "You really haven't changed much either, have you?"

Abigail smiled, and Tristan felt his nervousness beginning to fade away. She had an air of confidence about her, a feeling of power that seemed to come off her in waves. Tristan recognized a lot of her in Markus, the same inner strength and willingness to help others in need. It was very comforting to him.

Suddenly Abigail's smile faltered ever so slightly and she turned away from him, dropping her eyecontact- Tristan found himself physically taking a step back. She shook her head as if she had a bad taste in her mouth before looking back to Tristan, her smile now strained.

Abigail: "A passing shadow, as fleeting as it will be dark."

Tristan didn't have a chance to wonder what she could possibly mean before Markus came back into the room carrying a large canvas bag. Abigail made her way over to him and began shuffling through its contents, pulling out candles, cards, and various other items, which she placed purposefully around James' room. Markus & Tristan stood back out of her way, both watching with interest.

Abigail: "We can't do anything for him until we find out exactly what's going on. I'm going to try a few things here, don't be alarmed by anything you may see or hear."

She began to sprinkle a pale violet powder in a circle around James' bed, mumbling words in a language neither Markus nor Tristan could understand. As the circle was finished, the powder seemed to glow. Abigail's brow knitted together in concentration as she began to chant something else, this time making strange gestures with her hands over James' head.

This time, there was a sharp crack and a bright flash of green light. Abigail's chanting took on a more fevered pitch as an image of a woman began to appear over the bed. Just as quickly as the vision appeared, it vanished in a din of crackling static.

Abigail: "He's being held in the dream-world."
Tristan: "So how do we get him out?"

Abigail let out a deep sigh and shook her head before sitting down heavily in a chair. Markus was instantly at her side, but she waved him off with a flick of her wrist.

Abigail: "It's going to take more than just the three of us, but that's about all I can tell you right now. Does he have any other close friends in the area?"
Tristan: "There's Emily. I guess you could count Mary, but only if by 'friend' you mean someone who's managed to get under his skin despite his best efforts."
Abigail: "I remember those two. Yes, they're exactly who I was thinking of. Have them come over right away- they can certainly help us."