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Caleb: ...I had a dream that something dark was after you...

Darnell: ...what kind of something dark? *please PLEASE tell him it's just overactive imagination!!!*

Caleb: *huffs, rubbing his hands over his face* I saw you in a dark place. There was a raven with red eyes chasing you. And dark shadows laughing. I dunno. I think they thought they beat you and were celebrating.

Darnell: *soft huffsob, laying back with both hands over his face* Oh, no...please, /please/ no... *distraught!*

Caleb: */sits/ up* ...It was real...? */worried/ now* Should we call Mister Thomas?

Darnell: ............Caleb...tell me /exactly/ what you saw and heard, everything you remember.

Caleb: ....I saw a dark room. You were walking, like you didn't realize you were in a dark place. And then I heard a raven. I couldn't see it at first. It cawed and moved around. I know that because the sound moved around. And then its eyes glowed red and it was right in front of you. It dove at your chest and you ran. It chased after you and then I heard men laughing. They laughed and laughed as the raven got closer to you. I shouted at them to get away, but they didn't hear me. I knew it was bad. I knew it would be really bad if the raven caught you. I think the voices wanted the raven to get you. I was shout at it to get away from you when I woke up.

Darnell: ..............h-have...have you ever dreamed of ravens before, Caleb?

Caleb: I don't know. Not that I can remember.

Darnell: .............. *just...just lays there with a hand over his eyes - what does he do with this? More importantly, how does he protect Caleb!?*

Caleb: ...Darnell? *worried.* Was it real?

Darnell: ...........yup, it's real. I know that raven, and the voices you heard. They're the reason I was shot yesterday. I defeated them a few years ago and they've found a way to come back for revenge. *wipes a hand down his face, then shifts to look over at Caleb* Caleb...if you dream of them again. Keep quiet. Don't draw their attention. Understand? I don't want you to get involved. I don't...I don't want to see you or your mom hurt.

Caleb: *nods, voice a bit small* Okay. ...Darnell, what... what if it’s too late?

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Darnell: ...you said they didn't hear you. You woke before they noticed you. You...you're fine. *started to say "should be" but...no...no, he /is/ fine, he's safe...he /has/ to be...* If you dream of a raven again, just make sure it doesn't see you, okay?

Caleb: Okay... should we tell Mister Thomas?

Darnell: *nods* Yup. In fact... *reaches for his cell phone, send Thomas a quick text - to Caleb* Told him to come see me whenever he can, that there's some new info to share.

Caleb: ........ I’m sorry. That thise dark things are still after you. ....I wish I could help.

Darnell: ...beleive it or not, Caleb, I think you can. They don't yet know where I am. If you dream of them again and you stay hidden, they can't use you to find me. You can help me stay hidden from them that way. The young man who shot me yesterday? He wasn't himself. They were controlling him. They can't control you if they don't know about you. *small, wry grin* You may be one of my best assets right now.

Caleb: *squares his shoulders, puffs out his chest, and definitely juts out his chin.* I won’t let them find you. Promise.

Darnell: *grins* Thanks, Caleb. Just don't do anything dangerous, okay? Just stay hidden and watch them for me if you dream of them again, like a spy, an informant. You'll be my eyes and ears, and then we warn Thomas with what we learn.

Caleb: I can do that. I’ll be the best spy. They won’t find me at all. *smiles* You’ll be okay.

Darnell: *nods, still grinning* I believe that. Thank you, Caleb.

===

*Thomas had just arrived to the office when two things happen. First, he gets a text from Darnell that he needs to come by as soon as possible, they have new info, the second is someone rushing up to him to tell him that Jason is in hysterics and has been practically screaming to see Thomas for the last two hours now. They’ll get the young man to calm for short bouts only for him to freak out again a few minutes later.*

Thomas: */frowns/ and quickly heads for Holding, texting Darnell back that he'll get there as soon as he can, there's a situation at the office /demanding/ his attention first*

Jason: *standing in a back corner of his holding cell, hands clamped to either side of his head. He spots Thomas and /gasps/!* Officer Blackwell!! *scrambles across his cell to the barred door the drops to his knees, sobbing.* Please tell me you’re still you!

Thomas: ...I'm still me, Jason. Promise. *crouches on a knee, getting down to the young man's level* Jason, look at me. Tell me what happened.

Jason: *looks at Thomas, scared* They know he’s alive, they know you know where he is. *he’ll reach through to grab Thomas’s arm if the man doesn’t pull back, just kind of clinging.* Please! /Please/ be careful. *tone a whisper. He doesn’t want others to hear and think he’s maybe threatening Thomas.* They’re /hunting/ you now so you can take them to the Master Detective. They made it sound like they had you already, but maybe they’re just confident that they will soon. Guard yourself more than usual, sir. Please.

*He's too quiet to be overheard, but there are cameras and a guard in the hall.*
Thomas: *lets his arm be grabbed, waves the guard back when the man starts to react and gives the nearest camera a quick, reassuring nod, then focuses on Jason, covering the man's hand with his free one* Just confident to the point of arrogance. Calm down, Jason. They don't have me yet. I imagine they'd have to use their raven like they did with you. Thank you for warning me. I'll be on my guard. How are /you/ doing?

Jason: *That reassurance is what he needed. He’s had those lunatics giving him terrible vision all morning.* I’m scared. They’rd in my head. They’re... nasty. I don’t know how else to describe them.

Thomas: *nods* They are. I know. From the Master Detective's reports, they were nasty in life. I imagine they're even worse in death. I'm sorry that you're trapped with them for now. I will do what I can to see you freed from them. For now, though, just . . . anything changes, you do as you did this time - have me called for. You did the right thing, Jason. Just try to relax now, all right?

Jason: *nods, finally seeming to relax. He'll give Thomas's arm a last squeeze before letting go and shifting to finally get up.* Thank you. I'm sorry I made such a scene, I just... /someone/ needed to make sure you were okay, still... you, but no one had seen you yet, and... *shrugs* I'll make sure they call for you if anything else comes up. Promise. Take care, sir.

Thomas: I will. Thank you. You too. Have you eaten yet? I'll have breakfast sent if you haven't yet.

Jason: *shakes his head* I've not. I think I...worried them too much for anyone to bring me food.

Thomas: *small smile* I'll have a good breakfast brought to you. Go try to get some rest in the meantime. *pushes to his feet* Try to take it easy today, Jason. *if not stopped, he'll head out*

*Thomas will know something is wrong when he steps into the parking garage. There's a darkness to the area that just doesn't feel normal... but there's nothing to be seen yet. He'll climb into his car and turn it on. And when he glances in the mirror to make sure the area behind him is clear he'll see a red-eyed raven in his back window... /in/ his vehicle. It /caws/ and leaps at him in a flurry of black feathers and claws.*