Free Soulwalker by Erica Lawson

wrinkled face.
    It didn’t take much thought to answer the question. “I could use some company. Maybe we can plan this dinner you seem so keen to have.” Tarris felt the tension leave her as the old man smiled at her.
    “Where would you like to go?”
    “I don’t know. I don’t go out much.”
    Darmen laughed. “Me, either, except when I have to. You know… for work.”
    “Ah yes, those kinds of dinners.”
    “Boorrrriing,” he said with a moan.
    “What makes you think this one won’t be the same?” Tarris’s communication skills were pretty bare, to say the least. “I haven’t had a lot of practice at making polite conversation.”
    “You seem to be doing fine with me.”
    “I suppose you’re right.” And he was right. She had to remind herself that she was going out for a meal with her friend. She shouldn’t make more out of it than needed to be.
    “Of course I’m right.” Darmen shook his head. “Now can you please help an old man up?” He extended his arm for Tarris to grab.
    “You know very well you can get up on your own.” But that didn’t stop her obliging him.
    “How many times do I have a beautiful young woman to come to my aid?” His words made her blush.
    “Plenty of times, I’m sure.” She clicked her tongue. “You are incorrigible, old man. Preying on my good nature like that.” The light banter eased her concern.
    “Feeling better now?” It was as if Darmen could read her thoughts.
    “Yes, and thank you.”
    “For what, my dear?” His eyes twinkled in mischief.
    “You know very well what, you old scallywag!”
    “Now there’s a word I haven’t heard in a long time. That’s the problem with this world… trying to replace the old with the new.”
    “And not all of it is good,” Tarris added.
    “You like some of the old things?” Darmen asked.
    “I like the old movies. You know, like the olden days.”
    “Bill and Ted—”
    “No, not that crap! The real ones like”—she scanned her memory—“ The Godfather and Ben-Hur.”
    “The Archives have screenings of all the good ones.”
    “I watched part of African Queen yesterday.” She had so wanted to know how that one ended. “I like them in their disc format.”
    “You mean on DVD?”
    “That’s the one. It’s much better than the hologram copies. Sometimes I just want to be an outsider looking in, so I can get lost in the story and characters and not get distracted by the technology.”
    “Ahhh, a woman after my own heart.” Darmen smiled. “But they allow you to go to these screenings? You must have an understanding boss.”
    Shit. She had missed that. “I work nights.”
    “Then maybe you should be home asleep.” He looked at his chronometer. “If you hurry, you could still get a few hours’ rest.”
    Tarris had to admit that the morning’s meeting had taken its toll on her. Besides the emotional upheaval, the body suit began to annoy her. “Maybe you’re right. I better go.” She took a step toward the entrance. “About dinner…”
    “Go on. We can do this some other time.” He gave her a wink. “Rest well, my friend.”
    “Until next time, Darmen.” She was about to walk away when he stopped her.
    “Oh, by the way. Have you tried the scanner yet?”
    “I’m sorry, no. I’ve been really busy.” That sounded hollow, especially after mentioning her visit to the Archives yesterday. “I will, I promise.”
    “I’m sure you will, my dear. When you get around to it.” He waved her off with his hand before he returned his attention to the small screen he had been studying when she arrived.
     
    *   *   *
     
    Tarris resorted to a medicated sleep when she finally settled on her bed. She was exhausted and needed some downtime.
     
    The room swam with phantoms, swooping and diving at her in an attempt to get to her. They had changed to floating phantasms to negotiate the obstacles. Rya would protect her friend for as long as Tarris’s mental strength held out.
    This was her