Deirdra waited until she heard the sound of Raphael's footsteps fade away, then debated what to do. On the one hand, she didn't fancy the thought of being bound and gagged or beat senseless by the hulk of a man that had just locked her in the dark, musty room. (Two of the possible fates that could be in store for her if he caught her.) On the other hand, who in their right mind WOULDN'T try to escape? Or at least call for help, she thought, suddenly remembering her mobile phone. It was surprising that he hadn't searched her. She reached in her pocket for the phone and instead pulled out something else. A stone by the feel of it. The object was small, irregularly shaped, a bit rough, and had sharp edges. It weighed quite a bit too. As she rolled it around in her hand, she wondered what exactly is was and how it had come into her possession. She couldn't remember picking it up and putting it in her pocket. But why would someone else put it there? Could it be valuable? Just then the stone began to glow a dull greenish colour. Deirdra watched in amasement as the light gradually grew brighter until she could see her surroundings. The store room was empty apart from some foldable metal chairs that were stacked against one wall and a pile of broken down cardboard boxes in a corner. Some stray cobwebs had formed here and there. So much for finding anything in here to pick a lock with, she thought, ruefully. Suddenly she shrieked. The light emanating from the stone was blinding now, and it was accompanied by an almost explosive force. It sent her crashing backwards into the stacks of chairs, which collapsed on her as she slid to the floor. She still clutched the stone. She was unable to let go of it. Somewhere she thought she heard someone laughing. It was a soft but cruel laugh. She gasped from the pain and the shock of what had happened, then blacked out. She didn't see the strange symbol appear on her forehead or the red light that briefly flashed in her eyes. But the nightmares that ensued, she wouldn't soon forget. Or were they memories? The line between fantasy and reality had been blurred. Some of the events she saw in her mind's eye had been very real, while others she couldn't be sure of. Were they distant and obsure memories or illusions? Perhaps they were things yet to happen. When the visions (and some of the physical pain) finally subsided, she drifted into a deep but troubled sleep.