Part 56 (1/2)

He gave the One a questioning look, but his attention was fixed on Darryl.

When Darryl reached the wrought-iron stairs, he hesitated.

Hank started forward. ”Looks like he needs-”

Drexler thrust out an arm. ”Don't touch. No contact. It's in the Lore.”

”But-”

”Remember what happened to your coffee cup.”

He remembered. Yeah, maybe a good idea to give Darryl some s.p.a.ce.

He watched Darryl reach out and grasp the railing. Smoke rose from where his hand touched the wrought iron. He looked at it curiously, then released the railing and stared at his hand. Hank gasped when he saw that the iron he had touched was gone.

Darryl's gaze moved from his hand to the gap in the railing, then he started up, leaving a puff of smoke and a gap everywhere he touched.

Hank stood frozen, his tongue a sandbox. ”Am I seeing what I'm seeing?”

”Yes, Mister Thompson,” Drexler said. His eyes were bright, his lips parted with excitement. He looked ready to explode. ”The Fhinntmanchca Fhinntmanchca does not mix well with this world.” does not mix well with this world.”

”Where's he going?”

”Only the Fhinntmanchca Fhinntmanchca knows.” He glanced over his shoulder. ”And of course the One.” knows.” He glanced over his shoulder. ”And of course the One.”

The One stood statue still, staring after Darryl, and smiling.

Drexler cleared his throat. ”Sir, may we ask-?”

”You may,” the One said without looking at him. ”But if you wish an answer, you will have to follow him and find out for yourselves.”

Drexler turned to Hank. ”Then that is just what we will do.”

Hank jerked a thumb toward the One, who hadn't moved. ”He coming?”

”We need not worry about him. Come.”

Hank followed him to the staircase. He waited as Drexler ascended ahead of him and checked out the gaps in the handrail. The iron appeared to have melted away but without leaving any slag. The free ends looked like they'd been cut with an acetylene torch. He gave one a quick touch but found it cool.

The damage to the handrails seemed to have destabilized the staircase because it wobbled as Drexler climbed. Once he was off, Hank hurried up after him. He glanced back and saw the One still standing by the shrunken Orsa.

When he reached the top and stepped out of the closet, he tapped Drexler's shoulder.

”Hey, how come the metal dissolved when he touched it, but his clothes are okay?”

Drexler shrugged. ”I would a.s.sume because the clothes came through the Orsa with him.”

Made sense.

Darryl had walked out into the main room of the bas.e.m.e.nt. As they started after him, Hank heard a voice shout Darryl's name. He recognized it and heard trouble in the tone.

”Hey, I'm talking to you,” Ansari said. ”Not only do you look like s.h.i.+t, but what the f.u.c.k you doing here?”

Hank pushed past Drexler and found Ansari confronting Darryl.

”Mother.”

Ansari's eyes blazed. ”What you call me?”

He gave Darryl a two-handed shove to the chest. Darryl swayed, but Ansari wound up staggering back instead. His face purpling, he raised a meaty fist.

Hank shouted, ”Hold it!” but not in time.

Ansari swung. His fist rammed forward, smas.h.i.+ng against Darryl's undefended jaw- -and dissolved in a cloud of red smoke.

Hank skidded to a halt as he watched Ansari stumble back, clutching his wrist and staring at the place where his hand had been. No blood sprayed the air-the stump was blackened, cauterized.

As Ansari screamed in pain and horror, Hagaman rushed up behind him, shouting, ”What the f.u.c.k you do, a.s.shole?”

”Mother.”

”G.o.dd.a.m.n!”

He bent and charged, as if to tackle, but Darryl put out a hand that caught Hagaman's arm above the elbow. Another scream, another spray of red smoke, and Hagaman spun and dropped to the floor-right next to his forearm. He writhed in agony as he clutched the stump of his arm.

Panic erupted as the other men in the room fell over each other in a headlong rush to get away from him. Darryl began to move toward them as they bunched up at the door.

”Mother.”

”Get out of his way!” Hank shouted.

But either they didn't hear or were too panicked to understand.

Darryl reached them and put out his hands to push them aside. The result was more screams and more red smoke at they lurched away with chunks burned out of their backs and shoulders.

With the doorway cleared, Darryl stepped through and headed upstairs. Hank and Drexler followed to the first floor. Word must have spread because everyone was pressed against the wall, staring in fear and wonder as Darryl walked toward the front entrance.

”The doors!” Drexler said.

He scooted ahead and opened one of the heavy oak doors, holding it for Darryl until he pa.s.sed.

Darryl halted at the bottom of the steps and turned in a slow circle. He stopped, facing uptown.