Friday, November 2nd

That Friday, Patrick woke from a dream about vampire aliens to answer his ringing phone. He expected his mother, but he got Michael.

"Get ahold of Oren and Jorick. Elsa wants to meet them."

Patrick rubbed sleep from his eyes. "What?"

"Set up a meeting in the park," Michael whispered. "Jesus! Pay attention. Call me with the day and time. Gotta go."

"Wait! Mikey! Are you okay?"

There was a long pause. "I'm great, Pat. ...