| “Shit!” he muttered as he suddenly threw open the car door and stepped out of the vehicle. “Might as well be sure it’s just a damn joke.” He slammed the door, then straightened his wiry tail behind him, pulled the red mask over his face and charged toward the door of the warehouse. A brisk wind brought the gooseflesh out beneath the thin material of his costume. From the other side of the warehouse, Lewis could hear the steady rhythm of the river slapping against the pilings. Thin fingers of fog drifted toward him, curled around his legs like lovers, and then broke apart to reform behind him. Knock? Or just go in, if the door is unlocked? Lewis reached out and jerked on the door’s handle. The wooden door opened with a groan of protest. Lewis quickly stepped inside and let the door close behind him. He was in an office. Another door faced him from the other side of the room. Lewis stepped to it and pulled it open as well. It led into the warehouse itself, and as it closed behind him, Lewis realized he was alone except for two tables in the center of the vast, dimly lighted storage area. He reached behind him for the door handle, ready to leave, angry at himself as well as his mother. “Lewis, there you are.” A hand came down on his shoulder and held him. The grip was cold and heavy. Lewis turned his head to face a tall, muscular man dressed as a Greek warrior. The man smiled, a twinkle in his eyes. “Do I know you?” Lewis asked. “Not yet,” the man answered. “But we’ll have a while to get to know one another.” “Am I the first to get here?” Lewis tried to grin. “No, you’re late. But you’re the guest of honor, so it doesn’t matter. As long as you’re here.” “But I don’t see anyone else,” Lewis protested. “Your eyes will adjust.” “Who are you?” “Who do I look like?” “I don’t know,” Lewis answered. “Hercules, or Achilles maybe.” “Odysseus, my friend. Odysseus.” “Okay, fine, but who are you really?” “Does it matter?” “I’d like to know.” “You’ll know later, though by then I doubt you’ll care about me.” “But – ” “Come, Lewis, let’s have some punch.” The man took him by the arm and led Lewis toward one of the two tables. Lewis could now see that there was a large punch bowl and a single glass on one table. The other was empty. |