“The manifestations? I doubt it. But the calling, yes. It’s just that something went wrong.”
“I’m convinced that Chris Stein is the center of this.”
“You’re probably right. As a Black Laner you have good instincts for these things. I think that Stein is probably the magnet. The other Stay Belows simply follow him.”
“Why do they sing?”
“They can’t help it. It’s their offering to the world for intruding. Plus, it calms both them and the land.”
I look around.
“It’s dark and no ghosts yet.”
Flicker gets on her knees and presses her palms to the pavement.
I kneel down beside her.
“What are you doing?”
“Listening for them.”
“With your hands?”
“They’re Stay Belows. You can feel them before you see them. Get down here like me and put your hands on the ground.”
I do what she says.
“Do you feel anything?”
“Nothing.”
“We fed the King. This is your city. You have power. Open yourself up and let it out.”
I kneel there for a minute trying to feel or see or hear something.
“Still nothing.”
“All right. What do you feel?”
“A little shaking. Vibrations from street traffic.”
“Stark, we’re at least two blocks from any main street.”
“Huh. How about that?”
“Yeah,” she says.
“It’s getting stronger.”
“It is. Get ready.”
“Ready how? What am I supposed to be doing?”
“Getting out of their way.”
It’s the same as always. The pinprick of light appears in the air. Melts. Widens.
“The Thurl,” says Flicker.