Justin leads the way back through the tunnel to its edge above Angel Chrysalis’ dream.
I am new to this world of adventure that my son lives in, this world of adventure which is the only home for Joy, the granddaughter the ‘real me’ doesn’t even know exists. I have been here for more than a year and I have seen controlled adventures, Justin’s and Charlie’s dreams go out of control, and dreams of strangers that were so dangerous they could have killed Joy.
I have seen Justin try to stay away from danger while at the same time teach Joy how to handle it, knowing it is unavoidable as she lives in other people’s dreams.
But this? Walking back to the dream of a man who kills people in his dream and strips them of their souls? A man who dreams he is an agent of God?
I trust Justin, but I’m also afraid. Joy knows to be afraid, but is excited by whatever it is he has planned. Master Mind follows us silently and has already proven he will sacrifice himself to protect Joy.
Justin reaches the end of the tunnel. We all stand behind him. He looks back.
“I’m only going to lean in,” Justin says. “If I fall in, do not follow me! Run! I’ll be fine. Got it?” he looks at Joy.
Joy nods.
“You’ll run?”
Joy nods.
“Master Mind?”
“If she does not, I will run for the both of us, Pirate.”
“Thank you.”
This confuses me, but then I understand what he means: He will pick Joy up and run for the both of them.
Justin turns his attention to Angel Chrysalis far below. He spreads his legs and leans in just enough so that his head is outside the tunnel.
The bright light of this sun, which is the round edge of the tunnel, no doubt hides Justin and us from being seen far below.
“Angel Chrysalis,” a voice booms throughout the dream. It is a deep, authoritative voice, no doubt Justin’s doing. “This is the Lord Your God.”
Far below, Angel Chrysalis stops and looks up.
“You have failed me, Angel Chrysalis. You have been cruel and you have been found wanting. I banish you from my grace! I banish you from doing the work of God! You have failed me!”
Justin stands upright, pulling himself completely into the tunnel, a smile on his face.
The pillar of fire vanishes. This is not Justin’s doing - he can’t affect the dream from within the tunnel - this is the Dreamer’s subconscious.
The demons fly away from Angel Chrysalis. The fire at the bottom begins to die out. The fire in Angel Chrysalis’ wings also dies down, revealing only the feathered angel wings.
Justin turns around, happy with himself. “Well, my job here is done. Let’s go!”
He takes Joy’s hand and heads back out of the tunnel.
Master Mind and I follow. I do not look back again to the Dream. I do not know what this one thing did to that man’s subconscious. I do not know how it will change his dreams, or his life. But there is a worry in mind. Does Justin have the right to meddle with the deep subconscious of others?
—Told by Grampa Walt