"Shane. Shane.’ ‘Mmmmmmm…" Shane was still really sleepy. "It’s time to get out of bed, we have to be at the studio in 3 hours and I need to go over a few things with you."

Shane opened his eyes and looked at Nicky. "I’m tired…" he wailed.

Nicky didn’t feel much pity for him. "Shane, firstly, if this band takes off you will get less sleep than this. Secondly, I’m on a mission to save the world and I would need your co-operation."

Shane sat up straight, remembering the dream he had had last night. He’d dreamt about everything that had happened, or would happen, and it had made him understand how important this mission was for Nicky. "Ok, ok, I’m awake."

"Good, go and get a shower so."

Shane came out of the shower to find Nicky fully dressed. He found some clothes and threw them on. "So, what do you need me to know?" He asked as he styled his hair.

"Well, some parts will require your full attention. I’ll start with the easier stuff. A few rules." Shane looked like he was going to protest but Nicky stopped him. "They’re for your own safety Shay. I want you to try and stay with me as much as possible. Which won’t always be possible but under no circumstances are you to spend any time alone with Kian. Make sure there’s always people around you. As long as there is, he won’t try to do anything."

Shane had finished with his hair and turned to face Nicky. "What could he do?"

"He’ll enter your mind."

"My mind? For what?"

"Usually to inflict pain, anything that will mentally exhaust you to a point where you won’t be able to think for yourself. Actually, he’ll try to do that mildly if there’s not too many people around, so I want to show you how to prevent him from doing that. What’s your question?" he smiled at Shane’s shocked look, he obviously hadn’t realised he had looked confused.

"Well, what would he want to exhaust me for? And how do you inflict pain mentally?"

"If he exhaust you they’ll be able to take over your mind, from where they can claim your soul, as you won’t be in a position to protest. If you inflict pain mentally the pain will be an illusion. Basically what happens is if you hold out for long enough he will give up and the pain will disappear again, without any trace."

"Ok."

Nicky moved closer to Shane. "The best way to make him give up is to mentally build a brick wall in your mind." Shane blinked a few times. "I know that sounds complicated, but all you gotta do is think of a brick wall, nothing else. If you let your mind wander you’ll lose it." He sat Shane down on the bed. "Wanna try?"

Shane look a bit puzzled, "Hang on, then you will have to enter my mind? You can actually do that?"

"Yes, and yes. I have to be able to 'cause you aren’t strong enough to fight off a stronger spirit on your own. Anyway, let’s try it, I’ll be careful and you tell me if you feel dizzy or anything."

"Ok." Shane took a deep breath.

Nicky kneeled down in front of him and took his hands. "Try to think of a brick wall." Shane tried his best, and it worked, although he could have found more pleasant stuff to think about. Nicky leaned his own forehead against Shane’s and looked deeply into his eyes, putting his full concentration into it.

Shane could feel the presence of something strange in his head; it felt really weird. He concentrated on his brick wall, managing just about by pretending Nicky was after his soul. He held out for 10 minutes before Nicky managed to break down the wall. He quickly let go off Shane and withdrew from his mind.

"That was really good for a beginner," he smiled and gave Shane a hug. "Do you feel ok?"

Shane nodded, "Yeah, I’m fine."

"Good, we’ll probably have to practice it a little, but for the time being you know what to do, at least."

Yeah, Shane knew what to do. The question was if it’d really help him to fight off this spirit? 

Chapter 5 >>