“There was a man,” the man said, his voice still barely more than a whisper. “I never told mother about him.”
Rudd yawned.
“He came to me and he told me about this place, a glowing room underneath the earth that had green glowing crystals that were the keys to heaven’s gate.” The man paused. “I asked mother to find a man like you. I didn’t tell her why, but I need you to go find those crystals for me.” He coughed. “It was a long time ago—I was just a boy, but I’ve held onto the image my whole life.” The man’s eyes cleared and he caught Rudd’s gaze. “Sir,” he said, “I need you to find that room. I need you to bring me a glowing green crystal.”
Rudd shook his head. “That’s probably the dumbest thing anyone’s ever asked me to do,” which was an incredible statement, considering his vocation.
“Dumb or not, they exist,” the man said. “And mother will be paying you handsomely for your time.”
“Goddamn right she will.”
“You think I’m crazy.”
“Of course I do.”
“I’m not crazy.”
“Ok.”
“Find me that crystal and you’ll be rewarded even more handsomely.”
“If you say so.”
“They exist, just like you and I exist, sir,” he said. “Trust me.”
“If you say so.”
“And mother can’t know. It would scare her to think I was giving up.”