“We have to warn them!â€ Akiko shouted, sitting up in bed and looking round the room. There were running footsteps, and the door slid open as Shiraishi came in, quickly followed by Akira Takenaka.

“Akiko, are you all right? You shouted…â€ The priest looked concerned.

“I’m fine, but we have to warn them. We have to warn them before the lightning strikes.â€

“Akiko, calm down.â€ Shiraishi knelt by the bed and put a cool hand on Akiko’s forehead, frowning as she did so. “Lie down, Akiko. You need to sleep more.â€

Akiko shook the priest’s hand off, and tried to push herself up, but her arm shook, and seemed to have no force. Her legs were heavy, as if wrapped in concrete, and she couldn’t move them, either.  She groaned in frustration, shook her head, and then groaned again at the pain that lanced through it.

“We have to warn them <em>now!</em> The lightning could strike at any time.â€

“Shush, Akiko. It was just a dream.â€

“I wasn’t! I saw Mr Takenaka! He was shouting, standing outside the shrine.â€ Akira stood up and took a step back, but he didn’t leave, just blinked rapidly.

“Akiko, Mr Takenaka is dead.â€ The priest’s voice was gentle, as if she really thought Akiko might have forgotten.

“I <em>know!</em>â€ Akiko almost cried in frustration. “I know he’s dead! But he’s going to strike them with lightning! We have to warn them; they can’t move the house, but they can get out. He said he’d strike the house. If they get out, they’ll be safe.â€

“Akiko!â€ Shiraishi’s tone was sharper. “Stop it! Lie down!â€

“It’s all right, reverend.â€ Akira’s voice was strained, but calm. “It’s the fever. I understand.â€

Akiko collapsed back on to the bed for a moment, breathing heavily and gathering her strength before she pushed herself up again.

“It’s not the fever. I saw him. He was threatening them.â€

“Akiko…â€ Shiraishi was trying to shush her again.

“He’s going to strike them with lightning! He said Sugiyama was an electrician and so deserved to be struck with lightning just as he was. No, that’s not right. Betrayed by electricity, just like he betrayed.â€

“Akiko, lie down,â€ the priest said, but Akira had moved closer.

“Who? Who did he say he would strike?â€ His voice was very strained, on the verge of crying or screaming. But Akiko was out of energy, and she collapsed back on to the futon, drenched in sweat, tossing her head from side to side as the pillow dug into her. “Akiko? What was the name?â€ Akira’s voice was gentler now.

“Akira, I don’t think…â€

“Please, Revd Shiraishi, let her answer. Akiko, what was the name?â€

Yes, the name was important. If they knew the name, they would know whom to warn. What was the name? For a moment, Akiko thought that she might have forgotten it, but then she remembered the dark figure in the mist, ranting at the sky, calling down his vengeance on…

“Sugiyama. Sugiyama the electrician.â€ She looked at Akira, who was sitting back, shock etched on his face.