Hopes and Dreams

Chapter 3

"So, this is where you've been?" George stepped slowly into the room. The flickering light being cast from yellow lanterns was dim, but it was enough to allow him to take in his surroundings. "All this time?"

"Yup," Dream responded. "Here and through the other tunnels. We have tons of rooms like this. They haven't found us yet, and if they do, there's enough of us now to put up a fight."

That was certainly true. There were more people down here than he would have thought, and most of them were staring at him. They all looked disheveled and tired, but had an air of determination about them. Most of them also didn't look pleased with his arrival. Before George could ask more questions, Dream grabbed his arm and led him over to one of the nearby tables. "Come on, there's someone I want you to meet," he said.

The few people standing around the table made room for Dream when he arrived. They cast George wary looks but held their tongues. Dream let go of George's arm and strode up to a man with his back turned to them, throwing his arms around him. "You weren't too sad while I was gone, were you," he asked in a joking tone.

The boy Dream had hugged shrugged him off and turned around. A grin broke out across his face as he slugged Dream in the shoulder. "Shut up," he laughed. "Who could miss your ugly mug?"

Dream wheezed so hard George worried he didn't have enough air. The other boy laughed along with him as they exchanged a few more friendly words. Finally, Dream seemed to remember George's presence and dragged him forward. "George, this is Sapnap, a good friend of mine. Sapnap, this is George." This boy, Sapnap, was just a bit taller than him. He had short, brown hair and scruffy facial hair. He wore a long-sleeve black shirt with a white, short-sleeved one layered on top. His pants, shoes, and backpack were also black and looked worn.

George politely stuck out a hand for him to shake, but Sapnap simply glared at him. "So you're the person Dream sneaks out to see everyday," Sapnap said with a click of his tongue.

George felt his face get hot. It sounded much more weird when Sapnap said it. "Uh, I guess so," he responded hesitantly.

Sapnap nodded slowly, then grabbed Dream's shirt and dragged him a few steps away. "I don't like this guy," he growled. Though it was clear Sapnap was trying to keep his conversation private, he hadn't gone nearly far enough away to be out of earshot. "He looks like a blind sheep, a follower. Plus, he's super ugly."

"I can still hear you," George said, frowning and crossing his arms. Sapnap simply ignored his comment.

"There's no way we can trust this guy," he continued, still completely in earshot of George.

"Oh come on, Sapnap," Dream pleaded. "He's a good guy! Yeah, maybe he still believes everything about that phony God and the system, but so did all of us at one point!" Sapnap gave him a look, so he quickly corrected, "most of us. We just need to show him our way of thinking! There's no need to get jealous of my new friend."

Sapnap snorted. "I am not jealous. I don't get jealous." He glanced around Dream to stare at George. He felt his judging stare boring into his skin. "Fine. We'll see how much I can really trust your 'new friend.'" Sapnap strode back over to George and stuck an accusing finger into his chest. "I've decided to give you a chance."

"Oh joy," George muttered, but Sapnap didn't seem to hear him.

"There's a shipment of produce being sent out of the city headed for the palace tomorrow. We figured they could share a little, so we're going to intercept the shipment and take back what's really ours. If we can really trust you, you'll help us. If not, well, we can't let you tell anyone where we are, so..." Sapnap didn't finish the sentence, but George didn't feel he had to. "Anyway, do we have a deal?" Sapnap spat on his hand and held it out to George.