Dream Walker

Chapter 21 | Yogi Bear

"Are you comfortable?"

"As comfortable as you can be on the floor."

"Do you want a pillow or something?"

Callie opened one eye and squinted at Alex. He was sitting cross-legged a few inches in front of her—close, but not claustrophobic—and looked perfectly comfortable. She never expected him to be the meditation type. His perfect posture suggested sitting on the ground was nothing new. She cracked her knuckles and was pleased when he winced. His effortless calm demeanor had its limits, apparently.

"I'll be infinitely more comfortable when I can sleep through the night, so let's just get back to the yoga," Callie said and opened both eyes. Holding just one open was giving her a face cramp.

Alex's eyes remained closed, but his mouth quirked up into a quick smile. "It's still not yoga, Callie. We're centering ourselves so you can learn to control your powers. Now, close your eyes."

How did he know her eyes were open? She acquiesced quietly, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of her shock. Alright, time to find her center. Breathe in, center, breathe out. Center. Middle. Stuck in the middle. Here I am, stuck in the middle with you. Dammit, not the time for song lyrics.

Callie sighed. "I'm no good at shutting my brain off. Trying to not think makes me think about everything."

"Let the thoughts drift by while you picture where you want to go." Alex's voice was smoother than butter. Even through her frustration, he maintained his soothing tone. "Did you pick a place?"

Alex had told her to think about a dream she could clearly remember. Any dream besides the maze, of course, to avoid another run-in with Cyril, intrusive lord of the realm. Luckily, Callie had plenty of vivid dreams to choose from.

"I have something in mind. Are you planning to tag along? I wouldn't recommend it if you're allergic to sand," she added.

"Do you want me to come with you? It's your choice to bring me through the veil." Speaking with their eyes closed meant Callie had no idea what facial expressions accompanied his words. There were no cues in his voice that indicated a preference either way. She was tempted to open her eyes again, but his spidey senses would give her away.

"I'll be fine on my own. I just figured you'd get bored sitting here while I travel between dimensions." Though it was still weird to be talking about her 'special' abilities so casually, her shock had worn off.

"Well, I will be right here. If you need anything, just reach out," Alex said.

Ignoring the warm feeling in her chest, Callie took a deep breath and forced her imagination into gear. "What do I do once I have the picture in my head?"

"You've opened a portal before. You know what to do," Alex said.

Callie paused, thinking about the last time she knowingly opened a portal. "Wait—when we were in the maze, you told me you didn't know how I could open the portal. I had to figure it out for myself, remember?"

"And it worked, right?"

They may have been tenuous friends by then, but Callie hated the smugness in Alex's voice. "So you gambled with our lives when we were about to be attacked by a horde of shadow creatures? That's insane."

"Nah, you're a natural when it comes to jumping between worlds," Alex said. "Besides, everything I'm telling you to do now is just supposition and guesswork."

"Seriously, dude?" She opened her eyes again, exasperated. Alex's eyes opened smoothly, immediately making contact with her own. It's like he knew where her face was without looking.