The Dreamjumper and The Dreamcatcher

Chapter 6: Weaving the dreamcatcher

Reve

It takes Alora two days to make her choice. Over the phone she tells me she wants to try. And that's all I need to get the plan rolling.

Lena doesn't allow me to bring Alora anywhere near our apartment. So I have to improvise with the setup at Alora's place. Alora isn't happy at first about me creating a makeshift station at her apartment, but let's me come over.

"What's in the suitcase?" she asks me, noticing the brown leather case I'm carrying as she opens the door.

"Just the stuff we need for our expeditions."

She lifts an eyebrow. "Is that what you call them? And what could you possibly need to go into dreams? Do you take stuff with you?"

"No. Not exactly," I say as I step into the apartment. "We just use this-"

"Well, hello," says a woman with big brown eyes and brunette hair which is tied up in a messy bun over her head. She's got a light blue jean jacket on, and a purse strung across her shoulder. "¿Y quién es este?"

"Marisol, this is Reve. Reve, this is my roommate."

"Oh, is this the mystery man from the bus?" Marisol extends out a hand. "You can call me Mari."

I shake her hand, but I feel stuck to the spot. A deer in the headlights. Shit. She told about me.

I hadn't expected to meet anyone at Alora's place. In hindsight, I should have asked if she had any roommates. But in my defense, she barely dreams about this woman and I should be invisible to her. Nothing in Alora's dreams would have told me she has a roommate.

"Nice to meet you," I say in a low, deep and barely audible voice.

Alora looks at me curiously but doesn't question my sudden change in voice tone. The three of us stand there for what feels like several excruciatingly painful minutes. The awkward silence wants to burn my insides until I combust and disappear completely, the ashes the only thing remaining in my wake.

"Um..." begins Alora finally. "Yes, this is him. I guess I should have told you we started talking. He's going to hang out here for a couple of hours if that's okay with you."

"That's fine. I'm heading out anyway. But I'm glad you finally got the courage to talk to him. Disfruten."

Marisol exits through the open door and closes it behind her. Only after I hear the lock click do I feel like I can breathe again.

I turn towards Alora. "You told her about me?"

Something seems to click in her head as her eyes widen with understanding. "I did... But this was before I even talked to you. I didn't tell anyone after you asked me not to."

I try to keep my frustration in and breathe deeply. Why do things have to be even more complicated?

"Do you know if she has mentioned me to someone else?"

Alora shrugs. "I don't know. We don't talk too much to each other."

I place the case on the floor beside me and start thinking of possibilities to keep Marisol quiet. It's possible her telling anyone else won't make them see me. I hope they don't. I have no connection to Marisol nor have manipulated her dreams. In theory I should only become visible if Alora tells. Right? But, who knows with the anathema? It's better to be on the safe side. And I certainly don't want my name circling around. I should have stopped Alora from introducing me. My enemies don't need to know who I am. The superiors especially shouldn't find out. I've never had to face their admonition, and I don't want to start now.