Devil's Peak

Chapter 3

Christopher found himself once again in the fantastical world of Aumpa, following his trusty feline guide, Jellybean. The sky was filled with Aumpamu, the enormous winged rats that soared through the air like prehistoric birds. Though the sight still made Christopher shudder, he couldn't help but marvel at their majestic presence.

"Okay, Jellybean," Christopher said as he scratched the cat's head. "I've been practicing my dream-walking skills, but I'm not sure who to try them on first. What do you think?"

Jellybean purred softly, rubbing her head against Christopher's hand before darting off into the strange forest. Christopher smiled, an image of Joe, his new friend from Devil's Peak Elementary, flashing into his mind. Maybe Joe's dream would be a good place to start.

As if his thoughts were a magic key, Christopher suddenly found himself standing in a vast cavern, lit by a soft, eerie glow. The feeling of the damp, cool air against his skin sent a shiver down his spine. He saw Joe standing beside him, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Hey, Christopher," Joe breathed, awe evident in his voice. "Check this out."

A bee buzzed into view, but this was no ordinary bee-it was the size of a dinosaur. Christopher's heart pounded in his chest as the colossal insect buzzed closer and closer.

"Joe!" Christopher whispered urgently. "What do we do?"

"Stay still," Joe instructed, his voice surprisingly calm. "If we don't move, it won't see us."

With bated breath, they both froze in place. The monstrous bee hovered for a moment before starting to leave, seemingly convinced that the boys weren't a threat. Then, inexplicably, Joe began to shout insults at the retreating creature.

"Hey, you overgrown fly! Your stinger looks like a toothpick!"

"Joe, what are you doing?" Christopher hissed, panic rising in his voice as the bee turned around and began to fly toward them once more.

"Trust me," Joe said, though his confident grin was wavering slightly. "I know what I'm doing."

The boys froze again, not daring to breathe as the bee drew nearer. Just when it seemed that the insect would make contact, it gave up and started to leave once more-but Joe couldn't help himself. He shouted another insult, causing the bee to turn back around.

"Joe, stop!" Christopher pleaded, his heart racing with fear. "You're bringing it back!"

"Sorry," Joe mumbled, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I won't do it again."

True to his word, Joe remained silent as they stood completely still, the gigantic bee finally leaving for good. The boys let out a collective sigh of relief, their muscles relaxing after the tense encounter.

"Next time, maybe don't poke the giant hornet's nest," Christopher joked weakly, attempting to shake off the lingering fear.

"Good advice," Joe admitted sheepishly. "Let's see what other crazy stuff we can find in my dream, huh?"

As the friends ventured deeper into the cavern, Christopher couldn't help but be grateful for Joe's presence-even if his antics had almost gotten them squashed by a dinosaur-sized bee. Their friendship was just beginning, but Christopher knew that together, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead, both in Aumpa and the real world.

"Follow me, Christopher," Joe said, gesturing towards a rugged, mud-splattered jeep parked nearby. Its headlights pierced through the dimly lit cavern, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

"Joe, wait," Christopher said as he hesitated. "You're too young to drive!"

"Ah, but this is my dream, remember?" Joe replied with a sly grin. "In here, I make the rules. Now, come on! Let's go for a ride."