Fragments - Book One of the Missing

Chapter 28 - Taniel

Rowan and Taniel had been at the cabin for almost a month. As time passed at the mountain cabin, the leaves started to fall, and every morning the ground was covered with a light blanket of frost. Every step crunched through the ice and the dead leaves below.

Yet despite the frost, the hike warmed Taniel up and he pulled another layer off. When he reached the summit of the path, the sky was clear and shining. He took a deep breathe, trying to enjoy this beautiful day. For a brief second, he wished he brought Rowan on the hike with him, but then he reminded himself that she needed the extra help and he needed the space.

With every passing day, Rowan was getting stronger both mentally and physically, but that didn't mean should could win a fight yet. And if he wanted to the change the dream, he needed to do something. The dream was getting more vivid every night, as if it were becoming more real. But it was as if he was frozen every night and could do nothing to change it.

Hamza had been working with him to meditate. As if he could calm down enough to dream lucidly through meditation. The guilt of his dreams was crushing him. If it came true it would be all his fault. He could have the power to stop it, but not know how.

And who was Hamza now? Was he still a part of the Officials? Taniel shook his head. He hated that Rowan and he were pulled into a war their parents waged. Players to fight for them.

Looking around the surrounding mountaintops made him feel more small, more lost. Who was he to change anything?

Frustrated, he gave up trying to find answers at the moment. The mountains would tell him nothing. His shoulders were heavy from the burden of the dream, and the mystery of his father.

Heaving a sigh, Taniel sat on the wet ground and pulled out his father's journal. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know what was written within those pages, but with all that Hamza had said, he needed to figure out who he was.

Gingerly, as if the pages would rip under his touch, he opened the journal and stared at the front page.

To my dear son, Taniel. I am so very sorry if I am long gone by the time you read this, but pray to the Stars you have been safe and well. By now you should be aware that things are not always as they seem. Particularly our dreams. I've known for some time they would come for me. They need a dreamer, and they think they need me. I would happily go in place of you. But my skills will never be anything compared to yours. You can change the world, my little dreamer. Keep your secret safe. If the wrong people find out, it could mean the death of all of us. I wish I could tell you more. Stay strong, you are up to bat.

You'll always be my MVP.

Love, Dad

The leaves crackled behind Taniel, and he hurried to wipe the evidence of the pain away from his face. Rowan sat down next to him and, for a moment, honored the silence.

"You finally did it, huh?"

"Fat lot of good it did me. I couldn't even get past the first page."

"You know he couldn't tell you anything concrete, though, right? What if the journal fell into the wrong hands?"

"Do you always have to reason everything?"

"There is something in there. I am sure of it. Why else would the Underground want it?"

Taniel could only shrug. He didn't care about the Underground right now.

Rowan knelt down and grabbed a fist of leaves in her hand. When she opened her fingers a fine powder drifted away with the wind. "It feels like death up here. Don't you want to head back?"