Deep in the night, a girl was lying in her bed, peacefully dreaming, or so one would think. Those on another plane would see that, stemming from this girl's head, was a thick purple shimmering rope.
Liza walked through the streets, her tether securely around her midsection. Every night, since she met her father in a dream world, she has been searching for an answer to her question: How to get him free from the murderer he now held with his mind?
Two months had passed without any answers and only more questions. Liza's spirit often wandered the streets, hoping for some kind of revelation. Before long, she found herself on Shara's street, so she decided to walk to her house.
Liza smiled as she saw D.J. and Shara on her front porch, kissing goodnight. D.J. had been doing so well since his integration and it didn't take Shara long to get noticed by the new, improved D.J. They had been dating well over a month and things look to be somewhat serious. Although, at seventeen, there wasn't much that they could legally do except enjoy each other's company. Liza was happy for them, though.
Things were strained between Liza and her mother now, which caused Liza a lot of stress. She understood that her mother did what she thought was best by keeping the fact that her father isn't dead from her, but it was still a great shock. And to find out that her mother knew more about her dreamwalking talent than she did, was overwhelming. She was glad her mother knew and could help her, but at the same time, her private world felt invaded by a stranger.
Liza sighed to herself. This thinking was not getting her closer to an answer about her father's condition. She turned to leave and out of the corner of her eye, she could have sworn she felt someone nearby, watching her. When she turned to look, however, he was gone. Strange, no one but the dead can see her when she dreamwalks. Shrugging it off, she rejoined her body and slept for a short time before waking for the new day.
Soft sunlight streamed through Liza's window, begging her to come play in its warmth. It was so close to summer, Liza could taste it. She looked forward to lying beside the pool, soaking up rays and bronzing her body. But, real life beckoned stronger than sunlight and, grudgingly, she got dressed.
After a quiet breakfast with her mother, Liza sprinted out the door to the bus. She was glad to be slumped down in the back seat of the bus. She could zone out, at least until Shara showed up. As usual, Shara bubbled nearly uncontrollably as she took the seat in front of Liza.
"Liza! I had the best time last night!"
Liza decided that letting her best friend know that she saw them kissing on the porch wasn't the best idea. But before Shara or Liza could say anything else, a voice broke in on their conversation.
"Hi, Liza." Quinn had been instrumental in helping Liza help D.J., but she still didn't really feel what she could easily tell Quinn felt. He was, all too often, present. Liza waved back with a weak smile. Since their two hour long phone call, Quinn was fond of calling for little things, sitting next to her, and speaking to her regularly. He wasn't exactly rude, she just had a lot of things on her mind, and he wasn't one of them. He slumped down in the seat across the aisle from Liza and turned so his legs hung over the end.
"How are you today, Liza?"
Shara scrunched up her nose.
"Quinn, I don't mean to be rude, but we were having a conversation. And you weren't part of it."
Quinn looked vaguely at Shara, as if he wasn't quite certain if she were really there or not.
"Sorry."
Liza decided now would be a good time to jump in, before Shara took his head off.
"It's ok, Quinn. I'm good today, a little tired. How about you?"
Quinn nodded his head and didn't say anything else. Shara raised her eyebrows at Liza.
"Ok, well, I guess we'll get back to my conversation now."
Quinn sat back in his seat and stared out the window. Seriously, that boy could sometimes be weird. Liza tried not to make Quinn a major thought in her head as Shara rambled on about D.J. She was glad when the bus ride was over and she could escape into her one class she didn't have with Shara or Quinn.
