Dawn of Dreams

Chapter 4

Over the next week, Kayla and Miera ran four days out of seven. They settled into an easy rapport, trading snippets about their lives as they ran. Kayla gleaned enough information to build a picture of Miera's life. Like Kayla, Miera had grown up an only child, which meant she was used to entertaining herself. Usually, this comprised countless hours reading fiction—and not much time doing anything else. Miera explained this was one reason for her running. "It's better for me if I don't spend all day cooped up on the couch!"

Kayla loved how easy Miera was to talk to. It was a refreshing change from most of the people she had met during their many moves, people closed off to strangers and unwilling to reveal too much of themselves, even to acquaintances. Why did people have the crazy notion that if they didn't get close to you, you wouldn't notice their shortcomings? They only kept themselves lonely, and if you were around long enough, they revealed their character flaws, regardless. Kayla hoped the kids at her new LC wouldn't display these traits. If everyone there was as friendly as Miera, this new community held promise. She might even make a new friend.

This reminded her of the friend she had just deserted: Grailynn. They had become proficient cyber-buddies. The holo-port connection provided by their PALs wasn't as cozy as being in the same room together, but it was a useful, immediate, and tangible way for them to converse. On the second evening in their new home, she had told Grailynn about her chance meeting with Miera.

"You're replacing me already?" Grailynn had teased.

Kayla had felt a twinge of guilt. "I could never replace you."

"Yeah, yeah," Grailynn said. "You know I feel the same way. I'm just bummed you found another running partner so quickly."

They communicated one way or another daily, often more than that. But Kayla knew this would taper off when Grailynn began preparing for the upcoming year-end exams.

It was now more than a week since she left Grailynn. Sighing, Kayla began her warm-up routine, preparing for Miera's imminent arrival. While she did so, she glanced outside, noting the leaden sky, heavy with its promise of a last spring snow. Even as she watched, the sky darkened.

Completing her warm-up, Kayla stepped outside. Then she stiffened as the full wrath of the polar air hit her. Sheesh! That's bitter! Debating going back in and getting her face mask, she saw Miera opening the street door of their home. It was now or never. Kayla dashed back inside and darted upstairs to her room, where she grabbed her face mask, and then scooted back downstairs, reaching her own street door just as Miera arrived.

"Seriously!" Miera berated the arctic air, vigorously stomping her feet on Kayla's front porch.

Kayla grinned, donning her face mask. "Ready?"

"No," Miera snapped, to Kayla's surprise.

"You want to skip?"

"I'd love to, but considering we haven't run for the last two days, I guess we don't have a choice."

"There's always a choice—" Kayla began, but Miera interrupted.

"Whatever, you know what I mean. It's not getting any warmer, so let's hustle before we freeze where we stand. Is the lake route okay?"

Kayla nodded. It was both the closest and shortest of the three trails they had run.

Miera took off, her accelerated pace a clear sign she intended completing the exercise as quickly as possible. Feeling the effects didn't take long. Not only was Kayla unaccustomed to the increased speed, but she had to wrestle the glacial air for each ounce of oxygen. As forcefully as she pulled the chilly air in, the wind sucked it back out. The tiny amount of air she retained burned with icy fury as it scraped past her throat. Then the frosty needles prickled their way down her trachea until they pierced her lungs. Every successful breath was a painful victory.