I thanked Aura for her helpful insight to my dreams although i was not 100% sure her information was correct.
I couldn't really be a person from another world, driven by the need to fix lands. I couldn't be a, what did she call it, a gentling.
But I tried to block out the craziness of the situation, and concentrate on my salvation. I finally had hope, a way to end these nightmares and get my normal life back. I knew it existed. I just had no clue how to go about it.
"My sister had some friends, who were like her. Maybe you could give one of them a call?" Aura suggested. She picked up a small pad of paper out of her pocket and scrawled down some names and numbers.
"Here you go," she said while handing me the slip of paper.
"Thank you," I said gratefully.
She looked up at me and smiled sadly.
"Good luck child."
I pulled out a few coins from my pocket and put them on the counter, before giving her a small wave and leaving the store.
I checked my iPhone. It was already 6:15pm and it was getting chilly outside. I quickened my pace as I walked past shops and houses before arriving at the park on the corner of my street.
It was deserted. A breeze flew past and the leaves in the trees began to rustle quietly and the old swings started creaking and moaning.
I shivered and pulled my hood up, making my way to the park bench under the old oak tree. This was my favorite place to come, because it was the place that reminded me the most of this world.
I unfolded the sheet of paper Aura had given me and looked at the names. Selitta, Klaus and Rhys, each with a phone number written next to their name. I decided to give them a call and try and learn more about Rumridge and being a Gentling.
I dialed Selitta's number first but she didn't pick up.
"Hi, my names Haley and a lady named Aura suggested i speak with you about a.. erm.. A difficulty I'm having. It would be great to talk to you, so please call me later. Thank you," I said, leaving a voicemail.
I tried Klaus next.
The phone rung a couple of times, before someone picked up.
"Hello?" A deep voice with a strong British accent asked.
"Uhm hi, I'm Haley." I said. My voice sounded small and scared.
"Hey, what's up? I'm Klaus," He said.
"Do the word's gentling or Rumridge mean anything to you?" I asked, checking I had the right guy so I didn't sound like a nut job.
"Yeah, they do. Are you a gentling too?" Klaus asked
"Yes, and a sister of one of your old friends told me to talk to you. Her name's Aura, and her sister died 7 years ago," I explained.
"Angela..." He said, drifting of to another place.
"So you knew her?" I asked cautiously.
"I was in love with her." He replied blankly.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," I said, feeling like I'd been apologizing for this girls death a lot today.
"So you got passed on the task of saving Rumridge did you?" He said, changing the subject.
"Yeah, and I don't have long. I need you to teach me how to enter dreams in a conscious state." I asked desperately.
"I can't teach you over the phone," he said, "come to my place, 29 Hurburt Lane. I'm there now if your free."
"Okay, I'll catch a bus and be over shortly," I said and then hung up the phone.
I sent a quick text to my parents telling them I wouldn't be home until 9ish, before walking to the nearest bus stop.
The next bus came in 5 minutes so I played around on my phone under the bus shelter.
The bus got here shortly after and soon enough i was outside Klaus' house. I knocked on his door. In a matter of seconds it was swung open by an attractive guy. He had curly blonde hair and a slight stubble, matched with piercing blue eyes. He wore a warm blue sweater and jeans.
"You must be Haley," he said, shaking my hand.
"And you must be Klaus," I said.
He smiled and nodded.
"Come inside. You have a lot to learn," he said laughing.
I smiled and walked in, ready to learn the fine art of traveling worlds.
