Chapter 1

Amira stared off at the old clock that hung on the faded walls of the classroom. Mr. Daikon, the calculus teacher, still rambled on his lecture, one that no child paid any attention to. The spotlight was on the clock, the one thing that could get every students attention.

Five more minutes.

The hand inched closer to its mark. Freedom was almost in their grasps.

"Calm down, Amira," said Alice. "It's not like it's gonna move any faster with you staring at it like that!" Her hair fell down the side of her face, blocking her mouth from the teacher's vantage point.

"Even if you say that, what else am I supposed to do? Listen to him!"

"Amira!" Amira straightened in her chair. "Are you paying attention?"

"Yes sir! You were talking about . . .um . . ."

"Pay attention, Amira! Dou you think I like it when a student ignores me?"

"Sorry, sir." Yeah, right. Like anyone listens to you.

Just as he was about to start again, the bell of freedom rang. Students jumped out of their seats, running for the doors. Following the stampede, Amira and Alice melded into the crowd, carried outside by the flood of kids.

"You really should pay attention more. He's gonna really yell at you one of these days!"

"Yeah, I know. But I just can't stand it! It's so boring!"

Struggling against the crowd, they worked their way to an open hallway, pushing against backpacks and bodies. After school was the most hectic time of day, besides between classes. Sooner or later, the halls would thin out, but now it was complete chaos.

"Alice! You coming over after school?" Amira yelled. The swarm of kids created a drumming noise, making conversation an effort.

"Yeah! Meet you in the parking lot?"

"Sure! See you then!" Slowly making her way, Amira reached the lot, which was covered with cars holding impatient parents. Horns could be heard from the entrance to the carpool.

Geez, they are so impatient! The first kid hasn't even gotten in the vehicle yet!

While the vehicles stayed at a stand still, she made her way to her car, bobbing and weaving between the lanes. None of the kids had left yet, except for a few students who skipped out early. The couple that always parked near her were making out, as usual, on the back of the car.

Ugh! Get a room!

Her car stood out from the rest, its faded color making it seem like an over washed shirt. Amira threw her bag in the backseat, ripped and scratched by the previous owner's pets, and turned the ignition on. The radio began to play, tuning out the world outside with Taylor Swift and Tim McGraw.

A high pitched scream sounded over the music. Glancing in her mirror, Amira found the source of the obnoxious laughs and squeals. The couple had begun a lovey dovey game of tag, each grabbing each other in obviously "wanting" movements. She looked away when the boy grabbed his girl and leaned down for another smooch.

"My gosh! Can't they leave it alone for just five minutes!" Her hand reached out to turn the volume up when there was a knock on the car window. Alice. "It's unlocked!"

"Hey! Did I miss anything?"

"Not really. You just missed the . . .never mind. You'd be better off not knowing."

"Oh, c'mon." Alice threw her books in the back. "It can't be that bad, can it?"

"Maybe, maybe not. Anyway, you ready to go?"

"Yeah. Let's go. I need to get out of here!"

"Are your parents home, Amira?" Alice asked. It was lively at the Elment household, with a total of four people, but it was pretty much empty most of the day. The open, yet dead kitchen stressed that fact.

"Nah. They don't get home till later and Morgan is at a friend's house. She said something about studying, but I'm pretty sure they aren't even going to touch their books. You can set your stuff in my room, if you want."

"Thanks." Alice disappeared in the hall, her shadow the only trace of her presence behind the wall. "Did you bring yours?"

"Do you have to ask? Of course not. It's just too tiring." Amira fell onto the couch, stretching her legs across the glass coffee table. "God, I'm so tired!"

Alice walked over to the nearby armchair and glided into the corner, lounging on the pillows. "Well, you have to do something if you want to pass the class, let alone graduate. It is required."

"Yeah, I know. But what am I supposed to do? This stuff isn't even interesting! Oh! I forgot!" She rose, heading over to the pantry in the kitchen. "You want a drink? I've got plenty of soda."

"No, thanks," Alice chuckled. "Honestly! You're addicted to that stuff!"

"But it's good!" Returning to the couch, Amira opened the can, taking as swig as she settled back down. "Hey, Alice . . ."

"Yeah?"

"Did you have that dream again last night?" The joking atmosphere quickly dissipated.

Alice sighed. "Y . . . Yeah . . . You too?"

Amira nodded. For the past two weeks, the girls had the same dreams night after night. Running through the darkness, alone. A small light was always far away, never moving closer, always pulling away. The same dream would end as their parents woke them the following morning.

"This becoming a problem, Amira. I don't think this is just a coincidence anymore!"

"Well, what do you want us to do? Tell our folks we each have the same dream every night! They'll think we're crazy!"

"We can't just do nothing! This is becoming really creepy, Amira!" Amira sighed. If things were creepy now, that could only mean everything would just become worse. Suddenly, the door bell rang. Both girls looked at each other. Anyone coming to the Elment household was a rarity.

"Were you expecting someone?"

"No. Probably someone selling housecleaning products. We'll just wait for them to leave."

The bell rang again, as if on cue.

Just as I thought. Things are just getting weirder. Amira stood up and walked toward the door. Alice quickly followed, blocking her path.

"You're not seriously answering that, are you! Amira!"

She shrugged. "Well, someone has to tell them to beat it. They're just going to keep-"

The bell rang again, causing both girls to flinch.

"See! They're not going to stop, Alice."

"But you can't just open the door and expect nothing to happen!"

"Well," she paused. "We'll just have to see about that, now won't we?"