I stared at the thorns. They covered the entrance to a room I could only dream of. I warily tugged at the vines, but I only succeeded in pricking my finger. I turned to Garry. His face was intent as he stared at the thorns. As he bent over to see if we could slide under, out of his coat pocket fell a silver lighter. Picking it up, I turned to him.

"What about this?"

Garry smiled and took it from me, flicking it. "Yes, Ib! That would work!" He held it to the vines. They withered quickly. "Well, Ib. Shall we?" I took his arm and stepped through the doorway.

We went through a room that was seemingly empty, but at the far end I saw a painting that looked familiar. Mary! Pulling Garry with me, I raced to the other end- or tried to. I got about halfway when I heard a voice.

"Ib!" It was Mary! I turned. Mary was standing at the doorway, looking at me with shocked eyes. "Ib… Garry… You're alive…" Her expression grew dark and her pallet knife was held higher. "What are you doing in this room?" I gestured helplessly, feeling like a traitor. She stepped forward. "Get out… Get out… GET OUT!" She screamed. The room cracked from where she was standing. She began running forwards, her hair flying, her eyes wild and her pallet knife brandished high. I did the only thing I could do. I ran.

I sprinted to the other end of the room. Garry still held his lighter. I realised the one thing we had to do. "Light it!" I hollered at Garry. Garry flicked his lighter.

"There's no other option!" He yelled. He held the flame to the painting. It set alight immediately. Turning around, I saw Mary less than a metre away. Her legs were aflame. "No…." she whispered. Her dress began to smoke. I stepped towards her and touched her already hot hand. "Ib…" I held it closely. "I'll see you later." Suddenly my face was wet, with tears. I couldn't imagine the agony she must be in… her hair began to singe. I stepped back. Her neck was aflame, and the tongues of flame were licking her chin. She took a deep breath- and screamed. The painting exploded, and Mary disappeared behind a wall of flame. I fainted, and slid into a world with no pain or misery.

I woke staring at an enormous painting. I was on the floor. Garry was above me surveying me. "Come on Ib! Time to go!" I leapt up, given new strength. I stared at the painting. " So, do we jump in?" The painting flickered, then gave way to an opening. Apparently yes. Garry leaped onto the painting. I took his hand.

"Ib! There you are!" It was my mother. "How many times have I told you-"

Her voice brought me back to reality. I must go with mother .I rip my hand out of Garry's and take my mother's.

I wake up. My bedside clock reads 8:00 a.m. I feel exhausted. "What a scary dream …" I say to a doll.

"Wasn't it, Mary?"