{Chapter FOUR}
Lily walked up to Len and smiled. "Why don't you walk home with me? I heard from someone that you live close to me." This statement earned Len a couple more dirty looks from the male species.
"Uh, sure, I guess."
Lily smiled even wider and practically dragged Len with her out of the school. When they were a good distance from the school, Lily let go of Len's hand. "Do you still have the stone?"
Another person who wanted the stone? Sheesh. "What stone could you be talking about?" Len asked, trying to play dumb. It didn't work.
Lily glared at him, her blue eyes flashing. "I don't have time for jokes. That stone is called the Dreamer's Stone and it's very rare. It can grant any wish the owner wants."
"Well, then I think I'll keep it…"
Lily frowned slightly. "It's also very dangerous. It takes all wishes very literally. If you think it's too much for you, you can give it to me. I know how to put it to good use."
Len shook his head. "I won't matter. I think it'll come right back to me. See watch. I'll give it to you and you hide it somewhere. I'm almost sure that I'll have it back in my pocket by tomorrow." He dropped the stone onto Lily's hand.
Lily jerked away suddenly and the stone felled fell to the ground with a dull thud. "Idiot, you could have killed me! If someone who isn't the owner of the stone touches it, they'll die within 24 hours. You have to do a special ritual to pass the ownership."
"Never mind then." Len shrugged and picked up the stone. "My house is that way, so I'll be going now."
"Wait!' Lily grabbed Len's arm. Man, the girl had a death grip. "It wasn't an offer," she hissed. "Pass the ownership or I'll do it myself."
She grinned, malice in her voice. "I'll kill you if that's what it takes."
Len tried to pry her fingers off his arm, but they didn't budge. After failing for a couple seconds, he sighed and said, "Okay, I'll give it to you! Tell me what I have to do."
Lily went back to smiling warmly again and let go of Len's arm. "Good, good, smart boy. Just say 'I pass the ownership of the Dreamer's Stone to- Where are you going?!"
Len set off at a dead run to his house as soon as Lily let go of his arm. That's the second time this week I've run home, he noted. He flung the door open, surprising his mother, and flew up the stairs to his room, locking the door. Exhausted, Len collapsed onto his chair, panting.
I'll kill you if that's what it takes.
Len shivered at the memory of the look on Lily's face when she had said it. He had no doubt that she would have gone through with that plan if he hadn't fled.
Suddenly, Len felt paranoid that there were people everywhere, hunting him down for the stupid stone.
Then he heard his mom knock on the door. Len debated if he should open it or not.
"Len, I bought some cookies. Would you like a snack?"
A snack? His mother never made him a snack. But maybe, just maybe, she was changing. Len hesitantly opened the door, expecting to see his mother holding a plate of cookies and maybe a glass of milk.
Instead, she stood at his door, a crazed expression on her face and a kitchen knife in her hand.
