Chapter Three: Symbolic Slumber

People all around me. They all are just walking forward. I try to follow them but I can't. I am walking in the other direction.

As hard as I try to turn, I cannot. Everyone else is headed towards something good. I don't know what it is, but everyone is looking so happy to be going that way. Some people turn around and look sad. Maybe they're like me and they have to come that way.

I don't know what I'm going toward but all I know is I don't want to go there. I can't tell if it'll really be that bad but no one looks enthusiastic about going.

And then I wake up.

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As soon as I woke up I thought maybe that dream was a sign sent to me. Maybe no matter what I do I'm headed for death and nothing can stop it. That I know for sure. Mom's in denial, but the doctors are all sure.

I tried to fall back asleep because I was still groggy, but it was no use. I'm awake.

So I got up and quietly went down to the computer to check my email. There's an email from my friend Maddie from Houston. She says in her email that her brother took her to see a rodeo for the first time. I remember her telling me she loves horses.

I sent her an email back telling her about yesterday's events.

I yelled to mom that I'm going out. She poked her head into the doorway. "Bailey, are you sure?" she asked anxiously.

"Yes, mom," I said. She worries too much.

"Okay," she said. "Just be careful."

I promise I will and leave, closing the door carefully behind me.

There wasn't much to do. I walked around town until I got to the arcade. The arcade's always fun. I rummaged for a second in my pockets. Yes! I had a quarter. Just enough for one game.

Usually I headed for games like Star Wars pinball or something, but this time I headed for a game called Dragon Master. Every time I come to the arcade, the same guy's always playing it with his eyes glued to the screen.

He was playing it then. I watched quietly. He made it up to level twenty-four and then the dragon got him.

He started playing again. "Come on!" I groaned. "Give someone else a chance!"

He looked around, mildly surprised, and saw me. "Oh. Sorry," he said. "Want me to give you a few pointers?"

"Sure," I said. "I'm new at this."

His name was Brian McBrian. Nice name, huh? He was a total geek and I began to wonder if he ever washed his hair, but he was sweet.

I made it to level six and died. "Nice," Brian congratulated. "Not bad for your first time. Wanna play again?"

I could see he was itching to get back on it. "No thanks," I said. "I'll just watch you."

I watched him quietly for another half hour. He made it to level twenty-six. I decided it was time to leave the arcade. "I'll see you later," I said.

I was headed for Wallman's. I had a score to set with Tibby.