Chapter 5

Once everyone has arrived at the sacred meeting place of Sibuna, Patricia tells them the whole story of her run in with Senkhara.

"But you're not dead," Alfie says to Nina.

Nina's about to say something but is interrupted by Patricia. "That's my point doofus."

"Then what was Senkhara talking about?" asks Alfie very defensively.

Fabian has an idea. "Do you think it was a metaphor or something?"

"Possibly," says Patricia, "But we still don't know what it means."

"It could mean that Vera wants the mask too and she'll do anything to get it. Maybe even kill Nina. Maybe ghosty was trying to warn us because she wants us to get the mask before Vera." Upon hearing this the other members of Sibuna gasp, not because of the fact that this might be true but because of who said it.

"Oh my gosh Amber!" exclaims Fabian. "You might actually be right."

They continue talking about this message from Senkhara for almost an hour before they decide they should get back to the house before Victor has a spasm. When they get there Patricia immediately looks for Joy again and, when she can't find her, starts panicking. Again she confronts Vera who now says that Joy is taking care of her uncle as he has fallen ill. Patricia doesn't completely buy this but doesn't question it either.

Instead, she quietly walks to her room and falls asleep. It isn't a peaceful sleep though. It's haunted by dreams. One in particular, involves Senkhara:

Patricia finds herself alone, surrounded by nothingness. Then she's met by Senkhara and the ghost starts screaming things at her.

"She has murdered the Chosen One."

"Yeah I got that," yells Patricia. Even frightened as she is she still has an attitude. "What does that mean?"

"I believe it's quite self explanatory. It means that your friend is dead and can no longer fulfill her duties."

"But Nina's still alive."

"Not her." Senkhara's image is fading but her voice is still clear. "The other one."

That last part echoes over and over again in Patricia's ears as she begins to understand what it means. She whispers one final word, "Joy," before she wakes up.

Patricia wakes up from the nightmare, out of breath. It takes everything she has to keep from screaming but she manages to keep quiet. She looks at the clock. Midnight. Not wanting to wake the others up in the middle of the night she decides to wait until morning to tell them about the dream.

Patricia manages to fall asleep again and when she awakens it's eight o'clock. She hurries down stairs to see if the others are awake yet. They are. "Guys, we have to talk."

The Sibunas all gather in Nina and Amber's room, curious looks on their faces.

"Amber was wrong," says Patricia.

"What else is new?" Alfie mutters under his breath.

This aggravates Patricia. "I'm serious Alfie." Now she looks close to tears. "It wasn't a metaphor."