Sleeping World Read online

  “Who died?” Her voice was teasing, but I could see real curiosity in her eyes.

  I shrugged, taking a quick survey of the room. Most of the students were here, but Instructor Grey hadn’t shown up yet.

  I turned back to Leah and saw her curiosity had become concern. “I was thinking about Abby.”

  The words were supposed to be reassuring, but I knew immediately by her tight face and dark eyes that she hadn’t been comforted.

  “Oh.” She turned her attention to pulling her book and writing tablet out of her bag and placing them on her desk, her movements stiff.

  I felt like I needed to explain further. “Do you think she’ll be okay? I mean, none of us has ever been hurt that bad in the Reality Dreams. What if the doctors can’t help her?” And then another thought occurred to me: What would the doctors think about an ankle they couldn’t fix? What if Abby told them we’d been with her? Would I get into even bigger trouble?

  Leah didn’t seem worried. She just sniffed and faced the font of the class, even though Instructor Grey wasn’t there yet. “Maybe she won’t be able to come back to school.”

  I shook my head quickly. I couldn’t lose my only other friend. “Maybe the doctors will be able to help her.”

  Leah didn’t reply, and before I could demand what was wrong with her, Instructor Grey walked into the room and called for silence.

  I didn’t dare try to talk to her during his lecture, but I did send her several looks, some confused and some irritated. Sometimes she really annoyed me. Why couldn’t she just say what was bothering her? Why did she always have to be so moody?

  She ignored me through the entire lecture, and before I had a chance to say anything, she’d grabbed her bag and was out the door almost before the chime had sounded.

  I considered letting her stomp off, but then I hurried to stand and grab my books. I didn’t even take the time to put them into my bag, and stepped out into the hall and the hordes of students all trying to get out of the schoolhouse.

  I finally spotted Leah near the end of the corridor, just starting down the stairs. I pushed through the crowd and when I was close enough I called her name.

  She jumped a little in surprise and stopped walking long enough to glance back. When she saw it was me, though, she turned and continued down the stairs.

  Irritated, I hurried to catch up to her.

  I couldn’t get next to her until we’d almost made it out of the schoolhouse. Finally, I caught her arm and pulled her to a stop.

  “Leah.”

  She spun to look at me and I was surprised at the anger and hurt in her face.

  I frowned. “What’s going on?” I released her arm once I was sure she wouldn’t take off again. “Is this about that meeting you and your dad went to?”

  Once again, I’d said exactly the wrong thing.

  Her face darkened. “What do you want, Jonas?”

  A part of me wanted to figure out what was bothering her, but a bigger part of me wanted to check on Abby and find out how she was doing.

  I blew out my breath. “I just wanted to ask you to walk home with Ellie.”

  Leah blinked in surprise. “Walk with Ellie?”

  “Yeah.” I slid my books into my bag. “She doesn’t like walking alone, and I was hoping you could walk with her—at least to the crossroads. She should be fine after that.”

  Leah still looked like she was having trouble processing what I’d said. “Won’t you be walking home with her?”

  “No. I have a counseling session in an hour, and I want to check on Abby first and make sure she’s alright.” I glanced toward the Second Head’s office.

  Hopefully I could explain to Instructor Hynes without giving too much information. Maybe if I told him Abby was my partner for an assignment and I needed her address . . .

  Leah’s confusion cleared in an instant and she scowled. “Sure. Whatever.” She turned on her heel and stalked away.

  I stared after her for a second, then shook my head and hurried to Instructor Hynes’ office.

  There were two other students waiting to see the Second Head already, so I took a seat and tried to wait patiently. It took more than ten minutes for me to get in to see him, and by then I’d had lots of time to think of the best explanation for Instructor Hynes.

  I would keep it simple: Abby was my partner on an assignment, and we were supposed to study after school, but she hadn’t been in class today, and I was wondering if he had her address so I could track her down and make new plans.

  He was reluctant at first to give me the information, but after I told him the assignment was from Instructor Grey, he agreed extra study time was pretty much essential.

  Fifteen minutes after the other students had gone home, I stepped out of the schoolhouse with a street name and house number scrawled on a piece of paper and an urgency in my step.

  I hurried to the east side of town. I’d never spent a lot of time over there, since it was the farthest part of Capernia from my house, but I knew there were a lot of ponds and streams in this area. The walk was peaceful, but I was too wound up for the soothing scenery to do me much good.

  At last I found the street, and soon I was walking to the door of a clean white house. The yard was trimmed and well-tended, and the house looked like it had been freshly painted.

  I hesitated on the doorstep, but then I decided if it was the wrong house, at least they might be able to tell me where Abby lived.

  It didn’t take long for the door to open after my knock, and I was met by a pretty woman in her late thirties. Her hair was the same shade and length as Abby’s and I knew I’d found the right place.

  “Can I help you?”

  I gripped the strap of my bag and forced myself to hold her gaze. “I’m looking for Abby.”

  The woman frowned disapprovingly. “How did you hear about the accident? We’ve kept it very quiet.”

  “What accident?” I hoped I sounded innocently confused.

  She pursed her lips and I knew she was about to send me away, so I made a last desperate attempt.

  “We’re partners for Practical Literature, and we need to work on our presentation, but she wasn’t in school . . .”

  The woman’s eyes cleared and brightened. “Oh yes.” She pulled the door widely open. “Abby mentioned you were supposed to study together, but in the worry of this morning I forgot. Please come in.”

  I hesitated for a moment and then stepped past her and into the house. It was as clean and immaculate as the yard outside, and I was instantly worried I would make a mess or break something. Abby’s family obviously had a lot more money than mine did.

  The woman closed the door softly and turned to face me. “I’m Abby’s mother, Mrs. Lane.” She extended a hand for me to shake, and I did, though I felt awkward, like I was intruding.

  “And your name is Jonas, isn’t it?”

  I was surprised, but I nodded. “Jonas Hartley, ma’am.”

  Mrs. Lane smiled. “It’s nice to meet you, Jonas. Now, Abby is back in the sitting room taking it easy. I’m sure she would love to see you. She’s been so lonely today.”

  I followed Mrs. Lane down an elegant hallway and back into a large ornate sitting room. The sofas looked comfortable, but I don’t think I could ever relax in this place. It was too neat and grand. There were chairs that matched the sofas, and they were set in a casual but elegant arrangement around glass tables topped with crystal vases and perfect flowers.

  Luckily I didn’t have to spend too long taking in the elaborate décor because Abby was there, too. She was reclining on one of the sofas, her legs laid out on the cushions in front of her; a light blanket was on her legs and a leather book was in her hands.

  A smile lit her face when she saw me.

  “Jonas!” She hurried to close her book, not bothering to mark her page. “What are you doing here?”

  Mrs. Lane spoke before I could. “Abby dear, that’s a rude thing to ask. A lady should not be so pointed. She mus
t never ask such a blatant question.”

  Abby immediately sat up straighter. “Jonas.” Her voice was calm and proper. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

  I blinked, surprised. I never would’ve pegged Abby as a rich girl. She seemed so . . . normal at school. But then she winked and I realized she was only acting for her mom’s sake.

  “Uh, I wanted to talk about our assignment.” I shifted my weight. Would Mrs. Lane get mad at me for acting so casual?

  But she only smiled at me apologetically. “Well, as you can see, Abby isn’t really in a state to study, but I’m sure she would welcome the company for a few minutes.”

  I stood awkwardly after Mrs. Lane left the room, holding my bag’s strap and not knowing what to say now.

  “Sorry about that.” Abby set her book on the glass table beside her. “My mom’s a little . . . traditional.”

  I instantly felt more at ease. Abby gestured to the plush chair beside her and I took a seat after a short hesitation.

  She twisted to face me. “Now, are you going to tell me what in the world happened last night?”

  I frowned. “So you still don’t believe it was real?”

  Her mouth lifted in a half smile. “I honestly don’t know what to believe. I mean, it’s completely crazy to think a dream could be real.” I opened my mouth, but she didn’t give me the chance to say anything. “But then I woke up, and my ankle . . .”

  I glanced at her covered ankle and then back at her face. “What happened?”

  She grimaced and smoothed the blanket over her legs unconsciously. “I thought the pain was just a remnant from the dream, but then I tried to get up and I realized it really was broken. My parents sent for a doctor and they were able to set the bones. They said it should be healed in a couple of months. I shouldn’t walk on it for a couple weeks, and even then I’ll need a crutch.”

  I dropped my eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault, Jonas.” She seemed surprised by my reaction.

  “I know, but I feel like I should have done something. Warned you somehow . . .”

  Her lips twisted with a wry smile. “If you’d told me I would break my ankle in a dream world, I would’ve thought you were crazy.” She laughed faintly. “I’m still not sure you’re not crazy.”

  “I was telling the truth last night.” I wished I knew how to convince her. I wanted her to believe me, but I was afraid if I forced it I’d end up pushing her away. I frowned. “I don’t know how it works or anything. We only just found out the Reality Dreams are real. We’re still trying to figure out what’s going on.”

  Abby nodded slowly. “It’s going to take me a while to get used to the idea.”

  “I know what that’s like. Take your time.”

  She smiled gratefully and I smiled back. It looked like I hadn’t lost my friend after all.

  Chapter 4

  I am alone when I wake up in the Reality Dreams, which is surprising and disconcerting. The blankets are spread across the floor, but I can’t see anyone around me other than the sleeping people.

  I sit up and look around anxiously. Where are the others? What happened?

  Before I can get too worked up I see Stewart on the other side of the room, moving between beds. The tension in my shoulders fades, and I get to my feet.

  Leah’s across the room from Stewart, looking at the sleepers there. I can’t see Rick, though I’m not worried anymore, now that I know they’re okay.

  First I go to Ellie’s bed. She looks tiny and pale, dressed in a simple white suit, like the one I used to wear in the Reality Dreams—like everyone else in this place. I reach out a hesitant hand and touch her face. I feel a wave of relief at the warmth of her skin. Though I can see she’s breathing—however shallowly—it’s nice to have another sense telling me she really is alright.

  I brush my fingers carefully over her hair, spread loose instead of the braids she prefers. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you get better.”

  I scan the huge room. Abby’s on a bed a couple rows away, but she’s still asleep. I’m not sure where to start—there are so many people. I make my way over to Leah instead.

  She glances up when I get closer and her lips quirk teasingly. “You finally decided to grace us with your presence, then?”

  I roll my eyes and look at the little boy next to me, but I don’t recognize him. “Come on, it’s not that late.”

  “I guess the counseling sessions aren’t doing much about your rebellious attitude. First it’s skipping school, next you’re staying up past your bedtime.” She shakes her head with mock regret. “What’s the world coming to?”

  My lips twitch, amused. But she hit the nail on the head. I had had trouble falling asleep, and a lot of my thoughts had been about my counseling session. Not bad thoughts, necessarily, though I was still annoyed I had to keep going back. But for some reason I hadn’t been able to get the session out of my head.

  I hesitate, debating if I want to talk about it or not, then I forge ahead. “Actually, I had a counseling session today.”

  “Yeah. I know.” There’s something almost sharp in her voice, but she’s not looking at me, so I can’t be sure.

  I move to the next sleeper. He’s a middle-aged man—late thirties, maybe—with thin blond hair and the same blank expression as all the sleepers.

  “We talked about you,” I say.

  Leah raises her head. “Oh yeah?” She looks like she’s fighting a grin, and I relax.

  “Yeah. He wanted to know about my friends.”

  “You talked about your friends?” Her brow furrows. “What does that have to do with counseling or cutting school?”

  I shrug and study the next blank face in the row. “We never really talk about those things. We just talk about whatever. Our families, friends, things we like to do. Just . . . stuff. And we actually have a lot in common.” I remember another thing we’d talked about today, and I smile. “Counselor Gerrit wanted to be a Conceptor when he was a kid, just like me.”

  Leah snorts. “Now, that I believe. It’s always the crazy ones . . .”

  I toss her a look and move to the next bed. “You’re just jealous.”

  Now she lets out a full laugh. “Jealous? Yep, that’s it. I’m jealous you have to—sorry, get to—spend hours talking with some guy about random pieces of your life.” She shakes her head in mock envy. “Mm, that’s the life.”

  I can’t stop my grin from emerging and I slip past her to the next sleeper. “Yeah, well it’s your fault I’m going to these sessions in the first place.”

  She tosses me a look of mock astonishment. “My fault?”

  I move on to the next sleeper so Leah won’t see my amusement. The sleeping woman looks mildly familiar, but I don’t know where I’ve seen her before.

  I toss Leah a look over my shoulder. “Before I met you I never broke any rules.”

  She clicks her tongue. “Shame.” She grins without looking up and steps blindly toward the next sleeper, but I haven’t moved yet, and she walks right into me.

  She gasps and nearly loses her balance. I reach out reflexively and catch her elbows before she can fall.

  I’m about to ask if she’s okay when she raises her head and my mind goes blank. Her grin has vanished, but her eyes are still bright. I’ve never really thought of Leah as pretty, but that’s the word that comes to mind in that moment.

  When Rick shouts and jerks us back to the present, I don’t know if I should be relieved or annoyed with him. Either way, I hurry to let go of Leah and she takes a quick step back.

  I glance toward Rick, partly out of curiosity, but mostly for an excuse to look away from Leah’s reddening face. I’m sure my own face is red—I can already feel the heat inching across my skin.

  I clear my throat self-consciously and finally locate Rick at the far end of the room.

  “What is it, Rick?” Leah shouts. Is it me, or does she sound annoyed?

  “You’ve got to see what I found!” is his o
nly reply, and then he disappears through a door.

  I’d never noticed that door before, which surprises me. When Leah and I get closer, I see it’s made of the same sleek material as the walls, effectively concealing it. I wonder if there are other doors around this enormous room, and I make a mental note to take a look later.

  Stewart beat us to the door and he’s already inside. When we reach the narrow doorway I hesitate. I’m about to offer that she can go in first (we can’t both fit through at once), but she walks in without looking at me or even pausing.

  I frown, not sure how to take her actions. But then I step into the room and all thoughts of Leah flee in light of what I’m seeing now.

  The room is small—at least, it’s small compared to the room outside. And it’s full of towering shelves and metal crates. There’s a tall desk pushed up against the wall opposite the door. After the order and symmetry of the cavernous room of sleepers, this room seems especially chaotic.

  Rick is grinning excitedly from his perch on the edge of the desk, and Stew is already searching through the boxes and books on the shelves.

  “What the . . . ?” Leah looks around with an awed frown.

  I take another step inside. “What is this place?”

  Rick shrugs. “I dunno. I found the door and thought I’d take a look inside. And, voilà!” He waves a hand at the room we’re in.

  “Well let’s see what’s here!” Leah moves eagerly to one of the shelves and pulls a box down.

  Rick and I each grab a stack of books and settle on the floor to sift through them.

  Their excitement is contagious. I can’t help thinking that maybe now we’ll finally get some answers about this place and what happened to this world.

  We search through the stuff for hours. There’re a lot of things in the boxes. Most of what we find are strange and foreign—small sleek objects and larger metal boxes we can’t open. There are a lot of books, but the entries are completely senseless, talking about things none of us have ever heard of. It’s all so weird, it’s hard to believe this is the real world. Things in Capernia make so much more sense.