Aspen and the Dream Walkers

  Chapter 15

  First Move

  The next afternoon, Aspen dropped her bag on the kitchen table. Miriam hadn't come home from school yet, and Stephan's bike wasn't in the garage. With a sigh of relief, she lowered her tired body onto a kitchen chair. There was no sound from upstairs, and she wondered where her mother was.

  Pulling her hair free from the band, she massaged her scalp with her fingers and rubbed the nape of her neck as she yawned. Demothi had made a new string for her dream catcher, and the charm felt warm around her neck. School had been boring, and tonight's visit to Lanta would be good for her soul.

  Ray was sweet, but he was more like a big brother to her and she didn't want to give him false hope. The feelings that she had for him were nowhere near as intense as the excitement she felt around Dylan, and she constantly made excuses not to sit with Ray at lunch.

  Dylan had been missing since they'd found Sandy two days ago. If he didn't show up soon, she might have to call him. She wondered if she were brave enough to do that yet. Maybe she would build up the courage to ask Sandy when she got to Lanta later on.

  A soft sob reached her ears, and she sat back in the chair to listen for the source. No, she wasn't mistaken. Someone was sniffling, and the sound was coming from the next room.

  Aspen jumped up and raced to the living room. "Mom!" she cried.

  Her mother was huddled in a chair. Her body was slumped and her shoulders shook as she wept.

  Gently, she reached out to hold her mother's hands.

  "I'm s-s-sorry," Norma said with a sob. "I didn't mean for you to s-see me like this."

  "Mom, what's wrong? Wait-I'll get you some water. I'll be right back."

  Once she'd left her mother's side, she ran into the kitchen and poured a glass of water. The water spilled on her sleeve as she grabbed a bunch of paper towels on her way back into the living room. Norma sniffed, and she handed the towels to her to wipe her face.

  "What happened?"

  Her mother took a long gulp of water and wiped her nose. "I'm sorry, baby. Stephan and I got into a shouting match, and we both said some nasty things to each other."

  Aspen rubbed her mom's back in small circles. "Was he ugly to you again?"

  "Uh-huh."

  "Mom. Why do you let him do this to you? We should pack our things and leave. He's got no right to make you sad."

  "It's not so simple, sweetheart." Norma picked up the crumpled bundle of paper towels. Her mascara had smeared beneath her lashes, and Aspen wiped the sooty stain from her cheek with the pad of her finger.

  "Why not? I'll help you with everything. I promise. I'll move our stuff and you'll never have to fuss at me again. I'll do whatever you say." Her voice took on a pleading tone.

  "Aspen, you do what I say anyway." Norma smiled through her tears. "You're the best daughter a mother could wish for."

  "Why don't we move then?" Once the glass was empty, Aspen nudged her mother's shoulder gently.

  Norma sighed shakily. "Stephan won't let us."

  Aspen stared at her mother's flushed cheeks. "How can he stop us?"

  "I don't have any money, sweetie. Stephan hasn't allowed me to work since we've been together, and I don't have a penny to my name. I don't own anything, and he's threatened to sue me if I take one thing from this house."

  "He's such a pig."

  "I know, I know. I don't have enough to rent a place, and I don't have money for a bed or food. I won't be able to pay your school expenses. Stephan covers all of that now."

  "You'll get a job." Aspen grabbed her mother's hands.

  "How? The only thing I'll be capable of doing is waitressing, and I don't have any experience with that either. Where will we sleep until I get a paycheck? We have nothing." Fresh tears rolled down her face.

  "Argh!" Aspen shouted in frustration. "He's made sure that we're dependent on him. I hate him!"

  "No, don't hate him, sweetheart. Hate your mother because she didn't put you first in her life." Norma's blue eyes shone with tears. "I made the mistake of marrying someone for security because I wasn't brave enough, and I didn't think I could make a life for me and you after your father died. Hate me because I'm weak and stupid."

  "Don't be silly, Mom. I love you and I'm so proud of you. I know it was tough when Dad died, and I didn't realize that you felt this way."

  Norma rubbed at her eyes with the remaining paper towel and sniffed softly. "Stephan was so nice to you when I first met him. I didn't realize that he only wanted an unpaid housekeeper and someone to look after his daughter. He already had a house, and we were about to be kicked out of ours. I didn't have a job and the rent was due. Before your dad died, he spoke about a new house that he'd been building in his dreams. I wish it was the truth. I've tried to go there in my dreams at night, even though it's not real, but I can't even imagine it while I'm sleeping."

  Norma took a deep breath and wiped her nose again. "Stephan was there when I was at my lowest, and his offer of help came at the right time, or so I thought. I never thought he would change into such a mean person." She reached out and grabbed Aspen's knee. "I hate the way he treats you, don't think I don't know what he's doing. I've just kept quiet because there isn't a thing I can do about it."

  Aspen hugged her mother again. "Don't worry, Mom, we'll work this out together. I thought you wanted to be with him. I'm older now, you'll see, we can get through this. Give me a little time and I'll have a solution for you. I promise."

  Norma gave her daughter a sad smile. "Just remember that I love you."

  "I love you too, Mom. Now get up and wash your face. I'll help you fix dinner."

  Although Norma was still shaky, she rose from the chair and soothed the creases from her shirt.

  Aspen smiled at her and said, "I'm just going out for a sec, I'll be back soon. Don't start dinner without me."

  She gave her mom another hug and breathed in the vanilla scent that was so familiar to her. Once she'd released her, she darted toward the kitchen. Her backpack was under the table and she dug around in it for a quarter. The bag couldn't stay there, and she made a mental note to take it to her room when she got back.

  After finding the quarter, she raced down the driveway and out into the street. A pay phone was situated in the middle of the block, and she headed straight for it. Dylan's number was imprinted in her brain; she'd stared at it enough times in class. The metal buttons were difficult to press, but she punched in the number and deposited the quarter when asked.

  Dylan answered on the first ring. "Aspen, what's wrong?" His voice sounded thin and distant as he spoke.

  "How did you know it would be me?" she asked.

  "You're the only one who has this .?.?. Never mind, what's the matter?"

  "Can you meet me at the playground on the way to my house?"

  Dylan was quiet for a second. "What time?" His voice didn't sound warm, and she worried if she'd been right to call him.

  "Um, now?" she said softly.

  "I'll be there right away."

  When he said good-bye, she replaced the receiver and walked to the park. The overcast sky reflected her mood as she strolled toward the recreational area. Huge oak trees shaded the road on both sides, and she stepped between cars that were situated tightly end to end in small parking spaces along the curb.

  She felt Dylan's eyes on her before she saw him. He paced in front of the green metal gates, and once he saw her, he marched over to her and grabbed her hands. A warm glow reached out from his palms and traveled through her body.

  "What happened?" His concern was so genuine that she felt a tremor of emotion in her chest. Her mouth tilted downward and he pulled her against him gently. His jersey smelled of wood smoke and leather, and she relaxed her cheek on his chest as his power surged through her veins.

  Aspen breathed deeply. "It's my mother. She was crying when I got home."

  Dylan increased the pressure of his hug and then allowed her to step back with his hands still on her. Her hair stuck
to his jersey, and she concentrated on pulling each strand free as she spoke.

  "Stephan had a huge fight with her and she wants to leave him but she's afraid that she'll have nowhere to go and she doesn't want us to be out on the streets but she can't live like this anymore and I'm worried about her .?.?." She looked up at him with luminous eyes as she babbled away.

  "Whoa, whoa. Hold up there." Dylan held her at arm's length and searched her face. "Did he hit her?" he asked solemnly.

  "Nope."

  "Did he hurt you?" His blue eyes glinted dangerously.

  "No, I wasn't there when it happened."

  Dylan relaxed slightly and breathed again. "So does your mother want to leave?"

  "Yes. I didn't realize it but she hates him as much as I do. We're stuck and I don't know who to turn to." Her lip trembled.

  Dylan kept quiet for a bit. Moments later, he tucked her under his arm and walked into the park. Aspen wondered if he knew how his touch affected her, but she didn't say a thing.

  "How long has he been treating you badly?"

  Stray oak leaves on the ground formed a perfect target for her feet, and she kicked at them as she moved along the cobbled walkway.

  "It's been a while. He doesn't hurt me physically, he hurts me with words. If he struck out at me I'd be able to hit back, but I can't defend myself against words and feelings."

  She looked up at the pulse ticking at the base of his neck. Children screamed in delight on the playground equipment, and a dog barked excitedly near them. As soon as she saw her favorite garden shed, she headed straight toward it.

  "I can't tell anyone because he does look after me and my mom financially, but everything else that should be there in a family is missing-or at least I think it's missing. I don't know how it's supposed to be, but this just doesn't feel right." She stopped in front of the metal door. "This is my special place. I come here to get away." With a smile, she pointed at the shed.

  Dylan stared at the rusty door in disbelief, but opened it for her as she stepped inside.

  Once inside, she sat down on the bench and dusted a space for Dylan to sit. "Do you know what I can do to make my mom smile again?" Aspen looked up at him.

  He sat down and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll make a plan. I'm going to speak to Leeman to see what can be done. There's a place that you can go to, but your mother won't be able to go there and you wouldn't want that."

  "No, I won't leave my mom," Aspen exclaimed. Everything seemed hopeless and she drew her knees up to her chin and wrapped her legs with her arms.

  Pulling his dream catcher out from beneath his T-shirt, he stared at her. The metal of the charm shone like spun gold in the light.

  "There are things that you need to know, Princess. You're not fully clan-your mother is Earthly. That means you have two ways to get to Lanta. If you sleep at night, you'll dream and your dreams will take you to us. Your body still gets to sleep while you're gone, and that's the best way for you to travel."

  He tilted the dream catcher and its reflection sparkled in the small shed. "You can also travel with a dream catcher. Do you see the pattern over here?" The afternoon sunlight shone directly on the charm, and she bent her head to look at an indentation in the design.

  "Yes."

  "Put your index finger on it and concentrate. You'll need to send a small spark of power to it." Reaching over, she touched the spot and thought about a blue bolt of electricity. Instantly, her arm tingled and a blast of air hit her face. The room became brighter, and in the next moment, she found herself sitting on the soft grass of Lanta. The river gurgled next to her and warm Lemona air filled her lungs.

  "Wow. How did that happen?"

  Dylan smiled at her. His eyes crinkled at the corners with pleasure. "This is the way I travel. I don't need to sleep because I'm a full clan member. You can travel like this too, but you will grow tired and will need to sleep, so only use this method for emergencies or if you have to travel in the day. Press the same spot and concentrate to go back home."

  "That's so awesome." She jumped up and dusted her pants clean. "My clothes!" she shouted. "I'm wearing my normal clothes."

  "Yes, most of the time you'll get to keep the clothes you're wearing when you travel with the dream catcher, but it's not an exact science. The dream catcher takes us between Earth and Lanta. It transports us there and back."

  "Cool. Can I use it to jump to places once I'm in Lanta?" she asked.

  "No, it only transports us between Earth and Lanta, not back and forth in Lanta." His mouth curled into a lopsided grin. "You can travel back and forth on Earth, but not here."

  "Okay. I'll have to bring spare clothing when I use the dream catcher and store it at your place then." She smiled brightly.

  "I've got a better idea." He grinned and pulled her up. "Come with me."

  Silently, she followed him along the river's edge. The water lapped at the pebbles scattered along its path, and the smell of apple blossoms filled the air. Dylan led her toward his house and Goldilocks honked at them from behind the white picket fence.

  "Hey, Gold." She greeted the big bird. "I haven't seen you in ages." The big goose fanned her tail feathers and vibrated them excitedly.

  "We'll come back soon, Gold. I'll have some food for you then," Dylan promised.

  The bird honked loudly as they passed by, but they continued walking. Dylan was headed for a large house that stood apart from the others. Weeds and bushes grew around it. The timber siding was sorely in need of paint, and Aspen noticed places where shingles were missing on the roof.

  The porch steps creaked as he climbed them, and he jerked the door open on rusty hinges. With a wave of his hand, he motioned for her to look inside.

  "What a beautiful old house." She breathed in awe. "It just needs a little paint and a lot of TLC, and it'll be as good as new."

  After letting her enter, he led her into the living room. The room had a high ceiling and wooden floors. Linen sheets covered the couches, and a dusty coffee table was centered between the chairs. A large fireplace faced the furniture, and the ashes from an old fire lay like a carpet over the stones. A can of paint and a paintbrush sat at one side of the room, and it seemed as though someone was fixing the walls. The house smelled of paint and turpentine.

  "Whose house is this?"

  Dylan took a deep breath and turned to face her. "It belonged to your father."

  Aspen's chest burned and her knees weakened. "It can't be. Why haven't you showed this to me before?" Her fingers dug into his forearm, but he didn't flinch from the burst of electricity that shot from her palm.

  "I didn't think you were ready to see it."

  Aspen shook her head and stared at the room around her. Feeling overwhelmed, she moved forward to see what memories the house held of her father. With her bottom lip clamped between her teeth, she looked back at Dylan as he waited by the doorway.

  The floorboards squeaked as she walked through the living room and into the hallway. The first door opposite the living room led into a medium-sized kitchen. Dust and cobwebs covered some of the surfaces, including a large table and chairs in the middle of the room, and an old cast-iron stove and a sink against the wall. A bucket of soapy water and a mop stood against the kitchen door as though someone had cleaned up.

  She stepped back into the hallway and turned into the first door on her left. A porcelain claw-foot bathtub stood in the center of the room. Old towels lay neatly across a wooden chest of drawers, and a massive sink hugged the wall. Once she'd left the bathroom, she entered a room to her right.

  It contained a single bed, a closet, and a chest of drawers. The curtains were shut, and the air smelled stale. After a quick perusal of the small room, she crossed the hallway and entered the room opposite the one she'd just vacated.

  This one was larger, and it contained a big bed and two closets. It must have been her father's. She choked back a sob and picked up a long-sleeved shirt draped over a chair in the corner that could only
have belonged to him. It was covered in dust and was brittle beneath her fingers. Evidence of her dad lay around everywhere. A comb rested on top of the chest together with a pencil, and a pair of leather boots rested neatly outside the closet door.

  The last room was opposite the master bedroom and she opened the door to peer inside. A white crib and a single bed stood near the window. She walked over to the crib and touched a mobile of small stuffed animals that hung over it. A fluffy blanket was tucked around the mattress, and it peeked out through the slats. This room smelled fresh and the quilt had been cleaned, and the floor had been scrubbed until it sparkled.

  "This was your room."

  Aspen spun around as Dylan spoke from the doorway.

  "Your dad would bring you here because you're a Dream Walker, but he couldn't bring your mother. She's not part of us."

  Absolute sadness fell over her as he spoke. "So I've been here with him before?"

  "Yes, I've been told that he brought you here at night. He wanted to make a home for you but he couldn't leave your mother behind. Demothi tried to create a spell to get her to come over. We haven't had humans here for centuries, so it was very difficult to do. Your dad died before Demothi could finish the spell."

  This was too much for her to process and she collapsed onto a fluffy rug on the floor. "My poor dad. He told my mom the truth all along. He's just been a distant memory for me. I remember him vaguely, when I see someone smile in a special way or if I smell a certain type of aftershave. But I can't picture him anymore," she added sadly.

  Dylan held out his hand and she slipped her fingers through his. He pulled her up gently as his power seeped into her.

  "It's okay. He would have wanted you to have this. I've been trying to fix the place up and clean it ever since I saw your room. You need somewhere to go when things get rough at home."

  A smile crept over Aspen's lips. "Have you really been here all this time?"

  Dylan smiled and nodded his head. What he'd done was heartwarming, and she couldn't believe that he'd cared enough to do this for her.

  "Yes, when Ruby told me that you didn't need people to look after you, I realized she was right. She said if you were a princess, you'd want to be independent. I thought you'd like having a place of your own, and I knew about your dad's house. Leeman told me it was all good after I'd spoken to him about it."

  Aspen jerked involuntarily at his words. The warm feeling she'd experienced evaporated suddenly. "That's so thoughtful of Ruby," she said woodenly. She looked away from Dylan as she spoke. "Has she seen the place yet?"

  "She's stopped by quite a few times already. You can't believe how much she's done with the backyard. I cleaned up there initially. I'm working my way forward, but it's so handy having a Fire Walker when you need to burn yard trimmings. Come with me, I'll show you what it looks like."

  "No, that's okay. I want to spend a few minutes here, if you don't mind. I'll look outside in a minute."

  Aspen's heart was crushed. He'd been with Ruby all this time-she should have known.

  Dylan frowned at her silence. It was hard to muster the excitement she knew she should be feeling, knowing that Ruby had been with him all along.

  "I'll ask Demothi about the spell he worked on. He hasn't had any success with it before, but he's learned a lot since then. We can keep fixing the place and as soon as the spell is working, your mom can come and live here too."

  "Thank you," she said softly, and this time her words were heartfelt.