empty hills and gravity-defying cows grazing vertically on steep inclines. Traffic continued on sluggishly, slowing then speeding up. We kept to the left, moving swiftly in the fast lane, passing the slow lane where trucks chugged with exhausted effort like out-of-shape joggers. It seemed like we were driving on endless curving ribbons of concrete. Where were the McDonald’s, Taco Bells and gas stations?
I shifted uncomfortably, hoping we’d stop soon so I could use a restroom.
When I mentioned this to Sadie, she held up her empty Starbucks cup plus the Diet Pepsi she’d finished. “Me, too,” she said with a pinched expression. “These hills are going on forever.”
“There’s an exit with fast food and gas stations about thirty miles ahead,” Warren said. “A pit stop sounds great. It’s cramped sitting for a long time.” He lifted his arms for a stretch, his gloved fingers reaching out toward me as if by accident. The fiery dragon design seemed to flame like a predator seeking a victim—and I jerked away.
Warren and Sadie kept talking as if nothing unusual had happened, but my stomach rocked with revulsion. Having my energy sucked by a Dark Lifer was personal, and emotionally invasive. But I wasn’t positive about Warren, so what could I do? The GEM’s advice for dealing with Dark Lifers was to retreat and report.
Unfortunately, in a moving car without the GEM, I couldn’t do either.
Fortunately, Sadie kept Warren’s focus away from me as she flirted on cruise control. She chattered about favorite foods, music and malls. I’d never been so grateful to be shut out of a conversation. While they talked, I stared out the window, aching to be anywhere else and longing for my real life. What were Mom, Dad, Alyce and Dustin doing right now? Were they back at the hospital, still waiting for me to wake up from the coma? I assumed Sharayah was sleeping in my body, but what if she wasn’t? I’d almost been disconnected from life support once already this past week.
How long could I stay away without risking harm to my real body?
It had to be miserable for my family—waiting in a hospital room for me to wake up, unaware I was miles away living someone else’s life. I wished I could get a message to them—but even if the GEM rules allowed it, why upset them with the truth? Besides, Grammy had put a lot of trust in me and I didn’t want to let her down. If I worked quickly, it would only take a few days to complete my assignment. Then I’d return to myself.
Conversation from the front seat interrupted my thoughts when I realized that Sadie was speaking to me. “ … you agree it’s nothing like expected?” she asked.
“Um … expect what?” I asked.
“Didn’t you hear anything I said?” Sadie glanced back at me with exaggerated drama. “I was telling Warren how we’ve been planning this trip for weeks and thought we’d already be on the beach by now. It’s crazy how nothing is going as planned.”
“You can say that again.” I sighed, thinking of my friends and family.
“The thing is,” Sadie added, “sometimes I get feelings about things that are going to happen, and my intuition says this week is only going to get crazier.”
I groaned, hoping her intuition was wrong.
“I’m a fan of all things wild and crazy,” Warren said. “I’ve heard it gets really insane on the beach—lots of music, contests and partying.”
“Mauve wants me to enter a wet T-shirt contest,” Sadie said. “What do you think?”
“You should.” Warren twisted toward the back seat, his gaze narrowing at me. “And so should you.”
“No way,” I said. “Too embarrassing.”
“Rayah, you’re such a kidder,” Sadie said, giggling. “You’re the one who showed Mauve the photos of last year’s wet T-shirt contest you found online. And you said you’d be first in line to enter.”
“Oh, well … I’ve changed my mind about entering.” I paused. “Standing on a stage and being drenched
I shifted uncomfortably, hoping we’d stop soon so I could use a restroom.
When I mentioned this to Sadie, she held up her empty Starbucks cup plus the Diet Pepsi she’d finished. “Me, too,” she said with a pinched expression. “These hills are going on forever.”
“There’s an exit with fast food and gas stations about thirty miles ahead,” Warren said. “A pit stop sounds great. It’s cramped sitting for a long time.” He lifted his arms for a stretch, his gloved fingers reaching out toward me as if by accident. The fiery dragon design seemed to flame like a predator seeking a victim—and I jerked away.
Warren and Sadie kept talking as if nothing unusual had happened, but my stomach rocked with revulsion. Having my energy sucked by a Dark Lifer was personal, and emotionally invasive. But I wasn’t positive about Warren, so what could I do? The GEM’s advice for dealing with Dark Lifers was to retreat and report.
Unfortunately, in a moving car without the GEM, I couldn’t do either.
Fortunately, Sadie kept Warren’s focus away from me as she flirted on cruise control. She chattered about favorite foods, music and malls. I’d never been so grateful to be shut out of a conversation. While they talked, I stared out the window, aching to be anywhere else and longing for my real life. What were Mom, Dad, Alyce and Dustin doing right now? Were they back at the hospital, still waiting for me to wake up from the coma? I assumed Sharayah was sleeping in my body, but what if she wasn’t? I’d almost been disconnected from life support once already this past week.
How long could I stay away without risking harm to my real body?
It had to be miserable for my family—waiting in a hospital room for me to wake up, unaware I was miles away living someone else’s life. I wished I could get a message to them—but even if the GEM rules allowed it, why upset them with the truth? Besides, Grammy had put a lot of trust in me and I didn’t want to let her down. If I worked quickly, it would only take a few days to complete my assignment. Then I’d return to myself.
Conversation from the front seat interrupted my thoughts when I realized that Sadie was speaking to me. “ … you agree it’s nothing like expected?” she asked.
“Um … expect what?” I asked.
“Didn’t you hear anything I said?” Sadie glanced back at me with exaggerated drama. “I was telling Warren how we’ve been planning this trip for weeks and thought we’d already be on the beach by now. It’s crazy how nothing is going as planned.”
“You can say that again.” I sighed, thinking of my friends and family.
“The thing is,” Sadie added, “sometimes I get feelings about things that are going to happen, and my intuition says this week is only going to get crazier.”
I groaned, hoping her intuition was wrong.
“I’m a fan of all things wild and crazy,” Warren said. “I’ve heard it gets really insane on the beach—lots of music, contests and partying.”
“Mauve wants me to enter a wet T-shirt contest,” Sadie said. “What do you think?”
“You should.” Warren twisted toward the back seat, his gaze narrowing at me. “And so should you.”
“No way,” I said. “Too embarrassing.”
“Rayah, you’re such a kidder,” Sadie said, giggling. “You’re the one who showed Mauve the photos of last year’s wet T-shirt contest you found online. And you said you’d be first in line to enter.”
“Oh, well … I’ve changed my mind about entering.” I paused. “Standing on a stage and being drenched
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