Ch. 74: Finding Ally

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR:
Rachel~
I was sitting with my mom when a petite woman with long dark hair bounced into the office. I hadn’t seen her before but I could guess who she was. She had to be Vance’s mom. Today started off with a meeting with my mom about what had happened, and I was told that while Vance wasn’t a student here anymore, his mom would be coming in at some point. I guess she had something she wanted to say to me or my mom - I guess we would find out.
She floated right towards Ms. Arnhem and the two nodded at us before closing the door to her office. My mom sat there fuming. She likely knew who this woman was too, and we were both thinking the same thing. Though my mom was likely thinking about her on different lines. She was straight pissed and probably wanted to punch this lady in the face for raising such a creep. Me on the other hand, I felt both sorry for her and fascinated in a disturbing way. Did she know what he was? Was she like him? They had to be something right? I couldn’t have just totally shut down like that all this time for some regular creep right? Right?
The door opened and they invited my mom inside. I guess I wasn’t needed. My mom looked back at me as she approached the door and gave me a very pointed look, searching for any sign that I was not in good enough shape to sit here - but I was. Barely. So she slowly shut the door. My phone buzzed a moment after.
<< From Sean to Rachel: how’s it goin?>>
I sighed. Then I stopped myself. I shouldn’t feel this… annoyed when my boyfriend is texting me, right? I mean it wasn’t like he had been pestering me. It was actually the only message he had sent today other than wishing me luck this morning. I stared at his words and felt like I was forgetting something. But I couldn’t place my finger on it.
Sean got suspended for putting his hands on Vance. His mom had been ticked beyond all belief according to him, but in the end she understood.
<<From Rachel to Sean: Not sure. Vance’s mom and mine are in the office with Ms. Arnhem. At least this will be over soon>>
I wrote back and hit send just as I heard my mom’s voice get really loud. She started ranting about what had happened, and how Vance’s mom should be so ashamed and such. I could hear Ms. Arnhem trying to interrupt the tirade but I knew better. My mom would finish saying what she needed to say.
I sighed and sank further down into the bench, letting my mind wander as I focused on this watercolor painting of a forest and lake with mountains in the distance. It looked so peaceful. It was everything I wasn’t at this moment. If I focused enough I could tune out the yelling.
One thing about growing up with parents who screamed at each other for hours on end is you get really good at distracting yourself. If you focus just right, you can bring yourself somewhere else entirely.

Kyle~
Everything hurts. My bones. My muscles. The light in my eyes. Light. Light? I felt around me and realized I was lying flat on something itchy. Flickering my eyes open slowly I began to register - I was outside. It was daylight. I was… on grass. My eyes adjusted and I sat up stiffly, everything aching beyond belief.
“What in the Hunger Games is this?” I asked no one, my voice gravelly.
When did I last speak?
Where am I?
Looking around I couldn’t see anything familiar. Just grass and trees and the slope of a mountain. Carefully I got to my feet moaning and groaning. I dusted my hands on my pants. Fae Goddess almighty, I must be absolutely filthy. My hands were scraped a bit but totally covered in dirt, as was my pants and shirt. It must look like I was wrestling in the mud. Goddess help me if I find a mirror.
Looking around again I noticed a parking lot and a likely concrete path in the distance. Rolling my neck and shoulders I walked over in that direction while patting my pockets down. Did I have my phone? No. There is something… my wallet. Opening it I find just my student ID card, bus pass, and a few singles. How kind.
I began to remember being taken, being captive. The tiny, bouncy person who wanted me to infiltrate someone’s dream and plant an idea. A bird chittered past me and I flinched. My heart raced. Where was I? Was I really here? Has this all really happened? Had my grandma… had she really been…?
The path turned to little stones and beyond that I could see the parking lot. I must be in a park of some kind. But where? I’ve certainly never been here.
I stopped for a second and focused my power. There was barely a drop left. But I knew I was awake. This currently was not a dream.
I walked for what seemed like an hour before the parking lot and street opened up to something else. Something more familiar. Dryer City hills? I sped up my walking. Ally told me she lived around here.
The sun was starting to lower, it was likely the late afternoon. If I could just use whatever I had left, maybe I could find her house? She should be home right? Was it a weekday? I had no clue.
I made it closer to the houses and found the elementary school. She told me she lived about a block from here. I sat down on a large rock and closed my eyes. I had one shot at this. Maybe two. Otherwise I will be knocking on a million doors hoping someone around here actually knew their neighbors.
I centered myself like my grandma had taught me, and I told myself to let go of the crack in my heart from the thought. I breathed in and out and let go of my hunger, the pain in my joints, my racing thoughts, all of it. Finally I delved into the core of my ability and sank down, imagining Ally’s dreaming. I felt something. A tug. Faint. She was most likely awake so all I could do was hope I was feeling a daydream. I followed the pull and slipped back down. This was a little outside my current abilities. Focusing again I tried to follow it. And slipped. My power flickered. I opened my eyes.
I let my gut lead me across the street and around the corner before breathing out and letting a little more, the last of my power go. I hoped it would go after her.
I opened my eyes and saw a whips of color wiggle its way to a green house. I got closer and looked up, and by the grace of my generous Goddess, there she was. Ally.

Ally~
My pendant was glowing and heating up. I was staring down at it when it turned against my chest and seemed to point towards the living room. I stood up from the dining table where I had been pretending to do homework and walked over.
“Come on, what are you trying to tell me?” I mumbled.
It got hotter and hotter and I picked it up to keep it from straight up burning my neck. It shot out of my hand and levitated, pulling me further, towards the window. That’s when I saw it. Red hair.
“Kyle!” I screamed.
I ran towards the door and slammed it open, running down the steps.
“Ally, holy smokes. What’s going on? What day is it?” Kyle asked me frantically as I hugged him fiercely.
“Just hug me, da*nit!” I yelped in his ears.
He hugged back and I pulled away after a few moments, tears in my eyes.
“Oh god,” I said, noticing his state. Hollow eyes, once vibrant hair all dark and dingy, his everything all covered in dirt - and he was so thin. “Come in, come in.”
I pulled on his hand and he walked up the stairs slowly, losing his balance a few times as I tried to hold up most of his weight. We made it through the door before he fell down. Unconscious.