Lazarus opened his eyes. "What’s wrong?"

His body felt tight and cramped. The dream he had was a memory he wanted to forget. He hadn't thought about his good friend, George, since graduating high school. The pain and sadness rushed to him.

"Look," Grace said.

He realized the car had stopped moving. Lazarus couldn't believe what he saw in the middle of the road. It was a giant bird, a hawk maybe, and sitting on the bird's back was his friend, Cindy.

Lazarus opened the door and stepped out of the jeep. The wind blew around him and the sun felt warm on his skin. Cindy was smiling as she jumped off her mount. She looked radiant. Her blond hair seemed to glow in the afternoon light. Before he could say anything, she ran to him and gave him a fierce hug. She moved so fast that she was a blur and when they touched he felt a mild shock of electricity pass through them. They stopped hugging and he looked at her.

He said, "I knew you were the fourth person. I felt it."

Cindy looked at him and then at the other two coming out of the car behind him.

Matthew said, "So, you know this person?"

"Yes, we’ve been friends for years."

Cindy nodded to Matthew.

Grace said, "I like your giant bird."

"Thanks. I created it out of a water orb," Cindy replied.

He didn't know her powers would be so different to theirs. Cindy moved back to her mount and held up her hand. The large bird started to shimmer and become transparent. Lazarus shook his head. It was like watching a mirage. The bird got smaller and then morphed into itself. In a few seconds it was gone, replaced by a round transparent water globe that hovered close to Cindy. Everybody was speechless. This was better than any of the magic tricks he saw on TV or even in the Vegas shows.

Grace said, "That was great! Can you make anything?"

"I'm not sure. I think all our powers are new and we are learning to use them."

Lazarus said, "Yes."

Cindy said, "What is this about the fourth member?"

"The circle is completed," Matthew said. "We can now finish this quest."

"Lazarus, who are these people and what is this quest?"

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"Well, we need to talk." He looked around. "Where are we?"

Grace shrugged. "I think we are still in Nevada."

"Yes, we are," Cindy said. "I was going to meet you in New Mexico, but I decided to meet you here."

"Thanks for that," he said. "Should we start going? We can talk inside the car."

Cindy considered this. "Yes, we have until the new moon to find this pyramid."

Matthew said, "So you know what we seek?"

"Yes, but I don't understand."

"Well, I think we won't know everything until we get to our destination," Lazarus said.

Grace added, "It's a puzzle."

"I don't know about that," Matthew said. "I know we have to find this temple."

Cindy started walking back to them. "Ok, fine. Let's get going. But I think it would be faster on my bird."

"Yes," Lazarus said, "but inside a car you don't have to worry about bugs getting into your mouth."

Cindy smiled at him. "You’ve got a point there."

They moved to the car. Grace took the driver’s seat and Matthew took the front passenger side. Lazarus and Cindy sat in the back of the jeep.

"We might have to use your bird later," he said. "We are at a half a tank of gas."

Cindy nodded to him. She said, "Boy, Lazarus, if you wanted to get me in the back seat you could have asked."

"You are funny. Let's get out of here."

***

They didn't talk for a few hours. As soon as the car started, Cindy told him she was tired and wanted to take a nap. She closed her eyes and moved closer to him. The car jostled and moved along the lane. Cindy slumped next to him and her head hit his shoulder. He lifted his right arm and she snuggled against him. Her hair smelt like wind and sand.

After a few hours they approached a city called Searchlight. It was a small town. Not really a city by any means. It was more a street with several homes and businesses. There was even a casino. They didn't see anybody walking or driving.

Lazarus said, "Do you see a gas station?"

"Yes," Grace answered. "It’s over there."

She started to drive toward the area.

"Wait." Lazarus was not sure about it.

Matthew said, "Why?"

Grace stopped the car. "I feel it, too. Something is wrong here. It was the same feeling before I saw the Giant Worm at the State Line."

Matthew said, "We are almost out of gas."

"Yes, I know," Lazarus said. "I think I need to check it out first before we go any further."

Matthew said, "No, we should go together."

Cindy started to stir. She sat up and stretched, looking through the window. She yawned, "What are we doing?"

"I have an idea," Grace said.

They all turned to her. She continued, "When I was back at the State Line, I could see into the lair of the Giant Worm by touching the ground."

"Ok, let's try this," Lazarus said.

They all exited the car. The landscape had not changed in the last few hours. It was mostly sand dunes and hills on the horizon.

Grace went to the side of the street and knelt. Lazarus and the others walked close to her. He was wary, ready to unleash magic if somebody or something attacked them.

He watched Grace place her right palm onto the earth and close her eyes. Magical energies surged around her body and into the ground. After a few minutes she shook her head and opened her eyes.

She said, "Well, I don't feel anything lurking underground. But I sense something and I don't know what it is."

Lazarus said, "Ok, we all should go, but I think we should fly over there using Cindy's bird or animal to help us."

He wished he had brought Sammy with him. He was a good guard dog and he could always sniff out danger.