The sounds of chatter permeated the large Gymnasium as the people of hope springs greeted one another and spoke of the possible reasons for the called conference. Denver just shook his head as he watched.

Of course he and Trevor were let in on what was to be discussed the night before just as Marvin promised. He shook his head at the people, his people. He grew up in this town, loved this town. And as he watched he felt a strange sense of acceptance, like he was incapable of being surprised. In 7 days his entire world, and understanding of reality got turned upside down and shook for all it’s worth.

Maybe it had been too much for him. With his mother passing the day before, Keva and her strange telepathic abilities or his own strange abilities. What else? Trevor had not experienced anything supernatural.. yet. Maybe it would all be okay after all? He thought halfheartedly.

Marvin was standing a few feet from the podium set up on the small stage. He was speaking to a guy with short hair, wearing a white shirt and jeans. Denver couldn’t remember his name, he knew he was the one that came back though.. the only one that came back.

There were a handful of small towns from here to Vancouver. No one made it.

His mother’s last words ran through his head as he stared at the man. Denver hadn’t known what this passed weeks changes meant nor did he really care up until now. He never thought about the negative. This whole time, Denver had not even been capable of seeing something bad coming from something supernatural so caught up in his own new abilities. Even now as he looked out at the community he had grown up with, who nurtured him and gave him a kick in the ass when he needed it. He felt a new appreciation for them.

How many have or will find their other them in the dream? He wondered as he stood off the side of the gymnasium.

“Not many from what I can tell.” Keva’s familiar voice came from beside him.

Denver turned startled for a moment, before smiling at his new girlfriend.

She moved closer to him and he put his arm around her. They stood together waiting for Marvin to break the new to these unknowing people that the world outside was in flames. And the fire was spreading fast.

“Okay, can we have everyone seated please.” Marvin’s deep voice cut through the chatter.

The big man stood dwarfing the already small podium.

“I know most of you have questions, questions about whats going on since the sky flash a week ago. Truth is we don’t know. We don’t know what happened in the sky, and we don’t know why we can all share a dream of that strange field. We do know.. that when a person in the Dream finds the specific...”

Marvin sighed into the microphone, raising one of his hands in the air visibly grasping for a word.

Denver and Keva shared a look before she shouted “Dream you?.”

Denver had to cover his mouth so he didn’t laugh too loud.

Marvin made a face and wiped his forehead with his outstretched hand.

“aye.. okay Dream You.. sure lets go with that for now.” he said sounding tired.

Keva turned to Denver then. “I contributed” she said giving him a toothy grin.

Denver smiled back. He couldn’t help but admire just how perfect she was.

She smiled even bigger as he looked at her. Probably hearing what he was thinking. He didn’t mind.

Marvin’s voice pulled his attention again.

“This Dream you, can be any one of the.. um deceased beings on the field. Now no one at this time has seemed to find the end of this field. The members of the council have met and discussed this issue many times this passed week and after going over new evidence. We have decided to push for everyone to find this other you and from what I am told you are than released from the shared dream uh.. situation.” Marvin said visibly uneasy.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The room was silent as he spoke and moments afterwards.

Denver watched the crowd, he wondered how many had already found there other selves.

“I think he’s about to ask them.” whispered Keva snapping him out of his daze.

“Now, this is where things get a little dicey.” Marvin said giving the room a once over.

“We must create a tally of all people who have found there dream versions and those that haven’t. I have been made aware of a few perks and drawbacks to doing so. First off I’m going to state this plainly though I believe many have already figured this out at this point. The feeling or Tug we all feel while in the dream is yes, somewhat like a tether of sorts. It will guide you to your other body. And as I said before I am told that once you have found the form that is calling you, your time in the field will end. You will no longer be apart of the shared dream.”

gasps and various sounds of relief rolled through the crowd like a way.

Marvin paused for effect, Denver guessed he figured this would be their reaction, or something like it.

“There have been a few people who have come forward after joining with these beings and have well..

They’ve developed supernatural abilities. One of these such individuals many in this room knew very well. Charlotte Johnny was a member of this council for many years and pushed for many of the things around town we all enjoy today. One such thing was this rebuilt gymnasium.” Marvin said waving a hand around the large room.

“She was a dear friend of mine, and many you. She is survived by her son, who is here with us.”

Eyes of the crowd turned to him and he stiffened at the attention. Luckily the moment didn’t last long before Marvin was speaking again.

“Now Charlotte volunteered to follow the Tug to where it wanted her to go. Me and other members of the council followed. We watched this exchange. The following morning she had passed away. Before she had passed she had displayed supernatural abilities.”

the crowd gasped and more than a few angry shouts came from the crowd.

“there appears to be a bit of risk involved, but I am going to tell you what happened now, and how we can move forward together as a community. There has been accounts of people joining with these dream beings and having supernatural abilities afterwards and being the very definition of health. Better than what we deemed healthy if that makes any kind of sense. Stronger, faster.. smarter, the near superhuman by our understanding of biology. We have limited resources here and have not had as much opportunity to study these radical changes in more than a few people.” He paused again hands putting his hands up in an attempt to ease the crowd Denver guessed. Marvin’s reputation for being honest and of good-nature, had warranted a lot of respect within the community. Denver guessed this conference was pushing the boundaries of that respect though.

“We believe that perhaps, her mind may have rejected her new abilities and the result was fatal. We urge caution when following through on your joining. But we do urge everyone to join with there respective dream versions.” Marvin began again

“Why!?” the crowd shouted. “Tell us!”

Marvin visibly sighed staring out to the crowd.

“Listen, this is uncharted territory folks. We’re in the realm of fantasy now. We have sent runners to the surrounding communities. One of those runners came back. The only one. Henry tell the crowd what you saw.”

Marvin moved from the podium, gesturing at the short haired young man he was speaking to before.

Denver felt a his heart sink as he looked at Henry’s face. He looked as though he had been to hell and back, his dark brown eyes were sunken, his tanned face was thin as though he hadn’t eaten in weeks. But what stood out above everything else to Denver, was the look of absolute fear he could see in those sunken brown eyes.

“Oh Denny, This.. this is not good.” Whispered Keva. He could feel her stiffen beside him, arms holding tight to his side. He looked down at her, her eyes were watery as she stared at Henry.

She pulled her eyes way from the stranger, and met Denver’s.

Before Denver could ask what she saw, she nodded in Henry’s direction seconds before he spoke.

“My name is Henry, Henry Hughes. I and three other volunteers left hope springs shortly after the flash in hopes of establishing some lines of communication with the surrounding communities.” Henry spoke quickly, to the point, like every word hurt him to utter. Denver couldn’t help but wince as he watched him. Keva buried her face into Denver’s chest. He guessed she was actively shutting his mind out so she didn’t have to see it. Denver rubbed her back attempting to sooth her as he watched the man speed through his explanation. This man was broken Denver thought as he watched on.

“Many of the outlying smaller villages are empty. I tried to find someone.. anyone, but I carried on to Vancouver. I never made it. Smoke, fire, and death was all I seen. The highway was filled with vehicles upturned, burning.. whole families dead in there vehicles.. I.. I tried to help, I tried to wake them up they looked like they were sleeping.. I could see strange clouds over the city. Smoke.. it had to be smoke from the fires. I..” he dipped, The sobs echoed by the microphone. Marvin was there. Placing a giant hand on his quivering back.

The crowd was silent as Marvin led the weeping man away.

Denver held tight to Keva and she held him back. He felt as though he had so many questions, and none at all at the same time. Shade mentioned something about an evil, some kind of foe. He had to get back to the dream and ask him. He had to learn how to use his abilities, and he had to be prepared for what ever was coming.