Page 4

I drew an arrow to the last item and penned another note.

Ask Mo to bring some from her shop. Remember, the crappy candles from every store but hers burn unevenly and give you a headache.

I swiftly stashed the journal once more, exited the bathroom, and walked further into the adjoining bedroom. My eyes widened as I gazed at a reading nook built right into the corner of the wall nearest the door, the cushion padded walls stuffed with plush pillows and book-ended by two elaborate oak bookshelves.

I gripped the straps of my backpack and faced the other direction, my eyes feasting on Victorian elegance. A large four-poster bed dominated the remaining space, layered sheer white and dove grey curtains tied open at each corner. Something else stole my attention, eyes catching on the gilded edges of a thick leather-bound book lying open on the comforter. I rubbed my arms, warning off the goosebumps attempting to cover my skin.

It's as if the librarian who lived here before just stepped out and would return any moment.

I lifted the book from the comforter, and the next thing I knew it was as if the world swallowed me whole. A scream ripped from me as the purple, black, and gray palette of the master bedroom faded away, replaced by a void of nothingness.

My stomach vaulted into my throat as a sensation of falling from a great height consumed me, an invisible wind, plucking at my clothes until I came to an abrupt halt. Pain seared from my already abused shoulder through my forearm as I blinked rapidly but only verdant green came into focus inches from my face. My brain still swirled with dizziness, but I focused on the senses that were still working, essentially taking inventory of my body.

The nails of my left-hand dug into something firm, yet partially pliable as my fingers gripped tighter onto whatever ended my fall. My eyes drifted upward, then my jaw dropped. I stared at the greenish brown vine I dangled from. Reality probed my grey matter, insisting I pay attention, and my pulse raced with my newfound surety.

This bit of nature is the only thing forestalling my death.

My legs kicked against more greenery as I looked around, panic squeezing my lungs. Abnormally large rich green leaves jutted from a massive stalk of some kind of climbing plant, smaller, deeper green vines than the one I clung to swirling around it. It was so massive in fact that it would likely take three of me with arms outstretched in a circle to fit around it, possibly more. I swallowed thickly and decided that I must have fallen asleep while looking at the book I’d found on my bed and now, I’m in some dream.

I curled my free hand into a fist, then winced, unfurling my hand once my toes found purchase on a coil of vine, panic momentarily subsiding an ounce. I stared at the skeleton key to my apartment, the short leather thong tied to it heavily crinkled. My scowl deepened as a thought popped into my brain. Hopefully, the key remains there, women’s clothing never has deep enough pockets. I stretched my fingers, then shook out my arm, reaching up to further secure myself and ensuring, at the very least, temporary safety. My eyes darted around as my, usually quick, analytical mind finally sparked to life.

The key isn’t important as this is a dream, but as such, it seems you will still need to find your way out of it. You like complex puzzles, use that to your advantage.

I glanced down, then stretched from one side of the stalk to the other as far as I could and peered around the edges, noting only the purest white fluffy clouds. I squinted, staring into them and hoped for a glimpse of something, anything that told me I wasn't truly in immediate danger. A throbbing bloomed across my forehead as I bit the inside of my cheek and closed my eyes.

There are only two options, climb up or climb down.

Nonetheless, something within me insisted I climb up. Following Mo’s advice to trust my instincts and made a firm decision. I inhaled and exhaled slowly several times before I opened my eyes and arched toward the next twist of vine, pushing with the strength of my legs to gain more height as if I was rock climbing in a gym. Either way, my arms were past the point of muscle failure thanks to the fucking dean, so my leg muscles must suffice. A thought struck me. If this is a dream why the hell do my muscles still ache? I mentally shook away the irrelevant musing and climbed higher.

Something about this entire scenario feels oddly familiar but I cannot place it.

I climbed for what felt like hours, the never-ending plant holding my entire focus. My teeth gritted as my bottom foot struggled to find a space large enough, then one of my hands slipped, several giant leaves stripping from their stems in the process. I squeezed my eyes shut as the debris rained down, brushing against my face as they floated into the clouds below. My pulse thundered in my ears, a voice rising from somewhere beneath me. I glanced down and narrowed my eyes at a human-looking hand breaching the clouds at least five body lengths below me, which I supposed isn't saying much given my short five-two stature. I couldn't make out what the voice said until it came closer, revealing the body of a gangly boy somewhere in his teenage years.

My muscles stiffened as I took in his pinched expression, his lips a slash across his face. I stared at him, unable to form a coherent sentence. What the hell is his problem?

“Oy, woman, how did you get up there? This is my property you're climbing all over.” His eyes narrowed to slits as I continued glaring at him, waiting for him to finish his dithering spiel before I bothered replying.

“Your property?” I questioned, sarcasm dripping from the quandary.

“Indeed,” he said, voice cracking, then scoffed. “I demand you climb down this instant. I grew this thriving beanstalk from just a seed and therefore it is mine. You have no right to be here.”

I rolled my eyes, deciding he wasn't worth my trouble, at least not when I’m dangling this high up, and returned my attention scaling the network of vines. He continued his rant, but I tuned him out, having no interest in his opinion. Not to mention, I had no answer that would likely satisfy him anyway. The leaves beneath me rustled and my face whipped down, my guts twisted into knots as I realized kid was only an arm’s length below me.

Shit. I quickened my pace, but I knew the effort was futile. I was never coordinated enough for any physical activity, let alone sports. What could have only been seconds later, something closed around my ankle, and I surmised it could only be one person. I clenched my jaw and gripped the vines harder, then shook my foot aggressively. “Would you fuck off already?”

“No, I most certainly shan’t.”

“Did you just say shan’t?”

“Do not be so obtuse. Now, I deman⁠—”

“Yes, yes, I have heard your demands and have rejected them.” I paused and tilted my head toward him. “And as I oh so nicely requested, kindly, fuck off.” My quad muscle bunched as I lifted the leg he latched onto and dropped enough of my weight to land a solid kick directly into his nose. I cringed as a sharp crack sounded and blood sprayed across his contorted face. Oh well, he deserved it.

“You vile bitch!”

“I've heard that one before,” I stated flatly, then kicked him again, smirking as he lost his grip and tumbled into the clouds. “Enjoy your flight, asshole.”

CHAPTER 3