“Do you remember what I told you about my time in captivity on the mountain?” she began, with a touch of hesitation in her voice.
“Of course I do. That buzzard hung you from a tree.”
“Yes, Reverend Specter was punishing me. But even then, I had what I wanted. A view of the land. I want to see what exists in this world beyond the arrogance of birds.”
Snapper nodded. “I’ll do what I can.”
“Do not get yourself into more trouble on my account, Snapper.”
“I won’t. But now I have something to think on for the weekend. I’ll see you the next time I can get away.”
Chapter 54
Dreamer glanced up at the cork bulletin board beside the door to Caper’s office. A neon-yellow sheet of paper tacked to the board announced: “FRESHMEN—TODAY IS THE FINAL DAY TO DECLARE YOUR MAJOR.” She took a deep breath, knocked, and entered.
“Hello, Dreamer!” came the chirping voice of the tiny administrative assistant, who also served as the academic advisor for freshmen. “How are you? Another Monday out of the way, right?”
“You got it, Mrs. Flaxer,” Dreamer said as she sat. Dropping the heavy bag on the floor came as an enormous relief. “I’m here to declare my major. I feel irresponsible for waiting until the last minute.”
“No, it’s a big decision.” The little canary crossed to the front edge of her desk in a few quick hops. “What do you have in mind?”
“That’s the problem. I can’t think of anything.”
Mrs. Flaxer nodded. “That’s also very normal. Hold on just a minute.” She retrieved a paper from Dreamer’s file and scanned it. “What I have here is your score from the admissions aptitude test. I’m surprised you’re feeling so indecisive. Your capability in the field of psychology is… intimidating.”
Dreamer cringed. “I’d really like to study something else.”
“Are you sure? You could do really well in that field.”
“I’ve had enough of it. At least for now.”
Mrs. Flaxer cocked an eyebrow. “I didn’t think there would be much opportunity to study upper-level subjects ahead of time in the quarry.”
Dreamer gritted her teeth. This was not a conversation she wanted to be having with anyone, least of all this woman she was barely acquainted with. But the canary would not let it go.
“It’s more than that,” Dreamer said carefully, picking up on emotions in the room. “My scores on that test come from the fact I have a natural tendency to, let’s say, read people. And it can be off-putting for others when I can tell right away when someone has a big secret. It’s a touchy subject for me. It’s cost me a lot of friends. So I want to stay away from the area of psychology for a while.”
The change in Mrs. Flaxer’s demeanor was subtle but noticeable. Her tiny toes shook slightly as she pointed to the score sheet. “You’re too good at picking up on secrets, you say? That’s fine. We can find you something else.”
Dreamer fought the urge to grin. She absolutely refused to use her power in an academic setting for her own benefit. However, she had no problem using it to get inquisitive people to change the subject. And the fact Mrs. Flaxer was hiding something had hung in the air like a bad smell since Dreamer had walked into the room.
There was something familiar about this particular secret too. As if she had encountered someone before who also knew it. A conspiracy. Shared guilt. Dreamer put the thought away for now.
“I see here you also have reasonably high scores in linguistics and theology,” Mrs. Flaxer said, clearing a throat that had suddenly gone very dry.
“I’m interested in theology,” Dreamer replied. “In the quarry, the bird missionaries came out and taught us about Optera.”
Mrs. Flaxer looked up again. “I belong to the Church of the Goddess. My children go out there from time to time.” She gave Dreamer a warm smile. “You may have met them.”
“You might be right. Anyway, I’ve always wanted to learn more about Optera and the other gods.”
The canary nodded and picked up a small quill pen. “So, are you declaring theology?”
“I think so, yes. Sounds good.”
Mrs. Flaxer made a note on the score sheet and dropped the paper in Dreamer’s file. “All done. Thanks for coming in.”
Dreamer thanked her advisor and left, certain that Mrs. Flaxer was quite eager to see her go. Shouldering her bag once again, she set off down the hall for her dormitory.
Almost immediately, she slowed her pace, picking up emotions from the air.
There’s that same secret.
She had gotten used to ignoring the psychic emanations of the hundreds of people she passed every day. But the familiarity of this one was making her genuinely curious. The person carrying it was getting very close now.
“Hi, Dreamer!”
The voice made her smile. She turned around. “Hey, Snapper.” They embraced.
That’s what it is. I know Snapper has secrets, but this one is shared with Mrs. Flaxer, of all people. Weird.
Snapper took a step back. “How was your day?”
She shrugged. “I just got done declaring my major. Theology. Did you do that yet? The deadline is today.”
“Well… that slipped my mind.”
Dreamer let out a little laugh. “Go take care of it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Sounds like you’re busy for dinner.”
“Yes. I met some people over the weekend and they want me to join them. What are you doing after?”
Snapper’s smile widened. “Swifter talked me into playing ball again. I’m glad you’re making friends. Catch up with you after tomorrow’s classes are over?”
“Sure. Sounds great.”
Snapper took his leave and disappeared into Mrs. Flaxer’s office.
Not for the first time, Dreamer was caught between enjoying his presence and wondering if spending time with him was going to get her into trouble.
Dad wouldn’t like him at all. Well, maybe a little. Snapper did get rid of my scars. That counted for a lot. The two of them had taken a big risk in sharing their hidden abilities with one another. Dreamer could not deny there was a connection there, even if Snapper was pretty odd in other ways.
I wonder what else he’s hiding.
Chapter 55
“Good evening. How are you two… whoa.”
The unexpected sight awoke Snapper from his groggy state. His eyes followed a long gash in the wall that ran from the corner at a jagged angle to the doorframe right over his head. “Everything alright in here?”
Mauler crouched in a corner, head hanging. His claws were covered with white dust.
“Hello, Snapper,” Ponder said from the adjacent corner. “What a mess. My poor companion lost his self-control for a minute this afternoon.”
“How did that happen? Do I need to talk with Caper?”
“I was thinking aloud about our situation and I am afraid I may have fed into Mauler’s discontent. I take full responsibility. But I am convinced our current arrangement has become untenable. As for you… I would prefer to leave you out of it. First Officer Boxer will see the damage when he visits us tomorrow morning.”
Mauler’s claws twitched. “If we are still here by then. That door will not stop me.”
Snapper gritted his teeth. “I know you can’t take it in here anymore, big guy. If it helps, I’m coming up with a plan. I want to make this easier on you until we figure out a different solution.”
“None of this is your problem to fix, Snapper,” Ponder insisted.
“Right,” said Mauler. “It is not Snapper’s fault.”
Snapper shrugged. “I feel like I inherited you from my dad. That makes me responsible. Anyway, don’t worry about me. Just try to hang on until I come back in a day or two.”
Chapter 56
Dreamer smiled when she saw Snapper in the hall, making his heart surge. She walked right next to him—so close that he hoped he’d gotten all of the formaldehyde smell out of h
is wool. The dissection lab had been a messy place this afternoon.
She didn’t seem to notice. “What did you do today?”
“All anatomy. We’re learning how everyone is put together—pigs, sheep, dogs, and birds.”
“Is that what you picked for your major?”
“Yeah. It seems like it will make me better at… what I do.”
Dreamer leaned her head against his shoulder. “You’re already a master. Where are we going?”
“Well, I’m headed to our little corner of the courtyard. I’m thinking about how I’m going to tell you my last big secret.”
Snapper did not have to be a psychic to detect her gleam of interest. He grinned to himself and kept quiet until they had made it to their destination.
“When and where?” she whispered in his ear when no one was around.
“Tomorrow. I’ll only need a few minutes of your time.”
“OK. I’ll catch you between classes.” She took a bite of grass. “Any other plans in the works?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well… our first long weekend is coming up soon. I was going to ride the train back to the quarry and visit my dad. Would you want to come with me?”
Meet Shiver? The last living ram? “Of course. Sounds great.”
Chapter 57
“You… you brought me into a janitor closet.”
“Yeah, I know how this looks. Hold on a second.”
“This better be good, Snapper. I have class in twenty minutes.” Dreamer’s curiosity was quickly giving way to annoyance.
Snapper stood on his hind legs, holding himself up with one front hoof on a shelf. He reached into an empty can at the back. There was a loud click.
“Aha,” he muttered. He put his shoulder against the corner and shoved. The wall swung open to reveal a poorly lit stone corridor.
Dreamer knew right away she was about to learn something fascinating, but she again had the distinct impression that Snapper was leading her into trouble. “Where are we going?”
Snapper started walking. “I just want you to meet someone. We won’t be long at all.”
She caught up with him. “Someone lives down here? That doesn’t sound like somebody I want to meet at all.”
“It’s not by their choice,” he said quietly. “But I do want to prepare you. They’re both a little strange. They don’t look like anyone you’ve ever met. They’re not sheep, or birds, or dogs, or pigs.”
Dreamer stopped. “That’s not a little strange. I want to know what you’re getting me into before we go any further.”
Snapper hesitated, thinking. “Your dad is a ram, right?”
“Yes. What does that have to do with anything?”
“Does he follow the big tournament the dogs put on every year?”
“The HoundBlood? Oh, he loves it. Again, is this relevant?”
“Did he say anything to you about what happened at the last one?”
Dreamer thought back. “He was really excited. They sent him a flyer. There was supposed to be this… monster. All the guard dogs in the quarry were talking about it. But I found out later that it…” She trailed off as she put it together. “It escaped. Snapper, what are you hiding in here?”
Snapper smirked. “The more I explain, the less sense it’s going to make. Just know there’s nothing to be afraid of. They’re very kind. And I think you can help them.”
“OK, I’ll take a look. But I can’t hang around for long.”
His sardonic smile changed into a genuine one. “Thanks. I appreciate this. And so will they.” The pair approached a door set into the stone. Snapper gave a light knock and let himself in.
Dreamer heard him speaking in a hushed tone. He backed up, gesturing for her to enter the room ahead of him. Taking a deep breath, Dreamer walked up to him and leaned her head around the doorframe.
She was surprised to see a sparsely furnished room with a pretty carving of a bird in the corner. But when she laid eyes on the creature on the bed and saw the gash in the wall above, she stepped back.
“He won’t hurt you,” Snapper said. “Come on, Mauler. Say hi to Dreamer.”
Circular eyes fixated on her as the long-haired beast raised a clawed hand and waved. Still wondering if she believed what she was seeing, Dreamer waved back. She noticed the newspaper in its other hand.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Dreamer. I have been having Mauler there read me the paper every day. He learns to read and I get to know what is going on in the world.”
Dreamer’s eyes darted around the room. “Who said that?”
Snapper jerked his head in the direction of the red figure in the corner. “She did. That’s Ponder. She’s the one I really wanted you to meet.”
Dreamer’s apprehension became suspicion, emboldening her to step into the room. “That’s not a real bird.”
“I suppose I am not. But you are welcome to see for yourself.”
Dreamer walked up to the statue and peered closely at the painted texture, the black glass eyes, the loosely draped fabric wings, and the metal hooks pierced through. She raised a hoof and tapped on the chest, causing the statue to wobble.
A good-natured chuckle came in response. “She is adorable, Snapper. And her eyes are most fascinating.”
Dreamer furrowed her brow. “I don’t believe this. How did you get here?”
Ponder answered her. “We do not understand it any more than you do, my dear. We simply… came to be.”
“I mean here, in this room.”
“Old-Timer,” Mauler said confidently.
Snapper smiled. “They were being held captive. My father rescued them. They’ve been hiding here since then.”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Dreamer muttered.
“It is absurd,” Ponder agreed. “But now that you are here, I feel we may all be on the verge of finding some answers.”
The glossy black eyes filled with a brilliant violet glow. Dreamer recognized the shade of her own eyes. As she looked at the light, a sense of understanding passed between her and this wooden creature. A massive weight materialized in her soul. She realized she was feeling the sense of imprisonment Ponder lived with.
The purple glow vanished. Dreamer looked back at Snapper, who gave her a reassuring nod.
“Alright,” Dreamer said. “I’m a believer. Snapper thinks I can help you.”
Snapper took a seat next to Mauler on the edge of the cot. “Ponder, do you remember our conversation the other day? About your one wish?”
“Yes, I said I would like to see the world outside this room and discover my purpose. You said you had a plan.”
Dreamer looked back. “You want me to use my power? Is that what this is about?”
“Your power?” Ponder asked, startled.
Snapper shrugged. “It’s dangerous for them to leave this room. They’re wanted. But this way, I figured she could get her wish.”
Ponder sighed. “Dreamer, no one is making you do this.”
“I want to help.” Dreamer took a step towards Ponder and touched her forehead against the curved, polished wooden beak. “Just focus on me.”
The purple glow appeared in Ponder’s eyes again as she did as she was told. Their matching eyes melded together, the bare walls of the tiny room falling away as their minds merged and turned inward.
Chapter 58
Dreamer and Ponder left the underground room behind and flew across the plains. Dreamer laughed on the inside as she spun her own memories of the green fields into the most amazing tapestry of colors and sensations she could imagine. She could feel Ponder’s pure, almost childlike wonder.
They moved from the plains to Fleece City. The buildings shimmered in the sunlight, people walked about the clean shopping center, and televisions flickered with advertisements as Dreamer had seen it before. She let the sun set and showed Ponder the city at night, just the way Snapper had showed it to Dreamer on their date.
She tried to change the scene ag
ain, but it remained focused on the fountain of Optera. As the dancing underwater lights grew to fill her vision, Dreamer grew afraid that her power was getting away from her again. She feared involuntarily bringing up a painful memory as she had done with Snapper.
You are not losing control, Ponder’s voice echoed in her head. I just want to take a closer look at this. The eyes of this statue are the same as ours. How interesting.
You’re looking for a connection, Dreamer replied. She relaxed and allowed Ponder to search about at her leisure.
The visions traveled from Fleece City to the quarry. Ponder looked at the simple hut where Dreamer lived with her father, the dusty road through town, and the stone totem at the end. The totem with the same-colored eye. Then they were back in the underground room.
“You lived under the watch of the Goddess,” Ponder gasped. “She intended for us to meet. I am sure of it.”
Dreamer did not understand, but she believed it. A long second passed before she remembered where she was. “I have to go. I’m sorry. I wish we could do more of this.”
“No, please get on with your day.” Ponder’s face didn’t move, but everyone in the room could tell she was content. “Obviously Mauler and I are not going anywhere.”
“I’ll visit as soon as I can,” Dreamer promised, taking a step back. “I just have class. Snapper, can you take me back?”
Snapper gave Mauler a clap on the shoulder. “Sure. Let’s get out of here. I’ll see you two later.” He opened the door and let Dreamer through. Pausing in the hallway, Dreamer overheard Ponder and Snapper’s words.
“Snapper… thank you. I cannot express my appreciation.”
“Of course. I’m happy to help.”
“She is an absolute treasure.”
Snapper paused. “Yes, she is.”
“Goodbye for now.”
Snapper closed the door and caught up with Dreamer.
“I’m sorry if that was awkward for you,” he said. “I had no idea how to explain it all to you beforehand.”
Dreamer shook her head. “It’s alright. It feels good to use my power to help someone out instead of hiding it all the time.”
The Healer Page 15
