The Society of Imaginary Friends (The Conjurors Series)

by Kristen Pham

  Valerie’s mind was racing as she headed down the hall toward the exit sign. She fumbled with the knob of the door to the stairwell and then hurried up the steps, taking them two at a time. When she opened the door to the roof and stepped out, she immediately pulled off her costume, which was suffocating her. The cold night air calmed her hot face, and her heartbeat slowed.

  The sight of the glittering night sky cleared the last wisps of fear from her mind. The stars shone brightly, all traces of clouds from the days before gone. It seemed like a good omen.

  “Cy?” Valerie called softly.

  “Boo!” Cyrus said mischievously in her ear.

  She didn’t flinch. “Took you long enough,” she said with a little grin.

  Cyrus laughed. “I’m guessing you don’t have a lot of time, so quit yapping and let me tell you what you need to know. But hear me out, okay? I know this is going to stretch the limits of believability for you, but I’d hate for you to look like a dork for not trusting me yet again.”

  Valerie shot him a skeptical look and nodded. “I’m listening.”

  “Thousands of years ago, some people on Earth started developing, like, special powers. Or maybe there were always Conjurors—creatures like us with magic in their blood.”

  “No way,” she said, and then reminded herself that she had promised to listen. “Sorry, go ahead.”

  “Some of these Conjurors banded together because they thought that they should be able to rule over everyone else. They called themselves the Fractus, and they flooded the entire world to prove how powerful they were. They wanted to terrify ordinary humans into never disobeying them—basically turning them into slaves.”

  “But I guess they didn’t win, ’cause as far as I know, no one today is bowing before an evil magical overlord,” she interrupted.

  “You’re right. The rest of the Conjurors—the good ones—fought the Fractus and won, but it was only a matter of time before they attacked again. So the Conjurors used their powers to create another world just for magical beings. And they separated Earth and our world—the Globe—with a barrier so that no one with magic could ever return.”

  “I gotta say, that’s quite a story.”

  “And it’s real, Val, I swear it. I’m standing on the Globe right now, as surely as you’re standing on Earth. You’re seeing a mental projection of me. I can’t be here in person because of the barrier. That’s why I can’t touch you right now.”

  She reached out to grasp his arm, but her hand passed though him, triggering a memory of what had happened in the hall with her tormentor.

  “Does one of these Fractus people have yellow eyes? Or how about a lady with red hair and super pale skin?” she asked, holding her breath as she waited for the answer.

  “I don’t know, why? Have you seen someone?” Cyrus’s voice rose with alarm.

  Valerie told him about Yellow-Eyes and Sanguina, and Cyrus listened intently. When she finished, he said, “I’ve never heard of either of them, but I’ll ask around. They’re probably part of the Fractus. They’ve been stirring up trouble lately, and they could be after you, too. It’s really rare for someone to have enough magic inside them to have to come to the Globe—you’ll be the first person to travel here in thirty years. They might want to find you for that reason alone.”

  “Wait, who said anything about me coming to the Globe? I don’t even know where it is!”

  Cyrus looked up at the sparkling night sky. “It’s out there,” he said.

  “You mean, in space?” Valerie couldn’t keep the disbelief out of her voice.

  “Exactly. The Globe is in the center of a black hole.”

  “That’s not possible. I’ve read about black holes. No one knows what’s inside of them, but they do know that anything that goes in will probably be crushed by the weight of the hole’s gravity.”

  “You’re kind of a know-it-all, you know that?” Cyrus said with a smile. “Technically, you’re right. But the creators of the Globe combined magic with all the energy in the black hole to create a planet inside that no one can see from Earth.”

  “And you want to take me there,” she said flatly.

  “Yes.”

  “It’s hundreds of light years away. By the time I get there I’d be dead of old age.”

  “That would be true except for magic, remember? Pay attention, sheesh.”

  “You really expect me to skip out of the hospital all alone and leave everything and everyone I know—forever?”

  Cyrus frowned. “What have you got to lose? There’s nothing here for you. Your magic is gonna kill you soon. And whatever you think of everything else I’ve told you, you know that fact is true.”

  She couldn’t deny it. Even though it was hard for her to accept that she had some kind of magic power, she could feel herself growing weaker. Her next standoff with Sanguina would probably be her last.

  He continued, interrupting her thoughts. “Besides, you wouldn’t be alone. We’re sending someone to guide and protect you. His name is Thai, and he’ll take you to the launch site where you’ll take off from Earth to the Globe.”

  A million thoughts tumbled chaotically around in her head, but she knew that ultimately there was only one choice to make if she wanted to survive. Finally, trembling, she whispered, “So what’s next?”

  “Does that mean you’re coming?”

  Valerie closed her eyes, but there were no answers there, only darkness. When she opened them again, the sky twinkled above her. “Yes, I’m coming.”

  Chapter 4

  The next afternoon, Valerie was ready when Dr. Freeman visited her on his rounds. Neither Sanguina nor the yellow-eyed medical assistant was anywhere to be seen. She was glad—she didn’t want to be distracted from her mission. Whether she was crazy or not, her decision was made. She was going to the Globe, and now she had to do her part.

  That morning she had forged a letter from a “cousin” to show Dr. Freeman. She was going to have to make a run for it, and she didn’t want him to worry about her too much after she was gone. He was one of the few people on Earth who would notice—and care—if she vanished.

  As he checked on the other patients in her room, her face burned. She hated lying, especially to him. He was the kind of person she wanted to be when she grew up—patient, smart, and caring. It didn’t feel right telling him the biggest lie of her life.

  “Well, Ms. Diaz, you’re looking much better. It’s good to see pink in your cheeks again,” he said as he reviewed her chart.

  “I’m feeling a lot better. I have great news! My cousin is coming to visit. I haven’t seen him in a long time. I got his note today,” she said, unfolding the letter she had written.

  Dr. Freeman glanced at the letter over the top of his chart. “I haven’t met him, have I? I didn’t know you had family.” His voice was laced with suspicion.

  Valerie knew that he probably thought this was part of an elaborate schizophrenic episode, but she continued with her story. “He’s been out of the country for the past few years. But he finished school, and now he’s old enough to be my guardian. He’s working on getting temporary custody of me.”

  “That’s wonderful. I look forward to meeting him,” Dr. Freeman said, a little absently. He was already thinking about his next patient, she could tell.

  “One more thing—could he take me on a trip?” He looked at her closely, and Valerie knew she finally had his attention.

  “You’re a very sick girl. We need to have you under observation,” he said sharply. Then his eyes became gentle. “These things aren’t sorted out overnight. You’ll have to remain patient while custody is being reassigned.”

  She lowered her voice so the other children in the room couldn’t hear her. “I’m not getting any better. Every time I have one of my episodes, it gets worse. I know that you think I could even… die.”

  “Now, listen, I’ve never said that.”

  “In my entire life, I’ve never left Oakland or seen much of anything,
really. And Thai is willing to take me to see the world while I still have time left.”

  “I see.”

  “One way or another, I’m going. I wanted you to know.”

  “I can’t allow that, Valerie. I’m sorry,” he said, and she could see that he really was. But that didn’t change her mind.

  That night, Ming’s and Jeremiah’s soft, rhythmic breathing didn’t relax Valerie as it usually did. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she couldn’t stop thinking about what was coming next for her. Where was this launch site, anyway? She wished she had thought to ask Cyrus. Sleep was impossible.

  She quietly got out of her bed and went to the window. It was raining again, and the glass steamed up from her breath. She looked up, but she couldn’t see the stars tonight. Soon, she’d be looking at that night sky from a whole new perspective—or she’d be dead.

  It was all so exciting, but the enormity of what was happening to her was overwhelming, and Valerie started to feel choked with panic. She was taking a decisive step, one that would either yank her out of her life as she knew it, or kill her. When she got to this Globe place, where would she live? How would she support herself? Would the people on the Globe be nice like Cyrus, or cold and distant, like Mrs. Sims? Her stomach twisted, and her breathing grew ragged.

  A movement in the street below attracted her attention. Standing in a circle of flickering light shining from a battered streetlight was a solitary, drenched figure. Valerie looked closer. It was a boy dressed in baggy jeans, the hood of his dark sweatshirt pulled up over his head. Was there any non-creepy reason that this guy could be out there at this time of night in the pouring rain?

  He looked up at the window she was standing in and all her suspicions vanished. Even though he couldn’t possibly see her all the way up here, it seemed as if he was standing right in front of her, close enough that she could hear him exhale. Somehow, Valerie knew that this was Thai, and the fear thrashing around in her stomach dissolved. She wasn’t used to instantly trusting anyone, but he was the exception to the rule.

  He made a gesture that she should come downstairs. She wondered why, since it wasn’t like she could walk outside or he could come in and chat. But curiosity got the better of her.

  She peeked her head out the door, ducked beneath the nurses’ station, and quietly made her way to the stairwell. She hurried down the steps so fast that she didn’t see Sanguina until it was too late. Instead of crashing into her, Valerie went right through the vision of her nemesis.

  “I knew it. You’re not really here, either.” Valerie couldn’t keep the triumph out of her voice. She’d known that had to be the case since she’d tried to touch Yellow-Eyes, but it was incredibly liberating knowing that her worst enemy couldn’t actually hurt her.

  Sanguina’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking that because I can’t kill you myself that I don’t know someone who will do it for me.”

  Valerie’s temporary relief vanished. She knew that Sanguina wasn’t bluffing. “You might as well leave. There’s no one for you to manipulate in this stairwell, and whatever you want, you won’t get it.”

  A small, cold smile flashed across Sanguina’s face. “I know that you’re up to something. And I want you to know that I’m hoping it involves you leaving this hospital. Because outside these doors, you’re mine.”

  Before Sanguina could see the shaken look on her face, Valerie raced out of the stairwell and into the bright lobby of the hospital. There was no one there except a woman she didn’t know reading a magazine at the front desk. She made herself calm her breathing down, reminding herself that Sanguina threatening to kill her was nothing new. She’d been trying for years. But soon enough, she wouldn’t be able to torture her anymore.

  Valerie sank back into the shadows by the elevator to stay out of sight. A hand clamped over her mouth, and she swiftly elbowed the person in the gut. How had Sanguina’s henchman found her so quickly? She spun around to face her attacker and saw that it was the boy from the street. He was doubled over, trying not to make any noises that would alert the woman at the front desk.

  “Thai?” she breathed, and the boy managed to nod. “I’m so sorry.”

  He looked up at her, but instead of anger, she saw something else in his eyes—grudging respect. “You packed a lot of power into that. Guess I shouldn’t have snuck up on you.”

  Thai was a couple of inches taller than Valerie, and his dripping wet hair was black, just like his dark, intense eyes. She stuck out her hand and he shook it. Despite being wet from the rain, his hand was warm, and when he squeezed hers, her cheeks warmed.

  Valerie stepped back, suddenly feeling a little shy. “It’s good to meet you. I can’t tell you how grateful I am that you would do this for someone you don’t even know.”

  Thai was watching her intently, and the power of his gaze made her feel strangely nervous and excited. “I know how it is. To have crazy stuff happen to you all at once, I mean. It’s a lot to take in. Someone helped me out when I was learning about—well—myself and my magic.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “You have magic, too?”

  “Yeah,” he said, but didn’t volunteer any more information. “I’m glad I can help a kid like me out now.”

  Something about Thai thinking of her as a child stung a little. Then, feeling a bit ungrateful, she replied, “Well, thank you. I’m really excited for this trip.”

  “Yeah, about that. You are well enough to travel, right?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m doing much better.”

  “Good. Now, let’s talk about some ground rules.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “It’s my job to make sure you get to the Globe in one piece. We don’t know each other well, and I want to be certain we’re on the same page in terms of expectations. First of all, what I say goes.”

  “You know I’m fifteen, right? I’m not a little kid who needs my hand held when I cross the street. I’ve been looking out for myself practically my whole life.”

  Thai didn’t look like he could be more than two or three years older than she was. She’d probably seen more danger in a month than he’d encountered in his whole life.

  His eyes narrowed. “You have no idea of the threats that could be lurking out there. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly and we’ll get you to the launch site with no problems. But I also know that some pretty insane stuff can happen that you’d never expect. I’m not used to looking after anyone but myself. I need to know that if I tell you to do something, you’ll do it. If anything goes wrong on this trip, listening to me could save your life.”

  “All right, Thai. You’re doing me the favor here, so I’ll play by your rules. Once I’m on the Globe, I’ll be on my own anyway. So consider yourself the boss.”

  Thai didn’t look like he exactly liked being called the boss, but he nodded. “Good. If you need to get a message to me, tell Cyrus. When are you going to be released from here?”

  She hesitated, wondering whether to tell him that she wouldn’t be released—she’d have to run. But all she said was, “A couple days.”

  He gave her a little smile and squeezed her shoulder. She could feel the heat from his skin through her T-shirt. She wondered if he noticed the tingling connection between them like she did, because he didn’t immediately release his grip on her. Then he let go and followed a trail of water that led to the emergency door. That must have been how he had snuck in. She held her breath, ready to hear the alarm go off when he opened the door, but he slipped out without a sound.

  Despite the fact that Thai seemed a little controlling, it was a novel feeling knowing that someone out there was looking out for her. She tried to put her finger on the name of the emotion that it sparked, but it was so new that she couldn’t put a word to it. She quietly snuck back upstairs to her room, and right before she fell asleep, it came to her. She felt protected.

  Chapter 5

  Later that afternoon, Valerie wandered the halls, thinkin
g through the details of her plan to escape. The easiest thing to do would be to slip out at night through the door with the broken alarm, like Thai had. But her instincts told her that it wouldn’t be that easy. She didn’t want to admit it, but she wasn’t sure that she had enough of her energy back yet to make it very far. She needed another day or two to recuperate with some of Dr. Freeman’s oxygen treatments.

  All of the walking and planning had made her limbs feel heavy, so she headed back to her room. She paused outside the door, hearing a muffled crying coming from inside. She went inside and found Jeremiah, the eight-year-old with leukemia who slept in the bed next to hers. She knew that he’d had a round of radiation to treat his cancer that morning. His mother was a single mom who had to work during the day, so she wouldn’t be back for a few hours.

  “Hi, Peanut.” At the sound of her voice, Jeremiah covered his face, not wanting to be caught crying. She pretended not to notice as he wiped his tears away with the back of his hand. “I wanted to check to see if everyone liked your Halloween costume. You looked like a real pirate!”

  He smiled. “Yeah, my mom didn’t recognize me for a second. And my brother brought me black stuff to put on my tooth so it looked like it was missing,” he exclaimed. He was tired, but excited to tell her about how much candy he collected and what everyone thought of his costume.

  She listened to his chatter, watching his eyes droop. Right before he fell asleep, she took his hand and held it. He smiled as he drifted to sleep.

  Feeling eyes on her back, Valerie turned around. Dr. Freeman was standing in the doorway watching her, looking a little sad. “I can’t tell you how many times over the years I’ve gone to check on my patients and found you comforting them,” he said. “You’re something of a favorite around this hospital, Ms. Diaz.”

  “Thank you,” she managed to say, feeling a little choked up at his words.

  “I know you’re set on leaving, but of course this hospital can’t condone that without proper guardianship in place,” he said. He gave her a significant look, and she read between the lines. He knew she was leaving, and maybe he’d even look the other way if he had to. “Goodbye, Valerie.”