The tree was glowing even brighter now.

Charlie’s glasses had slipped down his nose as he knit his eyebrows together, worried for their safety. Unlike in her dream, they did not often find glowing trees, and Charlie was not as brave. “Roxy, why is this tree glowing? Don’t you think this is weird?” he said cautiously. He had just gotten ungrounded from their last ‘excursion’ that Roxy had gotten them into, and he was not eager to get into trouble again. Roxy ignored him.

“Come on Charlie. In my dream it was a magical portal. I think there’s a door right there. Let’s see if we can open it.” she said, struggling to pull on it.

“A magical portal? Nah, it’s probably just pixie dust that’s making the tree glow.” Charlie said sarcastically.

“What? That’s ridiculous.” Roxy said, as she continued to pull on the wood.

“I'm being ridiculous? Roxy, listen to yourself. There is no magic portal. Just like there was no fountain of youth or cross of coronado. Seriously, you should stop watching those Indiana Jones movies. They’re giving you too many ideas. Let’s just pretend we never saw this and go to school.”

“Just shut up and help me.”

“Please, Rox. Let’s just go to school. I don’t want to get in trouble again.” Charlie begged.

Roxy glanced over at Charlie and saw how desperate he was becoming. Her gaze softened, and she said gently, “Charlie, it’ll be okay.” When he still looked unconvinced, she added, “I had a dream about it. So this must be fine.” He dragged a hand through his hair and sighed as Roxy went back to tugging on the door. He just crossed his arms and waited as she pulled, until finally it creaked open.

Just like in her dream, the world slowed around them. Roxy frantically tried to look over at Charlie to make sure he was still there, but she couldn’t move. Again she felt a tingly feeling in her hands, and was soon pulled into the tree.