Once River is done with orientation I look down at the pass that guy gave me. It reads 247. Zariah comes up next to me.

“What number did you get? I have 139.” Darn. I was kind of hoping to dorm with her. She seems really nice.

“Oh, los siento, I have 247. But hopefully our Pods will have class together!” She smiles when I say that.

“Yeah, that would be nice.” She turns to face Flannery. “What number did you get?” Flannery looks surprised.

“Oh! Um I got 247.” I perk up. She has the same room as me! I won’t be alone! Speaking of alone, I haven’t heard from any spirits recently. Maybe no one died around here? I’ll have to see.

I start walking down the hallway towards my dorm when Zariah says, “My dorm is this way, see you guys later!” She turns down another hallway and disappears.

“Well…” I say, nervously. But when Flannery doesn’t respond I give up on conversation and walk towards the door marked 247. On the door there is a sign saying:

Pod B:

Flannery Mc Douglass

Calanta Verano

Louisa Carters

Maxin John

Puna Minar

Adult leader: Mala Richardson

Flannery reaches for the door and walks in, so I follow, gently closing the door behind me.

When I turn around I see a tall woman standing by a window looking out. Her long reddish brown hair cascades down her back to her waist and swishes as she turns to face us.

“Hello you two! Welcome to your new home!” She exclaims in a melodic voice that sounds almost musical. I immediately like her, which is a new feeling after being separated from living people for so long. I turn to Flannery, who is wearing a wary expresión on her face.

“ I’m Flannery” she says in a tone that evokes distrust, and dislike.

I try to make up for the lack of lines in her introduction but speaking kindly and softly to the tall mujer, whose name must be Mala “se llama, I mean my name is Calanta”

So much for that! I can’t even speak the right language! But Mala is kind and pretends not to notice my slip up.”So nice to meet you Calanta! And you too Flannery” She says with a smile. “Your rooms are this way,” She points to two open doors that show a neat bed and small bedside table that are identical. “I’ll leave you to settle in”

I walk in and see a bed made with light blue sheets and a white quilt, a white bedside table, and a set of drawers. On the opposite wall there is a wide window with a view of a large green field and a small copse of trees. I open the chest of drawers and find to my surprise CUATRO de mis vestidos!!!!! The fact that they managed to kidnap my clothes as well as me makes me wonder at the planning that went into my abduction. But I don’t have time to dwell on that. I’m EXHAUSTED! I crawl into the new bed and close my eyes, hoping for an uneventful slumber free of distraction and worry.

My eyes close, and darkness envelops me, I hear Flannery moving around next door, I hear the wind in the trees outside, I hear… groans? Perhaps there are spirits here after all. The darkness fades to a golden glow. I perched on a ledge overlooking a cavern, but instead of your typical unforgiving slabs of dull grey rock, the cavern shimmers with an unearthly light, and the golden shimmering walls reflect the glow. It’s beautiful and strange but also unnerving. When I tear my eyes away from the light dancing on the stalactites I look down at the center of the golden cave.

There, resting lightly upon a pedestal of silvery light, Is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. A golden crown, made of glowing golden metal, dripping with beautiful jewels, sparkling like a rainbow is encased inside it. It rests on a pillow of light, I can see right through it, but can also see that it is made of something powerful, something that can hold up the stunning crown and somehow make it radiate light throughout the cavern.

I look closer at the silver pillow and, with my eyes away from the golden crown, I hear the groans again. I ignore the golden glow pulsing around me and focus every particle of my body on that silvery light… and hear… voices? Sí! Those are human voices, a chorus of groaning, laughter, weeping, and just everyday talking. And… could it be?!?

Mí Madre!!! I hear her voice, separate from all the rest, because that voice… is calling my name! “Calanta Calanta mi hija!!” I call back, but she doesn’t hear me. I lean, stretching out to reach her, and i'm tumbling

Down

Down

Down

I hit my bed, or did I ever leave? All I know is I hear my name, over and over. I open my eyes, and instead of my mother, I see that it’s Mala shaking me and calling my name. “What?” I ask, confused.

“You were screaming in your sleep” she explained, “Nothing coherent, But you seemed to be worried, did you have a bad dream?”

“Yeah, something like that,” I mumbled, “What time is it? Did I miss anything? I was just soooo tired”

“No sweetheart, there are five more minutes till we need to leave for dinner,” She smiled down at me, “Take your time getting ready, We are meeting in the common room to go as a group in a couple minutes, so no need to rush”

I smile gratefully at her, and get up, “Thank you, I will see you then” I say as I get out of bed. She moves toward the door and gives me one more look, as if to make sure I’m really alright, before smiling and closing the door behind her.

Madre de Dios, what was that!? If my Madre is there, I have to find her. Forget this school. Suddenly I hear something in the bed next to me. I notice it’s Flannery. She seems to be talking in her sleep. Why is she shaking? I lean over to see if I can hear anything. I realize I can, but unfortunately it is in Frasilian, I think.

“couronne...Adrian...monde souterraine…” She whispered, her mouth barely moving. I didn’t recognize any of what she’s saying. I tap her shoulder.

“Flannery?” I say, making sure to be quiet. She doesn’t move.

Gasp. Suddenly her eyes flash open, bright green in the shadows of the night.

“Ah quoi!?” She reaches under her pillow and, to my surprise, pulls out a dagger. Faster than I can see it move, it is up against my throat and she has another one drawn. “Ca-Calanta? Wh-what are you doing!? I could have killed you, you cancre!” She is whisper-yelling. “Why did you wake me up?”

“I had a dream, and then I was woken up by that Mala lady. I guess I just heard you talking in your sleep. I couldn’t understand anything, though. The only thing I heard was a name. Adrian, I think it was. In the flash of an eye, all the color drains from her face.

“Adrian? No, non, non, non” She says, “I swore they wouldn’t-they couldn’t. I… non. They must’ve been that person, that voice. Oh Dieu. I-” I have to interrupt her.

“Flannery,” I say, putting my hand on her shoulder and hoping she doesn’t try to kill me again. To my surprise (y alivio) she didn’t. She just stood there, shaking. I didn’t know what to do, so I just sat there awkwardly. “Ummm….who’s Adrian?” Flannery just looks at me, her eyes steely and swimming with emotion. She sighs and shakes her head.

“It's not important. But-um-is there anyone on the bunk above you?” She says. She turns away, looking embarrassed for asking, “I mean, I’d just feel safer because people can’t attack me without me knowing up there and I gue-”

“Flannery, its fine. No one’s up there, you’re welcome to sleep there. I’ll see you in the morning.” She just nods and drags some blankets up.

“Good night, Calanta.”

“Buenas Noches, Flannery.”