"Well . . . some nightmares are worse than others, right?" Jeff asked.

"And some people need to stopdreaming and come back down to earth," came a voice from behind them.

"Carol!" Jeff exclaimed, turning around and seeing their friend behind them.

"You forgot this," Carolsaid, holding out a small wallet in the palm of her hand.

Jeff's eyes opened wide as he sawit; he patted both of his pockets nervously, before holding out his hand andhanging his head in shame.

"And where is my thankyou?" Carol teased.

"Tha—"

"You were lucky. Carol found itin the first floor hallway," Lindsey Whitelock interrupted, coming towardthem with quiet footsteps. Her long reddish hair, confident posture and blueeyes inspired respect even through her oval-shaped glasses.

"Hey, you're in our performingarts group too," said Jeff.

"Yeah.”

"More than that, she's also inour class, Jeff!" Carol pointed out.

Jeff stayed silent. Enrique, who wasstill staring out into the distance, turned back to look at his friends.Lindsey sighed and looked away.

"Uh . . . youare too," responded Jeff.

"Jeff Johanstown, right?"asked Lindsey, closing her eyes as she removed her glasses.

"Yeah.”

Lindsey's face became serious; shetilted her head to one side and regarded him with a sideways glance. "Youshould pay more attention to who's around you . . . you never knowwhen a murderer might be living among your dreams, stalking you," saidLindsey in a half-whisper and squinting her eyes.