The familiar figure swiftly entered the passenger seat, smiling from ear to ear.

“So…” Leon turned towards my makeup-smeared face. His gaze flicked back to Theo, his expression now more doubtful than a second before. “Did you finally talk to Lil?”

More worrying than the comical situation I was in was my brother knowing everything. I bit my nail, only to immediately release it.

Theo, trying to suppress a smile, asked, “Can’t you read a room? Or a car?”

I furrowed my brow. “How do you know?” I asked, holding on to the hope that there was some way to fix it.

“Harriet… Are you serious?” Leon shook his head. “Lily is the only one who doesn’t know.”

The shock was brief, cut cold by the realization that it would be inevitable to hurt Lily. This was all wrong, but I chose it…

I tried to shift the focus. “What are you doing here anyway? I thought you left earlier with Mom.”

“Dearest sister. Why are you here?” Leon retorted, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah. Why are you here, Harriet?” Theo echoed Leon’s curiosity.

As soon as possible, before Theo says anything, I need to tell her. So funny I pretended, mostly to myself, that I was the best concealer, a superspy from a blockbuster. Turns out I am just a transparent girl in love…

“Both of you know the answer. So shut your mouths,” I snapped, admitting defeat.

Leon teased, “Good to know, even you fell prey to love.”

“Ew, Leon,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Stop talking like this.”

Right. There was no way he didn't know. Lily was his half. Surprisingly, I was also half of each. Wait. So does that mean Lil-

He laughed, interrupting the spiraling train of thought. “Anyway, we have an issue to solve…” He brought to attention, sounding slightly off.

“I’m sorry to say, buddy, but that is your daily bread,” Theo remarked, trying to lighten the mood.

“You have no idea,” Leon sighed, his expression growing more serious. “Grandma called… She has some kind of news.”

“What kind of news?” I asked, immediately taken aback.

Grandma. 

Of course, she was dear to me. But losing her only daughter was the end of her life. Even when grandpa died, she refused to come out of that place. It’s all frozen for her. Our floor of the house, dustless and immovable.

Talking to her over a video call is like seeing a picture oxidize. The same hairstyle and clothes made from cloth not from her young years, but from that time. Only a few wrinkles tell the difference.

That is why Aunt took me in. I had to move on, and she would not let me. It's so delicate… Pain. How do you tell someone that is suffering so much that you are human and not a porcelain doll? You don't without causing more pain. It seems to be recurring with me, hurting others by mistake.

“She wouldn’t say over the phone. Either way, it will be a long-awaited Allard family reunion,” Leon replied, his tone weirdly calm.

Theo’s voice lowered, directing his question to me. “Is it about that? I mean, you-”

“My missing parents,” I gave him a weak smile. “Don’t talk about it in such an awkward way. Besides, it can be about selling the house.”

“She made it clear that would never be the case,” he said, frustrated. “Still, if it is about them it may not be easy for you to handle,” Leon blurted out, scolding his best friend.

“Well, I know as much as you guys. Could it be about that?” I replied half-heartedly. Afraid that this had something to do with them. These recent dreams were so familiar, so unnervingly touchable. Maybe they were suppressed memories. But why now? So late to do anything about it.

Leon shrugged. “Maybe…” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Cadie’s been doing research; there are some possible leads.”

The pieces are all falling into place. But… “I told her there was no need,” I blurted out, a bit too harshly. “Sorry, difficult position to put you in.” I corrected myself.

“Yeah, I agree with you. She’s not too happy with me right now because of that,” Leon added. “We’ve been fighting again.”

“What's new?” Theo quipped sarcastically.

Lily had met in college her best friend and future sister-in-law: Cadie, a new addition to our coven. Both of them are analytical when it comes to numbers. So much so, Lily was the only one of us who got into a scientific degree. They were immediate soulmates, passionate and realistic, what a combo!

“This time it’s serious. She thinks I’m not supportive enough of the investigation,” Leon explained, frustration evident in his voice. “I told her it’s a touchy subject.”

“Maybe you should,” Theo suggested. “If her research can help Harriet, it’s worth considering.”

“I know, I know,” Leon sighed. “But it’s hard. There’s so much going on. Besides, Harriet…” He gave me that knowing look.

“Enough of this,” I declared. “It’s as nonsensical as solving dreams.” There is no use poking a sleeping bear. All that waits is misfortune. What if there is no solution?

“Dreams are just made-up stuff. The reality is the possibility of an investigation…” Theo said.

“Dwelling on the meaning of dreams doesn’t hurt anyone, Theo. Even more if it can help your girl… friend,” Leon teased.

“You are pushing it!” I scolded my brother, trying to conceal a little smile forming on my lips. Leon had been especially attentive to the repeating patterns in my dreams.

Though not useful in a practical sense, it helped having someone look out for my subconscious. It seemed he wasn’t looking out for the health of my conscious body, as my face flushed with the colors of a summer sunset.

“Let’s keep that for later,” declared Theo, his face occupied by a comically large smile. “She may implode in a ball of fire and fly into space.”

“Dreams!” I exclaimed. “So confusing those are. Should we not get going? We are late for…” I glanced at my phone, cursing Lily for waking up so early.

They looked at each other and burst into laughter. I joined them out of embarrassment, the shared mirth momentarily easing the tension.