Book Two: Chapter 117

“What are you doing in there?” he asked.

Two more trips to the water and the pool was filled. The bottom disappeared, revealing a place of infinite depth.

“Get in,” Jenny told her. “Escape the dream.”

Beth didn’t hesitate as the sky filled with the sound of storm clouds and Oliver’s voice. Holding onto the side, she kicked her feet to stay above the water.

“Are you okay?” she asked the ghost.

When Jenny lifted her head, her skin looked like a lizard. She smiled, her face disintegrating into the water. The ground rumbled and rose up beneath her, the pool tilting dangerously, but Beth dropped into its depths, sinking into the murk while curled up in the fetal position. Looking up into the light of the sky, she could see the giant hand made of clouds trying to reach into the pool.

In the distance, Beth saw stars, stars that vanished and reappeared as if swirling in the void. All around her, dark forms circled hungrily, amorphous beings that tumbled o