ORLANDO, USA
The flight back to Florida on Danny's jet is blissfully uneventful. Before we flew out, Jake called up his dad and sent off the video file of the conversation with Lau in the warehouse.
"It'll speed up the process of procuring the money," Jake explains as we settle in for the long flight. "He says he'll pass it on to the feds. If all goes well, he'll be released of all charges."
I squeeze Jake's hand. "You know it's weird, but it feels like I've known you for a lifetime."
"And just think." He winks at me. "All you've seen is my cranky, jet-lagged side. Wait until we get back and I can show you my true skills and finesse."
I punch his arm.
It's like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders. Dad sits in the seat in front of me, sipping seltzer water while Danny passes out his favorite dumpling soup. I withdraw Dad's watch from around my neck, turning it over in my hands once before holding it out to Dad.
"I found it on the floor of the lab the night they took you." I drop the watch into his palm. "It got a little beaten up, but it still tells time. I know this sounds weird, but I just kept telling myself that as long as it was working, you were still alive."
Dad stares at the stars swirling in an endless circle. A single tear trickles down his face. Then he grabs my hands in his, gripping me tightly. "You are so brave. I have to admit, I was mad when you showed up." He chuckles lightly at this. "But you did well. I owe you everything."
"Does that mean you'll pay for my college of choice?" I grin mischievously at him.
He laughs louder then. "Yes, any college you want. And I want you to keep the watch. As a reminder of what you can do when you believe in it."
He then slides the chain back over my head. It settles neatly on my chest as if it belongs there.
"Mom won't be upset?" I ask. "You giving away her gift."
"No," he says. "I'm sure she'll just be glad to see us both alive and healthy when we get home."
"What did your mom say when you told her everything?" Jake asks.
"She could hardly speak, she was crying so hard," I twist the chain through my fingers. "But it was a good cry."
"By the way," Jake says. "My dad said I'm pretty much grounded until I graduate, but I was thinking maybe you could come over and I could show you Battle for Eternity in the comfort of a lounge chair rather than being chased through the forest in my dreams."
"Are you asking me out on a date, Jake Sutherland?"
"Yeah. I just might be."
It's a cool evening as I drive with my convertible top down over to Jake's house. I soak in the feeling of freedom as the wind cuts across my face. The air smells of orange blossoms and a hint of the sea. When I pull up to Jake's house, he's waiting for me, sitting on the back of his mom's car.
"Your mom doesn't mind you sitting on her car?" I ask as I step out onto the pavement.
"She'd kill me," he says. "Which is why your lips are sealed."
"That's going to cost you."
"Now that sounds like fun."
I roll my eyes, but I can't resist a smile. "So is it really ready?"
"It's got a few tweaks still, but it's pretty solid." He takes my hand and leads me to the pool house, which I aptly named the Bat Cave.
"Tell me you got rid of the Receptor." I cringe just thinking about the memory of that awful creature.
"The Receptor? Are you crazy? That beast is killer. He's one of my best creations."
"He still gives me nightmares."
"Exactly!" Jake opens the door and motions for me to step in first. "Which is why he can't be terminated."
The cool AC of the room washes over me as I step inside. Jake leads me around the cases of his superhero paraphernalia to a soft cushioned couch positioned in front of a massive computer screen. A snack table is set up to the right with Cokes chilling in an ice tub and a platter with an assortment of doughnuts.
"Doughnuts?" I say.
"From the King himself," he says. "They're your favorite, right?"
I'm impressed. And I'm not easily impressed. I didn't think he would remember that Donut King made my favorite doughnuts. Jake shifts on his feet, suddenly looking a little lost in his own place.
"Okay, Batman," I tease. "Show me the final product of your baby."
He grins, and when he does, I just want to wrap my arms around him and kiss him hard and forget the game altogether, but he flicks on the gaming center. The screen lights up, casting an image that looks exactly like the beach we stayed at in the Philippines. The halo projector beams from the ceiling, washing the gaming square that he's set up so that the area looks like it is the beach.
I step onto the gaming mat, and instantly it feels as if I'm transported across the world to Boracay Island. The image of my avatar pops up on the screen. I laugh at seeing the rendition of myself. I'm wearing a bikini top and a sarong, and my red hair is billowing around me just like it did in Mr. Bosu's dream. The sound of crashing waves fills the room and—
"Wait, is that the scent of the ocean?" I ask as he moves to join me.
He holds my hands in his, smiling. "I cheated a little. It's a sea-scented candle. So what do you think? Are you ready to try it out?"
"Maybe." I wrap my arms around his shoulders, drawing him closer. "After you give me that kiss you promised."
He kisses me then and I'm swept away into a dream that only exists in reality. After everything we've been through and experienced, for the first time in my life, I don't know what my plan is or what tomorrow will bring. Somehow that feels okay though.
"I feel like I'm dreaming," he whispers, his breath hot against my cheek. "It's all too good to be true."
"If this is a dream, let's never wake up."
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Don't want the adventure to end? Continue the series with The Dream Hunt!