Free First World by Jaymin Eve

think.”
    “Well, that’s comforting . Thank you,” Lucy interjected, hands on her hips in impatience.
    He smiled. “You two look after each other. It’s rare, in all of the worlds, to have someone you trust.”
    Right ... all of the worlds ... of course.
    He nudged me forward, toward the shimmering wall. Taking a deep breath, I grabbed Lucy’s hand. But I didn’t have to worry about her backing out. She was out in front, dragging me through. I closed my eyes at the moment of crossing.
    I wasn’t sure what to expect, a tingle, some type of whooshing sound, but it was calm, like stepping through an opaque mirror. One step and we were on the other side.
     
     
     
     

Chapter 5
     
     
    I sucked in a few deep breaths. Wafts of cool, fresh air drifted lazily through my lungs. It was intoxicatingly clean, no soot, smoke or pollution. I wondered how I had missed this the last time I was here.
    “Oh, my god, Abbs, are you breathing? Tell me you’re breathing.” Lucy was next to me, eyes closed, face raised. “Un-freaking-believable.”
    I shook my head. “I keep waiting to wake up and find I’ve been in a coma for the past week.”
    Lucy’s quick grin should have been my indication, but she was too fast, reaching over to punch me – solid hit to my bicep.
    “Ouch! What the hell was that for?” I growled at her while rubbing my arm.
    “I was just reassuring you. You don’t feel pain in dreams, or coma-dreams.”
    “Oh, right. And you know this how?” I rubbed harder. Where was she hiding those muscles? “You just wanted to punch me.”
    She shrugged.
    I shook my head before taking a moment to examine my surroundings. I should be freaking out. I knew it, but instead I felt this great sense of relief. There must be elevated oxygen levels here.
    “So, are we going with alternate universe? Another planet?” Lucy’s voice was calm. Deceptively calm.
    “I have no fracking idea. I’m still trying to get my head around the fact I’m standing in dreamland.”
    “Did you just say ‘ fracking’?” She shook her head.
    I shrugged. “I’m trying to clean up my potty mouth. You know, meet your mother, get mouth washed out with soap.”
    “And you think ... fracking ... is the way?” She threw me a look of dismay. “That’s terrible. Just stick with swearing.”
    I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped. “Are you kidding? It’s the best. There are at least three different curses in one.”
    She disregarded this with a wave of her hand. I knew how she felt – arguing with a crazy person could get tiring.
    “ So this is your dreamland, Abbs? It’s very ... green.” She looked around.
    I laughed louder. Lucy must have been expecting her dream land – shoe stores.
    “It’s so wild and ancient looking.” She craned her neck . Her blond ponytail ruffled in the light breeze. “These trees are out-of-control tall; I think the clouds are floating through their branches.” She dragged in large deep breaths. “And this air – ah- ma-zing.”
    I nodded. “God, yes, especially compared to the crap we were breathing in New York.”
    Dust lived in New York air, like some type of symbiotic relationship. Of course, I never really noticed until right then just how bad it was.
    “Does it feel like home? I ca n’t believe your mother is here ... somewhere. Think about it, Abbs, you’re not from New York – maybe even Earth.” Her face fell.
    I nudged her gently to break the mood. “So I’m an alien from the jungle.” I paused, looking around at our surroundings. “Though, technically, here – you’re the alien.”
    Lucy’s expression lifted. “Word.” She nodded. “Let’s pick a direction and get this show on the road.”
    Through the towering treetops, glimpses of the sky shone through. White fluffy clouds dotted around the dark blue- ish purple. Yes, you heard right. Purple. Shaking my head, I tore my eyes from the skyline to stare at Lucy.
    “Can we take a minute to address a few