Free Chaos (The Realmwalker Chronicles Book 1) by C.M. Fenn

feel like we’re old friends. I glance meaningfully behind her. She understands right away. “You don’t have to worry about Sam. He’s a great guy—one of the best. You’ll see.”
    I have to take her at her word. “Give me a minute please,” I say to her. She nods her head and goes to stand by Sam. I find Mom in the kitchen, checking the pot roast in the slow cooker.
    “Those are some nice-looking kids. I’ve never met them before, have I?” she asks me.
    “No, Mom. You’ve never met them.” And neither have I , I think to myself. “Listen, do you mind if we go for a walk? I won’t go far.”
    “Sure honey, just take it easy, okay? Remember Ronnie suggested you rest today, so don’t overdo it.”
    “I won’t. Thanks, Mom.” I turn to leave.
    “Oh hey! Dinner should be ready in about half an hour. Try not to be late. And your friends are more than welcome to join us. We have plenty.”
    “Sounds good. Thanks.”
    I find Ember and Sam on the lawn where I left them. Ember smiles warmly and asks, “Is there a shady place nearby we can sit and talk?”
    I look up and down the street, thinking. The Morgans have some good shade trees on their property, and they won’t mind us hanging around.
    “There’s some horse property right up the street there. They’ve got lots of trees.”
    “Perfect!” Ember crows. “I LOVE horses!”
    We head down the street. Ember walks next to me while Sam stays a few paces back. “Have you lived here long?” she asks me cheerfully.
    “All my life.”
    “I’m from Omaha. Not for long though! As soon as I graduate, I’m moving to L.A. I can’t wait! Are you a senior too?” she asks.
    “Yeah, I graduate in two weeks.” My mind races with questions and I wonder when she’ll cut the small talk and explain what’s going on.
    We get to the edge of the horse field and the section of fence that’s shaded by a big leafy tree. The wooden fence isn’t too high, so I carefully pull myself up to sit on it. Ember does the same and sits next to me. Sam leans on the side of the tree trunk facing us.
    Ember looks me in the eyes. I get the same feeling I did when Sam was sizing me up in the parking lot at lunch. She smiles, so I must not be a total disappointment.
    “You have pretty eyes,” she tells me. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. “They shine like your aura – which is very bright by the way. You have one of the brightest auras I’ve ever seen. It’s a pretty, sunny yellow. I’m getting major good vibes from you, Adelaide, and I’m excited to get to know you.”
    What she’s saying is kind, I guess, but it’s only confusing me more. Auras? Vibes? Was she some kind of hippie into “mojo” and stuff like that?
    She suddenly laughs. “I can tell from your face that I’m not helping things. All right then, first things first. What I’m about to tell you, Adelaide, is difficult to accept. But try to remember that we all have gone through this and that we are here for you. Don’t forget that.” She places her hand on the back of mine.
    Before continuing, she looks at Sam, and he gives her a small nod. She takes a deep breath.
    “Adelaide. Sam drove out here from Los Angeles to find you. And I flew all the way from Omaha to meet you and tell you the dream you had last night wasn’t a dream. You entered Chaos last night for the first time. When you fall back asleep tonight, you will find yourself in Chaos again, at Minor Calm.”
    I stare at her blankly. Did I hear her right? In my head I go over everything she just said. Then I understand what’s going on and I’m suddenly angry.
    “This isn’t funny,” I tell her. She immediately starts shaking her head.
    “No, I’m not-”
    “Seriously,” I cut her off before she can say more, “I don’t know who told you. It must be someone my mom told, but I really don’t find this amusing.” I slide off the fence, intending to go straight home, but I bump into Sam as he blocks my