Aspen and the Dream Walkers

By Caroline Swart

What would you do if the hot new guy at school appears in your dreams at night?

Sixteen-year-old Aspen learns how to wield the powers she's inherited as the princess of a Dream Walker clan when she sleeps in the evening. In her dreams, she conjures up the fantasy world of Lanta and a cute guy to help her destroy evil monsters. Ironically, he's the same student at school who's befriended her in class while she's awake.

Taunted by a cruel stepsister and stepfather at home, she's cautious of the new student's motives. When Dylan stops Aspen at school and mentions the battles they've fought together the night before, she wonders how much of the fantasy is real. If Lanta exists, she'll have to hone her battle skills and stop saying how good Dylan's touch feels while she's dreaming.

**Book 1 in the Dream Walker series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Caroline Swart
• Release date: Apr 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310772924

Caroline Swart

Thank you for downloading this book. If you've enjoyed the story, please consider leaving a review.My latest full-length novel, ‘Almost Midnight’, is available for download now. Look out for book #2 in the Midnight series, 'Midnight Stone’, which will follow shortly.Get ‘Guide My Heart' and ‘Aspen and the Dream Walkers’ for free at Smashwords.comVisit my website at www.carolineswart.com for more information. Happy reading!The Midnight SeriesAlmost Midnight #1Coming soonMidnight Stone #2The Stirring SeriesGuide My Heart #1The Dream Walker SeriesAspen and the Dream Walkers #1Ruby and the Fire Walkers #2

Book preview

Aspen and the Dream Walkers

by

Caroline Swart

Copyright © 2013 by Caroline Swart

Edited by

Pam Berehulke, Bulletproof Editing

Smashwords Edition

Second Edition, Revised, September 2014

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Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the above author of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Chapter 1

Aspen’s Dream

Aspen stared at the startling lime-green grass that covered the wide field. White daisies were scattered about, breaking up the expanse of green, and wisps of puffy clouds floated high in the pale lemon-colored sky.

"Where am I?" she whispered, but she couldn’t remember a thing. Her fingertips were cool on her forehead as she reached up to soothe the dull throbbing between her eyes.

Birds chirped as a hot breeze caressed her arms. Enjoying the summery countryside, she breathed in the fresh smell of grass and watched colorful butterflies flit from flower to flower.

Soon she began to walk, and her waist-length hair brushed against her arms while soft blades of grass tickled her bare feet.

A grouping of enormous weeping willow trees stood in her path, and she stopped to admire their graceful branches. Water burbled over smooth pebbles in a small stream that ran peacefully between them.

Aspen knelt down, and her reflection stared back at her from the water. Long blond hair framed her thin face, and an old-fashioned cotton sundress hugged her body. Her lips were full and soft, and pale blue eyes peered back at her in the heat of the day.

The water looked inviting, so she stepped into its coolness, enjoying the gentle current that spilled over her toes and swirled around her ankles. She dipped her hands into the sparkling water and touched the multicolored stones that lined the riverbed.

I know I’ve been here before, she murmured. If only I could remember. It hurt to think, and she splashed icy water on her forehead to ease the pain.

As she watched, the water became murky. The clear stream darkened, and she looked up to see the sky transform slowly from lemon to lavender and then to a dark purple. A blast of cool air replaced the warm breeze and she shivered. The sleeveless sundress she wore didn’t offer any protection against the cold, and a rash of gooseflesh prickled her arms.

She heard an odd high-pitched sound behind her and spun around. Her eyes widened and she screamed in absolute terror.

Hundreds of spiders crawled out of the pliable bark of the willow trees, tumbling toward her in a mass of hairy legs and beady eyes. Differing in size and color, they headed straight for her on scuttling legs. With a shudder of revulsion, she screamed as loudly as she could.

More spiders poured out of the surrounding trees and crawled over one another in clumps. They spun out in a wave, pouring over the small stones and grass in their hurry to reach her.

There was only one escape. She had to turn back and cross the stream to get away from them. The little brook that, until a moment ago, was tranquil and calm had become a raging torrent. As she splashed through the water, it dragged at her skirt, and she struggled to keep from being swept away.

Hundreds of spiders crawled toward her and, undeterred, sprang across the water to cling to her clothing. She spun in a circle and beat at her dress, trying to brush them away, but there were too many of them. The current tugged at her thighs and she couldn’t escape.

Black eyes gleamed hungrily at her, and she screamed hysterically as the spiders’ hairy legs skittered quickly up her body and toward her face.

• • •

Aspen, Aspen, wake up.

Her mother shook her shoulders as she spoke softly to her. It’s just a dream, honey. You’re all right.

With a sob, Aspen wrapped her arms around her mother. Get them off me, get them off!

Get what off, sweetie?

She lifted her head and risked a quick glance at her thighs. Her white quilt was the only thing that covered her legs.

Where are the spiders? she wailed.

There aren’t any spiders, honey. You had a bad dream.

After gulping back a final sob, Aspen wiped at her tearstained face. Are you sure? She peered down at the bottom of the bed.

Absolutely sure, now lie down and go back to sleep. You’ve just had a very nasty dream. It’s over, don’t think about it anymore.

Reluctantly, she released her grip on her mother’s shoulders and leaned back on the bed. She glanced at her legs again in fear. Her mother fluffed the pillow before her head sank back into it. The quilt fitted snugly under her chin as she tugged on it.

Norma, what’s taking so long? Stephan, her stepfather, shouted down the hall. I don’t want you keeping me awake. Some of us have to get up and work in the morning, you know.

She winced and glanced up at her mother. He was very strict, and Aspen didn’t want to upset him.

Don’t worry about him, her mom said softly. He’s being ridiculous. If Miriam were having a nightmare, he’d make me spend the whole night in her room.

Aspen gave her mother a wan smile. Miriam was Stephan’s real daughter, and he spoiled her and would do anything for her. He treated Aspen like an intruder, but Miriam could do nothing wrong.

Her mom pressed something small and cold into her hand. Here, it’s a kinetic flashlight. Shake it, it charges automatically. Switch it on if you’re scared. I hope the bulb won’t fuse, but it doesn’t use batteries so you shouldn’t be able to break it, she teased.

Reaching out for the plastic flashlight, Aspen gave her mother a grateful smile. For as long as she could remember, whenever she touched something electronic, it exploded or fused, and the flashlight was just what she needed now. She slid the small device neatly under her pillow.

Thank you, Mom. And thanks for waking me. I think you’d better go back to bed before Stephan gets too mad.

Her mother rolled her eyes and sighed. I know. Good night, sweetie. I love you.

Quickly, her mom placed a kiss on her forehead and rose from the bed. She switched off the light and pushed the door slightly ajar behind her as she left.

Aspen ducked her head under the quilt, then grabbed the blue flashlight and clicked on the power button, grateful for the faint glow. She held on to it and watched her breath move tiny dust particles past the bulb. The flashlight was still clutched firmly in her hand as she fell asleep.

Chapter 2

Meeting Dylan

Aspen knocked on the bathroom door.

Miriam, I’m going to be late. The bus is almost here and I need to wash my face.

Wait, I’m not done yet! her stepsister screamed at her.

With a sigh, she walked back to her room and pulled on a pair of jeans and a sleeveless cotton top. The quilt was drawn neatly over the bed a few seconds later, and she folded her pajamas into the chest of drawers. After slipping her feet into a pair of sneakers, she ran a brush through her silver-blond hair and pulled it in its usual ponytail high on her head. There was no mirror in the room, so she couldn’t see how she looked in the pale blue top she’d chosen to wear.

The sound of a toilet flushing signaled Miriam’s departure from the bathroom. Aspen rushed in to wash her face and brush her teeth, then grabbed her backpack and ran downstairs.

Morning, sweetie.

Her mom smiled as she entered the kitchen. Norma looked a lot like her daughter—with a petite body and slim face—but her blond hair was pixie-short whereas Aspen wore hers long. Her mom’s eyes were cornflower blue, much more vivid than the silver-blue eyes Aspen had inherited from her father, but they both had the same wide, bow-shaped mouths.

I don’t have time to eat, Mom, she lied. Because of her nightmare the previous night, she felt sluggish and didn’t want to have breakfast.

Her mother frowned and pressed a brown paper bag into her hand. Here, take this with you, it’s a bagel. It should tide you over till you get home. Norma then gave her a hug before she rushed out the kitchen door.

Once Aspen was outside, she slowed as she struggled with the straps of her backpack, but paused when her stepfather’s bike roared behind her.

Stephan rolled his huge motorcycle out of the garage, and she stopped on the sidewalk in front of their house to watch him in silence. He looked intimidating with a black full-faced helmet and leather jacket. Miriam stood waiting for him near the garage door under the shade of a huge oak tree, her auburn curls tucked under a helmet of her own.

Her stepfather flipped the throttle and revved the bike loudly, and Aspen stepped back in fright. After swinging her leg over the motorbike seat, Miriam tightened the helmet strap around her chin. The black leather jacket she wore had been a present from her dad, and she wore it together with designer jeans and high heels.

Aspen rubbed her hands subconsciously along the seams of the faded jeans she’d bought at a thrift shop the previous year. Her mother couldn’t afford new clothes, and Aspen would never consider asking Stephan for money. So she’d worked during her summer vacation and had bought a few pairs of jeans with the extra cash.

As soon as she’d adjusted her backpack, Miriam wrapped her arms around her father’s waist. She turned back to smirk at Aspen as the big bike pulled off the curb in a roar of exhaust fumes.

The two rode away and Aspen watched them pass a line of vehicles parked along the tree-lined road. Her neighborhood had many two-story wooden houses that were sandwiched tightly next to one another. A few had flags flying from their front porches, lending a splash of bright colors along the street.

The pneumatic wheeze of the school bus alerted her as it rounded the corner, and she waited patiently for it to come to a halt next to her.

Mamma Megs was the bus driver, and she gave Aspen a big, toothy grin. C’mon, sugah, you ain’t gonna get to school if ya don’t climb on up. Her smooth dark arms gripped the large steering wheel, and she rested her elbows on ample thighs.

With a smile, Aspen climbed the steps until she was level with the older lady. Thanks, Mamma Megs, she whispered, then strode to the back of the vehicle.

There weren’t many kids on the bus, so she chose an empty bench seat. The bus was her only form of transportation to school since her family didn’t have a car. Stephan rode the bike to work and back. He could only carry one passenger—Miriam—which didn’t really surprise Aspen. This was because he was saving gas, or so he said, but she knew that he was too cheap to buy a car.

She didn’t really mind riding the bus. It was quiet and gave her a chance to think before she got to school in the morning. Besides, she wouldn’t be able to sit on the back of Stephan’s bike; she’d be too scared of doing something wrong.

Mamma Megs turned the vehicle into the school grounds just as his motorcycle growled away down the street, and she was glad that she wouldn’t be forced to greet her stepdad at school.

Her stepsister strolled toward her latest boyfriend, Justin, and Aspen watched her walk past the bus through the dusty window. Miriam smoothed out her tangled curls and threw her backpack at him. He hoisted it over his shoulders and pulled her toward his chest.

Justin was a quarterback on the football team and was always surrounded by people. Today was no different; half a dozen kids hovered around him. Miriam spat her pink bubblegum out onto the grass and slid her hands around Justin’s neck.

Aspen cringed and looked away as her stepsister kissed him eagerly. After a few seconds, she risked another glance and saw the group moving toward the school building. Justin had wrapped his arm around her stepsister’s shoulder, and she had her thumb tucked into a loop on his waistband. When they disappeared into the building, Aspen sighed in relief.

The bus came to a halt in the parking lot. Inside, the air was hot and smelled of diesel fumes and spray deodorant, and she waited until the last person was gone before exiting the bus. She hurried to reach her first class of the day as the morning bell clanged loudly.

English was one of her favorite subjects, and she thumped her backpack on the desk and removed a pen and book before sitting down. The class was rowdy as the students waited for the teacher to arrive. Someone shot a spitball past her head, and she ducked just in time.

Nope, that was definitely not me. Aspen shook her head vigorously as a girl with short black hair in front of her whirled around with accusing eyes. Her cheek was pink and sticky from the soggy ball.

Miriam sat at the other side of the room and popped bubbles with a new piece of gum. When she’d failed her grade the previous year, Stephan had blamed her teachers, and now she shared many of her stepsister’s classes as she repeated the year.

Aspen fanned her face quietly. The day had only just begun, but she could already feel the humidity of the Indian summer day.

Her fellow students were so noisy, talking loudly and laughing, they barely noticed when their teacher lumbered into the room.

Mr. Wright was enormous. He was bald, his nose and cheeks rosy, and his chin was rounded with folds of skin. He always wore baggy pants, which made his oversized shoes appear clown-like, but he was her all-time favorite teacher. Because of his size, she didn’t see the person trailing behind him at first.

Settle down now, students, Mr. Wright called out, his voice booming against the classroom walls. Everyone stopped talking and rushed to take their seats.

When they had settled down somewhat, he stepped aside and said, We have a new student. This is Dylan Powers.

Aspen sucked in a sharp breath and whispered, "Oh my word." As soon as the teacher had moved, she exhaled and stared at the handsome boy standing behind him. His looks were so striking that she blinked twice and focused all her attention on him.

Mr. Wright clapped the boy on the shoulder, then said, Take a seat in the third row, while pointing to the empty desk behind her.

Miriam’s eyes widened with pleasure as the good-looking boy walked slowly down the aisle.

He was tall and slim and wore khaki cargo pants, a white T-shirt, and thick-soled boots. A half-filled school bag was slung over his left shoulder, and she noticed a dream weaver charm attached to a suede cord around his neck. His black hair was cropped short at the back and longer in the front, and stray strands partially obscured his sapphire-blue eyes.

Aspen caught his gaze as he walked down the aisle. Suddenly his face lit up, and he smiled at her as if he’d just seen his best friend for the first time in years.

She dropped her gaze instantly and stared at her desktop, feeling her cheeks flame with embarrassment. After hearing the scrape of his bag on the floor, a clean, soapy smell enveloped her, and she leaned back to breathe it in.

Something sharp, possibly a pen, jabbed her in the arm, and she stiffened and tilted her head sideways.

Do you have a spare notepad? a deep voice whispered close to her ear.

Huh? Sure, hang on. Reaching into her bag, she whipped out a few sheets of paper and handed them to him over her shoulder. Her hand lingered as he took the papers, and their fingers touched accidentally.

Suddenly, a delicious heat filled her palms and zinged through every cell in her body. It spiraled over her shoulders and tingled down her spine.

Oh! she exclaimed. A blue flame licked over her skin in that instant, and she turned around to face him with wide eyes.

Are you all right? The new boy looked at her with concern. What just happened?

I’m sorry, it’s nothing. Just, um, static electricity, I guess, she stammered.

He studied her face for a moment with sharp blue eyes. Don’t worry. It’s probably the shoes you’re wearing. The soles generate friction when you walk. You should get thicker soles like mine. Without warning, he lifted his boot for her inspection. I used to shock people all the time until I got them.

She stared at his long leg as he brought his foot back down to the floor, before dragging her gaze back to his face. I’ll remember that the next time I’m shopping.

My name is Dylan, by the way. He smiled, displaying pearly-white teeth.

Aspen. Her face burned again, and she looked away abruptly.

Class, Mr. Wright announced, open your books to page thirty-nine and we’ll start. He stood in front of the chalkboard and waved a textbook in the air. Dylan, please share with the girl in front of you for now. I’ll arrange a book for you tomorrow.

Her heart pounded—he was going to sit right next to her. With a discreet sniff in the direction of her armpit to make sure she smelled fresh, she angled her thick ponytail over her right shoulder.

Dylan’s chair legs scraped loudly on the floor as he dragged his desk next to hers, then dropped into his seat. His shoulders were broad and she was too scared to touch him. What happened if she felt the same burst of heat again? It was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. He looked at her expectantly, so she pushed her textbook over the edge of her desktop so it overlapped his, then pointed out the place on the page.

He kept his distance and after a while, she relaxed in the chair and tried to concentrate on the lesson. The classroom was hot and stuffy. Tiny beads