The Dreamers

By Celesta Thiessen

Cara needs an operation to live but the anesthesiologist has an evil secret hidden deep beneath his castle.

In THE DREAMERS, Book Two of the Dreamshare series, when Cara and Blaze need help they have no one to turn to. Literally. Because of tech gone wrong, they move through the physical world like specters, unable to interact with any other living beings.

That’s all about to change. Other dreamers are crossing over. But one of them is a very dangerous man. To stop him, the High King conscripts Cara for the mission. She will have to face dinosaurs, a sea serpent, a witch, an evil king, a dragon and Santa.

Cara is determined to complete the mission and rescue those bound in darkness, even if it means she will need to follow the High King’s example of self-sacrifice.

This book is rated 16+

• Language: English
• Publisher: Celesta Thiessen
• Release date: Dec 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463576755

Celesta Thiessen

I live in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada with my husband and two young daughters. We're homeschoolers and entrepreneurs. My husband and I make iOS apps and I write stories. Being a writer is magical - spinning nothing into stories - stories that can light the way to a different world.You can connect with me on Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCelesta

Book preview

THE DREAMERS

DREAMSHARE BOOK 2

Celesta Thiessen

© 2017 by Celesta Thiessen

All rights reserved.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Chapter 1

We are the dreamers and this is our story.

Blaze stood on the beach in the fading light. There was an angry expression on his face and in his dark brown eyes.

Cara, you think you’re perfect but you’re the selfish and demanding one! Nothing is ever good enough for you! He turned and stormed away, the wind blowing his too-long, dark hair.

I didn’t shout back. But, inside, I was angry. How can he say that to me? He’s the one who ruined everything.

I turned away from his receding form and looked out over the water, longing for peace and the happily-ever-after I thought we would have together. Bitter tears fell from my blue eyes as a swell of hopelessness engulfed me. It was like the High King hadn’t come through for us.

Great waves crashed on the shore as a cold wind blew through my long, red hair. After our honeymoon in Hawaii, Blaze and I had moved to Corpus Christi, a city on the Texas coast. Our home was right on the beach. The High King had guided us here. Corpus Christi means the body of Christ. At first, we thought we would be happy here, doing missions for the High King. We felt like we were his hands and feet, carrying out all the work he told us to do. But it wasn’t long before things started to fall apart.

Out of habit, I put my hand on my belly. Six and a half months pregnant. I couldn’t believe that I would be bringing a child into this kind of messed-up situation. More tears spilled out onto my cheeks. The wind blowing in off the ocean was cool, this November evening, and getting colder. A storm was coming.

Soon after Blaze and I were wed, I found out about the numerous lovers he’d had - 27, to be exact. He should have told me about everything before we married. But he’d brushed it off, reminding me that he’d been a movie star. But I wasn’t okay with it. And that was only just the start of his character flaws. He drank too much alcohol, getting drunk regularly. I regretted marrying him and told him so.

After that, he’d been pretty mean to me. He’d gotten physical with me six times in the first year of our marriage, when he’d been drinking. Since I’d been pregnant, he’d kept his distance though. It wasn’t just that he hadn’t hurt me; he’d completely kept his distance, like he didn’t even want to touch me anymore. And it didn’t help that I was so terribly swollen all over – like a bloated whale.

We still saw the High King sometimes, when he gave us new missions. But even those had become less and less frequent lately. He looked sad but never said anything about what was happening between Blaze and me. Surely he knew what was going on. Why didn’t he help us? Why didn’t he help me?

And I was all alone. If I left Blaze, I’d have no one. The Kingcade Worldcorp had designed the Eclipsesys Entertainment System. The idea was that certain people would sleep and others would dream along with the dreamers. Only a select few people qualified to be dreamers, people who were highly sensitive to Focused Unifarious Neurostimulator waves - FUN waves as the Kingcade Worldcorp called them.

The Kingcade Worldcorp technology had an unforeseen consequence, however. Anyone exposed to the FUN radiation, anyone who was highly susceptible to it, was affected neurologically, physically and, also, to a certain extent, spiritually. As a result, Blaze and I had been pushed onto a different plane of existence. Though the physical world is just as solid to us as ever, we can no longer interact with any other living beings; we just pass right through them, like ghosts. So, despite the fact that, in some ways, I hated him, Blaze was all I had.

Looking out at the water, I suddenly felt weird, like I was going to pass out. I sometimes felt that way when I got up too fast but this was different somehow. I wavered, looking around for somewhere to sit down.

The next thing I knew I was waking up to the sound of a strange moaning. As I came to, I realized the sound was coming from me. I was lying on the wet sand. Rolling onto my back, I opened my eyes. Blaze was standing over me, looking angry.

What are you doing, Cara?

I don’t know. A shudder ran through me and then it became uncontrollable shivering. I felt weird and afraid.

You were moving on the ground, partly on your stomach.

I must have passed out… My mind was reeling. What had happened? I was moving on the ground… Was I having a seizure?

I don’t know. Maybe. Let me help you up. The anger was gone from his face, replaced by a look of concern.

I reached my hand up to him and let him pull me to my feet. He was still holding on to me.

I can walk. I pulled away.

But he didn’t leave. You’re not looking well. I think you should come to bed and lie down.

Fine. I walked slowly towards our home. My teeth were chattering. I felt so cold. Our house was huge – eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms – ridiculously too large for the two of us. It had a spiral staircase and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool. Blaze was used to this lifestyle, and we had the money because Blaze had made quite a lot as a movie star, and Kingcade Worldcorp was paying me, monthly, to keep me quiet about what had happened to me. When Blaze and I had first bought this place, I was so excited to be starting this adventure with him. But, now, I could barely stand to look at him.

Once I was in bed, Blaze still didn’t leave. This was the longest we’d been together for quite some time.

Are you okay?

I don’t know. The shivering had gotten worse. It was like I couldn’t get warm.

I think we need to get you to a doctor.

And how would we do that? I asked.

I don’t know. He pulled his phone from his pocket. I’m going to look this up online.

While he was playing on his phone, I buried myself deeper in the blankets, even covering my head. Still shivering, I put my hand on my belly.

My secret fear was that, when the baby was born, I’d try to pick her up but my hands would pass right through. What if she wasn’t like us? What if she wasn’t born onto this plane of existence?

I pulled the covers down and looked over at Blaze. He was intent on his phone and didn’t notice me looking at him. I had wanted to talk with him about this worry on a number of occasions. I wanted him to reassure me, to tell me that everything was going to be all right. But fear stopped me. He didn’t feel safe to talk to anymore. I put the covers back over my head and tried to turn my thoughts in a different direction. Finally, the shivering eased and I drifted towards sleep.

Ever since slipping onto this plane, I never dreamed anymore – neither of us did. I had always loved dreaming and was sad that part of my life was over.

***

I woke up in the dark. Everything was pitch black, darker than anything I had ever experienced in my life. I pushed the covers off but it didn’t help. Feeling around with my hands, I felt blankets. I was still in the bed.

Blaze? I called. Blaze! There was no answer. Panic was rising inside. What was happening to me now? Help! Somebody, help! A glowing light appeared, coming from the small cracks around the drawer of my night table. I pulled the drawer open. Inside, there was a light so bright that I couldn’t see what it was.

***

Cara! Cara!

I opened my eyes, feeling exhausted. Blaze was sitting beside me in bed. Our lights were still on.

What? I asked.

I think it was happening again. You were shaking and making a weird sound. His eyes looked panicked. I looked it up online. I think you have eclampsia. The only cure is to have the baby early, usually through a C-section. Otherwise, the mother can die. We need to find you a doctor, Cara.

I felt scared too but the situation seemed hopeless. There was no way we would be able to get a doctor to help me. But, at least, Blaze was being nicer to me now. Guess dying was what it took for him to treat me better. I didn’t feel so cold anymore but I felt so tired. My eyelids started to drift closed.

I sat up quickly. Wait! I had a dream!

Blaze put his hand to his chest. Cara, what? You’re freaking me out!

I had a dream.

We don’t dream anymore, remember?

Well, I did. I wrenched open my night table drawer. My Bible rested where the light had been in my dream. I lifted the thick black book out and placed it gently on my lap.

Blaze shifted closer so that he could look at the Bible too. What did you dream about? You weren’t out very long.

I saw this glowing. On impulse, I flipped it open. My eyes were drawn to a certain passage. I looked down at the words on the page there.

You do not have because you do not ask God.

I pointed at the words I had read. We need to ask the High King for help.

But… he’s not here, said Blaze.

We can pray. Just like everyone else.

Right. I guess we’ve been spoiled, so that I’ve never really gotten into that.

The truth was that I hadn’t either. The Bible had lain in that drawer, mostly unused, just a keepsake, a gift from my father. That would have to change.

Do you want to pray with me? I asked.

Yeah, sure. Of course I do. It’s an emergency. I don’t want you and our baby to die… But I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to pray.

I held his hand the way my father had held my hand when he prayed for me, when I was little. Praying is just talking to God. He’ll hear us no matter how we say it. I closed my eyes. I’m sorry for not asking before. We need help, Jesus. And I’m sorry for not reading the Bible. Now I’m reminded that the Bible has the answers for life. Please help me, Jesus. You see that there’s something really wrong with me. We need your help… Amen. I didn’t have much experience praying either. But I knew that the High King loved us. I trusted in that.

Blaze squeezed my hand. Is it my turn? he whispered.

I smiled with my eyes still closed. This side of him was endearing. Too bad he wasn’t like this more often.

Yes, it’s your turn.

High King… uhh… You know everything. You know that I didn’t even want to see you anymore because… because of what I did. Because of how I’ve treated Cara and because of the drinking. I’m so sorry… You know I’ve stopped… uhh… hurting her. I haven’t done it in a long time. I don’t want her to die. Please… she’s all I have. Please… We’re asking now, just like you want us to. Please help us…

It sounded like he was crying. I leaned into him. He let go of my hand and put his arms around me.

I’m sorry, Cara.

I know. It’s okay. And I wanted it to be okay. But I still felt a hardness towards him because he had hurt me.

We waited in silence, his arms around me, expecting something to happen after praying. But, after ten minutes, still nothing had happened. I was uncomfortable and I felt so tired. Shifting away from Blaze, I lay back down in the bed.

The High King didn’t answer, said Blaze.

Didn’t answer yet, I corrected.

He stood. I didn’t look at him because I didn’t know what I would see there. He’d been so nice to me and I wanted to hold onto that.

I haven’t eaten supper yet. Do you want me to make you something? he offered.

Thank you, Blaze, but I don’t feel like eating.

He walked from the room. I heard his quiet footfalls receding down the hallway.

Jesus, we asked, just like you wanted us to… I whispered. Sleep came over me again.

Chapter 2

I looked around. The dense jungle overhead confused and frightened me. I put my hand on my belly. Nothing. I looked down. My baby bump was gone. Did I already have my baby? Why couldn’t I remember? I saw that I was dressed in what I imagined someone on safari in the jungle might wear - kaki pants and a light blouse. That’s when I heard it - something huge stomping through the jungle, shaking the ground.

An older Asian woman with short grey hair came hurrying from the foliage. Run! she shouted.

I didn’t wait to see what was coming but hurried after her. The sound of snapping trees and violent footfalls were closer behind us now.

This way, she gasped, darting into thicker underbrush.

I pushed my way past bushes and watched as the woman disappeared into an opening in a rock wall. A cave! I entered the small cave after her. We moved to the back of the cave, crouching, and then sat down there. It was small and it was so dark inside that I could hardly make out her features. But I could see her gesture when she put her finger to her lips. I understood. We weren’t safe yet.

The stomping sound moved past our hiding place and faded into the distance. After a while, all I could hear were the calls of birds and insects.

I think it’s gone, she whispered.

How did you know about this place? I gestured around the little cave.

I’ve been here before… I think I live here.

"But how did I get here?" Something tickled at the back of my mind. This wasn’t right.

I don’t know. That was one of our dinosaurs that got loose. I’m a scientist. Dr. Lacy. She shoved her hand out towards me. I shook her hand. Something about this seemed familiar, but not in a way that made me think that I should actually be here.

I’m Cara.

Hello, Cara. It’s nice to meet you.

Where’s Blaze?

Who?

He’s always with me. I pulled away from her towards the entrance of the cave.

No, you mustn’t go out. It’s not safe!

Something about this whole thing was making me uneasy. The High King! Then I remembered the words: You do not have because you do not ask God.

High King! I shouted. High King, I need your help!

Shh… You’ll attract the creatures out there, Dr. Lacy whispered, putting her hand on my shoulder.

I pulled away from her and pushed myself through the small opening of the cave and out into the brush. Pushing blindly through the twigs and leaves, I finally found myself in open jungle, with a green leafy canopy far overhead. The trees were massive. I heard Dr. Lacy come out behind me.

Cara. A man’s voice.

I turned to see the High King. He was smiling. I smiled back. Relief welled up in my heart and spread out to every part of my body, making me feel tingly.

You’re here.

Of course. I’m everywhere.

Please help me... I don’t know what to do.

Who are you talking to? Dr. Lacy looked around apprehensively and then back into my face.

You can’t see him? I gestured towards the High King.

Who? She peered into the jungle.

The High King.

She sighed. I don’t know why I’m even surprised. This place hasn’t been making sense for a while now.

I looked back to the High King. "I see you."

He nodded sadly. You believe in me so you can see me. I can help you because you believe.

I think something’s wrong. Where’s Blaze?

"Something is wrong. And you do need Blaze."

As if on cue, the bushes parted and