Ancient Illusions

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Rachel’s eyelids fluttered, but then opened wide as they moved from all-white walls to the tubes taped to her arm. She gasped, scared.

Ceinwen placed a hand on Rachel’s shoulder to steady her. “It’s okay. You passed out. You’re in Oxford’s infirmary and they’re giving you fluids. Dehydration, they said. You should be fine soon.”

Rachel took a deep breath. “I remember walking across campus to get lunch, and then … nothing.”

“You did scare a few folks,” Ceinwen said wryly.

“How did I get here?” Rachel asked. “And why are you here?”

“I was sitting in a coffee shop and saw what happened,” Ceinwen said. “When the medics arrived, I told them you’re a student and that I’m your roommate. They asked me to come along. You were out of it. Not making a whit of sense.”

Rachel looked stricken.

“Do you remember anything at all?” Ceinwen asked.

“Only a killer headache. I remember thinking how beautiful Oxford looked that morning, the spires and towers against a bright blue sky, but …”

“But?”

“It was weird. All of a sudden, I smelled sage and dust, as if I were home, back in the high desert. Maybe I was hungry, and somehow, that triggered me to feel homesick.” Rachel dropped her gaze, her expression troubled.

“Maybe,” Ceinwen murmured. “Anything else?”

Rachel swallowed hard. It was a look of fright, one Ceinwen had seen often enough when Rachel awoke from one of her many nightmares.

“What was it?” she asked.

“Nothing. Nothing at all.” Rachel rubbed her eyes, her temple. “It might have simply been another nightmare.”

“But you were awake,” Ceinwen said. “You seemed to be in a trance.”

“I don’t know what’s happening anymore.” Rachel bowed her head.

"A counselor will talk to you soon. I’ve heard your teachers say you’re working yourself too hard, that you need time away, and since you’ve already turned in your papers and have no finals, you could leave school now. Start summer vacation a week or two early and rest.”

Rachel shook her head. “My schoolwork has nothing to do with this. I enjoy the classes. In fact, I don’t find them hard at all. If anything, they’re too easy.”

“But this was a warning about something. You need to listen to it.”

Rachel looked away.

“Listen.” Ceinwen waited until Rachel’s gaze met hers. “Could all that’s happening to you now-–the nightmares, the trance or whatever it was–-be connected with the strange occurrence in Idaho?”

“No.” Her lips pressed together. “It can’t be.”

“What is it, then?”

“It must be what I said. I’m homesick. Maybe I do need to go home for a short while,” she murmured.

“Home to Idaho?”

“Yes.”

Ceinwen hadn’t expected that. The thought of joining Rachel and visiting the area where so many strange things supposedly happened was beyond exciting. Of course, the possibility was strong that the whole disappearance story was nothing more than a murderous rampage, or even a hoax—but finally, she’d learn the truth. Maybe there was even a book in it. She didn’t doubt her ability, once there, to find out what really happened to all those people. “Look, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go with you. I love to travel and I enjoy your company. What if you pass out while you’re traveling? No one will understand. It’d be good to have a friend with you.”

Rachel shook her head. “I’m sure I was dehydrated like the doctors said. Nothing more than that. Besides, it’s expensive and I don’t have the money to pay you back.”

“I wouldn’t let you. I can afford it, and I love new places, new experiences. Besides, I’ve never been to Idaho, or any place remotely like the American West. I’d like to come along.”

“There’s not much to see,” Rachel said, her mouth downturned.

Ceinwen gave her an indulgent smile. “Let me be the judge of that.”