The Golden Spiral Read Online Free PDF Page A

. . .
    Quickly, I moved back to my original position, searching for that sweet spot of sound. “I need answers, Dante. Can you hear me?”
    I felt him draw in a deep, shuddering breath. I can hear you. But I can’t see you. I can’t see anything. It’s dark. And cold.
    “What happened? Did you make it through the door?”
    I . . . don’t know. I don’t think so.
    “What about the others? Did you catch up to Zo?” My breath tasted like hope.
    No. He’s gone. They’re both gone.
    “Both?”
    V and Zo. I don’t know where they are. Wherever I am, Tony is with me.
    Hope transformed into surprise.
    Though he’s not well. I don’t know how long he will last—
    A scream ripped through the air. A dark, throaty roar that sounded as black as the ruined sky above me. The sound tapered off, only to resume a jagged breath later with another scream.
    “Dante!”
    I’m here, Abby, he said. I’m here. I’m all right. It’s not me. It’s Tony. He’s not . . . I don’t know what’s happening to him.
    I clenched my hands into fists, helpless in the face of the frustration I heard in his voice. I couldn’t see him; I couldn’t help him. I couldn’t do anything.
    I can’t touch him. He just . . . slides through my fingers. It’s like he’s disappearing. Dante’s voice held a complex mix of confusion, fear, and awe.
    “Where are you?” I asked again.
    I don’t know. It feels confined, though. I don’t dare leave Tony to explore too much.
    I wanted to reach through to wherever he was and pull him to safety. But I feared he was beyond where I could go.
    Where are you? Dante asked.
    “I’m sort of on the bank—”
    What? No, you shouldn’t be there. Go back. Go home.
    “Wait, no, I’m not actually here. I fell asleep and I’m still dreaming. I think.”
    I slowly lifted my hand, my ears attuned to the slightest sound around me. If I paid attention, I could hold on to the thin thread that connected us. I took that as a good sign. I touched the ripples in front of me with my fingertip. The air flexed, but it didn’t stop shimmering. I took that as a better sign. Pressing my palm flat against the curved wall of air, I dared to push out. The ripples converged, sliding over my hand like a glove.
    “Dante,” I whispered. “Are you still there?”
    Always.
    I extended my arm fully, holding my breath, anticipating a pain that didn’t come.
    What are you doing?
    “I’m trying something. Is anything happening on your end? Can you see me? Feel me?”
    No. It’s still dark and—wait, I think I see something. A light. Faint, but . . . Is that you?
    I felt the touch of his hands on mine, though it felt like a ghost.
    It is you!
    I grinned and wiggled my fingers in Dante’s hand, delighted to hear his low chuckle in response.
    If you’re dreaming, how are you doing this?
    “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’ve only dreamed my way here once before, remember? I’m figuring this out as I go.”
    There was a pause, then, I’m glad you’re here, Abby. Wherever here is. I almost don’t dare ask how it is possible in case this doesn’t happen again. In case this is the only time we have left.
    I felt the pressure of his hand around mine increase in a tight squeeze.
    “Don’t talk like that,” I said. “I’m here now; I can come again. And we’ll figure out where you are and how to get you home.” My fingers prickled with impending numbness. I withdrew my arm from the shimmering air and rubbed my hands together until they were warm again. A pang of longing went through me. Already I missed the feel of his hand in mine. “Tell me what happened. What’s the last thing you remember?”
    The door closed behind me, and I started walking. I don’t know for how long. But all at once I saw a net of stars above me.
    “Stars?”
    That’s what they looked like. But almost as soon as they appeared, I heard a noise. A scream. I started to run.
    I could hear the tension in Dante’s voice as he related