Title Page

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Dedication

To Kyle Rankin:

a fellow dreamer

of the greatest dreams,

devoting your life to making them all

come true

Chapter 1

1

It was Pat who called the meeting of Danny’s friends. “Right after school, in the place,” she said to each of them. Then she immediately changed the subject, to forestall questions. Parry McCluer High School was not the place to have this discussion. They couldn’t afford to be overheard.

Pat cut her last class of the day, so she was already in the small clearing in the woods overlooking the high school when the others began to arrive. As she expected, they each popped into existence in their regular spot. First Laurette and Sin, because they had last period together. Then Xena, who arrived talking, as if she had used her gate in mid-conversation with somebody else.

Xena caught Pat’s glare and glared back. “I was talking to Wheeler,” she said, “behind the school with nobody else around. I’m not an idiot.”

“Wheeler is,” said Laurette.

“Wheeler is what?” asked Wheeler, who arrived wiping his hands on the back of his pants. Pat wondered idly if he had come a few moments after Xena so he’d have a chance to pick his nose and wipe his finger on his clothes. Well, give the boy credit for wanting to do it when nobody was looking.

“Drop it,” said Xena. “You’re here now.”

“What about Hal?” asked Pat.

“He’s doing some kind of computer experiment thing,” said Wheeler. “Might as well start without him.”

“Might as well not,” said Pat.

“What’s this about?” asked Laurette.

“When Hal is here,” said Pat.

“So mysterious,” said Sin.

“You like mystery,” said Xena. “It’s like we’re living inside The X-Files.”

“Is this another intervention?” asked Wheeler.

“Do you see a sign?” asked Laurette.