I wanted to tell her so badly, but she’d never believe me. Even if she did, I was afraid of the possible ramifications for telling her or anyone about James and his world. It all became so clear to me in that second. When I left Woodvine, Anamae would forget all about me. Whatever I told her now would have no consequence, because I would no longer exist in this world. In her mind, I would have never existed. I didn’t care about the ramifications. If I was going to get through the next month, I needed help, if for no other reason than to distract myself as I waited to return to James.

Sitting up, I wiped the tears from my face and took a deep breath.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

14

Secrets

Anamae listened without interruption, which for her was saying something. When I paused to gauge her reaction, her simple statement confirmed my decision to confide in her.

“So, Mr. Midnight is real.”

Mr. Midnight was the nickname Anamae had given to the faceless boy I’d dreamed about my whole life. She was the only person I’d ever told about my dreams. My heart swelled with love for her, thinking about how she never once questioned the authenticity of my dreams. Never teased me or told another soul about my secret. I smiled at my best friend in the world. She would always hold that title, no matter what.

“He’s as real as you and me.” Well, as real as I am at this moment, I thought. At least until I leave Woodvine.

“You met him in person?” Anamae asked.

“Yes.” I waited for a reaction.

Anamae took it all in, as if meeting the boy of my dreams was the most normal thing in the world. She stood long enough to retrieve our coffees before sitting back down beside me. “I wish I could have met him,” she said, passing my cup to me.

Her unfailing belief in Mr. Midnight convinced me to bring her in all the way.

“You did.”

After I took a deep breath, I told Anamae everything. All about Ever, the Fringers, the Elders, and the portal at Judaculla Rock; about the fading and how she had forgotten about me when I had gone to Judaculla; explained how the shift in realities closed around the hole I’d left while I was away; told her about The House, the Joining, and how women who lived in Judaculla were treated more like property than humans.

In true best friend form, Anamae hung on every word I said, as if were the gospel truth. When she finally spoke, there was barely concealed fear in her question.

“What’s to keep him from coming back here and snatching you away?”