The Dreamwalker's Daughter

Chapter Twenty-Two Once And For All

Sarah could hear distant voices, people talking quietly, she recognized one of them, and she was now afraid to open her eyes. After a few moments that voice came closer and spoke to her. "Hey Pumpkin. I know you're scared and you don't want to talk to me. I want you to remember that I love you." Sarah thought for a moment about his words and then opened her eyes. "There now, it's not so bad eh?" Sarah began to weep as soon as she saw him. John Nettleton leaned down and took her into his arms.

It was awkward to hold the frail child. She was wearing the white bandages that were no longer uncommon, however her face was showing the tell tale signs of her adventures. She was sore and she moaned softly when she wrapped her in his arms. "Daddy, I'm so ashamed," whispered Sarah in his ear.

Nettleton pulled her away from his body and looked into her swollen eyes. "Sarah, you have nothing to be ashamed of." He sat back on the edge of her bed and pulled her into his lap. "I believe that we have all ready had this conversation when you first arrived here."

"But Daddy I--"

"Pumpkin, I've told you, there were times when I let what I have get away from me. There will always be those who will attempt to use what you have against you. You have to be strong."

"I'm trying," whimpered Sarah. "I don't see how I can ever be as strong as you."

John Nettleton smiled and reached up to push his daughters unruly hair out of her face. "I assure you that there was many a day that I felt the same way." Sarah sighed deeply and then snuggled as closely as she could to her father, all the time wincing. She was trying to push away the last thoughts that had raced through her head, just before the nurse gave her the Dreamless Sleep potion.

Why had she pushed Horatio to let her go on? She wasn't ready for what she found when things finally began to become clear. She was not prepared for the feelings that rushed back and overwhelmed her. "Dad?" she whimpered quietly.

"Yes pumpkin."

"When Horatio and I . . . well when we . . . when I," Sarah stumbled around her words and John Nettleton listened patiently. "When I was remembering, things were becoming so clear. Things that I hadn't remembered before, things that really scared me."

"Like?"

"I remembered feeling this overwhelming sense of hatred and then a sense of ecstasy. It was as though I had made them very happy by being so angry. As though they were feeding off my hatred," explained Sarah.

John Nettleton looked at his daughter, reached down for her hand, and held onto her tightly. "Sarah in order to bring you over to the dark side, they are going to have to make you hate. They're going to have to cloud your mind with hatred. When they are able to do this, they will be pleased and in turn, you will be able to feel that pleasure."

Sarah looked into her father's eyes. She was feeling a bit of that hatred at the moment. She could feel it building inside her. "It's not fair."

"You can't let it defeat you Sarah. You have to learn to control it. What happened to you can and very well may happen again if you don't learn from it. All you have to know, is that everyone around you, loves you. All you have to know is that some day all of this will make sense." Sarah's father gave her one additional hug just as the door to her room swung open and in walked another familiar yet very distressed face.

"Mom," cried Sarah only pulling away from her Father when her Mother had made it all the way to the bed. "I can't believe you're here."

"I couldn't let your Father come alone," she said swallowing hard and sitting next to Sarah and John on the bed. "He gets terribly lost in the Muggle world. LA would have blown his mind." Sarah forced a smile and gave her Mom a kiss on the cheek.

"Now Elizabeth, that's a terribly unfair, if not true remark," said John with a chuckle.

Sarah looked from one parent to the next and sighed. "I suppose Horatio called you cause I was stupid."

"You weren't stupid Sarah. You're just having a tough time," said her Mother wrapping her arms around her. "John we need to just take her home," fussed Elizabeth.

"Now Elizabeth Sarah needs to be where she can work these things out. We've all ready been through this," started John trying to keep his voice calm.

"But it seems to me that she's not getting any better. I mean look at her," said Elizabeth holding up her arm. Sarah closed her eyes and shook her head.

"No Mom, no you're wrong I am getting better," said Sarah raising her voice slightly and pulling back from them both. "I remember things that I didn't remember. I'm getting control of myself, I swear. Even if it doesn't look like it."

John Nettleton looked at his daughter proudly and smiled widely. Elizabeth sighed. "I just love you Sarah," she said tears running down her cheeks.

"I know Mom and I love you too, but I need to stay here until I can sleep without Dreamless Sleep Potions, and be awake without headaches. I need to stay here until I can remember all the things Michayla and the Dreamwalker's made me forget." Sarah leaned back against the pillows on her bed and drew a deep breath. "God, I can't believe I said that."

"Neither can I." All three Nettleton's turned around to see Horatio Kincaid standing in the doorway. "Are you sure you are my Sarah?" he asked cracking a smile.

Sarah tried to echo the smile as John rose to greet the doctor. Elizabeth again wrapped her daughter tightly in her arms. "Horatio, good morning," said Nettleton taking his extended hand.

"John, Mrs. Nettleton I'm glad to see that you are getting spend some time with Sarah." He crossed the room and stood next to where Sarah and her mother sat.

"Elizabeth," said Sarah's mother smiling slightly. Horatio nodded.

"So you've decided you're staying?" he asked still brandishing his smile.

"Only until the headaches are gone. Then I'm out of here! I've had quite enough of you actually," said Sarah fighting the warm and comforting feeling that had surrounded her with his arrival.

"Well that's good because I'm beginning to feel as though you're taking up necessary bed space. I mean there are people out there with real problems who I could really be helping." Horatio reached down and took one bandaged arm. Sarah winced.

"Well, I suppose we better be going. We've skived off the real world enough today as well," said John Nettleton leaning down and kissing his daughter on the head, "remember what I said."

Sarah nodded as a slight look of panic came over her mothers face. "Oh, well I suppose you're right," she said giving Sarah one last hug and kiss. "I guess I need to get back to work as well." She looked at Horatio. "You will call us if you need us. I mean owl us. I mean, oh I don't know." John put his arm around Elizabeth.

"I'll be in touch if I need you," said Horatio with a chuckle.

John and Elizabeth both looked at her longingly for another moment and then after an additional good-bye they left. Sarah sighed and leaned into the pillows on her bed once more. This was when she got her first good look at Horatio Kincaid. "You look like crap this morning."

"Well, I think you look lovely," said Kincaid walking around to the side of her bed picking up her chart.

"You're not sleeping, because of me."

"You know there are a few other patients in my clinic Sarah Nettleton and I do have a personal life. Perhaps I just broke up with my girlfriend," suggested Horatio.

Sarah looked at him suspiciously. "Hmmmm? Girlfriend eh?" Horatio put down the chart and looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "I somehow find that hard to believe. Who would put up with you?"

"I beg your pardon, there are those out there who would consider me a formidable catch." Horatio's words dripped with sarcasm and brought a smile to Sarah's face. "You're very pretty when you smile Sarah Nettleton," he said echoing her expression. Sarah blushed. She sat quietly for a moment and then reached out and grabbed his hand.

"Thank you Horatio for keeping me from--" Horatio placed a hand to her cheek and shook his head.

"I didn't keep you from anything, Sarah." He paused and then continued. "We're going to find the end of this madness," he promised her.

***************

Eric couldn't think straight. He was sure that something horrific had happened to Sarah. There was no way that Professor Killainka would have promised them a visit with Sarah and then changed his mind at the last moment unless something terrible had happened. Then there was the fact that something just didn't feel right to Eric. Of course every since Sarah had been gone he had felt the ups and downs, but that day he had felt fear and pain he hadn't felt since the day Sarah left Dragon's Wood.

"Earth to Eric." Zoe waved her hand in front of her brother's face. "Are you in there?"

Eric forced a smile and shifted sideways in the library chair. "Sup sis?"

Zoe flopped down in the chair next to his and looked at him concerned. "What do you know that I don't know?"

"Now that's a loaded question," answered Eric with a hearty laugh. Zoe popped him on the arm and rolled her eyes. They both sat quietly for a moment.

"She's not all right, is she?"

"I don't know Zoe."

"You do know something, I can tell by looking at you."

"Zoe, I don't know anything but how I feel." Eric looked at his sister and then reached down to slam shut his book. "I've got practice. We've got to win this game, it's really important now." He rose from his chair, kissed Zoe on the forehead, and left the library. He stopped right outside the door and leaned against the wall. "Sarah," he whispered swallowing hard.

****************

Sarah woke with a start. She had been reaching out for Eric and had suddenly been brought back to St Michael's by the sound of something crashing to the ground outside her door. She shook her head and looked around. It was probably best. She shouldn't be Dreamwalking her way back to Dragon's Wood. A tear rolled down her cheek and her head began to throb. She wished that she had never learned her newfound skills, or that she had them.

Last year, she had wanted to go looking for Dillon, she had wanted some sort of magical power to search out her friend. Now she wished that all these abilities would just go away. But of course, they weren't going to. Her father was right, and the Professors, she had to learn to get them under control once and for all or something bad could and would happen again. Sarah felt the pain returning to her forehead.

She had spent most of the year trying to get the new skills tuned up, trying to prevent the very thing that had happened. Had the Professors known what was in store? Sarah contemplated this last thought and then shook her head. She certainly hoped that they did not know, for how could they stand by and let it happen if they had? She wondered what time it was and then heard the door creak slightly and looked up to see green eyes peaking around the corner. Sarah smiled. "Jacob."

"Hey . . . I . . . I'll probably get in trouble for being here. I don't think you're allowed visitors yet," he said poking his head in further.

"I don't care I'm glad that you're here, it's like the real world again," proclaimed Sarah with a grin. Jacob turned, searched the hallways, and then made his way into the room. He sat next to Sarah and looked around.

"I saw your Mom and Dad were here earlier," he said after a long pause.

"Yeah," whispered Sarah shifting herself on the bed to try to hide as many of her bandages as possible. "I suppose I'm the talk of the ward," she added after another short pause.

"You know you're not the only loonie here Sarah Nettleton! We do have a few others, and I have been known to act up now and then," announced Jacob. Sarah giggled softly. "So aren't you going to ask me?"

"It's not my place," said Jacob searching the floor with his eyes.

Sarah scoffed. "Oh like that's ever stopped you before."

Jacob looked up and into Sarah's eyes. "What happened?

Sarah knew she wanted him to ask, but she really hadn't thought about the answer. "I suppose I was so lost in the memory of what happened that I tried to -"

"Stop, don't torture yourself like that. I can't believe that you're trying to kill yourself Sarah," he said with great conviction.

"But Jacob you weren't there, you don't know."

"It doesn't matter. Listen Sarah you don't know what they can do to you. You know have no idea the twisted -" He stopped and stared nervously into Sarah's eyes. He rose from his chair and moved toward the wall, his back to Sarah now. "Look you . . . you just need to believe in yourself. You're not one of them Sarah, I know it, you're not one of them."

Sarah heard a quiver in his voice. Something she had never heard from Jacob before. She remembered conversations she had heard and how he had acted each time that she had spoken about the Dreamwalker's. "What is it Jacob? What are you afraid to tell me?" she asked fighting the urge to go to him.

"I know about them Sarah," he spoke his voice quiet the quiver growing stronger. "I've known about them my whole life. How they can destroy other people's lives."

Sarah wanted to touch him; she wanted to know what he was holding back. "No!" she told herself. "Never again!" she said out loud.

Jacob turned and faced her. She could see the redness in his face, the tears pooling in his eyes. This was something she was not expecting to see, and perhaps not wanting to see. He watched her face grow red and the terror building in her eyes. "You are not one of them Sarah," he repeated feeling as though he had released some sort of monster.

"How do you know Jacob?" she asked the fear and hatred sounding in her voice.

"I know! I know what they are, and you are not one of them. I watched them my whole life, and listened to the poison that they preach. I watched them destroy my Mother. Turn her into this vegetable that speaks not and knows not. They tried to do it to me but I wouldn't give in. That's why I am here. Better here, out of my mind, lost in the cracks of the system, than with my family." He stopped and gave a haunting laugh. Sarah felt a chill run down her spine.

"What was he saying? Why was he saying these things?" she asked herself. She felt the room around or falling away. She felt the uncontrollable feeling that she had felt so many times this year. Like she had in the past, like when she was a child and wanted her way. There were flashes of moments, fits, tantrums, flying objects; things were coming back to her that she hadn't remembered before. "No!" she screamed trying to push the memories away. "I am one of them, I am one of them!" she repeated.

Then it all came back. Like water flowing over a damn, the weeks that she was fighting Michayla in her dreams. Waking in the Catacombs, dragging Dillon with her, down through the twisted pathways, while he pleaded with her to come to her senses.

"Sarah, Sarah," Jacob's voice seemed like it was hundreds of miles away. It was falling off, drifting into nowhere.

"The time has come for you to find your way to us Sarah. It's now or never. You shall come with me or you also will die!"

Sarah felt a ringing in her ears. She could no longer hear Jacob she could only hear Michayla. Michayla's voice telling her that she needed to give in. Michayla's voice telling her that she was one of them now.

"No!" she screamed. "I won't. If that's the way it has to be, then I will die." Sarah reached down and grabbed at the bottom of the bed. She pulled back the blankets and ripped at her leg. "I will die!" she repeated.

Jacob watched as Sarah pulled at the bandages and ripped the clothes from her leg. The scar, the scar that he had seen before one day when she had been lost in one of her memories. There was blood everywhere.

"Jesus!" he screamed trying to decide whether to stop her from hurting her self or go for help.

"Jacob!" He didn't even hear him at first. "Jacob! Leave!" It was Horatio and he had the male nurse Geoff with him.

"Horatio . . . I didn't . . . I swear," he sputtered.

"Now Jacob, go now!" Then Horatio turned and looked him in the eyes. "It's not your fault." Another nurse entered and pushed Jacob back toward the door. Horatio was at her side. Geoff had grabbed her legs and was holding her down. Horatio put a hand on each shoulder. "Sarah, look at me. You do not need to die. It's over, it's all over!"

Sarah looked into Horatio's green eyes, eyes that looked like Dillon's. She could hear the echoes of Michayla and the Dreamwalker's laughter. She could hear Eric's voice pleading with her.

"Sarah please this is not you. You can't, you won't . . . I won't let you."

"Sarah the time has come for you to face what has happened. The time has come for you to face her." Sarah heard Horatio's words from miles away.

Then she was there. Her face, her eyes, her laughter ringing in Sarah's ears.

"Expelliarmus!" It was Abydos' voice. It was his spell. She looked down, down to where her hands had been. Down to where the knife had been seconds ago, down to see whom she would have been killing. Her hands clutched close to her own heart.

Sarah looked up into Horatio's eyes then down to see her hands in the same position, empty once more and bleeding. "I . . . I was going to kill myself," she whispered her hands trembling. Horatio nodded slowly his hands still holding her tightly by the shoulders. "Professor Abydos he . . . he kept me from killing myself."

"Yes Sarah."

The last nurse to come in realized that Jacob was still there and pushed him gently out the door. Geoff released her, turned to the other nurse, and asked for something to cover the cut on her right leg. Horatio sat down on the bed and took her into his arms. Sarah collapsed.

*************************

Eric touched down on the soft muddy ground and held up his hands. Sir Roger blew his whistle to signal the time out. It could barely be heard over the sound of the wind and the rain that pounded the stadium. The rest of the team rounded the bleachers and made their way to him while the Broughton team took this opportunity to shelter them selves from the rain. The words that the Broughton Captain had spoken to him a short time earlier, rang in his ears.

"We're sorry for the events that have led up to the Eric, but you have to know we're going to do our best to win."

Eric felt the words catch in his chest. There had been an incredible pain there for days now. One that he was unable to push away, one that was amplified each time someone from the Broughton house passed him in the hallway and averted their eyes. They were right, it was horrible circumstances that brought them to this place, but they had a right to want it. It was the Inter Murals, they had a right to want it as badly as Eric did and the others wanted. They just had different reasons now.

"All right people its come to this. We're down sixty points, six goals and I'm not blaming anyone. I have just as many demons holding me back. But we've never lost in the rain and I'm not about to let that happen now." He turned and looked at Dillon. He had been the last to touch down and his head was hanging low. "You need to get catch it Dillon. Not for the glory, not for the cup, not for the Inter Murals, not because its raining and we're cold and wet. But because it's what you do and you do it well, because it's the right thing to do."

Dillon raised his head and stared past the rain and into Eric's eyes. He swallowed hard and nodded. No further words were needed. Everyone looked from one to the other. Marjorie held up her Beater's club a tear trickled down her cheek. It wasn't Sarah across from her; there was no customary return to her gesture. The rain pounded harder against their hoods.

**************************

Sarah lie in her bed lost in the darkness behind her closed eyes. She wasn't sure how many days had past since Jacob had entered her room, since the visions and the memories had flooded back to her. She was aware of the healing that had taken place. She was aware of other certain facts, one of which was that she was sure every person that worked at St Michael's had been in her room over that period of time, watching her or asking her mindless questions. She was also aware that remembering had had a two-fold effect on her. She was no longer frightened or blocked, she was merely numb, and she now knew why she had no desire to every see anyone or anything from Dragon's Wood Academy ever again.

She heard voices again in the distance, talking softly. "Surely they don't think I'm sleeping," she thought. "How can I ever sleep again?"

"Miss Nettleton." It was a voice that Sarah had only heard in her visions and nightmares this past few weeks. She couldn't open her eyes.

"Maybe he'll go away," she thought.

"Sarah."

She hated it most when he called her Sarah. It was frightening, it just wasn't right. "Go away." She pushed the thoughts toward him.

"Sarah Nettleton you're being childish and immature, these are not qualities that I find admirable in my students."

"Go away," she whispered this time. "I'm no longer your student."

"That is the most ridicules thing I've ever heard you say."

Sarah opened her eyes and faced Abydos. Flashes of him pulling the knife from her hands played across her mind.

"I've come here to administer your final exams," he answered coldly.

Sarah looked at him dumb-founded for a moment and then began to laugh. "Now that's the most ridicules thing that I've ever heard you say . . . sir."

Abydos drew a deep breath and then sat next to her. "Sarah I have no doubts in your ability to get past this and when you do you will be very grateful that I can here today."

Sarah looked into his eyes and saw the determination that was his forte. She sighed. "Professor, you of all people -"

"Know that you can do this," he finished. "Listen here young lady the rest of the world has not given up on you, so you must not either."

Sarah did her best to fight back the tears but they came anyway. "Please leave me alone," she moaned. Abydos sat down across from her and began to produce papers from a satchel.

"We'll begin with Herbology since it is your weakest subject and work our way up to the Dark Arts." Sarah continued to look at him in disbelief. The Professor pulled out a book and pushed it toward her. Sarah looked down at it and shook her head. "Take it Sarah."

"Sir," she pleaded.

"You must pass all of these exams with at least a B or you will not qualify to be on the team."

Sarah's eyebrows arched. "Excuse me?" she said her mouth hanging open.

Abydos placed the book Sarah was still refusing to take on the bed in front of her and went back to pulling things out of his case. "It seems that Mr. Turner has chosen you to be his Inter Mural team and you must have and maintain a certain grade point--"

"What?" exclaimed Sarah, her eyes wide with excitement. Abydos fought the smile that was rising on his lips. They had won; they had managed to pull out the Quidditch cup. She hadn't ruined things after all. Sarah fell back into her pillow, thoughts of Eric and the team racing through her head. "I don't deserve to be on the team sir," she said after some thought.

"That's not up to you to decide Miss Nettleton. It's up to the team captain and the Head of House of the Quidditch cup winner for this year," he said matter-of-factly. "It seems that Professor Quigley and Mr. Turner feel you deserve the honor and that is all that matters. Not what you or I think." Sarah looked up at the Professor and watched his expression. She could see the pleasure he was getting from goading her and for a moment, she wanted to giggle. However, she couldn't, there was still too much pain in her heart. "He has even seen fit to include one or two members of my team, but then Mr. Turner has always shown an intelligent streak. Perhaps this is why he has been able to receive passing mark in my classes all these years."

Sarah couldn't help it this time. A genuine smile crept across her face. She knew full well that Abydos was one of Eric's favorite teachers, for some unknown reason. Even though he was still prone to warning people of his wrath, Eric was known to spend extra time in the Dark Arts classroom and had no trouble pulling down a solid A. However, she herself had been doing so all year, despite everything. "Why are you fighting him?" she asked herself. "Because you're not going back." She answered.

"You will."

Sarah looked up and into Abydos' eyes. How dare he know what she had been thinking? It wasn't fair, he, Semiramise, and Killainka and now Horatio all had her pegged. She didn't have a chance. Sarah picked up the Herbology book and sighed. She ignored the smirk on Abydos' face.

****************************

"Why so glum Sarah Nettleton, you're going home soon?" Geoff slid the blood pressure cuff off her arm and Sarah watched the pen record the numbers for him across the room as he spoke them. "As I understand it, you'll be getting there about the same time as your friends will be arriving home from school."

Sarah watched him rise and retrieve the magical clipboard and pen. "I suppose you think that's a good thing," she said with a great deal of sarcasm.

"And you don't? I thought your Miss Turner was quite the character. Doesn't she live right close to you?" he asked pulling some bottles from his pockets and looking at them.

Sarah nodded. "I haven't heard from to her since, well since she was here with the others after my exams last week."

"I'm sure that they're just busy with their end of school events and exams. They weren't given special exams as you were you know." Sarah turned to see Horatio entering the room and the conversation.

"Hey Horatio, everything checked out okay I was just about to give her, her last dose of meds," said Geoff holding up a small vile.

"May I?" said Horatio holding out his hand for the bottle. Geoff shrugged and then handed it to him.

"See ya later then Sarah," he said then he turned and left giving Horatio an odd look.

Sarah sat back on the bed against the headboard and noticed that Horatio was holding something other than the bottle that Geoff had just given him; it was a long black, plastic bag. "I have something for you," he said pocketing the bottle. Sarah watched him do it and cocked her head curiously.

"Ah Horatio, my medicine?"

"I think we'll let you sleep on your own tonight," he said handing her the black bag. Sarah's eyes widened.

"But Horatio, I, I thought, I mean the nightmares,"

"Could very well come back, but you need to learn to deal with them and I think you will," finished Horatio.

Sarah looked at him then the black bag and shook her head. The last two weeks had been very overwhelming and it seemed as though it would never end. "What's in the bag?"

"It's your gown Cinderella," he said smiling.

Sarah's mouth dropped open again. "My clothes?" Horatio nodded. Sarah hadn't thought about her clothes, not at all. She supposed that it's not something she had thought of since she woke in the infirmary at Dragon's Wood.

"We're going for a walk and where we're going you're going to need these," he said pointing at the bag. He turned and started toward the door. "You have ten minutes, no more and I don't like to be kept waiting." He was at the door now and was chuckling. "Maybe this is why I have trouble getting a second date." He opened the door and stepped out of the room.

Sarah felt a smile on her face, something that was a rarity. She reached down and opened the bag. Inside was her favorite pair of jeans and her I love Quidditch t-shirt. Sarah bit her lip and pushed back the tears. She wanted it, this, sanity as it was, even though things had seemed to flow like the rapids on a river since her memory had returned. It was as though everyone expected her to just go on with her life.

"Because you have to go on with you life Sarah."

Sarah jumped. "Professor Semiramise," she whispered looking around the room. "Where are you?"

"I am with you always Sarah. You've just been afraid to find me."

Sarah closed her eyes and felt the warm feeling that the touch of the Professor used to bring her. "I missed you."

"I missed you too."

Sarah opened her eyes to find the small curly-headed Professor standing before her. "Professor they want me to go on, as though nothing happened, as though. I let you down." Sarah lowered her eyes to the bed. Semiramise stepped forward and lifted her chin.

"You didn't let me down Sarah. I let you down. I did not properly equip you for what lie ahead. I just had no idea the dangers you would have to face so early in life. I will not make this mistake again."

"Professor, it seems to me know that you and Professor Killainka knew, maybe even Professor Abydos. I mean you kept teaching me things and telling me things. Did you know?"

"You have to believe Sarah that no one knew that you were in danger," assured the Professor. "Or anyone else in the school for that matter. There are many things that you will come to know over time, things that will help to make you understand."

"Why can't I know now Professor?"

"All in good time Sarah, all in good time." She smiled and placed a hand on Sarah's. Sarah embraced the warmth that this brought and drew in a deep breath. It was like she had been given new life, and something else, a new memory.

Sarah opened her eyes and looked at Semiramise. "Who is it Professor?"

"It's your Grandfather."

"My mother's dad?" Semiramise nodded. "I've never seen any pictures of my mothers family, except for my Great Aunt." Sarah looked at her oddly. "How do you have this memory?" Semiramise just smiled.

"All in good time Sarah, all in good time." Semiramise reached out and handed Sarah a canvas sack. "Inside here you will find some things to read. They will give you something to do until I come to visit."

"Visit?" asked Sarah

"Yes, I will be around to see you in a few weeks, to see how you're doing. Now I need to go so you can get dressed. I believe that Mr. Kincaid is waiting for you and he is not known for his patience." She giggled and then she leaned over, gave Sarah a kiss on her forehead, and disappeared. Sarah felt warmth spread from where she had kissed her. She stood and began to dress.

She had just buckled her belt when she heard someone clear their throat. Sarah looked up and into another set of green eyes. She smiled, "Jacob."

"Can I come in?" he asked.

"Of course," answered Sarah. Jacob entered slowly sizing Sarah up. "What are you looking at?"

"I've never seen you with your clothes on," said Jacob with a snicker.

Sarah blushed red. "Clever, very clever."

"You look lovely. I'm going to miss you squirt," he said looking down at the ground.

"I'm not going anywhere," said Sarah sitting down on her bed.

"You don't get clothes until it's time Sarah. I've been in and out of this place enough to know that," explained Jacob.

"We're just going for a walk," insisted Sarah.

"Believe what you want Sarah." Jacob walked over to the barred window and stood for a moment quietly. "Look, I wanted to say I was sorry."

"For what?"

"It was me, I mean I,"

"Jacob if it hadn't been for you, I may never have come to terms with what happened. I don't know why it happened that day, or why what you said triggered it, but I'm not sorry it happened." Sarah crossed the room and gave Jacob a hug.

Jacob looked down at her curiously and smiled. He opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by Horatio re-entering the room.

"Ready to go?" he asked before he saw Jacob. He stopped and looked between the two of them. "Jacob, did you tell Sarah your news?" Sarah looked at them both now, as Jacob shook his head.

"No Horatio."

"What Jacob, what news?"

"Jacob here--"

"I'm leaving St Michael's," interrupted Jacob. Horatio looked at Jacob who gave him a pleading glance.

"You are?" asked Sarah.

"Yes," answered Horatio. "Mr. Whitmore has been given his release. He's just waiting for his ride so to speak." Jacob thanked Horatio silently for his candor. Sarah could tell they were keeping a secret, but decided to let it go.

"I better get going." Jacob turned to Sarah. "Good luck Sarah, I have a feeling we shall meet again."

Sarah looked at him curiously and then watched him as he left after an awkward hesitation in which she was sure he had wanted to give her at the very least a hug. Sarah stood quietly for a moment and then turned to Horatio. "I suppose you sent Professor Semiramise knowing that she would calm me."

"And what makes you think I have any control over the comings and goings of Dragon's Wood Professor's?" asked Horatio.

"I believe that you have control over more than I'd like to admit," said Sarah looking very intimidated. Horatio chuckled.

"I repeat, ready to go?" Sarah nodded. "Let's go then, things to do, places to go."

"Where are we going?" asked Sarah looking at him sideways.

"That my dear is up to you."

Sarah was terribly confused now as she stood up next to Horatio he opened her door and motioned her to exit. They began to walk, first down the hallway and then out into the atrium where he insisted that they walk to the furthest corner. They discussed nothing in particular as they walked and then Sarah stopped. "Horatio, how do you know I'm ready to go home?"

He smiled and pulled a cigarette from the air. "Well, first of all you haven't had bandages in weeks." This was true Sarah nodded. "Then there is the fact that you have remembered everything that has happened to you." This truth was painful and Sarah stilled her head. "No headaches, you have to admit that." He took a drawl off his cigarette and stared at Sarah waiting for a response.

"All right so I'm better but I'm not happy."

"If being unhappy was reason to be in the loonie bin Sarah, this place would be full to capacity all the time. I can't let you stay here because you're not happy with your life. You have to go home and move on."

"I have to go home and move on?" repeated Sarah. "I'm not sure what moving on means." Sarah turned and walked away. "I'd just as soon go home a bury myself in the covers on my bed."

"And that will accomplish what, Sarah Nettleton?"

"It will keep the students and teachers of Dragon's Wood safe," decided Sarah.

"Is that what you think? That the world will be a safer place without you?"

Sarah nodded.

"You are going to find, in the years to come that there is less truth in that statement than you can possibly know." Horatio extinguished his cigarette and sat down on a tree bench.

Sarah opened her mouth to speak but Horatio held up his hand. "I cannot answer that Sarah so please don't ask."

Sarah looked at him and shook her head. "I have spent so much time with you in the last few weeks and I feel like I know nothing about you, even though you know everything about me."

Horatio smiled slyly. "Well, there are a few things that I need to tell you now," he said with a chuckle. Then his face grew a little more serious. "Sarah, you need me, I will be there."

Sarah scoffed. "Sure Horatio, I'll remember that."

"Sarah, you have to understand, there is a reason that Killainka brought you to me. I am not just any healer." Sarah looked into Horatio's eyes and saw something strange; she felt a chill run through her body. She nodded. "You have to trust me, when you need me, I will be there." Sarah nodded again. "Now," he stood and extended his hand. "For the last part of your journey. What have you missed the most while you have been at St Michael's?"

Sarah looked at Horatio curiously and then took his hand. She knew he was trying to get him to say Dragon's Wood or home, but she was biting. She gave him a smirk and decided on "Iced tea."

Horatio grinned and would not be out witted. "Iced tea it will be then." Sarah was about to ask him what he was talking about when she felt a strange sensation and then suddenly found herself standing outside a small café somewhere she had never been before. They were no longer in the atrium at St. Michael's at all. Sarah wasn't sure what she was the most terrified of. The fact that she had just apparently apparated or that she was no longer at St. Michaels.

"Horatio," she gasped, grabbing his arm tightly. "Where are we?" she said in a terrified whisper.

Horatio chuckled. "Why we're in Charlotte," he answered matter-of -factly. "You see, you make the request, but I can tweak it slightly." Sarah's eyes widened, she looked at him like he was mad.

"Tweak it?" she asked looking around.

"Well we could have gone to the restaurant next door to St Michael's but for the best sweet iced tea, you come to Katie's in Charlotte." He turned and headed under the bright blue canopy of the small café. Sarah stood dumb-founded for a moment and then followed him in. Horatio had all ready found a small table in the corner. She nervously joined him. A young lady walked over and smiled at Horatio. "Well I'll be, Horatio Kincaid, I haven't seen you in years," cooed the girl.

Horatio smiled. "Amanda, how nice to see you again."

"I suppose you and your young lady here will be wantin' some iced tea," she said grinning at Horatio and then Sarah.

"You supposed correctly," he said imitating her accent. She giggled and then turned to fill their order.

Sarah watched her walk away like she was having some kind of dream. She leaned over and whispered to Horatio. "Is this all really happening?"

Horatio chuckled. "Yes Sarah, this is all really happening."

"But Horatio, I can't apparate and even if I could I'm not old enough," said Sarah slightly stressed.

Horatio laughed a little louder this time. "Sarah what we did was not technically apparating. Not technically. You see . . ." Horatio stopped because Priscilla had just arrived with their iced tea. He pulled several silver coins out of his pocket and handed them to her. They exchanged a few additional pleasant words and giggles and then she walked off. This was the first time Sarah had seen Horatio interact with anyone other than another patient or worker at the clinic, he was different, more . . .human. "Where was I?"

"You were explaining how we got here," pushed Sarah.

"Oh yes," said Horatio taking a sip of his iced tea. "It's quite good you know," he said pointing at hers. Sarah looked at the glass in front of her and shook her head. She gave him a frustrated look and then took a sip.

It was good, but it was frustrating because she didn't want him to be right and he was seemingly avoiding her questions. "Horatio!"

"I'm what they call a Magi-phsyco-theropist," he said leaning back and taking a long sip of his tea.

"A what?"

"It's not necessary for you to understand or even remember the name Sarah. There aren't many of us. Just as there aren't many who have your skills."

Sarah was very uncomfortable now. They were going places she didn't want to go. "I don't have any skills," said Sarah looking into her glass for some solace.

"You can't hide from who you are Sarah. Even the Dreamwalker's can't take that from you. Maturity will help you to bring those skills under control. They can't take who you are away from you, and you can't hide from who you are either." Horatio had leaned forward with his last prophecy and lifted her chin.

There was soft Dixieland music playing in the background. Sarah was seeing things in Horatio she had never noticed before, like she had first noticed back at St. Michael's. "Horatio, what if I don't want to be, who I am?"

"We are who we are Sarah Jane," he said leaning back in his chair. "Do you think that I chose to be who I am?"

Sarah watched him pull a cigarette from the air and take his first puff. This was the habit of a troubled man she had often thought when her mind had been clear. Now when her mind was the most clear she was beginning to understand why. "What now?"

He leaned back took another draw off his cigarette and then looked at Sarah. "That, my dear, is up to you."

Sarah looked at the iced tea, then Horatio and smiled. "What else can you do?"

Horatio smiled back and took another drag off his cigarette. "I can tell when you're bull-shitting me."

"Anyone can do that," giggled Sarah.

"True, true." He stood and held out his hand to Sarah. "Let's go."

Sarah stood reluctantly and looked at him curiously. "I'm not sure I'm ready Horatio."

"I think you are," he said assuredly.

Sarah looked at his hand and then trembling slightly, took it. She felt the strange sensation again and then upon regaining her balance opened her eyes. Sarah swallowed hard and looked around. It was just as she remembered it, sunny, warm, the lawn neatly trimmed, and the front porch full of flowers "Home," whispered Sarah.

"Your things have all ready arrived. Your mother is expecting you. Your father will be along too soon I expect. You know for a broken home, your parents are pretty together." He placed an arm around her shoulder and smiled. Sarah felt the warmth that she often felt from Killainka and Semiramise.

"Another of your gifts?"

"Maybe it's one of yours," he suggested. "It's all inside you Sarah, you just need to find it." He took two steps back from her and Sarah grabbed out toward him. However, Elizabeth Nettleton had just stepped out onto the front porch.

"Horatio, wait . . . please . . ."

"It's all in you Sarah. If you need me, I'll be there. Believe in yourself, it's all in you."

Sarah watched Horatio disappear just as her mother took her side. She felt better than she had in months, yet sadder and emptier. She had a long way to go, much to learn, and a memory of her Grandfather that just returned to her. "Mom," she said taking her mother's arm. "Tell me about my family."

Elizabeth Nettleton looked at her daughter curiously and nodded. "Anything, I'm just so glad that you're home."

Somewhere in a dark room, not too far away, a girl with long dark hair sits and contemplates a similar question. "What now father?" she asked drawing the attention of the white-cloaked man across the room.

"We wait," answered the man. "They can't hide her forever."