Lair of Dreams

The train’s lamp blazed in the dark, announcing its arrival, and then Ling was on board, alone, traveling back to the private dream world and Wai-Mae.

When Ling arrived in the meadow, she found Wai-Mae sitting in the grass near the dogwood tree they’d made, singing happily to herself, and for just a moment, Ling’s resolve ebbed. Wai-Mae wore the jeweled headpiece of a royal concubine, like one of her beloved romantic opera heroines. Seeing Ling, she smiled. “Hello, sister! How do you like it?” she said, turning her head left and right to show off the headpiece with pride.

A day ago, Ling would’ve found it sweetly charming.

“It must’ve taken a lot of energy to make that,” Ling said coolly.

“But worth the effort,” Wai-Mae said, smiling, and Ling felt a bit sick. “I’m glad you came back. Will you take some tea with me?” Wai-Mae poured a cup and held it out to Ling.

Ling didn’t take it. “I can’t stay long. I’ve come to talk.”

Wai-Mae swept her hand through the air as if she were clearing the last tendrils of smoke from a room. “About last night?”

“Yes. And other matters.”

“That’s all forgotten, sister. I’ve forgiven you for what you did. I know you meant well. But I don’t want to talk about such unhappy things anymore. Here. Sit with me and I will tell you all about tonight’s opera, and you will play whatever role you wish—except for the role I play, naturally.”

Ling didn’t move. “Wai-Mae, where’s Henry?”

“Henry? He’s with Louis, of course.”

“Wai-Mae. You need to let him go.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. He is happy with Louis in their dream.”

“No. He’s trapped inside a dream. You can’t stay here, Wai-Mae. None of us can live inside a dream. You’re… hurting people. You’re hurting Henry.”

“I would never hurt Henry.”

“All of this”—Ling gestured wide—“is draining him of his Qi. He’ll die, Wai-Mae. And then he’ll become one of those burned-up, discarded things, those hungry ghosts, loose in our world.”

Wai-Mae put her hands over her ears. “Nothing you say makes sense! Go away if you only want to trouble me.”

Ling needed to find a way to break through Wai-Mae’s clouded mind and make her see. She offered her hand. “I want to show you something. It’s important. Will you walk with me… sister?”

At the word sister, Wai-Mae smiled. “Is this a new game?”

“It’s an experiment,” Ling said.

“Science again.” Wai-Mae sighed. “Very well, Little Warrior. But then we must make our opera.”

Ling led the way through the forest. For once, Wai-Mae wasn’t chattering, and Ling could sense her wariness.

“Where are you taking me?” Wai-Mae asked.

“Just a little farther now.”

As they broke through the line of trees, the entrance to the tunnel loomed.

Wai-Mae stepped back, scowling. “Why have you brought me to this cursed place?”

“Why don’t you want to go inside?”

“I’ve told you! Something terrible happened there. She lives there now.”

“The veiled woman. The one who cries.”

“Yes, yes. I’ve told you all of this before,” Wai-Mae said, looking away.

“How do you know this?”

“I-I just do! I can… feel her.”

“Why is it that you can feel her emotions but Henry and I can’t?”

“How should I know?” Wai-Mae snapped. She folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t want to stay here. Let’s go back.”

“You know what happened in there, don’t you? You’ve always known. Who is she?”

“Stop it!”

“Remember, Wai-Mae. I know you don’t want to, but you must. You must remember what happened.”

“I won’t have my dreams ruined.”

Ling didn’t move. “Wai-Mae, a terrible injustice was done to you, and for that, I’m sorry. I am so sorry for all the pain. But you can be at peace now. You can be at rest. I can help you.”

Wai-Mae looked baffled. “I’m already at peace. Here. In dreams.”

“Just come inside with me. That’s all I’m asking,” Ling said, taking a step backward toward the tunnel. The skin of her neck prickled into gooseflesh. “Walk through the tunnel with me this one time, and I promise I’ll never mention it ever again.”

Ling took another step backward and Wai-Mae’s mouth parted in horror. “Sister! You mustn’t go in—it isn’t safe!”

“Why? What will she do to me?”

Ling took another step, and Wai-Mae balled her fists at her mouth. Her eyes were huge. “She’ll… she’ll… don’t.”

“In science, we need proof. Prove me wrong. Come after me.”

And with that, Ling stepped inside the tunnel.

“Ling! Please!”

Wai-Mae’s cry echoed around Ling. She kept her eyes on Wai-Mae, standing in the sunshine, but she could feel the darkness at her back. Her skin buzzed with fear.

Wai-Mae came closer. Her breathing was shallow, her voice desperate. “Please, Ling.”