Chapter 1
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I was reaching my hand into the fire, trying to snatch something out of it. My mom screamed at me, but I kept saying, “I’m okay, I’m okay!” I wasn’t being burned, but they didn’t believe me. “I’m okay!” I insisted. “Elijah?” Mom’s worried voice called to me as if from far away. She shook me awake. “You were having a nightmare. Elijah, hon, it’s all right. You’re in your room.” I sat up—my head wobbling, my eyelids drooping. “Dad needs you at the nature center right away, but it’s not an emergency.” She tousled my hair. “It’s a good thing.” “’Kay.” I forced my eyes open and surveyed the backyard. Through my open window, I saw the pool, as quiet and blue as the sky above. Beyond lay a plot of bare land. The Camp Mudjokivi trustees had bought up the spot that once was Old Pilgrim Church. Dad wanted to make it into a sand volleyball court—his idea being to attract college kids for twilight pool shindigs while campers trekked through Owl Woods on night hikes. I rubbed sleep from my eyes, threw back the covers, and stood, swaying like a drunk. “I’m okay.” Mom laughed. “You said that already. Dorian just called and asked me to drop by right away. He sounded mysterious on the phone.” She walked out of the room, twisting her hair