Hard to believe it's been a week already since the last preview! Where has the time gone? Perhaps it's a good thing that time is going by so quickly, because... *drumroll* ... That means
The Nightmarers is getting closer to its release! Unfortunately, due to some "technical" issues, I am unable to print it until about the end of the week. After that, however, I can send it to my Copy Editor, (Amberly Beck, whom I am extremely grateful for) and should get it back soon. Everything else is coming together!
Including... *another drumroll* ... The Nightmarers' book cover! Yay! Check it out, tell me what you think!
Meanwhile, I'm getting a few "behind the scenes" final stuff done, so that when the manuscript is complete, I can get it out to you guys ASAP.
Practically ever since The Dreamers' release, I've gotten people asking me when the sequel is out. "When is the next book coming out?" "I can't wait to read the next one!"
I just want to thank all of you who have asked--and even
thought that question. You guys really inspire me. You're the greatest.
I hope the wait is worth it for you. I feel like The Nightmarers is a different kind of feel from The Dreamers, but awesome in other ways, along with the same ways that made The Dreamers awesome for you. A lot more of it takes place in reality, and the consequences are just as heavy. I can't wait to hear what you guys think.
In the meantime, the main point of this post.. Here's CHAPTER 2 of The Nightmarers! For those of who you who missed the last one,
here's a link for you. Or, if you missed out on The Dreamers entirely,
here's a link for YOU. Without further ado, I present to you the exclusive, unpublished second chapter of The Nightmarers. Enjoy, and happy reading!
* * *
I was bored. Well, I’m bored most of the time, so it wasn't a first. Being a Saturday, with my homework done, and nothing else to do, I took a nap.
Immediately, I was rushing to the Dream Realm, as I often do, to check if any new members had miraculously showed up. I do it, and savor it, like on a really long day, with nothing to do. You wish more than anything that you had something, and you're just so bored you look forward to checking the mail for ads. You know what I mean. I savor these visits, though it had been months, and no one had showed up. No one, that is, until today.
As soon as I arrived, (I could now control where I popped up in the Dream Realm, and was in the Dreamers HQ) I knew something was different. I didn't know what, I just knew that something was.
I could feel myself probing outward, listening, sensing. I knew where to go almost immediately.
I had mastered Thep's transporting abilities. (I sure miss him, but it might be a good thing that he's gone, because I think I do a better job!) Thep was with me and Flitch (another Dreamer) on my first mission. He is an older guy, who says he's from Egypt. After my grandfather, (the previous Dreamer leader) passed away, and I took his place, Thep was my right-hand guy.
I am in the Forest of Arac Mad. Supposedly, this jungle was named after some Middle Eastern guy who came to the Dream Realm even before the Dreamers “cult” had been formed.
I looked around curiously, hoping to see a face underneath the twisty roots of the self- suspended trees.
I quieted my own breathing, listening for someone else's. But... something was very strange about it. I frowned, tilting my head and leaned closer. It wasn't one breath... it was two!
I saw a quick, shadowy movement to one side under the roots.
“Hey,” I called softly. “It's okay. I can help you.” I had rehearsed to myself what I would say when I found somebody, but what I said wasn't it. I decided it was better, and more to the point, and made a mental note to change it.
“Prove it.” came a loud, strong voice, though it cracked. I could tell the boy muttered something not very nice because of it.
I wasn't sure what to do, so I just told him everything.
“My name is Sam. I’m the current leader of the Dreamers. The Dreamers are a—” I stuttered. “Well, I guess I should say, the Dreamer is the survivor of the Dreamers' cult. They are a group of —” I caught myself again.
“What's a Dreamer?” came a softer voice from behind the tree roots. The voice seemed to prompt me. I latched on to the question.
“Right... Um... The Dreamers are a secret cult made of artists, authors, writers, architects, musicians, engineers, and other people with active imaginations.
“We use our strengths to create and develop —then use—things to save the earth from harm. We stop fires, prevent murders, and influence inventions and ideas.” I paused to let that sink in.
“Dreamers have inspired many of the great things we take for granted today like... cell phones, iPods, TV's, and airplanes. When you think about it, many of the basic ideas behind these inventions are kind of crazy. We, —I,” I correct myself, “have helped these things become... them. In a way, the Dreamers are the true inventor of the airplane, not those Wright Brothers.”
I decided I was going into too much detail, and was failing miserably.
“What I mean to say is—you are the newest Dreamers. This isn't a dream—not really, but a second life. You've got great potential. You could be the creator of the... the... iDesk, or the man behind the creation of a new political system. You could do anything!
“Our mission, or part of it, is to fight to keep the Dream Realm and Earth separate. We fight to allow the human race to continue to thrive and dream!
“Yes, it is only the three of us, but more will join soon.” I hoped so, at least.
“But... What? ...Why? ...When?” Both of the kids under the tree must have been bewildered— like me, when I was first told I was a Dreamer, I realized.
“There's a lot to learn, and even more to do, but for now, you've got to wake up. Come back to the Dream Realm... Ten o' Clock, tomorrow—sharp.
I smiled inwardly. That was the same time that Thep had told me to meet him. I would have to be sure to be early—and to bring a pair of gloves.
* * *
Catch your interest? Buy The Nightmarers now on Amazon.com!
Dream on!
Sam Kullen & Oliver Dahl
