Page 25

Amias

Nothing.

I still got nothing…

Under the dim light of the orphanage’s library, I flip through pages of a book as the kids eat their dinner. I have a little bit of time to research until I need to help out again so I took the opportunity.

Each book is full of accusations about dreamscreecher I've heard time and time again, only now they're coupled with vague studies and single incidents of their attacks. It doesn't explain how we know all dreamscreechers are evil.

My gaze wanders to the bookshelves that surround me, and I almost want to lay my head against the cold wooden table beneath me in boredom.

It's the twentieth book I've read about dreamscreechers with no concrete evidence.

I had figured that after all the books and articles I've read through, that I would at least find something .

My beliefs on dreamscreechers are already starting to dwindle.

If there's no evidence, then why do we believe all dreamscreechers are evil?

Maybe Clara was right. As divine as Grandmother is, she isn't exempt from misunderstandings.

Maybe the stories about the dreamscreechers attacking us all those centuries ago were laced with misinformation.

Or maybe my reality is being poisoned by even considering the possibility.

But it doesn't seem like we understand the truth, and if we don't, we need to.

“I've never seen you look so intensely at a book before.”

I nearly jump out of my skin when I swing my head over my shoulder. Brown eyes and a cheeky smile greet me. I groan once I register it's my old friend. “Glaide…”

“What? I just wanna take a look.” He cocks his head sideways. His silver necklace, paired to stand out against his black tank top, nearly falls in front of my face as he leans closer. “Dreamscreechers?”

“Yeah. Just figured I'd research since I'm a prince, you know?” I shrug before continuing to read. I couldn't really tell him the truth. He’d think I'm insane.

“Are you sure the dreamscreecher lovers aren't getting to you?” He snickers.

Blood drains from my cheeks. “No…” I titter. “I'm not that stupid…”

Glaide's smirk twists into a scowl. “Why is your foot tapping?”

I force my foot down and keep smiling. “Not because I'm doing what you said.”

“What have they said this time?”

“Nothing!”

“You're questioning things you shouldn't.” He pulls up a wooden chair beside me. “Tell me what's up.”

“I told you I'm not.”

“Bullshit. You suck ass when it comes to lying.” He wrinkles his nose. “We're friends. It's not like I'm gonna cleanse you.”

I force my foot still after noticing it tapping again. Can I really trust Glaide with this? It's not like he’ll believe me.

Glaide raises his brows before I let out a defeated sigh. He’s my best friend. He's been with me through the tough moments, like when I had troubles in school, with Grandmother… with my brother… with the rumors. “Okay. I'll tell you, but promise me you’ll actually think about what I'm saying.”

He nods curtly. “Try me.”

I inhale sharply. “There was an incident earlier this week that made me curious.” I slump into my shoulders as the truth comes out.

I'm already prepared for the ridicule. I explain the car incident with him as he leans in.

I leave out everything with Clara because I don't want him to blame her for how I'm thinking.

“It just doesn't seem like an accident to me.” I skim over the pages of the book in front me. “Just by the way it didn't attack and the way it looked at me… I just don't think it meant any harm…”

The vivid image of its purple eyes stains my mind. I've never seen such innocent eyes before. There was no such viciousness behind them.

“So you're suggesting a dreamscreecher came to your rescue?” Glaide scrunches his nose.

I look back at Glaide. “Well…yeah. As crazy as that sounds.” Under Glaide's hardened gaze, my body stiffens. “It's the only explanation that makes sense.”

He remains silent, with his brows low and his eyes big in apprehension. I suddenly envy turtles, wanting to crawl into a shell.

He definitely thinks I'm crazy.

“Amias, I'm gonna say this because I care about you.” He puts his hands together over his nose and lips, before pointing them at me. “You're out of your fucking mind. There's no way a dreamscreecher could've just saved you.”

“I know it's crazy but-”

“But it is. That's just it!” Glaide smacks his head before continuing. “You've been listening to too many of these dreamscreecher sympathizers. Amara even said you were an easy target!”

“Prove me wrong,” I lean in with a challenging glower. “I've looked article after article and book after book, and I've still found nothing !”

His eyes dart between the book and me. “I don't need to prove you wrong. It's like debating whether the sky is blue.”

“But there's much more to it! Why didn't the dreamscreecher just attack me when I was on the floor? Wouldn't it snap my neck instead of standing there when I was on the floor?” I catch my breath from all the hurried talking. “It just doesn't add up. I think it wanted to help!”

He shakes his head. “I have a class about dreamscreechers. I'll have my professor get you the evidence you need.”

I nod. If I'm wrong, I need to have evidence now . “Please do.”

His lips twist, clearly doubting my seriousness.

I offer an assuring smile. “I promise, that will be all I need to be swayed.”

Glaide doesn't respond for a moment before exhaling. “Fine, but don't get into trouble otherwise.”

“Okay father ,” I huff out a laugh and roll my eyes. I don't need a third parent.

“You make fun of me now but those dreamscreechers are no joke.” He turns away from me, chewing on his lip before continuing.

“I don't want someone to find your body in a ditch.

If I have to sound like your father, I'd do it for your sake.

Don't be messing around with those creatures.

And don't join that dreamscreecher fan club they got going on.” He stares into the distance, shaking his head. “That'll get you killed too.

“That wasn't the plan anyhow.” I squeeze his shoulder, getting him to make eye contact again. “I'll be fine. I have enough people who worry about me. My plans don't include anything crazy.”

It takes a moment for his gaze to soften and to return my assuring grin. “Good.”

I pat his shoulder when there's a tug on my shirt. “Amee!" I snap my attention to the familiar little blonde-haired girl pouting. "I want to play cats!"

I chuckle. I guess I'm back to volunteering. Dinner must be over. “Oh Sabina! You scared me.”

She crosses her arms. “I want to play cat family! You're the baby cat and I'm the mama cat."

“Alright then!” I turn to Glaide with one last smile. “Fatherhood calls!” Just as I get on my feet, she grabs me by the hand and pulls me towards the door.

My phone buzzes in my pocket.

I tell Sabina to hang on as I press the charm to make my phone visible. There's a notification from the DreamHunter app, which I downloaded to see if someone spots the dreamscreecher I’m looking for. I have had no luck but this notification seems promising.

I think I saw purple eyes in Gosling Park? It was fast but I thought I should post to make sure.

Someone posted a picture of the night forest. Even with light shining in, there isn't enough to see anything. Not even glowing purple eyes.

Maybe it's worth checking out to see if what Clara had said was true or not.

Or perhaps the dreamscreecher would be gone by then. I'm leaving in a half hour when the kids get ready for bed.

“Amias?” Glaide murmurs behind me.

I turn off my phone and put it in my pocket. I don't need Glaide to know about this little detail.

It's just one visit. Just one to get evidence. Nothing to fuss over. “What?” I shrug.

He gives me a side glance before walking away.

I turn my attention back to Sabina. After the orphans settle into bed in about an hour, I can see for myself what these creatures are about.