This was no joke! Pete couldn\u2019t sleep after what he had heard: he was afraid of the dream thief, but he was even more worried about Lucy.
\n\u201cThe worst part is that I can’t even tell her!\u201d Pete thought to himself. \u201cIf I told her how we live here in Manono, it would all be over. The tourists would come and I would be banished from the island for life, just like the dream thief was.\u201d
\n\u201cBut what if that’s not Lucy’s problem at all? What if she’s just tired from studying so much, or if she has some kind of illness? Pete wrestled with his thoughts. \u201cI have to find out somehow what the truth is. Moreover, if the dream thief was able to hack into the plant\u2019s system, we are not safe here on Manono either!\u201d
\nDespite all the bad thoughts that were swirling around in his mind, after much tossing and turning, Pete finally managed to doze off.
\nIt was 2 in the morning sharp, and it was raining outside, but Pete couldn’t hear it because he was already dreaming.” “Colourful images swirled in his mind: in his dream, he was sailing his boat on the glassy sea, his friends swimming alongside, Giovanni on the right and Lucy on the left. In front of the boat, a group of dolphins was playing, resembling a strange vanguard. They were heading towards the mainland, and on the shore, people were waiting for them with colourful flags and a huge cheer. The next moment, Giovanni and Lucy turned into dolphins, leaping over the boat like the tiny fish that Manono children would make to fly around for fun.
\nBut suddenly, everything went black, the dream was gone, and Pete woke up.
\n\u201cDad… I heard you when you came home. The dream thief can’t hurt us, can he? The dreams that the dream thief stole, we wouldn\u2019t remember those at all the next morning, would we?\u201d Pete asked his father, who was about to leave, while sipping his morning cocoa timidly.
\n\u201cOf course, we wouldn’t remember them.\u201d
\n\u201cGood, because I had a dream tonight, but I remember it.\u201d
\n\u201cYou can be sure of one thing, son. We’ve banished the dream thief before, and we’ll do it again if we need to.\u201d” “You can imagine how worried Pete was when he set off that day. He didn’t turn back to return his mother’s wave, nor did he throw her a kiss. He almost felt like a grown up now. He had to do something: he had to find out if Lucy had really fallen victim to the dream thief. His fear grew even greater when he saw Giovanni on the beach, but without Lucy.
\n\u201cLucy is not coming to school today. I rang the doorbell as usual, but her mum said she was very unwell and had been sick this morning, so she was staying at home. I told you she was ill\u201d.
\n\u201cGiovanni… I have to tell you something. But you have to promise that you will never ever tell anyone, because that would lead to a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions. Promise?\u201d
\n\u201cSure, I promise. I won’t tell anyone. What is it?\u201d
\n\u201cLucy is probably ill because a dream thief is stealing her dreams.\u201d
\nGiovanni stared at Pete.
\n\u201cThe who is doing what to her now?\u201d
\nSo, Pete told Giovanni about Manono, about life there, about the dream factory, about the shaman, and everything else that could be shared during the short journey to the school.” “\u201cWow, man… that’s quite a story! But why are they so afraid of tourists?\u201d
\n\u201cBecause they damage everything, they litter, they are loud and rude. But is that what you are focusing on when Lucy is so ill?\u201d
\n\u201cOf course, you\u2019re quite right\u201d said Giovanni, backing down. They were standing outside the classroom with eight minutes to go before class. \u201cThere must be some way to find out what is making Lucy unwell.\u201d
\n\u201cSure, but I don’t know what it could be. We’ll definitely have to go and see her after school today. If we can stay alone with her and her mum isn’t there, I’ll ask her about it! One thing is for sure: if the dream thief came to see you at night, you won’t remember any of your dreams\u201d.
\n\u201cThat\u2019s good, because I, for example, almost never remember my dreams\u201d.
\n\u201cBut you are not ill. At least not yet. If the dream thief is on the loose, sooner or later it will prey on more children\u201d.
\nEntering the classroom, the two boys were shocked to discover that several others were missing. It seems that Lucy was not the only one who had to stay at home because she felt unwell.” “\u201cGood afternoon! We’re here to see Lucy, is she feeling better?\u201d Pete and Giovanni stood anxiously in front of the wide-open door: they were a little afraid of Lucy’s mother, who was a very strict woman.
\n\u201cShe\u2019s better, but very weak. What can I do for you?\u201d
\n\u201cWe would just like to see her! Give her our notes and stuff,\u201d.said Pete.
\n\u201cWe also brought her some chocolate!\u201d trumped Giovanni.
\n\u201cShe most definitely cannot eat chocolate; she threw up this morning! You\u2019ve got some nerve, boys!\u201d Lucy’s mum shouted at them. \u201cYou can go up to her room for ten minutes if you want to, but only as long as you let her copy the notes from today\u2019s class\u201d.
\n\u201cShe should certainly see a smilopractor!\u201d Giovanni chuckled on his way up the stairs.
\n\u201cShhh! I told you that no one can know about this\u201d.
\nLucy was lying in her bed, looking visibly weak with malaise. But a smile appeared on her pale, troubled face as soon as he saw her friends.
\n\u201cHow nice of you to have come\u201d.
\nBut Pete cut straight to the chase.
\n\u201cLucy, this is a matter of life and death. Do you remember your dreams in the morning?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1122,"template":"","class_list":["post-1124","story","type-story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n