Escape with the Dream Maker by Gilbert L. Morris

may have to take other steps with him.”
    Other steps. Other steps, my foot! I’d like to take my step and kick you back between the pockets.
He read on eagerly and found records of how each of the Sleepers had come in and which book or television program they had asked to be transported into. It was fascinating, but he had no time to waste.
    One scientific fact did catch his eye, though. He found a scribbled note that said, “I have found a way to put two dreamers into the same dream by installing a twin set of controls. I can put one subject into a dream and then, by attaching an identical headset, at identicalsettings, put another dreamer into that same dream. Thus if I put Josh Adams into a dream, I can also put the girl Sarah into that same dream. I do not know what value this is, but it has been an interesting experiment.”
    Instantly Wash knew what he had to do. “That’s it,” he whispered. “I’ve got to find where Josh is, and I got to get to him in his dream, whatever it is, and I got to convince him to come back.”
    He read a little farther, and what he read confirmed his belief. Oliver had written about something he called “final dreams”: “I have so calibrated the innervision machinery that once a dreamer is put into these final dreams, he can come back only if he himself wills it. This will prevent anyone from going after others to bring them back against their will. It would be useless, for they themselves must make the decision, and of course they will not do so because they are living the dream of a lifetime. They will not choose to come back, even should someone try to convince them to do so.”
    Wash sat absolutely still. This seemed to be the end of his findings.
What good would it do to go into their dreams if they won’t come back?
But then he seemed to hear the voice of Goél saying, “Plunge into the unknown. Dare whatever you must for the sake of your friends the Sleepers.”
    Wash suddenly nodded. “I’ll do it!” he muttered. “I’ll go into their dreams, and I’ll find them. I’ll find Josh first and somehow convince him that he’s got to come back.”
    But Wash was still stumped.
I’ve got to find them. But where are they?
He glanced upward toward where Oliver, no doubt, lay sleeping.
He’s got them hidden somewhere—I just know it. And they could be almostanywhere in this town. Not in this house, though—there’s not room enough
. Another thought occurred to him.
I’ll bet all those other people that have disappeared—Goél’s servants—I bet they’re right here in this town somewhere too, and I’ll have to find them.
    Wash replaced the books, left Oliver’s house, closed the window, and stationed himself across the street where he could see the inventor when he came out in the morning. He slept some until dawn, but as soon as the sun rose and touched his eyes, awakening him, he was afraid to doze off again. The air was so cool his teeth chattered. His eyes were gritty from lack of sleep. Nevertheless, he stayed awake, pinching himself when he almost slipped into a half sleep.
    Finally, at 8:30, Oliver came out of the house. He was wearing his hat and coat and carrying a large briefcase. He turned right and headed purposefully down the street.
    Wash followed with some difficulty. He had to keep out of sight, for if Oliver turned around and saw him, the game would be up. He was also afraid that some of the townspeople would see him sneaking through alleys and dodging in and out from behind trees. That could be deadly too, for the Sanhedrin had spies everywhere.
    Fortunately, Oliver did not go far. He entered a big four-story building made of dull red brick. It had a steep-pitched roof and was the largest building in Acton. Wash knew well what it was.
    It’s the prison—he’s got them all in the old prison.
    The Sleepers had learned