Lies by Michael Grant Page A

a lurid, incredible dream. She’d never had such a detailed dream. It was terrifying. The power of it took her breath away. There was a girl in that dream.
    This girl spoke to her in the dream. It’s a dream , the girl said.
    Yes, just a dream , Connie had answered.
    Not just a dream. Never say “just” a dream , the girl had corrected. A dream is a window to another reality.
    Who are you? Connie had asked.
    My name is Orsay. I know your son.
    Connie had been about to say, Which one? But some instinct stopped her. The girl did not look dangerous. She looked hungry.
    Do you have a message for Sam? the girl asked.
    Yes , Connie said. Tell him to let them go.
    Let them go.
    Let them go off into the red sunset.
    Orsay woke with a start. She kept her eyes closed because she could feel the close presence of another person. She wanted to stay asleep and private and alone for just another moment.
    But the other person, the girl, would not let her.
    Nerezza said, “I know you’re awake, Prophetess.”
    Orsay opened her eyes. Nerezza was close, very close. Orsay could feel her breath on her face.
    She looked into Nerezza’s eyes. “I don’t understand,” Orsay said. “I already had that dream. A dream of a womandreaming.” She frowned with the effort of remembering. It was all so strange and wispy and unreal. Like grabbing on to fog.
    “It must be a very important dream,” Nerezza said.
    “The first time, I was at the FAYZ wall. Now I’m seeing the same thing when I sleep. But I’ve already told Sam the message. Why am I seeing the same thing again?”
    “There’s a difference between you delivering a message and Sam getting the message, Prophetess.”
    Orsay sat up. Nerezza was bothering her. More and more she found herself wondering about Nerezza. But she had become dependent on the girl to guide her and shield her and take care of her.
    “You think I need to repeat the message to Sam?”
    Nerezza shrugged and made a modest smile. “I’m not the Prophetess. That’s for you to decide.”
    “She said to let the kids go. Into the red sunset.”
    “Your vision of the great escape from the FAYZ,” Nerezza said. “The red sunset.”
    Orsay shook her head. “This wasn’t a dream I reached for. I wasn’t at the FAYZ wall, I was here, asleep.”
    “Your powers are expanding,” Nerezza suggested.
    “I don’t like it. It’s like…I don’t know. Like they’re coming from somewhere. Like I’m being pushed. Manipulated.”
    “No one can push you or control your dreams,” Nerezza said. “But…”
    “But?”
    “Maybe it’s very important that Sam hear you. Maybe it’svery, very important that he not stand in the way of truth.”
    “I’m not a prophet,” Orsay said wearily. “I just dream. I don’t know if any of it is even real. I mean, sometimes it seems real, but other times it seems crazy.”
    Nerezza took her hand. Orsay found her touch strong and cool. It sent a shiver up Orsay’s arm.
    “They’re all telling lies about you, Prophetess,” Nerezza said. “You must not doubt yourself because they are busy, even now, attacking you.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “They fear you. They fear your truth. They are spreading lies that you are a false prophet.”
    “I don’t…What are you…I…”
    Nerezza put her finger on Orsay’s mouth, shushing her. “No. You must be sure. You must believe . You must be the Prophetess. Otherwise, their lies will pursue you.”
    Orsay lay still as a terrified mouse.
    “The fate of false prophets is death,” Nerezza said. “But you are the true Prophetess. And you will be protected by your faith. Believe, and you will be safe. Make others believe, and you will live.”
    Orsay stared in horror. What was Nerezza talking about? What was she saying? Who were these people who were telling lies about her? And who would threaten her? She wasn’t doing anything wrong.
    Was she?
    Nerezza called out in a loud voice tinged with impatience. “Jill! Jill!