Nightmare

ground-hugging vegetation made green-brown patches here and there. Voices whispered on the breeze, and Kendi knew they were other Silent, present but not visible to him, or he to them. Behind him rose a high cliff that seemed to touch the pure azure sky. A falcon cried overhead and dove toward the ground. A moment later, it rose again with a small animal wriggling in its talons. It was the Outback, exactly as Kendi remembered it. For the first time, it felt like home. And somewhere out there, his mother waited for him. He had but to find her.

'Come,' Father Ched-Hisak said. 'Show me this place.'

Kendi squeezed the alien’s hand and stepped with joy into his own Dream.

Ben sat on the floor in the corner of the living room and looked longingly at his bedroom door. It was shut, and he had firm orders from Mom that it was to stay that way, with Ben on this side of it. Ben shifted uncomfortably and took a sip of his drink, trying to look interested in his surroundings when he would far rather have been somewhere, anywhere, else.

The house and balcony were crowded with teenage students, teachers from the monastery, and even a few Ched-Balaar. Conversation, both murmured and loud, filled every corner. The dining room table was laden with food and drink, and the computer played bright music from every speaker in the house. Paper Festival lanterns hung from the eaves, granting cheerful yellow light to the balmy summer darkness, and the house was filled with Festival flowers, banners, and decorations. The biggest banner said, Congratulations Jeren, Kendi, Kite, amp; Willa.

Ben hated parties, especially ones like this, where he didn’t know much of anyone. The guests were all Silent, and they didn’t often mingle with the non-Silent. There was no rule about this-it just happened that way. Ben supposed it made sense. The Silent all had something in common, so why wouldn’t they tend to stick together?

There were actually many more non-Silent on Bellerophon than Silent. However, Bellerophon’s economy centered around the Children of Irfan. In the shadow of the ecological disasters that had befallen Earth, mining, farming, and talltree harvesting were all strictly regulated. Most of what the planet produced was used by its own populace. As a result, Bellerophon’s economy depended on the income brought in by the Children of Irfan in order to obtain the goods and services Bellerophon couldn’t produce for itself. The Children of Irfan, in turn, depended on the non-Silent for food, clothing, medicine, and other necessities. It was an equitable arrangement which, in theory, fostered an atmosphere of tolerance and respect between Silent and non-Silent alike.

It didn’t, however, necessarily foster a lot of friendships. Ben lived among the Silent, attended some classes with them, but he had no friends among them. Come to that, he had no real friends even among the non-Silent. Sure, he knew people at school, but no one well enough to invite to a party, especially a Silent party.

All four of the slaves Mom had rescued last year had managed to enter the Dream. The last one, a guy named Kendi, had done it the day before yesterday, and Mom had decided to change family tradition and throw a party on Festival to celebrate. Ben, however, suspected an ulterior motive. Mom knew very well that Ben wasn’t very social, and he was sure she was hoping he’d make some friends. Festival-time of new beginnings. As a result, Ben sat stubbornly in a corner and refused to talk to anyone, except as politeness required. He knew he was being contrary, but he couldn’t seem to help it.

The party did produce one bit of good-it swallowed up Aunt Sil, Uncle Hazid, and his cousins. He hadn’t seen them all evening.

Ben’s blue-eyed gaze drifted over the crowd, most of whom were dressed in brown. Across the room, Kendi Weaver laughed at something. Ben stared at him uncertainly. He seemed so at ease in the crowd, completely sure of himself. And he was handsome, with his dark skin, tightly-curled black hair, and tall, lean build. Ben looked away quickly, but after a couple minutes found himself looking at Kendi again. He hadn’t actually met Kendi, had been actively avoiding him. Ben always avoided his mother’s one-on-one students. It was awkward all around. There was also a lingering feeling of jealousy that Ben couldn’t deny. Mom’s students were Silent. Her son was not. Which of the two, he found himself wondering, would end up having the closer relationship?

Kendi turned and caught Ben looking at him. Ben instantly glanced away, feeling unsettled and not knowing why. He sipped fruit punch from the glass on the floor beside him. What the heck was going on? Ben had never stared at someone like that before, certainly not another-

Someone plunked down on the floor next to him. Startled, Ben turned. It was Kendi. And Ben’s heart jumped into overdrive.

'Hi,' Kendi said. 'You’re Ben, right? Your mom is my teacher?'

'Uh, yeah. I guess,' Ben stammered, and silently cursed himself. Why was he always so stupid when it came to talking with strangers? And why did this particular stranger make him blush like this?

'I’m Kendi Weaver.' He held out a hand. Ben set down his glass and shook it. Kendi smiled. 'Oh, that’s right. Mother Ara mentioned it, but I’d forgotten. You’re not Silent.'

Mom talked about him to her students? Ben didn’t know how to feel about that. Annoyed, maybe?

'No,' he said. 'I’m not.'

'What a relief,' Kendi said, pumping Ben’s hand energetically. 'All life, you have no idea what a relief it is.'

Ben blinked. 'Sorry?'

'Just about everyone at this party is Silent,' Kendi explained, 'and they’ve all been shaking my hand. I’ve been jolted so many times I feel like a lightning rod. It’s nice to shake hands with someone who isn’t going to zap me.'

'Oh.' Ben noticed his hand was still in Kendi’s, though they had stopped shaking. Their eyes met for an instant. Then Ben broke away and took his hand back. He swallowed hard, floundering for something to say. Kendi leaned back against the wall.

'So what’s it like growing up on Bellerophon?' he asked.

'I dunno,' Ben said, and cursed himself again. But why did he care if Kendi got up and walked away?

Kendi laughed. 'Yeah, stupid question. It’s not like you’d know what it’s like growing up anywhere else.' He drained his glass. 'You want some more to drink? I was going to get some.'

'Uh, sure.'

Kendi took their glasses and left. Ben watched him weave easily through the crowd, admiring the way he moved and realizing that he was looking forward to him coming back. What if he didn’t come back? Would that mean he didn’t like Ben? Would that mean he-

'Here you go.' Kendi handed Ben a full glass and joined him back on the floor. 'It’s a great party. Are you having fun?'

'No,' Ben blurted. 'I mean-it isn’t that-' He gave up. 'No, not really.'

'How come?'

'I don’t like parties very much.' He gestured at the moving sea of humans and Ched-Balaar. 'Too many people, you know?'

'You want to go for a walk, then? Maybe get away from the crowd? I wouldn’t mind either. It’s really annoying getting zapped all the time.'

Ben’s instincts told him to say no. Kendi seemed loud, open, and forthright. Ben barely knew him. It would be easy enough just to refuse and things would stay the same. They would stay safe.

'Sure,' he heard himself say. 'Let’s go.'

Kendi planted his elbows on the railing and stared off into the warm night. Ben stood beside him, leaning backward and holding the top of the rail with one hand to keep his balance. The party, loud with voices and music, lay several walkways behind them and they were at a wide space, a platform with benches and several potted plants. The scent of summer flowers lingered in the air. Insects chirped and night animals occasionally called. In the distance, Festival music played.

Ben decided it was a fine night after all. The conversation between him and Kendi had died down-or rather, Kendi had stopped talking-but Ben didn’t mind the silence. It was a comfortable silence. Usually Ben felt awkward unless the empty spaces were filled with equally empty words, but he could never think of anything to say. With Kendi, he didn’t feel like he needed to have anything to say. Ben had never felt that before with anyone, and he liked it.

Kendi pulled himself up on the rail and perched on it. Still leaning back, Ben switched hands with a small jerk. His hand ended up very close to Kendi’s, and he was filled with a sudden urge to touch Kendi’s arm, feel the smooth