Truth Carries Pain

Dreams and secrets

Alicia is lost between two different worlds. In one world she is staying with her grandmother while her parents are on business out of the country. Her grandmother has secrets of her own, which Alicia cannot help but be curious about. She has a history assignment that she is not sure how to go about completing, and a partner that has no interest in helping her with the project. She has missed several cheer leading practices and her friends are beginning to feel like strangers as she moves through her life struggling to stay awake.

Whenever she sleeps she enters another world. She knows that they are just dreams, but they are so very vivid. When she is asleep she cannot recall her real life, with her real family and her real friends. All she knows is that a young man named Matthias is bravely trying to protect his family from the dangerous soldiers that are intent on destroying what is left of an ancient people. These soldiers have kidnapped Matthias' little sister Zia, and the only hope to rescue her and protect the rest of the children, is Alicia.

Alicia, whom Matthias does not trust, and suspects is some kind of witch. In fact he accuses her of being a conjurer and makes it clear that he believes all conjurers to be tricksters. The fact that Alicia can tell him nothing about her past or her purpose, only leaves him more suspicious. Despite his refusal to trust Alicia, when they discover that Quinn, a ruthless leader of a band of soldiers has Zia in his grasp, they know that they must find a way to work together to save her.

Alicia is left to wonder if she has a family of her own, or if she will ever figure out who she really is. When she awakens she finds herself being tended to by her grandmother, who explains that she has been ill. Alicia confesses that she feels as if she is losing her mind because of the dreams she is having. Her grandmother is very curious about the boy in her dream, that she calls Matthias. When Alicia questions her about the history of the gypsies her grandmother's reaction surprises her. Not only does she admit to having very vivid dreams herself, she reveals to Alicia that sometimes these dreams come true. When Alicia begins to question her further, her grandmother refuses to answer and becomes exhausted by the memories that are flooding her mind. Alicia is finally able to get some restful sleep that does not include dreams of any kind.

What will happen next?

She approaches her school life with the positive attitude she is used to having, and even confronts her history project partner. However, when she discovers her grandmother gazing at the grandfather clock once more she finds herself compelled to stare right along beside her. Before she can rouse her grandmother she is swept into the world of her dreams once more. This time, she has not even fallen asleep first There is no time for her to worry, as she and Matthias move forward with their plan to rescue Zia and hopefully stop the soldiers once and for all.

* Has Alicia gotten herself into more danger than she expected? In the end will it be her that pays the price for her bravery?

* With so many questions, and so many mysteries, Alicia has no idea what will happen next.