I figure that since this story made it into a college magazine, I might as well share it with all of you. I am open to suggestions on making it better/requests to see the next chapter (I am up to 4).

(This is the excerpt that would be on the back of the book):

What if someone lived in two realities without even knowing it?

What if the line between fact and fantasy was slurred?

What if long-held secrets were discovered?

What if one person held the key, but another held the lock?

Step inside Kathy's worlds, where nothing is at it seems.

CHAPTER ONE

            "You are 'The Dreamer.'" The words echoed through Kathy's mind as she stirred in her sleep. What does he mean? There's nothing special about me...Is there?

            Kathy was a normal teenager on most accounts. She went to school, obtained decent grades, and even had a boyfriend, Brad. Sure, his family was a bit eccentric, traveling to the east coast every month and having their own imaginary language, but Brad seemed normal enough.

            Perhaps it was the words, perhaps it was how he spoke them, but Brad's grandfather, Roger, had certainly gotten her attention. "You are 'The Dreamer'" was all that Roger had said, but he had announced it with such enthusiasm that he did a dance for joy, even though the man was celebrating his 120th birthday.

            "You're late."

            "What?" Kathy asked, snapping back to the present. "How did you know I was coming? How am I late? It's five o'clock. The sun isn't even out yet."

            "You came to figure out what my grandpa meant." Brad replied with that foxy smile of his. "Come on!"

            Six hours and a plane ride later, the duo reached their destination. "Wow! This place is amazing!" Kathy exclaimed, stepping out of the plane, staring into the vast expanse of foliage. Trees and shrubs of every type seemed to find their home here, including a multitude of flowers that awakened her senses with their astounding fragrance. She listened as flocks of birds sung just a few feet above her head, drowning out the sound of a waterfall in the distance. "Where are we?"

            "This is Islewood. It's where I grew up." Brad replied, head low.

            "What's got you so down?" Kathy asked, turning towards him.

            "I just hope I am not making a mistake."

            "What mistake?" Kathy asked.

            "Bringing you here." Brad walked off into the jungle, vanishing into the maze of trees.

            "What? Hey! Wait up!" Kathy hollered as she ran after him.

            Wow! Kathy thought as she wandered, still searching for Brad. This place is like something out of a dream. That waterfall is flawless. There's not a single rock in the way of its drop, which explains why it sounds like a roaring thunder. These trees... they must have been around for ages to be this tall. What are they? Some of these are taller than a large building.  She reached over to touch one. The leaves feel silky, not furry like the ones around my home. The ground is so soft; it is as if I am walking on a sandy beach. Even that smell... it is so vivacious that it seems like this island is actually alive. Just where am I?

            "You're right where you're supposed to be."

            Kathy whirled around to face Brad's grandfather. "You're here too?"

            "Yes. This is my home. I cannot leave this place for long."

            "Why not?" Kathy asked.

            "In due time. For now, just drink it all in." With that, he disappeared into the thicket.

            Drink it all in? Kathy wondered, staring at the lake in front of her.

            Hypothesizing that the answers laid behind the waterfall, Kathy dove into the water. The crystal-clear water felt just cold enough to send a shiver down her spine. She eyed the stream as her body slowly adapted to the coolness. She could see all the vibrant schools of fish swimming beneath her, weaving in all directions, brushing up against her legs while she stood on the smooth bottom.

            Hearing the bellow of the waterfall up close, Kathy resolved to wander downstream instead of checking it out. She swam onward until she felt something strange hit her foot and slowly give way. Trying for a better look at the bottom, Kathy dove underneath, watching as two crabs tried to rebuild a stone castle that they had created and was now in minor disrepair. She reached down to help restore the citadel back to its former glory.

            Coming up for a breath, Kathy was greeted by a snort. Backpedaling quickly, she swam to the other bank before turning around. A few yards away from her was a brilliant white Pegasus.

            "I see you've met Florina." Brad stepped out from behind a tree, grinning broadly. "She is one of the secrets of this island."

            "Uh..." Kathy muttered, unable to speak.

            "Come on." Brad gently took her hand and led her to the other side, wading gently through the stream.

            "Wow" was all that Kathy could say as she stroked Florina's mane, who neighed in tender delight. Meanwhile, Brad started to speak in his strange language.

            "Yeargh!" Kathy suddenly yelped as Brad gave her a rough boost up onto the Pegasus. "What are you doing?" she asked. "What if Florina doesn't want me on her back?"

            Grinning, Brad called out a few more odd words. Kathy watched in awe as a second Pegasus swooped down. Black as a moonless midnight with a white streak down his head and wings, the Pegasus landed just long enough for Brad to jump onto its back and fly back up again. A moment later, the ground moved away from Kathy as well.

            "Oh my!" Kathy exclaimed as she clung onto the mane. Florina sensed Kathy's unease and glided along calmly on her great white wings.

            The quartet had flown for hours, or so Kathy thought, breathless from just the idea that she was riding on a Pegasus. Wind whipped through her hair, allowing her to smell the salty marine breeze from the surrounding ocean. The sky seemed endless above them and below the island shined emerald from the sunlight. Still, it was less than an hour later when they stopped at the entrance to a cave.

            "So how was it?" Brad asked, grinning.

            "That was so utterly incredible; how could I have not liked it?"

            Brad beamed. "This is Vern, the one of the two males on the island. He has chosen me as his rider," he paused, "and Florina has chosen you as hers."

            "What? She has chosen me? How does she even know me?"

            "The Pegasi know much, a lot more than many give them credit for. They recognize when someone matches them perfectly. Now, come on. I must show you this cave."

            "Hold on there." Kathy declared in abrupt determination. "I don't want to go any further until I know what is going on here. A remote island, Pegasi, your grandfather... all these secrets, and now you must show me the cave?"

            "Yes." Brad held out his hand.

            The spurt of resolution evaporated, Kathy reluctantly took his hand and followed him further inward; the Pegasi soared off into the clouds behind them.

            The cave blackened swiftly as the duo turned a corner. Fear began to seep in. "Where are we headed?" Kathy whispered into the darkness as she felt her way around, steadying herself on the solid rock walls.

            "Just wait a moment." Brad replied.

            After one more corner, the cave brightened considerably. After yet another, they reached their destination.