These Dreams of You

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The three dart back and forth within the maze when there comes “HEY, WHERE IS EVERYBODY ANYWAY!” rattling the foliage like she’s just around every corner. Then, much less certain, “Hey?”

“Sheba!” calls Zan.

“Molly!” the girl calls back.

“Sheba!” Zan says.

“Molly!” Sheba’s voice sounds on the move but in the maze Zan can’t be sure, since he’s on the move too. “Sheba,” says Zan, “just stay in one place! We’ll come to you!”

“Molly!” She’s beginning to cry now.

“Just stay in one place, Sheba!” Zan adds, “It’s Poppy.”

“Molly!” the girl keeps answering, crying now. It seems to Zan that the hedges grow higher and closer together. “Zema!” he hears Molly call.