It was a sunny, dusty day, and Sarah was enjoying it. She stood leaning in the doorway of the school, and watched the children playing in the dirt. Every now and then a gust of wind would start up a small twister, and the children would run and scream, smiling. The little twisters were fairly common here, but the big ones, they were called Dust Devils. Sarah had only moved out there a few months ago, and was still learning new terminology.

She watched her friend and co-worker, Brian, walk awkwardly towards the building, arms laden with a tray of snack-food that the kids had left untouched. He looked strange, like an ant struggling with a piece of bread that's just too big.

"They never cease to amaze me. It's a bloody hot day, and they'd still rather play than eat...Ah!" Brian stubbed his toe on the step, being unable to see where his feet were going. He put the tray down, carefully, and rubbed his toe. Scrunching one eye closed against the bright sun, he said "You've got the kids this afternoon, I've got to handle the paperwork. The Parents and Friends Group wants to have a fundraiser this term, a festival or fete or something... Sarah? Did you hear me?"

Sarah replied "Yes, of course. I have the kids today. You get the paperwork. Yep. Got all that." She glanced down at Brian and suppressed a smile. With his eye scrunched up against the light, he reminded her of Popeye. Brian bent and picked up the tray, and Sarah held open the door. Brian was almost 50, and still the classic gentleman, and he seemed a bit flustered at having a young woman open a door for him.

Sarah had been working here, at the Birinja Special School, since she flew over from America. The town wasn't really big enough to justify having 2 schools, so all the kids went to the special school. The parents voted on the special school because it was closer, safer, smaller. Sarah thought it was probably more fun for the children, anyway, especially since the special kids were so popular. There was Harry, the fat boy with Downs Syndrome, all the boys played with him because he made the best sandcastles and tunnels for their matchbox cars. And there was a young girl, Leanne, in a wheelchair, who was happy just turning the skipping rope, and joining in the rhymes.

One little Aboriginal girl, Joanna, ran up to Sarah, laughing. Then she stood still, all mock seriousness, and asked "Miss. Sarah, how come your socks don't match?"

Sarah looked down, at her feet, and saw her socks. She was wearing one purple sock, and one turquoise sock. Her jumper was green, with black casual pants... purple and turquoise?

Sarah stopped and thought for just a second, then said "I'm going to test you all on matching things after playtime, okay, and that's why..."

Joanna's seriousness became real, as she asked "Oh, a test? Can I tell Kate and Jamie, so we know?"

"Sure, but that's all! It's a test, remember?" Sarah breathed a sigh of relief as the slim dark girl ran off yelling to her friends, but the relief didn't last long. Odd socks? She turned and went inside.

Brian was just finishing clearing up the snacks, wrapping the many leftovers, wiping the tray. He said as she came in "A matching test? Since when?" He'd obviously overheard her talking to Joanna though the kitchen window.

"Since I've lost my mind and put on odd socks! Look!" Sarah pulled her trouser hems up slightly, to show Brian. "So now I've gotta cover up for it!" She filled a glass with water and sat down at the small table, sipping.

"What, did you get dressed in the dark this morning? You know it's okay to turn the lights on, love..." Brian was smiling broadly as he closed the fridge and sat down with another glass of water.

Sarah sighed again, and said "I don't know what's wrong with me, I've been so forgetful these past few weeks. I don't want the kids to notice, because they might get, you know, scared..."

Brian patted her hand, roughly, and said "You're probably just homesick."

Sarah finished her drink, and then went into the classroom to find things to use in her "matching test." Brian went out to watch the kids, and water the small garden. Joanna ran up, wanting to help. She was always on garden duty, she loved the plants. So Brian let her hold the hose, and showed her how to spray the water with her thumb over the end of the hose.

Halfway through the second geranium, she piped up "Mr. Hardiston, are we having a test later on today? Because Miss. Sarah's wearing funny socks and she said that's why..." Brian replied "Oh, you noticed. Well, you'll do really well, because we ARE having a test!" He laughed and picked a small flower, and gave it to Joanna. "There, for being the best at matching BEFORE the test!" Joanna giggled, and handed Brian the hose, then ran off into the dust again, clutching the little red geranium.

The rest of the day went as usual for the children, except for a surprise test on matching pairs. Joanna did exceedingly well, and Harry was very enthusiastic. When 3:30 came, and the mini-bus came through the dust, Brian and Sarah waved goodbye at the gates. Then there was little to do, other than clean up, lock up, and make sure everything was ready for tomorrow.

In her small weatherboard house, Sarah sat listening to music, while her fan oscillated cool air through the room. Each time the breeze passed over her, she would tilt her head back just a fraction, so her pale blonde hair would catch the coolness that much more. She flipped through The Hobbit, but wasn't in the mood, and replaced the book back on her shelf with her many other volumes. Many were old, including The Hobbit itself.

Getting up to prepare her dinner, Sarah glanced through her laundry door, at the two odd socks sitting on top of her dirty clothes. They seemed to accuse her of something, but she wasn't sure. Something ticked over in her head, and suddenly Sarah was on a mission to find the matching socks... she threw her dirty laundry on the floor, laying the two guilty socks out separately. She picked through the clothes on the floor: nothing. She went into her bedroom and emptied out her sock drawer, still there was no sign of another purple and turquoise duo. She picked up a pair of expensive embroidered fashion socks, the pattern on them featured large books, and held them for a moment, staring. Sarah couldn't remember when and where she bought these. "Oh well. Maybe they were a gift," she thought, and continued searching.

When a flurried search of the entire house revealed nothing, Sarah gave up. She cleaned up the clothes, grabbed the book socks, and sat down. She laid the book socks out on the table, then went and got the odd pair from the basket, and laid them out as well. Something was tickling her memory, but she couldn't remember. Odd socks and a big book. She sat on the edge of her seat, staring at her socks, until her concentration was broken by the phone ringing.

After having a talk with her mother, Sarah felt a little better. She asked her mother if she remembered who had given her the book socks... she didn't know. They were more of a puzzle now than the odd ones. Sarah shook her head and sighed. It wasn't like her to be so absent minded. First odd socks.. now being distracted by another pair..? "It doesn't matter" she thought "they're only socks, after all."

Asleep in her bed, Sarah's mind was still preoccupied with the odd socks.... people zoomed past her as she ran through a crowded maze, and all the people had odd clothes on. Trouser legs were red and green, women wore one stiletto heel and one bare foot. No-one seemed to be dressed properly. There was even a wild haired young girl wearing the same odd socks as Sarah had, smiling broadly. The girl watched Sarah as she turned down an empty passage, then she was gone. The passage was a dead end, and that was where she found the book socks. The books seemed to hover, unattached to the fine cotton socks, except for... there was a loose thread, a line of stitching, still holding them prisoner. A pair of scissors materialised on the ground, next to the socks; begging to be used.

Kneeling, Sarah picked up the scissors, and as the blades drew close to the first thread, the books flew open, and writing appeared on the pages, both books the same, and they said:

As Sarah read she started to get the strange feeling that something funny was going on.... after reading that, she said.....

"Oh shit."

and the scissors paused as she read on, and as she read, she started to realise that this book was the Truth and once again, she exclaimed...

"Oh Shit!"

Sarah threw the scissors down and scrambled back from the books.... the thinnest line of chain stitch was still holding strong.

After a while, which passed very quickly, as Sarah dreamed, she drew a little closer to the books, and flipped a few pages forward... or at least tried to. The pages ahead were as solid as rock, and wouldn't separate. She could go back, though, and she did so. As her fingers turned back the first page, a small twister, like those at the school that day, came up and blew the books pages, flipping them back, further back than she'd wanted.

And it seemed fitting for Destiny to do as he had read, and he had read he would have a daughter, so he did so. And although Destiny accepts all that is in the book, he was still concerned slightly with this turn of events. However, it was not Destiny's job to question, only to know. So he fathered a child. Not even Death knew how, for Destiny never left his realm, but Delirium piped up and said "maybe.... umm... maybe the Bee Oh Oh Kay saying so.... made the baby. Maybe?"

And the little whirlwind blew harder again, and the books were gone. Sarah was left alone in a dead-end. She decided there was nothing to do but try and find a way out of the maze. She shuffled around on her knees to see a tall, pale man looking at her, no, through her, but his eyes were... he had black obsidian eyes. They looked the same way an electric shock feels, and stood out sharply against his albino skin and hair. He started walking towards her, and spoke.

"Sarah? You are not supposed to be here..." he offered a hand to help her up. Sarah hesitated for a second, then took it. Dusting herself off, she asked "Who are you to say where I'm supposed to be?" The pale stranger laughed and said "You are my guest, albeit an uninvited one. This is my home, my backyard... my realm...." As he spoke, he extended an arm, sweeping out over the horizon, and the view changed from narrow passages in the labyrinth, to the small dusty town streets Sarah knew so well. As she gasped and stared, the stranger spoke once more, "Come now, you think your long lost uncle wouldn't pay an interest in his family?"

"Uncle...?" Sarah's eyes widened. "My mother was one of three girls. I don't have an uncle."

"Your father's side.... you were reading the book, weren't you? Let me introduce myself. I am Daniel." Sarah looked into the stranger's eyes, and started to fall into the darkness within..... her feet left the ground, and she was gone.

Sarah awoke with the sheets yanked tightly, clutched hard in her sweaty hands. As she uncurled her fingers and pushed the sheets away from her, she tried to remember what had woke her. Something about her mother? Her Aunt? An Uncle? "I don't have an Uncle..." she said out loud. The sound of breathing that was not hers whipped her head around: the pale stranger stood in her room next to her window. Sarah let out a small squeak and said "who are you? What are you doing here? You lay a finger on me I'll fight for all I'm worth...." The stranger said "Don't you remember the dream you had?"

In fast-forward, the dream replayed in Sarah's head.... her eyes widened and she blinked, shaking her head. "Daniel.." she said, puzzled. "Yes, Sarah. It's me. Daniel. Or Dream. Whichever you prefer." Daniel held out his hand, and Sarah took it, much like in her dream. "Remember?" Sarah gasped and her eyes went wide. "You're the guy, from my dream? In the maze? With the book?" Daniel nodded, taking a seat on the edge of Sarah's bed. He smiled. "You weren't supposed to be there. But it does not matter, there's no changing it now." Sarah looked down, guiltily, like a child caught stealing biscuits.

"Aren't you curious about how I got here?" Daniel asked. "Well I was sort of wondering, but if it's anything to do with those odd socks, I'm going to go completely mad!" Sarah couldn't help thinking how ridiculous her situation was, talking to a Dream-Man, and there were 3 or 4 tiny voices in her head offering advice: that she was still dreaming, that she should be running away from him, that she should just roll over and go back to sleep. However, there was something about him; and Sarah wanted to know more.

"Odd socks? What odd socks?" Daniel raised an eyebrow at her. Sarah got up, ran into the laundry, and came back, arms thrust out in front of her, as if carrying something unpleasant. "These odd socks! And there's these ones too." She offered the book socks to the pale man sitting on her bed, thinking all the time "how silly and strange this actually is!" "It's okay. Those ones are clean." Daniel took them, unfolded them, and looked at the books on them. Putting the socks on the bed, he steepled his fingers, thinking. After a short while, he asked "Sarah. What do you know about your father?" Sarah looked at Daniel in puzzlement, "My Father?

"Yes. Your father." Daniel stood up as he spoke, and turning, he said "You had better get dressed for the day. It's nearly 10 o'clock. We have a lot to do." Sarah stared at him for a moment, then whipped her head around to her clock radio. 9:52. She got up, suddenly feeling foolish about running around with socks in her hands without putting her robe on first. Still, her summer pyjamas weren't quite so skimpy to lessen her modesty, and as Daniel withdrew to the kitchen to wait, she rushed in and out of the ensuite bathroom, showering in record time, brushing her teeth as she put on her socks - a matching pair this time, and towelling her hair dry at the same time she slipped on shoes and smeared her lips with gloss.

Daniel was perusing her small library when she stepped out of her bedroom. Feeling the need to make excuses, Sarah said "I'm a bit of a bookworm. You too? I've always loved books... I should have been a librarian I think sometimes but then again, I like what I'm doing well enough and - um, sorry. "

Daniel looked at her, and said "I've got a fairly extensive library myself, but Lucien looks after it for me. There's a few volumes here I think he'd like, just for their antiquity. However, we are not here to discuss the literary arts. We are here to talk about you. More directly, your father. Tell me, what do you know of him?"

Sarah closed one eye as she thought. "He died when I was really little. Then my mom and I moved interstate. I've never even been to his grave. I've always wondered about him, though. The books. My mom said I got the passion for books from him... he had something to do with books... I don't know." Daniel nodded. "Yes. Books indeed. One book in particular. But you won't find it on any shelf in any library. Do you recall the book in your dream? The ones on your socks?" Sarah swallowed. "Yes. It had stuff about me in it. I think..."

"Your father is very important, Sarah. We cannot make do without him. I do not think he intends to leave, however; he is very dedicated to his duties. I am sure you inherited some of his commitment.... He has asked to see you, niece. It is very unlike him to be so skittish, but still. Maybe he has read something; I do not know, he has told us nothing else but to find you."

Sarah sat down slowly, eyes glazed. "My father's dead... it can't be...."

She blinked away tears, and looked up at Daniel. "Is this some sort of joke? If you are just playing around I will kill you!" She laid her hands, palm up, on the table, and said, "This isn't a joke is it? This is just one of those really strange things you hear about but never believe... Daniel? Dream?" Her hands curled up into tight fists. "Why me?" Daniel looked at her, and then said, slowly "You are his daughter. There was no choice in the matter."

As Sarah stood up again, Daniel said "We should be leaving very soon. You won't need money or food, they are taken care of; but if there is anything you want to take with you, you should get it now." She turned, grabbed her small back-pack, and looked around the room. "I will be coming back, won't I?" "That, I do not know. If anything was to happen to you, I would be sure to look after your property for you."

Sarah walked into her bedroom, grabbed the book socks, and a jacket, then into the laundry and picked up the odd socks. She quickly scanned her books, and picked out her copy of The Hobbit and one or two other antique volumes. She walked into the kitchen, stuffing her things into her back-pack, sighed and said "Okay. I'm ready." Daniel nodded. "One last thing before we leave: I am only known as Daniel to a few, where we are going. I think it would be best if you call me Dream from now on."

They travelled in the Dream world, with Dream conveying them in the style he thought fitting. They moved through space in an airplane of his making. Unbidden, a memory came to him, of travelling in the waking world with his youngest sister. The memory was not his, but it was him. Daniel closed his eyes and thought of his little sister. She had found Sarah first, but didn't contact her; except by way of the odd socks. They were the bait that had drawn Sarah into the dream, where she had been found. Dream smiled a little, but was worried inside. Delirium usually wasn't so.... organised.

Sarah was still staring out the window at the dream clouds. She turned, smiling, and said "The clouds are so.... beautiful." She glanced out the window, and then asked "Dream? Who is my father?" Dream said quietly. "The special book. From those socks." He indicated Sarah's back-pack on the floor. "That is the book of Destiny."

"Destiny? My father is Destiny? Wow." Several emotions flew across Sarah's face, ending with a frown. "Destiny. So that means he knows everything, everything that's going to happen, that has happened. The Truth. The Future."

Dream looked out the window. "Yes, Sarah. That's what the book is for. It can be a burden at times, but it is one he cannot leave. The chain connecting them is more psychological than physical. Still. I am somewhat... unnerved by this sudden change."

Sarah looked puzzled, "I thought he was your brother? Family? Don't you know anything about each other?"

Dream's brow creased as he spoke. "We are a family: yes. A close one: rarely. We see Destiny almost as little as we see of Destruction..." he trailed off, in thoughts too private to share. Sarah opened her mouth to speak, but seeing Dream's face furrowed with worry, she thought better of it, and turned back to the window.

"What's that castle down there?" she asked, quietly, after some time.

Dream said, without looking, "My home. Come. Gather your things. We are Here." And with that, the plane seemed to glide downwards, and land, but instead it transmuted into a smooth pathway, leading to the steps of a large castle. By the time Sarah had picked up her bag and smoothed out her clothes, she was standing in front of the entrance.

"Is Destiny here?" Sarah asked, running a little to catch up with Dream as he walked halls and passages he knew like his own hand. "No, dear niece. Destiny has his own realm. We are merely stopping by here, to make arrangements for you should things go.... badly with him. Besides, I have never known of anyone but Destiny himself staying in his realm." As he spoke, a tall, thin man emerged from an adjacent doorway. "Master," he said "you have returned. Shall I hazard a guess, that this is Sarah? Good day."

Sarah waggled her fingers and smiled, and Dream replied "Lucien. I take it all things are as usual?"

"Yes my lord. Erh, I took the liberty of preparing a suite of rooms in the Eastern Wing for your lady niece, if that is alright with you?" Dream nodded in approval. "Lucien, I will call for you later. For now, please show Sarah to her rooms and inform her of the castle etiquette. I have business to attend to." With that, he turned into the door that Lucien had come out of, and was gone.

As Sarah followed along the halls, Lucien instructed her on the rules of the Dream castle. Or, more accurately, Good Advice and What Not To Do. Sarah listened, carefully. It turned out that the Dream castle wasn't as nice as she first believed. "Don't stray from the path?" she thought, "why not?" As if reading her mind, Lucien said "It is imperative that you do not stray from the paths here. This place is in the Lord Dream's realm. Which means that your imagination is real. Strange things can and do happen. They are very often dangerous. Do you understand?" Sarah nodded vigorously. "Very well. Here are your chambers. For now, please remain here, and get settled in. If you wish anything, just ring this bell," he handed her a small crystal bell, "and I, or one of the other castle servants, will attend to you." Smiling, he bowed and left.

In her Dream Suite, Sarah sat, and stared. Everything was so perfect. She looked out the window, to see the clouds racing by again, like in the plane. She put down her bag by a red chaise lounge, plopped down upon it, and slowly, very slowly, she began to cry. As the tears rolled down her freckled cheeks, Sarah thought of her mother, and now, her father. The shock of the entire day had begun to sink in. Suddenly feeling lost, she pulled the jacket from her bag, and put it on, and then took her 40 year old copy of The Hobbit and began to read. Her entire life was caught up with books. And now, when things were going crazy and she didn't even know where she was, she read.

Her eyes were still red and puffy when Lucien knocked quietly on the door, and stuck his head in. "Sarah? Lord Dream is here to see you." Noticing her eyes, and the vague look of confused shock on her face, he retreated.

"My Lord; I think the girl is in shock. It may not be my place to say it, but, I am unsure as to whether she was ready for the news?" Dream looked at Lucien with reprieve. "I am sorry my Lord, but she is visibly upset." As Lucien walked back down the hall, he glanced back, concerned, and saw his Master hesitate, just for a moment, before he entered Sarah's room.

"What do you want? What now?" Sarah's voice was hoarse and low, and her tears started again as she spoke, streaming silently down her face. She was more angry than upset, now that the current cause of all her problems had appeared. She stood up and started to yell, "Why have you done this to me? Why couldn't you just leave me alone? Why - "

"ENOUGH!" Dream seemed to grow to gigantic proportions as he cut her short. In a flash, he was back to normal, and Sarah blinked, unsure of what had really happened. The tears still flowed, and she sat back on the lounge. "Sarah. Please. I was sent to find you, by your father. I am merely a messenger, a courier..." Sarah's face reddened, and she collapsed into a heap, laying down, and finally her silent tears became loud sobs. Dream approached her, and she curled up into a ball, clutching her books and jacket close around her. She looked tired, and hungry, and lost.

"You are tired, and confused. Why don't you eat, and then get some rest?" As he spoke, a small buffet appeared laden with food, and a set of double doors opened at one end of the room, through which Sarah could see a large bed, with many soft pillows. Remembering Sarah's passion for books, Dream asked her, "If you wish, I can get Lucien to bring you a book or two to read, as well?" He barely waited for the small nod to come, before carrying on. "You want to know what exactly is going on, don't you? Who I am, and my family, which is also yours. And your father? I will bring you a book that will explain it all. I promise, niece." He sat on the lounge next to Sarah.

"Dream?" she said, "I'm sorry."

Dream reached out and a small handkerchief appeared in his hand. "Here, wipe your face. There is an ensuite bathroom if you wish to clean yourself up, but for now, you will have no more visitors. I trust Lucien has arranged something with you?" She nodded towards the sparkling bell he had given her earlier. "Good. I will leave you, for now. Please Sarah; get some rest." He stood and walked to the door.

Before leaving, he turned back, to see Sarah clutch her jacket around her, stand up, and walk slowly towards the small feast prepared for her. He nodded slightly, in approval, and then was gone.

end of part one

Copyright © Rachel Berry 1999-2000