Ashley sat up with a start. «He's back; he's really back; Vic is back,' she thought. Or was it just a dream? Was this yet another illusion she had created to believe in? She sighed heavily. Over the last few months she had found it difficult to distinguish reality from the fragments of her memory. It was three o'clock. The silence was deafening as she opened the windows to let in the cool night air. Her eyes moved to the wooden swing in the corner of the garden. That simple swing held so many memories for her, happy memories He closed his eyes and remembered the many, many times they had laughed and played there; they were such bright, carefree laughter in the light breeze that blew. The flowers were so beautiful, the wild daisies, the tulips… Tears filled her eyes as she saw seven-year-old Vic and herself swinging on the swing.* * * * * * * * * * *"Vic asked. "Hmm?" he replied "If we ever find a genie to grant us a wish, what will you want?" Ashley asked softly. Vic stopped the swing and thought. He turned to look at Ashley, his expression serious. His face broke into a childish smile as he said, "I want the two of us to live forever, so we'll never be separated!" "Can you promise me that Vic? Can you promise me that we'll be together?" Ashley asked softly. "Of course we will always be together!" Vic replied confidently. Ashley smiled sweetly and they continued to rock in companionable silence.* * * * * * * * * * * *At a glance, the garden appeared to be...... in the center of the card.. .... in another figment of his imagination. As the day continued, she couldn't shake the feeling of being followed. But every time he tried to catch the person in the act. He turned and found no one. She had become more and more perplexed. Why was this person following her anyway? Unless… The last bell of the day rang and Ashley trudged over to her locker. Because she was exhausted, she packed her bags slowly. The people around her slowly dispersed and she was the only person left there. The usually noisy corridor was now as quiet as a graveyard. Again he could see that shadow that had become like an old friend over the course of the day. Was he imagining something again or did the shadow seem to be getting closer? The shadow soon blocked the light shining on the cabinet. He looked up and found Vic.