Soon they arrive back at home. Isiea sets down Dandelion, who flops onto her back and squeaks.

She stopped as she heard the voices. What in the world were they talking about? Who were they talking about? It confused her. Not to mention she didn't know anyone by the name Robin.

Ethan looked up at Isiea then down at Daisy. "Is she still sleeping?"

The bus ride home was silent, for the most part. Something was happening, something strange and creepy and terrifying, and the scariest part of all was that it wore a familiar, ordinary face. How well did either of the girls know him, really know him? He'd been their friend for longer than either of them could remember, and yet they'd never been to his house, or met his parents. The few times they suggested meeting at his place, he'd always had some excuse not to; his folks were out of town, or they were remodeling the kitchen, a kitchen neither of them had ever seen. That was strange, but what was weirder was the fact that neither of them ever wondered about it, never questioned it. Robbie was simply there like he'd been conjured out of nothing, with no background, no home, and no past. What was his favorite music? Did he have goals in life? Had he ever fallen in love?

It bothered her, which was strange, since not a lot of things bothered her. Did he do it on purpose? Did he really consider either of the girls his friends? Who was he really? Why hadn't he told either of them anything? All these questions went through her, but she didn't ask them.

The bus lurched to a halt at a four-way stop, and was now heading into the boondocks. Their neighborhood. Rain still spattered the windows, making the swampy marshlands blurry and indistinct, the trees fuzzy dark shapes through the glass.

Deep in the swamp, a horse and rider stood beneath the limbs of an enormous oak, as still as the trees themselves. The horse was a huge black animal with a mane and tail that rippled behind it, even drenched as it was. Its rider was tall and lean, garbed in silver and black. A dark cape fluttered from its shoulders. Through the rain, it was possible to catch the barest glimpse of a face: young, pale, strikingly handsome...staring right at the bus.

"No, she's just resting now."

"But she's okay?"

"Yep. Just relaxing." She strokes the rat's hand with one finger, and Daisy raises her head a little.

She was caught off guard as she saw a glimpse of the face. It was already weird enough they were on a horse, but their clothes, expression, everything about them just seemed off.

Ethan giggled as he watched.

Robbie's face was inches from Liseolette's, staring out the window, his eyes narrowed to green slits, hard and dangerous. His lips moved, and he whispered one word.

"Ash."

The bus coughed and lurched forward again. Robbie leaned back, his face so still it could've been carved from stone. If Lise bothered to look out the window again, the space beneath the oak was empty. Horse and rider were gone, like they'd never existed.