Beyond: Snillotia Trilogy Book One by Donna Wagner (books you have to read TXT) 📕

themes and imagery. Pick something that stood out to you, whether it was discussed in class or not, and using that theme or imagery, you are going to write the next chapter. What do you think would happen next?”

“But wouldn’t that ruin it, when the last book finally comes out?” a girl in the back of the classroom asked.

The room became completely silent and Tim could see eyes darting between him and the girl. Tim knew her name was Ashley, but he had never spoken to her before. It didn’t surprise him that she was unaware that there would be no final book in the series. Mrs. MacDonald was also looking at him. She, apparently, was leaving the answer up to him. “Well, my mom died a few years ago so-”

Ashley gasped, making him stop talking. “I’m sorry! I didn’t know.”

Tim nodded at her that it was okay. “Wait, don’t authors usually have lots of notes and files and things? Wouldn’t your mom have had some idea of the ending?”

Tim shrugged, and then said, “Well, honestly, I think she finished the last book, but I don’t have any of her stuff anymore. It, uh, got lost after everything happened.”

The room was silent, as if waiting for him to explain more. The bell rang, shattering the silence.

“Well then! It seems our assignment won’t ruin anything! Use your imaginations! You have two weeks from today!” Mrs. MacDonald said as everyone gathered their things to move on to their next class.

Tim exited as quickly as he could, hoping to avoid another interrogation from Mrs. MacDonald. Since she realized Tim had lunch right after her class, she’d been peppering him with questions almost daily when class was over. Tim breathed a sigh of relief as he slid into the hallway without being stopped. Surprisingly, Anna was waiting for him. “Aren’t you going to be late?” he asked, knowing Anna didn’t have lunch this period.

“Something happened and we should go home, right now.”

Tim was shocked. Anna never wanted to miss school, let alone skip any classes once she was there. Tim, on the other hand, didn’t mind at all. “Sure, that’s fine with me!”

“What’s fine with you?” Peter asked, coming to stand next to Tim.

“We’re going home early.”

Peter looked at Anna, clearly as shocked as Tim had been. “But we have a French test this afternoon!”

Anna shrugged. Tim was even more shocked now, but he hid his reaction. “Okay, if we’re going, let’s go before someone notices!”

Peter looked torn. “I’m staying here.”

“That’s fine. Come on, Tim,” Anna said, pulling Tim after her.

Tim looked at as cousin as he was pulled away. “See you later then, I guess!”

He saw Peter wave and then head toward the cafeteria. He turned his attention to Anna. She stopped at the door, looking around to make sure no one saw them. “Evan is meeting us at home. He knows, Tim.”

She pushed the door open and ran towards the gate. Tim could do nothing but follow, his thoughts swirling through his head. Evan knew? Knew what? Anna didn’t stop running until they were a block away from the school. Tim stopped next to her to catch his breath, then said, “You do realize someone is going to be at home, right? We’re not going to be able to get away with leaving school early completely anyway.”

Anna smiled at him and said, “We’ll see about that!”

She disappeared right in front of his eyes.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

“Anna?”

There was no answer. Tim looked around. Anna was nowhere to be seen. He felt a tapping on his shoulder and spun around. No one was behind him. As his surprise lessened, he began to realize Anna had found another power. “Okay, you got me. Now let me see you!”

Anna popped up right next to him. “Boo!”

Tim started slightly and Anna laughed. “I knew this would be fun!”

She grabbed Tim’s hand and pulled him next to a car parked a little further down the street. “Look,” she said, pointing with the hand that wasn’t still holding on to Tim’s.

Tim saw their reflection in the car window. Slowly Anna faded from view, then before Tim realized it, his reflection had disappeared, as well. He looked down. He could still see himself. He also still felt Anna’s hand in his. He looked at his hand and saw he could see her hand, as well as the rest of her. He checked the car window again. The house behind him was all he saw. “You must have known about this power for a while to know how it works so well.”

“Actually, I only have for a few days. It’s pretty easy to control, unlike some of the others. I think no one can see me and no one can. If I’m touching something, or someone,” she explained, holding up their joined hands, “they become invisible as well.”

“Awesome!” Tim exclaimed, “How did you discover this?”

Anna’s cheeks turned slightly pink as she answered. “Actually, it was by accident. I was talking to Evan but avoiding Jason after school last Friday because I knew he was going to want to make weekend plans and I didn’t want to commit to anything, but I had nowhere to hide when we reach the hallway that his locker is in. I kind of just froze and hoped he wouldn’t notice me. It was only when he stopped right next to me and only spoke to Evan that I realized anything was different. I was standing right in front of a classroom door that was closed and I could clearly see Jason and Evan in the window’s reflection, but I wasn’t next to them, even though I actually was!”

Tim nodded in understanding. “It sounds like when I discovered my perception power. Actually it kind of sounds like it works the same way. You think it and it happens,” he paused, “So wait, Evan saw you just disappear?”

Anna nodded. “He’s been asking me questions constantly ever sense. I’ve been trying to avoid answering