Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

"Leigh!" he called. "Wait."

I paused at the door. He reached into his pail and took out the conch.

"Take this with you," he offered.

"Oh no, Troy. You keep it here."

"No," he said shaking his head vigorously. "Take it with you and you won't forget me."

"I can't forget you, Troy. You don't have to worry about that," I said, but he stood there, stubbornly holding out the conch. I took it. "Okay, thank you."

"Put it to your ear and

you'll hear the ocean and me," he promised and turned to run back to his nurse. I watched him for a moment and then got into the car.

"Please, let's go, Miles," I said. "As fast as we can."

He smirked, still a little suspicious, and then started away. We rolled on through the main gate and under the great arch, but I didn't look back. Instead, I put Troy's conch to my ear and listened to the ocean and heard his little cry.

He was calling' after me. "Leigh . . . Leigh . ."

And then I pulled it away and closed my eyes and Farthy fell back behind me, flickering out like a dying candle.

nineteen A VISIT TO A CIRCUS

. I had never traveled anywhere all by myself, but I didn't show Miles any of my fear and indecision. Right after we arrived at the train station, he took my suitcase from the limousine trunk and waited for my instructions.

"I can take it from here, Miles," I said. "Oh no, Miss Leigh. bring it to the porter. Where are you going?"

"It's all right, Miles. I want to be on my own. I

like the idea of traveling alone," I explained and

smiled warmly so he wouldn't see my nervousness.

He hesitated a moment and then put my suitcase

down.

"Well, you have a good trip, Miss Leigh," he

said.

"Thank you, Miles." I took my suitcase quickly

and walked into the station, stopping to wave goodbye

to him once more. Would I ever see him again? He

stood there staring after me, but he didn't follow me to

be sure I was safely on my train.

I turned and looked around. People were

rushing about everywhere and announcements were being made concerning different trains and

destinations. The hustle and bustle was exciting, but also frightening as well. I saw a tall, redheaded policeman standing by a newsstand talking with the man by the cash register. He looked young and had a