Thursday - 4/28
ABE’S HOUSE
Abe sighed heavily.
ABE: Well, Claire’s already going through great suffering. A couple weeks ago, she got hit by a car. She was in a coma for the better part of a week. She’s awake now, but having some trouble with her speech and hands.
CELESTE: I’m very sorry to hear that.
ABE: Did this vision of yours include anything about an accident?
CELESTE: No. I told you everything that occurred in the vision. I only saw Claire for a split second. It wasn’t even long enough for me to determine where she was.
ABE: I don’t wish to sound skeptical, but are you sure this wasn’t just a dream?
CELESTE: I am. It was not just a dream.
ABE: Celeste, Lexie is dead. She’s been dead for a long time. Now I know that the dead have a habit of coming back to life in Salem, but that would almost be too much.
CELESTE: I know that! I said it wasn’t a dream, I didn’t say it was a premonition. Part of it may have been, the ending part with Claire and this mystery girl. The rest, a vision that I’ve yet to interpret. Were I anyone else, I’d think it was a dream, also, except for one thing: I don’t get dreams.
ABE: You’re serious?
CELESTE: Very. The only thing close to dreams I’ve ever gotten were visions and premonitions, ever since I was gifted with the sight. How or why they come to me, I do not know. But come they do. I should speak to Claire. Perhaps a conversation with her will shed more light on what is going on.
ABE: She’s at University Hospital, they haven’t discharged her yet. Theo and his girlfriend have visited her. From what they and Hope have said, she seems to be in good spirits, if a bit confused.
CELESTE: Well, perhaps a conversation will clear things up for both of us.
HORTON HOUSE
Mike was packing his suitcase. Jennifer knocked on the door, which was open.
MIKE: Hey, come on in.
JENNIFER: Looks like you’re almost ready to go.
MIKE: Yeah, just about. Robin’s downstairs talking to Jeremy. Thanks again for looking after him, you and Dad.
JENNIFER: Of course. We’re family, it’s what we do. It’s been so nice having you in Salem this last week.
MIKE: Yeah, it’s been nice being back. Part of me wishes we could stay, but Robin and I’ve both gotta get back to work.
JENNIFER: That makes sense.
MIKE: So, while I’ve got you for a minute, there’s something I wanna talk to you about.
JENNIFER: What’s on your mind?
MIKE: I hear you’re moving.
JENNIFER: Yeah, in mid-summer. Around the beginning of the year, Frankie asked me to move out to Washington D.C. with him, and I said yes.
MIKE: That’s gonna be a pretty big change.
JENNIFER: Maybe. Not as big as when you moved to Africa.
Mike chuckled.
MIKE: Fair point.
JENNIFER: I love Salem, I really do. Both my kids are here, my grandson, a lot of my other family. But, it’s time for a change. Frankie and I, we’ve gotten close in the last several months. We’ve both grown a lot.
MIKE: Does he make you happy?
JENNIFER: He does.
MIKE: I’m glad for you, then. And hey, it gives me another place to visit. I’ve always wanted to see the capitol.
JENNIFER: Well, as soon as I’m out there, I’ll send you my address.
MIKE: You’d better.
Mike and Jennifer chuckled and hugged.
MIKE: It’s been good to see you again, Jen.
JENNIFER: You too. You know, I was hoping that you, Lucas and I could all get together while you were home.
MIKE: That would’ve been nice. Robin and I had lunch with him, Sami and the kids a few days ago. Next time we’re all in town, though, we’ll definitely have to do that.
JENNIFER: You bet we will.
Robin came upstairs.
ROBIN: Ready to go?
MIKE: All set.
Jennifer and Robin hugged.
JENNIFER: Thanks so much for coming!
ROBIN: Of course. It’s been so good seeing you!
JENNIFER: You too! Have a good trip back.
MIKE: Thanks. We’ll see you next time.
Mike and Robin picked up their suitcases and left.
SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
The school auditorium had been set up for the talent show. Students who were participating, both on stage and behind the scenes were bustling about. Sydney was among them, running around making sure people had everything they needed. She passed Silver, who was fixing her hair, and gave her a reassuring smile. The drama teacher, Mrs. Schuler walked around observing everyone’s progress. As things began to quiet down, she picked up a megaphone.
SCHULER: All right, get ready, folks! Two minutes to showtime!
The chaos became more organized, and the first few acts lined up behind the curtain. After Mrs. Schuler went on stage and made a few announcements, the first act began. When she wasn’t needed to grab something, Sydney watched the performances from the wings. Every now and then, she’d need to stop watching and grab something for the upcoming act. Sydney walked over to Mrs. Schuler.
SYDNEY: Who’s up next?
SCHULER: Miss Webb and Mr. Cao. I already checked with them, they already have everything they need for their improv act. After them is Miss West. Could you make sure she’s got her music ready?
SYDNEY: You got it.
Sydney went to go find Silver. Strangely, she wasn’t at her appointed desk where she had been a little bit ago. Sydney walked a little bit more looking for her.
SYDNEY (thinking): Where’d she go? She was just here a few minutes ago.
Sydney kept walking and turned down a different hall in the theater wing of the school. At last, she found Silver. She was sitting on the floor just outside of the bathroom, arms wrapped around her legs, head down. Sydney walked over to Silver and gently tapped her shoulder.
SYDNEY: Hey, you okay?
