"And while we're connected by the red spider silk, if one person triggers the Dreamscape, everyone else will enter it too."
Annie paused, seemingly waiting for everyone to absorb the information.
Oli Via adjusted her black-rimmed glasses. "In other words, the nine of us have had our fates tied together ever since we stepped aboard this boat."
Joey had thought this bookish girl had no interest in anything outside her books. After all, her attention seemed to have been fixed on the book in her hands from the very beginning.
Actually, after hearing Annie's explanation, he thought the approach made perfect sense.
"No objections here. My life's worthless anyway," Chris said.
That surprised Joey. Going by his usual behavior, Chris should have been the first to oppose Annie. Even if he lacked the nerve, he would at least have followed the crowd.
There was no resentment in his eyes over any of this. Instead, he looked positively eager, which was rather strange.
In truth, everyone was in the same boat. That dream had driven them all into a corner.
Joey seemed to be the only one who didn't understand how serious this was. By the time he learned more about the Dreamscape, the group had already lost people. But that would come later.
Anderson Mike, the fish seller, hit the table headfirst with a thunk.
He clutched his head in embarrassment. "Sorry, I didn't sleep well last night. I'm exhausted."
So you weren't trying to look brooding. You were just dozing off. For the first time, Joey found his own analysis utterly ridiculous.
Appearances really can be deceiving, he reminded himself.
After some discussion, everyone agreed to Annie's proposal.
The red spider silk was cut into lengths and handed out.
Nine thin red cords were tied around their left wrists