Secret Dream Portals

## Summary

It's just a normal day at camp when the island when it gains new citizens. Susie's daughter Ramona, who is Autistic, is initially reluctant to hang out with them. She follows them as they sneak into her mother's cabin and discovers mysterious portals leading into other people's dreams. After realizing that not many of the campers knew about this, Ramona has to tell everyone Summer camp island's biggest secret that is the key to discovering hidden magic. On the way she gains assistance from a fellow witch, a fox named Delphine with elemental powers.

## Characters

* Susie
* Ramona (called “Mona” by Susie, Alice, Betsey, and others)
* Alice
* Betsey
* Esme
* Oscar
* Hedgehog
* Max
* Delphine
* Pajamas (now belongs to Ramona)
* Jimjams
* Sentient rock
* Ramona's blanket (often appears as a sentient object)

## Prologue: Susie’s POV: 14 years ago.

It’s been many years since I last saw Oscar and the other campers. They’ve all grown up a bit and left. Not much has changed, but I feel something could happen that would spice things up a bit.

I head into my canin’s bedroom and tap the statue of the hand on my vanity table. The mirror glows. It’s Ramona. My old friend.

”Hello Susie.” She says. “I haven’t heard from you in a while.”

”Well it’s good you’re on here.” I say. “Look, I need to tell you something.”

”What is it?” She asks.

”I need an elixir. I want to age myself up just a little bit.” I say.

“How much older do you want to be?”

”Currently I’m physically 15, but I want to try aging myself up by six years.”

”Then that would make you 21 years old forever.” Ramona says. “Mind you, adulthood will bring unexpected surprises.”

She opens a portal through the mirror and hands me a vial of potion.

”There’s a dash of Jabberwock magic in it.” She says. “Drink this, and you’re going to feel a bit different.”

I pop the cap off and drink it. It tastes like a Shirley temple and lime zest.

My whole body tingles. I feel my size change slightly. My body shape changes slightly. I look in another mirror.

”Wow.” I say. “I look...different. I look older, but not that much.”

”The magic of aging potions.” Ramona says. “You won’t get older than that unless you take another aging potion.”

”I wonder what I should do next.” I say. “Even though I have Betsey and Alice....sometimes I wish I had something to take care of. You have the time babies.”

”Your time will come.” she says

## Mona’s POV

I feel someone lightly nudge me on my shoulder.

I open my eyes, and the sudden rush of bright light overwhelms me.

”Is it that early?...” I say blearily. “Maybe we should’ve kept the shades drawn...”

”Sorry. My bad.” Mom says “I have something to tell you.”

”Huh? What is it?” I ask.

”We have new campers.” I say.

”Oh noooo...” I say. “What would they all think if they saw all the weird things I do randomly?”

I flick my wrists rhythmically.

“Ramona...” mom says quietly. “You’re going to be fine. I’ve had campers on the spectrum before.”

She hugs me gently. “Now let’s go eat first. I’ll introduce you to the newcomers later.”

After I eat, I walk out of my cabin, insert my earplugs, and trek through the forest where I spot a family of monsters, and several campers. One being a female wolf, a female red panda, a female dog, male giraffe and a female panda.

”You’re new, right?” I say, snapping my fingers, changing my hair into a half shaved wavy undercut.

The four kids nod. “You’re the head witch?”

”No.” I reply. “My mom is. I’m an assistant councilor.” I feel my tone flatten slightly, but I hope they don’t notice. “So…do you guys want to make s’mores or something?”

”We *love* s’mores!” they cheer. Their sudden shouts make me jump.

”Oh sorry.” the panda says. “Maybe one of us was a little loud.” she nudges the giraffe. “You’re Autistic, right?”

I nod. “How did you know?”

”The things you do are similar to how my sister does things.” she says. “I got picked on by the kids at school for it.”

”They don’t know what it’s like.” I say. “Seeing the world differently from everybody else. I’m just glad I met someone who doesn’t treat me like a weirdo.”

She hugs me. “No one’s perfect. Also we have a councilor we’d like you to meet. She’s the head of another campsite.”

"Where is she?" I ask.

"Over here." I hear a voice call out from behind me. I turn around, but I only see a glimpse of a red tail disappear behind a bush, and some iridescent pebbles.

"These weren't here a moment ago." I say.

"Oh! I see you've found my portal stones! My name is Delphine. I see you've met Aurora, Mara, Keesha, Silas, and Aretha."

"Oh...Interesting names." I say. "Well it's nice to meet you all. I'm Ramona. The daughter of the head witch from that other camp."

I feel something move in my backpack. I slide it off my shoulders and unzip the top.