Just give me five minutes, Valerie said, and she walked to the cliffs that overlooked the sea so she could take it all in, one last time. She stopped and stared out at the endless stretch of blue-green water. After a while, Thai joined her.

Take your time. Henrys going to use the disposable cell to call his dad before we go.

The sun glinted on the waves, and a bittersweet longing crashed over her heart. She bit hard on her lip to keep the tears out of her eyes. Suddenly, Thais warm hand was in hers.

Ill miss this, he said, his eyes on her, not the view.

Not as much as I will.

The contact of his hand against hers sent shivers of energy up her arm. He was staring at her as if he was debating something in his mind. But before he decided, the crunch of shoes against the sand made them both turn around.

There you are! I saw that you guys are packing. Youre going already? Logans sweet voice broke the mood, and Thai let go of Valeries hand.

Yes, our vacation is over and its time for us to go back to school, Thai said, falling easily into the lie that they had concocted for strangers.

Logan pouted a little. Cant you stay a little longer? My parents want to meet you"both of you"and thank you for saving my life.

Sorry, but weve got a plane to catch, he said with a shake of his head.

Logan stuck out her bottom lip in an exaggerated pout, and Valerie suspected she hadnt been denied what she wanted very often. She turned her big blue eyes to Valerie.

How about you, Vanessa? Lets grab some dinner so I can thank you properly.

Actually, her name is Valerie, Thai interrupted, his friendly smile gone. Logan blushed.

Oops, sorry, Valerie.

No worries. Your offer is really nice, but like Thai said, we have to go. Maybe someday"

Yes! Here, take my number, Logan interrupted, giving her a slip of paper with a sidelong look to Thai. Promise youll stay in touch.

Um Promise!

Of course, sure, she said. Logan hugged her, and then turned to Thai.

You have to promise, too.

Okay. Nice to meet you, Logan. Stay safe, he replied, and she gave him a tight hug that lasted longer than Valerie liked.

Logan sauntered off, and Valerie turned to Thai and said, Beautiful blonde girl tripping all over herself for you"just another day in the life of Thai.

He stared at her with a sudden intensity. Im not interested in Logan.

Guys? You ready? Henrys voice called from the campsite.

She tore her eyes away from Thais and took a step toward her brother. Were ready. Lets get a move on.

It took four hours, three buses, two trains, and a long hike to get to the Anthony Chabot Regional Park in Oakland. By the time their tents were set up, they all collapsed into deep sleep.

The next day, as Valerie showered, she decided to take the opportunity to visit her old hospital. Shed never be this close again, and she had promised her friends there that shed visit if she could.

Thats nuts! Henry said over breakfast when he heard her plan. Zunya found you there before; hell expect you to go back.

Hey guys, whatd we miss? Cyrus said, popping into view with Kanti.

Valerie wants to visit her old hospital, Tan said, braiding grass and sounding bored.

Shell get caught! Henry shouted.

Itd be something fun to do. Were just rotting here, waiting for some guy to rescue us, Tan said. He was clearly itching for a little adventure, which made Valerie grin. It was nice when Tan reminded her of Thai and not the bad seed.

We could scout ahead, Cyrus offered.

And stay on guard the whole time, Kanti added. You guys are gonna go stir crazy if you dont have a little contact with the outside world.

Henry frowned, but he nodded slowly.

There are some people I promised Id visit if I could, Valerie said to her brother. He must have sensed the depth of her longing, because his face softened.

Okay, okay. But weve got to be smart about this.

A few hours later, the group was standing in front of the hospital. Being smart turned out to be donning some cheap disguises that Valerie doubted would stop Zunya from recognizing them, but if it gave Henry a measure of peace, then she wasnt going to argue.

Why dont you guys check around outside? she suggested, peeking at the group from over the rim of her oversized sunglasses. Itll be weird if we all try to sign in for visiting hours. Besides, Im less likely to stand out on my own.

Cyrus started organizing everyone into groups, and Valerie stepped through the automatic doors into the hospital. The odor of antiseptic and floor wax brought back memories. Most people probably cringed at the smell, but for her, it was a reminder of holidays skidding down the halls in her socks and hours spent reading to the littlest of the kids in her ward"the best times of her life until she had discovered magic.

When she walked out the elevator doors on her old floor, the eyes of the woman at the nurses station widened at the sight of her. Little Valerie Diaz! Youre back and you look wonderful, sweetheart. How have you been?

Hi, Darla, she replied, unexpectedly shy. I missed you all so much; I couldnt stay away.

And were glad you didnt! Dr. Freeman will be so glad to see you!

Who else is here? Jeremiah? Ming?

Darla lowered her eyes, and Valerie braced herself for bad news"it wouldnt be the first time that something had happened to one of the kids she loved.

Jeremiah is doing great, in complete remission. Hes been home for weeks. But Ming Valeries eyes filled with tears. Ming was only seven years old, and had the sweetest and most trusting person she had ever known.

Shes not going to make it, sweetie. Shes only got a few weeks. Darla came out from behind the desk and folded her into a hug.

Valerie choked back her tears. Is it okay if I see her?

Absolutely. I know shed love that.

Valerie quietly pushed open the door of Mings room and saw her limp little body beneath a thin hospital sheet. She was hooked up to several machines, and she had never seemed so tiny as she did then. Her mother was sleeping in a cot at her bedside, and Valerie saw the dark circles beneath her eyes, like bruises.

How could life be so cruel, to create a mother who loved her daughter so much only to take her away? It used to hurt to see other children with their parents, wishing that she, too, had someone to care for her. But seeing Mings mothers obvious suffering, she was suddenly glad that her parents never had to see her when she was at her worst, kept alive by machines and too weak to walk.

Valerie? Ming croaked, opening her eyes. You came back just like you promised.

Of course I did. I missed you too much not to visit.

Mings mother jerked awake at the sound of their voices. Her tense face relaxed a little when she saw Valerie.

How kind of you to come, dear, she said. Dr. Freeman told us you were traveling the world, and to come all the way back"it means so much.

Well, I simply couldnt stay away, Valerie said. I missed my best bud.

Mings mothers eyes were a little teary, and she quickly stood up and headed toward the door, probably so her daughter wouldnt see her distress, Valerie guessed. Ill leave you two to chat for a few minutes.

After her mother was gone, Ming turned to Valerie with wide eyes. I was worried you wouldnt make it before Valerie squeezed her hand. Im sorry. I wish I had come sooner. She knew better than to lie to Ming and pretend it would all be okay. A friend had once told her that pretending to believe she was going to survive for her familys sake was the hardest part of dying.

Luckily, Mr. Hopsalot kept me company, Ming said, pulling Valeries old rabbit out from under the sheet.

You kept him safe for me! she gave her old toy a hug, and then pretended he was whispering in her ear. Ming is secretly a princess? Youre sure, Mr. Hopsalot? Who told you?

Ming was giggling at her silly banter when Dr. Freeman came through the door. He stopped short when he saw Valerie.

I should have known when I heard Ming laughing for the first time in days that you must be here. Are you visiting, or checking in? he asked.

Just a visit, she said quickly, without meeting his eyes. Im fine.

I must say, Im very glad to see you. Ive had a few wakeful nights worrying about you since you left.

Valerie was surprised. He was always so gruff and matter-of-fact"she was never sure if she was anything more than an unusual medical case to him. But as she watched him gently evaluate Ming, she could see how much he cared for them all. How did he keep his heart from breaking when he lost a patient like Ming?

Come by my office when youre done here, Valerie. Id like to examine you before you go.

Okay, she said, considering whether it would be wrong to sneak out. As much as she missed her friends at the hospital, there was no way that she wanted to stay there longer than she had to.

After he left, Ming held out her hand to Valerie. Will you stay with me till I sleep? Tell me a story.

Absolutely, she said, and she crawled into bed beside her. With Mings little head resting against her shoulder, Valerie wove a tale of a beautiful princess battling a fierce dragon. She stopped when Mings gentle breathing told her that she was asleep.

Only then did Valerie let herself cry. Her tears ran fast down her cheeks, dripping into Mings hair. What was the point of having the power of giving life if she couldnt save Ming with it? Even if she died using her magic on Earth, she had to try. She concentrated, remembering the pulse of energy that had passed through her when she saved Sanguina. Nothing. It was as if her magic was dammed up against a wall that she couldnt break through.

She hammered and hammered against it, trying to find some tiny crack. Nothing. She began to sob. This couldnt be happening. She had saved a woman who had tortured her brother, but she couldnt help Ming, who brought nothing but sweetness into the lives of those she touched.

Desperately, she stopped reaching into herself for her magic and reached out to the universe. She knew now how much magic and possibility existed. Couldnt some of it be used to save her friend?

Beneath her fingers, Valerie felt soft fur. At first, she thought it was Mr. Hopsalot, but when she looked down, she saw that she was stroking the golden fur of Darling, the little creature she had rescued on the Globe.

She gasped with surprise and gave him a hug. How are you here, buddy?

He nuzzled into her shoulder and her grief drained away, replaced by hope. Darling was a healer on the Globe, but she didnt know if his magic would work on Earth. Can you save her?

Valerie? Whats happening? Who is this? Ming asked, her eyes fluttering open.

Hes my friend, and his name is Darling. Dont be scared, Ming. He wants to try to help you.

Darling jumped into her lap, and Ming stared into his wide eyes. His heart glowed red beneath his chest, and she watched it beat with wonder.

Youve got magic, just like Valerie, dont you? she asked softly. Darling smiled and executed a little somersault on her lap, which made Ming giggle. She gently tickled him, and Valerie listened with delight to their adorable laughter.

Hes like a little bear cub! I love him already. I wish you both could stay here with me always, Ming said.

Darling chattered in a language that Valerie couldnt understand, and jumped into Mings arms. As they hugged, Darlings heart glowed a brighter red, and Mings eyes opened wide. A shudder passed through her little frame and Valerie clutched her close, suddenly afraid of what was happening to her.

After a few agonizing seconds, it was over, and Mings head fell back on her pillow. She was sound asleep. Darlings eyes were filled with happy tears.

Will she be okay? she whispered.

Darling nodded, but his limbs looked heavy, and his soft fur had lost some of its shine.

Will you be okay? Darling executed a little spin on Mings lap, and she laughed. I hope thats a yes.

Val, the natives are restless. Everything okay here? Cyrus asked, popping into view. He took a step back in surprise when he saw Darling.

What are you doing here, buddy?

Cy"hes here for real. Hes not projecting. He came to help Ming.

Cyrus sucked in a breath. Ive heard rumors, but never believed them.

This has happened before?

There are a couple of legends passed down in my guild about kids on Earth being helped by Darling, but no one I know has seen it happen. It must have helped that he already had a connection with you.

Valerie stroked Darlings fur. Thank you. I can never tell you how grateful I am. However you did this.

Darling murmured softly, and then the air around him shimmered. He was gone.

Well I never! Valerie and Cyrus both jumped, realizing that someone else was in the room. They relaxed when they saw it was Chern, a Grand Master of the History Guild who had helped them travel on the Globe. He was nice, but afraid of his own shadow.

So sorry to scare you! I hate when people sneak up on me, too. Azra told me where you were, and I projected here as quickly as I could. But you all seemed busy and I didnt want to interrupt. But I must, Im afraid!

Why? Is everything okay? she asked, worried.

It most certainly is not! I was walking by my guild yesterday, and I overheard a scraggly young man asking for you. Goes by the name of Shade, if I remember correctly.

Oh, Jack. Hes a friend"sort of.

Are you quite sure? I must say he didnt seem like a proper young man. And I was worried he might learn that I knew you and come to my house demanding information. You can understand how upsetting that would be for me.

Of course, she said. If I see Jack, Ill be sure to let him know not to bother you. But I dont think he will.

Azra thought Valerie needed to know this? Cyrus asked suspiciously.