and the folk stories on how XuanZang had left a magical scroll behind . A couple of minutes ago , she would ’ ve dismissed it as nonsense , but she wasn ’ t sure about it now . She knew what she had to do . She spread her arms . She felt surges of power under her skin , begging to be released . A wave of pure electricity appeared , blasting straight at the hooded man . ‘ Altani ! Arik ! Now !’ The two kids jumped into action , somehow creating a shield protecting the man . As swift as they defended , the two children started attacking Esme . Too much , she cried internally . I can ’ t . She was too weak and tired . She wanted to collapse to the floor , she wanted sleep . She opened the scroll , taking a breath . ‘ Akkosa !’ She called out , reading from her scroll . Altani and Arik struggled as invisible forces pushed and pulled them , making them lose their balance . Esme hurriedly fled . She was fading . She knew it . She was going to disappear . BANG ! Esme fell and a sharp pain seeped into her left leg . It made her feel numb , and she dropped her scroll . She grabbed her leg , trying to reach that wretched piece of paper , but she couldn ’ t even move . Too late . Too ... late ... ‘ Pamussati !’ She screamed , one last time , before a sandstorm erupted . It blocked her view of Altani and Arik and the man in the hood . Please , she hoped , then she disappeared . Alona woke up , heart pounding . Her breath was jagged , but she was sure it was all a dream . What happened to the scroll ? And the kids ? The man ? She had so many questions . She thought of what grandma had told her the day before . Her grandmother , who was dozing on the rocking chair , seemed to have a smile on her face . Alona shut her eyes , trying to relive what had happened in the dream . Was her grandma ...? She took quick , quiet steps to her grandma , and lifted up the tip of her pants . A scar was there , small and nearly gone ... but it was there . Alona smiled . The door creaked open . Alona ’ s mother peeked in . ‘ Alona ? You awake yet ? I ’ ve got good news !’ Alona put a finger in front of her lips , pointing to her grandmother . ‘ What ?’ She murmured . ‘ We ’ re going on vacation to Gobi desert .’