VicL

In Dreamworlds, a telepathic network where billions of dreamers share their dreams, a freak accident steals a boy away from his family for several hours. 13 year old Colin awakes with no memory of those hours, but in Dreamworlds, the scars he still bears prove that something had happened.

His father brings him and a select group of friends to a new Dreamworld the very next night - the one Dreamworld in all the Network that allowed children to roam free, obtain a sort of power, and face the responsibilities involved. A Dreamworld where children Travel with and care for animal Comrades, a Dreamworld meant for children to grow and mature without parents looking over their shoulders all the time.

There Colin explores friendship like he never had before... and finds that it could be the only thing he could count on to protect him.

Dreamworlds

"Princess Darna, a few more questions if we may. About Nakama World… can you tell us what you expect the kids to do there, other than play with animals and have them fight each other?"


     "I expect them to Travel. That's why they're called Travelers. While their Comrades are indeed expected to protect them and fight Wilds, there is an entire world of possibilities for them, with its own economic, social and  political systems."


     "And what involvement could mere children have in a Dreamworld that permits {adult} participation? What's the difference between that Dreamworld and any other, seeing as the adults very likely control everything?"


     "Very obviously, being designed for children, it holds little appeal for adults other than the children themselves. The vast majority of adults participating in Nakama World are parents, teachers and those who work with children."


     "What about teenagers? We understand that there are a great many of them involved in Nakama World also."


     "What about them? It is good for younger children to be able to play with the older ones."


     "And you don't think such unrestricted, uncontrolled socializing is of concern?"


     "My dear reporter, you've said yourself, Nakama World is practically run by concerned adults. Do you honestly consider society there to be out of control? Think of Nakama World like a secure park, where the children are allowed to run freely, enjoy nature and learn all at once."


     "And is there no monitoring at all of what sorts of adults and teenagers have access to this secure park?"


     "Not if I can help it. But such societies have their own ways."


Interlude (17a)