Zac and the Dream Stealers by Ross Mackenzie Read Free Book Online Page B

is. Granny was born here, so I suppose part of me is from here, too. I suppose I’m a bit of both.”
    Tom’s mouth fell open. “Brilliant!” he said.
    â€œUnbelievable,” croaked Tilly.
    They both gazed at Zac in the way someone might look at the most interesting animal at the zoo.
    â€œWhat?” said Zac. “What is it?”
    â€œSorry,” whispered Tom. “It’s just that we’ve never met anyone from the Waking World before. What’s it like there? And how come you’re wearing pajamas? Does everyone there dress like that all the time?”
    Zac had forgotten about his pajamas. He blushed, tying the belt on his robe a little tighter.
    â€œOh . . . this is just what I wear to bed,” he babbled. “Usually I wear different stuff.” He fought back a smirk. “Sort of like what you have on, actually.”
    Tom was wearing terrible bright blue pants, with a pink shirt and vest.
    There was a moment’s silence. Zac put his hands in his pockets and felt something cold and metallic. He jingled it between his fingers.
    â€œWhat have you got there?” quizzed Tilly.
    Zac pulled his hand out and opened it. Nestling in his palm were two shiny ten-pence pieces.
    â€œWhat are those?” said Tom excitedly.
    â€œCoins,” replied Zac. He held out his hand. “Here,” he said. “Now you can say you’ve got something from the Waking World.”
    Tilly and Tom slowly took the coins from Zac’s hand.
    â€œThanks,” said Tom.
    â€œWhat are they used for?” asked Tilly.
    â€œCoins are money,” said Zac. “If you want to buy something from someone, you give them some of these and they give you something in return.”
    â€œWe know what money is,” Tom said with a laugh.
    â€œYeah,” added Tilly. “But it’s a bit strange that people should use lumps of metal. We use teeth.”
    â€œTeeth?”
    â€œYeah, look,” said Tilly. She pulled a little leather pouch from her pocket and opened it to reveal a pile of teeth. “These were collected by the tooth fairy from under the pillows of sleeping children in the Waking World. That’s what we use as money here.”
    Zac almost choked.
    â€œThey’ve been cleaned, you know,” she added, noticing his disgusted expression.
    â€œDid you . . . did you say the tooth fairy?” Zac stammered.
    â€œYeah,” said Tom, still examining his coin. “Surely you’ve heard of her?”
    â€œOf course I have,” said Zac. “It’s just that she’s make-believe.”
    â€œMake-believe?” said Tom.
    â€œYeah,” muttered Zac. “I mean, most children my age think the tooth fairy is a story for babies.”
    Tom stared at Zac for a second and then looked at his sister. “Completely bonkers,” he said, pointing to his head. “Hey, you want us to show you around?”
    â€œI’m supposed to stay here,” said Zac.
    â€œNot now! Later, when everyone’s asleep.”
    â€œWe know HQ inside out,” added Tilly.
    Zac only thought about it for a second. This place did seem pretty cool. And he’d just met two kids who didn’t think he was a freak. He wasn’t going to blow it now.
    â€œOK,” he said. “If you’re sure.”
    â€œOnly, don’t tell anyone,” warned Tom. “We’re not supposed to. There’s all sorts of weird stuff lying around. An old shoe attacked me last week . . .”
    At that moment, Granny and the others reappeared.
    Tom nudged Zac in the ribs. “Remember,” he whispered, “don’t say anything.”
    â€œRight,” said Zac, wondering what sort of surprises lay ahead.

The dining room of the Knights’ headquarters was oval with a polished floor and a round table, on which places had been set for everyone.
    Here, Zac was introduced to Tilly and