The day after, my face was plastered on local news. The interview I'd done was being replayed on every news program in Santa Cruz.

My parents, Shauni and even people at work asked about the incident. They wanted to know, why I was even at the school instead of hard at work. But I couldn't tell them the truth. So I kept to my story that I'd visited Joshua.

Of course Shauni and my parents thought it was more than just a friendship. I chuckled thinking about Shauni accusing me of getting rid of her so I could focus my attention on Joshua.

It wasn't like that though. He was just there when I needed someone to talk to. He didn't judge me, nor did he try to make a move, he was just genuine in his concern for me. A good, wholesome friend.


Detective Wade kept calling me, to ask how I slept. I knew he wanted to know if I'd dreamt of any deaths lately. I enjoyed playing with him, describing my minuscule dreams about minor things that would happen throughout my day.


Thing's weren't going to bad, but the high I was riding soon subsided. I knew it wouldn't last forever.

This time around, I was present when it happened. Or I would be present when the concrete slab they were pouring collapsed, possibly killing some of the men.

I contemplated, staying home, but I felt as though, my presence would have no impact on the outcome of the Monday morning. At least if I was there, I had a chance of stopping it.

For the first time ever, I had an idea of the time which it would happen. I know because the client, who'd chosen to replace me as project manager had driven in just in time to see the roof collapse.

Just in time to see all those men perish, but I didn't kno what could've caused it. He would be there at 11 am to check on the progress, it was his regularly scheduled visit for a Monday morning and he was never late.

I told Joshua about the dream as I cashed in my order for a French mocha, but I wasn't there for the coffee. I needed his advice.

"Ok so you know the time, what if you told them to work on something else? Or call a meeting at that time to prevent it from happening"

"Could work, I could say there's a change order or something, or introduce some new policy"

"What kinda policy?"

"I don't know, something about safety".

I glanced at my watch, it was almost time for me to catch a bus to the site.

"Do you need me to drop you off?"

"It's ok, I'll just take the bus. Plus you have work".

"No it's fine, I'm the manager remember?"

"Junior manager." I smiled for the first time that morning.

"Same thing, just wait out by my car"

I did as I was told and in a few minutes he was walking out the door. When we got to the site which was 15 minutes outside of town, I expected him to reverse and be on his way back to work.

To my surprise he turned off the car engine and got out behind me. He really shouldn't be here, but I didn't want him to leave. I don't know what would be different, but his presence made me feel less panicked about the situation.

"Why didn't we call Detective Wade?"

"He's a homicide detective remember? This isn't a murder."

"I hope not". Shivers ran down my spine as he said that, I couldn't fathom this being something intentional

As we approached the security gate, I put on my hard hat and vest. I told the security Joshua was with me.

I caught him staring as we entered the tiny on site office by the gate.

"What?" He looked away immediately.

" Nothing..."

"No tell me."

"I've just never seen you in full construction lady mode. It's... You look..."

I didn't understand his reason for acting so shy.

"I look what?"

"You look so freaking sexy"

I truly wasn't expecting that. I felt the blood creep up my cheeks and I busied myself with sorting through papers that were already placed in alphabetical order.

"Uh thanks" was all I could manage. Great timing Joshua, people are probably going to die and you have me blushing. An awkwardness fell heavily in the tiny room.

"I should try and call the client and you know try to stop him from coming, see if that helps"

"Yeah OK"

My efforts to stop him from coming failed miserably. I tried the point of telling him that everything was on track so it was not necessary for him to visit.

But he took it as, myself trying to cover up some sort of mistake. He resolved that he would be at the site to ensure everything was running smoothly.

The workmen had started to arrive and I was busy walking through the building checking every joint to ensure they were secure, and they were.

Joshua was tailing me throughout the building, I had ensured he was given some safety gears to wear. It was odd but comforting having him here when he should be at work. I don't want him to feel like he has to be here.

"You should probably be heading back"

"Are you sure? Because I told Maggie I was dealing with a supply issue. Should buy me some time".

He was now lying for me. That's not right.

"It's ok you really should-"

"You got a lot of nerve calling Mr. Chin!"

Headley approached us heavy footed and angry. We were currently standing amongst all the props that would hold up the decking.

"Look I just called him to let him know that his visit wasn't necessary"

"And why on earth would you do that?"

"Because we are and I thought it would be a waste of time".

" A waste of time?!" He was now breathing heavily in my face.

"Look here you little rookie, if the client says that they want to come, they come! I don't know what half assed school you went to but you better remember this is my turf-" Headley was getting really close and jabbing his finger really close to my face.

"Hey relax man"

"Who the heck are you?"

"I'm Joshua, Valerie's friend" he reached his hand out for a shake that never came.

Headley turned his attention back to me.

"You get your little boy toy off of my site."

"Your site? As I can recall this job is mine! I did all the planning, all you did was have a dick between your legs!"

"That's it get out!"

"I'm not going anywhere you misogynistic prick!"

At this point all the workers who had already arrived had gathered around the commotion.

Headley not wanting to cause a scene suggested we talk about this later. I could kick myself. Headley could have helped me call a meeting with the team right at 11 am to avoid the accident. But he would never work with me on this.

He stormed off and Joshua and I followed.

He shouted at the workers to get moving, that it was time to prep for the pouring.

This was a long shot but I asked him to recheck all the props. He cut me off saying he had checked them all yesterday and they were fine. Except, they weren't. The decking was going to collapse.

I shut my eyes trying to remember the dream, was there something I had missed? But I couldn't remember anything more than what I already know.

"Hey maybe we should postpone the pouring till after the client comes you know" I suggested.

"No, that's stupid, maybe you should go back to school and learn real project management"

"Hey, you can't talk to her like that" Joshua stepped in.

"I'm sorry, I thought I told you to leave"

"He's here with me...."
".... Asshole" I whispered under my breath.

Joshua smirked at that. A couple hours went by of me going back and forth with Headley. Until he finally got to the point where he asked me why I was so adamant about postponing the pouring.

The mixer had already started pumping concrete mix into the decking, but we still had some time before Mr. Chin got here.

I figured at this point it was time I just told him the truth. Well some of it, a quick glance at Joshua gave me the confidence.

I told him that I felt like the decking would collapse because of a loose prop support.

Headley only laughed.

" You have been hassling me all morning because of a hunch?"

"You're wasting my time"

"Boss come quick there's a problem with the pump"

We all looked at each other. I don't remember this happening in my dream.

"What's up?" I asked the worker.

"It just stopped pumping, the motor is running but it's not pumping"

"Could be a clog, go disconnect the hose"

The worker would have to climb on top the decking, which by my count would make four people up there.

"No don't do that"

Headley gave me the deadliest stare known to man.

" Headley listen, he can't go up there"

"It's ok Ms Anderson, I can manage"

"No it's not that, Headley just listen..."

"I don't have time for your bullshit. Go up in the roof and stop wasting my time. Remember who's paying you."

I held my breath as he climbed on to the decking. I heard it creak but none of the prop supports shifted.

They disconnected the hose, and used a chisel to de-clog the concrete that was caked up inside.

"Maybe that was different so it might not happen" Joshua whispered.

I prayed he was right. The worker gave us a thumbs up. Then Headley waved a green flag, signalling them to go.

As he did this, Mr. Chin drove through the gates. The motor must have been backed up as a huge burst of concrete sprayed it on to the decking.

"Noooo!" I yelled as I ran to the ladder.

"Turn it off!"

I was half way up when I heard the crash of the decking hitting the floor. The five men went down with it. The burst of concrete must have caused the decking to give way.

But why didn't I see all of this happening? It was like my brain skipped out the most crucial parts. When I got to the top, of the ladder there was a huge crater, the men weren't moving.

"Call the medical team!" I heard Headley shout.

But everything was fading around me. The next thing I knew I was on the ground sobbing, Joshua's arms around me.

"I tried to stop it. I tried to stop it. I tried to stop it" I was losing my mind.

"I'm taking you home."

My mind and body became numb. I shouldn't go home, I should stay.

"No, I should stay. You should go."

"No I'm not leaving you"

"You haven't been yourself since Ms. Owen's accident, and we can't afford another accident like this happening again"

"The accident, it wasn't my fault"

"No one is saying it was Ms. Anderson, I just think it would be best if you took a 3 week sabbatical"

"You mean suspended..."

"No sabbatical, take a trip, maybe go see Ms. Owens."

"But I don't want to" I'm sure I sounded like a child.

"I insist Ms. Anderson".

"What will happen with the project?"

"Well we'll have to stop work and assess the damage, see how much it will cost us"

"It didn't have to happen you know, I tried to stop it"

"Might I suggest you go see someone, maybe talk about how you've been feeling?"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I'm sure my boss just told me he thinks I'm crazy. At least none of the men died, that's a positive, but damn Headley and damn these dreams!

Mr. Hooke was right though, I did need a break, needed to go see my friend and just try to be normal if only for a little while.