Chapter Thirty-Four: Stella

The white glow fades, and for a minute we’re all blinking to regain our sight in the sudden darkness. Then I realize that something’s wrong. Okay, let’s count off. I’m here, and I see Marc, and there’s Kallie… But where’s Bunni, Lucki, Shock? Where’s Misti, Arx, her new friend? Where did they go? Marc must have the same thought, because he speaks up.

“Where are the others?” He asks, looking around. “Where are we?”

“Leo’s prison,” Kallie says dryly. “They were trying to take me, but you two were too close. The battle is still going on, just without us.”

“How do you know?” I demand. “We can be anywhere!”

“I--” Her voice cracks. “I can’t tell you.” She sounds honest, like she wants to tell me but something’s stopping her.

“It’s alright,” I assure her. “Let’s get out of here.” I try to summon the Space-Time powers I have, but I can’t seem to get them to work. Marc tries too, but he can’t get anything either. Kallie is trying as well, but it isn’t working.

“Let’s all try to make the same portal,” Marc suggests. I nod. He’s smart, if we work together we can do something. Kallie, Marc, and I grab each other’s hands, and close our eyes to concentrate. I hear the quiet crackling of a portal forming and open my eyes. A portal big enough for all of us sits in the middle of the floor.

“YES!” I exclaim, dancing in a circle. “Let’s go back and help our friends,” I say. Kallie and Marc nod, and we all step through. I am prepared for, and actually enjoy, the tingling sensation of passing through a portal.

What I’m not prepared for is what’s on the other side.