For Brenda . . .

who insisted these stories had life,

long after they were buried and forgotten.

Thanks for your persistence, Hon.

BILL MYERS is a superbly creative writer and film director who co-created the "McGee & Me" book and video series and whose work has received over two dozen national awards. His new Journeys to Fayrah is a remarkable series of exciting fantasy/mythical stories that totally captivate young readers (ages 8 and up). With an originality all his own, Myers builds in conflicts of good and evil, profound allegories that young people can grasp and apply to their own lives; distinct from, yet similar in feel to the Chronicles of Narnia.

Preface

Not long ago I was on a radio talk show and had a disturbing conversation with a caller. Apparently one of the "McGee and Me!" book and video episodes of which I'm co-creator and author (yes, there really are books, too) frightened a child, causing him to have nightmares. It's the only report I've had on this, but it was enough to make me pause and give thought. As a young boy, I was also frightened by elements of myth and fantasy. I mean it was a close race between the Cowardly Lion and me as to who was doing the most shaking during those throne room scenes in The Wizard ofOz. Of course, as I grew older the once terrifying scenes became thrilling and intriguing— but only as I grew older.

Mythical/fantasy genres call for conflict between good and evil. For evil to pose any type of threat, good

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must sometimes be put in peril. In writing the Jour-nevs to Fayrah series, I've tried to be prudent in keeping a proper balance, but portions of the stories may be too much for the very young and most sensitive children.

With that in mind, please be aware that this series is not designed for small children. The youngest I aimed for were eight- to nine-year-olds (with the oldest, I hope, stretching far into adulthood). Still, if you're a parent who feels reading these stories to younger children will be of benefit, I've taken the liberty of putting an asterisk {*) next to areas that may be too intense for them. At these junctures, please feel free to use that wonderful imagination we all catch from our kids and invent a softer, paraphrased version for them.

Finally, if you're a theological or philosophical watchdog, I'm glad you're around. We need you. But if you're thinking of writing me, save the ink. This is not a theological treatise. Somebody's going to insist on trying to find an allegory or two and I suppose that's fine, but this series is not intended to be "pure" in any type of allegorical approach. If such elements exist, they're to provoke and stimulate thought, not to define it.

Well that should about do it in the excuse and disclaimer departments. I do hope you find these journeys as fun and exciting in the reading as I did in the writing. And I hope somehow, some way they help us all view life from a slightly higher perspective.

Happy trails.

—Chapter One—

^^l^jMsimrt

The Rock

It wasn't Denise's fault. It was just some weird rock she'd found in her uncle's attic. I mean, what better birthday gift to give to a weird kid than a weird rock. How'd she know the strange, red stone in her coat pocket would start to glow? How'd she know by exposing it to the light of the full moon it would send out a distress call to some sort of "alternate dimension?" What'd she know about glowing rocks? Come to think of it, what did she know about alternate dimensions? But Denny would have to learn. She'd have to learn fast.

Now it's true, a rock for Nathan's birthday probably wasn't the best of gifts. Then again, Denise and Nathan weren't the best of friends. To say that she hated him might be an exaggeration. To say that at least once a week she had this deep desire to punch

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him in the gut, well that at least would be the truth.

The problem was that Nathan was spoiled—big time. But it wasn't all his fault. Ever since the last operation—ever since the doctors said his hip would never be normal, that he'd always limp and have these sharp, jagged pains whenever he walked—Nathan was treated differently. And, being a fairly bright kid, Nathan did what any fairly bright kid would do. He milked it for all it was worth!

He milked it to get whatever he wanted from his grandfather. He milked it when he didn't want to go to school. He even milked it when he didn't want to take out the trash. But all that would be changing. Soon. Very soon.

Denise rounded the corner and headed up the street toward Grandpa O'Brien's Secondhand Shop. When Nathan's folks were away on business, Nathan helped out there in the evenings. And with any luck, his older brother Joshua might show up too.

Good ol' Josh. A couple years older than Denise, he was always there for her. He was there to pull her off kids before she completely pulverized them in fights. He was there to help her with the math she could never quite master. He was even there when her father ran off. Denny was only three or four at the time and doesn't even remember what the man looked like. But she remembers Joshua. She remembers him playing with her and trying to make her laugh. And she'll never forget the time he held her when she couldn't stop crying. It made no difference how much the other kids teased him. He went right on holding her until she finally stopped.

Good ol' Joshua. Now if only his little brother could learn a few of those traits . . .

THE ROCK

As she moved up the sidewalk, Denny listened to the snow creaking and squeaking under her feet. She loved December nights—the way the stars were so close you could almost touch them, the way the store windows glowed with twinkling Christmas lights. She even loved the obnoxious ringing bell of the Salvation Army Santa across the street.

Reaching the Secondhand Shop, she pushed open the door only to be knocked aside by two little kids who raced out of the shop for all they were worth. Their reason was simple. Nathan and his grandfather were arguing again.

"Grandpa, that's the third toy you've given away this week!"

"To be sure, Lad, and don't you think I'd be knowing that?" The old man had come from Ireland almost 40 years ago but still insisted on keeping his accent— and his temper.

Even at that he was no match for Nathan. The boy was a pro and went after his grandfather with everything he had. "Grandpa, how do you expect to make a profit?"

"Son, there's more to this life than making a—"

"You've seen the books—"

"Yes, Lad, but—"

"You know what Mother's accountant said—"

"Yes, but—"

"It's all there in black and white."

"I under—"

"If you don't start making a profit you'll lose the store."

"Yes . . . but . . . I . . ." The old man was running out of steam. He tried to change targets. Unfortunately he took aim at Nathan's heart—a poor choice

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since that particular target was impossibly small. "It's the Johnson children," Grandfather explained. "You know how they've always wanted a puppy, and since we just got them little wooden pop-up ones in last week, and since times have been so hard for them . . ." The old man came to a stop. Nathan was no longer listening and his grandfather knew it.

Instead, the boy hopped up on a stool behind the cash register. He spotted Denise at the door and grinned, making it clear that this was all a game to him. Now it was time to go into "Phase 2"—his Woe-Is-Me-Self-pity Phase. "Times are hard for all of us. Grandpa."

He glanced over to the stuffed toy on the counter beside him. It was an English bulldog with wonderful wrinkled folds on its huge face. But by the way it was left half unwrapped in the gift paper, it was obvious it hadn't exactly met Nathan's high standards for birthday presents.

Slowly the boy turned to his grandfather. One aspect of the Self-pity Phase was to make sure you either had a catch in your voice or a tear in your eye. Nathan had both. He was good. Very good.

"Oh, Grandpa, I don't at all mean to complain . . . but. . . ," he threw in a couple sniffs for good measure, "the Johnsons aren't the only ones who want a real dog . . ."

"I know. Son, but—"

"And if you're always giving stuff away so you don't have enough money . . . well . . ." he let his voice trail off pathetically.

The old man bit his lip. He loved that boy with all of his heart. "I'm sorry. Lad. Maybe in a few months I'll be able to afford a real puppy."

THE ROCK

Nathan looked up and gave a brave nod.

By now Grandpa's heart was melting. "But this ol' bulldog here, he ain't a bad substitute now is he?"

Nathan managed to smile and get his bottom lip to tremble all at the same time. Yes sir, he knew all the moves.

Denise wasn't sure what was next, but she was sure that she'd seen enough. So before things got any more syrupy, she started toward the counter and chirped out a "Hi guys."

"Oh, hi Denny," Grandpa exclaimed. "So how are you this fine winter evenin'?"

"Pretty good," she answered as she glanced around. "So, where's Joshua? Still at basketball practice?"

Normally Nathan would have answered, but he was too busy giving Denny his famous death glare. Here he had gone to all this trouble to get Grandpa right where he wanted him and now she barged in and completely wrecked the whole mood.

Denise played dumb and smiled as if she didn't know what she had done. "Happy birthday, Nathan."

"Thanks," he grumbled.

"I brought you a gift." She began to dig inside her coat pocket.

"You did?" Suddenly things weren't so bleak after all.

"Yeah. It isn't much but I think you'll like it." She plopped the crimson colored rock down on the counter.

Nathan stared at it blankly. "A rock?"

"Yeah, but not just any rock. I found it in my uncle's attic. Look at the red sparkles in it."

"Great," Nathan groaned as he picked it up. Ob-

• 15 •

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viously he didn't share her excitement. "A stupid stuffed dog . . . and now a rock. Some birthday . . ." He tossed the rock back to the counter and all three watched it roll to the edge . . . right under the window . . . right into a patch of moonlight.

"Nathan," Grandpa chided. "Where are your manners?"

"Well, it's the truth, isn't it? Mom and Dad are off on some vacation—"

"Business," Grandpa corrected. "They're on a business trip."

"Whatever. And all you do is look out for everybody but me."

"Now, that's not true."

"Isn't it?" Nathan spun around and nailed Grandpa with another woe-is-me look. "What do you call it when you give away so much stuff that you can't afford to buy your own grandson the only present he's ever really wanted in his whole life!"

Nathan scored a direct hit. Guilt washed over Grandpa and soaked into every pore. Guilt over giving the toy to the Johnsons. Guilt over not buying Nathan a real puppy. Guilt over the boy's parents always being away. Even guilt over Nathan's bad hip. Yes sir, if you could name it. Grandpa was feeling guilty over it. It was more than the old man could stand. "All right, all right!" he finally shouted as he turned to head for the cash register.

"What are you doing?" Nathan asked innocently as Grandpa punched the buttons on the machine and the money drawer popped open.

"You want a puppy, I'll be gettin' you a puppy!"

The boy exchanged glances with Denise. This was going better than even he had planned.

THE ROCK

Grandpa grabbed the bills from the drawer and turned to face Nathan. "I'm takin' whatever money we got here and buy in' you your puppy!"

Nathan pretended to protest. "Grandpa . . ."

"No," the old man said as he stormed toward the coat rack and threw on his scarf and hat. "You've been whinin' and complainin' all week and I'll be havin' no more of it."

"But not all the money." Nathan was doing his best to sound concerned, but it was obvious to Denny that he had the whole thing planned.

"I've made up my mind, Lad," Grandpa said as he jerked on his coat and headed for the door.

"Grandpa, please, not all your hard earned—"

"No, sir," he said, yanking open the door, "I'm goin' out to Smalley's Pet Shop to buy you a puppy and that's final!"

Just before Grandpa shut the door Nathan was able to squeeze in one last protest. Well, it really wasn't much of a protest. "Make sure it's the black one with the white spots!"

The door slammed with a foreboding thud. The room stood silent. Denise stood amazed. And Nathan stood grinning.

Finally Denise was able to speak. "You—you had that all planned, didn't you?"

"Not the part about the rock," Nathan shrugged. "But even that worked out pretty good, don't you think?"

Denny was flabbergasted.

Nathan laughed. "Come on, lighten up. You'd do it too if you thought you could get away with it."

"No way . . ." Denise could feel the tops of her ears heating up with anger.

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"Gimme a break, of course you would—we all would." Suddenly he was feeling very much like the teacher. "That's the only way to get ahead in this ol' world—figure out what you want, then go for it."

He plopped his feet up on the trash bin as Denise looked on in both awe and repulsion.

"Yes sir," Nathan said as he leaned against the counter and clasped his hands behind his head. "There's only two types of people—the haves and have-nots."

Once again Denny had this overwhelming urge to punch Nathan in the gut. But this time something other than self-control stopped her. It was the rock. It was starting to glow! It was full of a red, sparkling light that seemed to grow brighter by the second. In fact, the more Nathan talked the brighter it grew— almost as if his words were somehow giving it energy.

"You think millionaires get that way by looking out for the other guy?" he mused. "No sir. They get there by looking out for Number One."

By now the red glow was so bright that it lit up the entire counter. Denny tried to shout but she was too frightened to find her voice. She tried to jump out of the way but she was too scared to find her feet. So instead of shouting or jumping she just stood there pointing.

But it didn't matter to Nathan. He wasn't watching. He was too busy lecturing. Eyes closed and leaning back, Nathan went on and on and on . . . and just when you thought he had finished he went on some more. All this as the red stone behind him continued to light up the room. ...

—Chapter Two-

The Visitors

Now hold it, Partner, that ain't how it's done. If you're tryin' to be tops, don't fight for Number One.

The voice sent Nathan and his stool crashing to the floor. One minute he was leaning back on it lecturing Denise on the advantages of being selfish, the next he was on the ground shaking like a leaf.

"Who. . .who said that?!" he nervously demanded.

Denny would have joined in the demand but she was still trying to find her voice. Come to think of it, she was still trying to move. By now the entire room was filled with the rock's glaring red light. And that voice—that weird poetry—it seemed to come from everywhere. Every wall, every shelf, every board in the

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room seemed to vibrate with its sound.

"Where . . . where are you?" It was Nathan again— trying his best to fake some courage. The way his voice quivered, it was obviously not the real thing, but right now fake courage was better than no courage.

He barely got the words out before the voice answered:

Hold on to yer horses, we'll be gettin' there soon. Jes' need the right coordinates, to enter your room.

Nathan and Denise exchanged looks of astonishment. Meanwhile the voice continued as if talking to somebody else: "Got it this time, ol' Buddy?"

A darker, more gravely voice answered. "Cool it is. Got it me do."

"You sure?" the first voice asked. "Remember the last time when you—"

"Got it, I do!" The second voice was getting a little irritated.

Suddenly Nathan and Denise heard four electronic-type sounds...

BLEEP.. . BOP. . . BURP. . . BLEEP.. .

. . . followed by a "YEOOOWWWWWWWWW," as the pot-bellied stove began to rattle and shake and three very strange creatures leaped out. As they flew through the air, they grew in size until they were nearly as tall as Denny and Nathan.

The first was a furry faced bear-like fellow with a

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checkered vest and a walking stick. But right now he wasn't doing much walking. Instead, since the seat of his pants had caught on fire he was doing a lot more jumping and yelling. Most of the yelling was directed at the second creature, a tall, cool, purple dude dressed in a tuxedo. "Ow, ooo, ooch, ow, ow, get me out! Quick, quick, put me out, put me out!"

The cool dude was doing his best to pat and slap out the flames, "Man, got it! It I got!" but he wasn't having the greatest of success.

Nathan and Denise watched in speechlessness as the strange dance continued—the furry creature running around with his pants on fire; the cool dude trying to put him out.

"Won't you, oo, ooow, ever get them coordinates, ow, right!!?"

"Cool man, it is!"

After a few more attempts, the cool dude finally managed to smother the flames.

"Thanks," the furry creature muttered.

"Cool," the cool dude said. Suddenly he began to examine his tuxedo coat, checking it over very care-fiilly. "Coat my, OK it is?"

The furry creature looked over the cool guy's coat and brushed off a few ashes. "Cool," he grinned.

A wave of relief swept over the cool dude as he nodded in satisfaction.

With that they finally turned to face the kids. For a moment all four stood in silence. There was no movement in the room—nothing—except, of course, for the slightest trace of smoke still rising from the furry creature's rear.

Nathan was the first to speak. He was back on his feet, but doing an even worse imitation of being brave

• 22 •

THE VISITORS

than before. "Who . . . who are you guys?" he stuttered. "Where'd you come from?"

The furry creature pulled himself together, straightened his tie, and answered:

So sorry about that. First to answer your "who," I'm Aristophenix' T. Xanthrope, and this here is Listro- Q.

The two kids glanced at each other. Although they got an answer to their first question, it didn't seem to help much. And before they could think of the second there was a sudden, high-pitched squeal—like somebody running a tape recorder at high speed.

They spun around and saw the third member of the party. He was hovering behind them and just over their heads. At first glance he looked a little like a dragonfly. On second glance he passed more for a large ladybug. The problem was that neither dragonflies nor ladybugs have glowing blue tails. But this one did. He had a glowing blue tail that flickered and blinked for as long as he talked—which at the moment seemed to be forever.

Finally he came to a stop and the cool dude answered, "Well point taken." Then turning back to Nathan and Denise he introduced the third and final creature. "This here, Samson is."

Samson let out another long line of high-pitched chatter, which Denise naturally took as a greeting. Not wanting to appear frightened and impolite (like all those stupid earthlings in all those stupid science fiction movies), Denny tried to smile graciously and an-

'Ar-is-toph-en-ix. ^Lis'-tro Q.

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swer the little fellow. "Well thank you, and it's certainly a pleasure to meet you." In an effort to show universal friendship and politeness, she held out her hand to shake.

Samson immediately swooped down and bit it.

"OW!" she yelled, pulling her hand back.

"Samson!" Listro Q scolded.

Aristophenix cleared his throat uneasily and tried to explain:

You'll have to excuse him, Sammy's not being rude. In Fayrah^ opened hands, mean you're offering food.

"Fayrah?" Nathan ventured. "What's that?"

"Home, us for," Listro Q answered.

"Yeah," Denise said, sucking her finger, no longer too worried about universal friendship or politeness. "So why'd you come here?"

"Bloodstone threw you into moonlight." Listro Q motioned toward the rock Denny had given Nathan. It now set on the counter just as plain and dull as any other rock.

"Yeah, so?" Denny's anger was starting to give way to curiosity.

"Universal help call. Knows that everyone," Listro Q answered.

"Help?" Nathan spoke up. "We don't need help."

"You don't?" Aristophenix asked. Suddenly he sounded very sad and dejected.

"No," Nathan explained. "I just threw that rock there by accident."

^Fay-rah.

• 24 •

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"Selfishness," Listro Q asked, "your speech about. Number One looking out for. Didn't hear we just a minute ago?"

"Huh?" Nathan asked.

Denise ventured a guess. "He's talking about your winners and losers speech—how you should only look out for Number One." All three strangers nodded in agreement.

"Oh, you heard that did you?" Nathan asked, swelling a little with pride. At last here was a higher form of intelligence that could appreciate the finer truths of life.

"Believe that, you do?" Listro Q asked.

"Absolutely," Nathan agreed. "The only way to get ahead in this old world is to take while the taking's good." He gave a little grin, assured that everyone was impressed by his vast insight and intelligence.

But nobody grinned back. Instead, all three creatures slowly looked to the floor in silence. Nathan and Denise exchanged glances.

Instinctively, Nathan began to backpedal—just a little. "That doesn't mean you're forgetting about the little guy," he heard himself hedging, "you know like the homeless and stuff."

There was no response from the group.

He continued, "Actually you're doing more good by showing them how you have to get in there and fight to win—right?"

Still no response. Again Nathan and Denise exchanged glances. Finally he asked, "Hey, you guys all right? I say something wrong?"

Listro Q looked up and for the first time since they met, there was no coolness about him. Instead there was the slightest trace of compassion in his eyes. "Be-

• 25 •

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lieve we do, that more help need you than you know." Again Nathan looked confused. Aristophenix stepped in to explain:

In our world of Fayrah, the opposite is true. We care less for the me's, and far more for the you's.

Nathan laughed, "You got to be kidding."

But nobody else was laughing.

"Come off it guys." Nathan tried to be light but there was no missing the tension growing in his voice. "Who are you fooling? Nobody could survive in a world where you care more for the other guy than yourself."

The others simply looked at him.

"No way," Nathan repeated.

More silence.

"Oh sure," he offered, "maybe one or two weir-does—but not a whole world—I mean they'd all have to have some sort of warped idea of what happiness really is."

Suddenly all three Fayrahnians broke into laughter. They couldn't help themselves. Denise had to smile too. She wasn't sure why. Maybe it was just the idea of someone getting the better of Nathan.

"What's so funny?" he demanded. But instead of an answer, Samson started to chatter again.

Listro Q and Aristophenix listened carefully, occasionally throwing in a few "mm-mm's" and "goods" until the little guy was finally finished.

"Well?" Nathan insisted. His voice was shakier than normal, the way it got whenever he didn't have complete control of a situation.

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Listro Q tried to explain. "A child Samson is still. Graduate to adulthood he must soon."

"Yeah?" Nathan asked. "So what does that got to do with me?" He was pleased that the edge in his voice was already starting to come back.

Aristophenix continued:

To graduate in Fayrah, good deeds Sam must do. So come to our kingdom, and let him show it to you.

Denise's heart raced and sank at the same time. It raced because of the invitation. It sank because the last thing you ever wanted was to let Nathan know you needed him. Once that happened he'd always twist it to get his way. Always.

And true to form, he did exactly that. "I don't know . . ." he pretended to stall.

Now it's true, if Denise had taken time to think she might have had her own set of fears. After all, this wasn't your normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill invitation. But Denny had never been real strong in the "Thinking Things Through department."

Nathan continued to stall, "I just don't . . . that is to say . . . hmmm . . ."

OK, that was it. She'd seen enough. It was one thing to watch Nathan manipulate his Grandpa to get a puppy, but quite another for her to lose the chance of a lifetime because he wanted to play another power game. Yes sir, it was definitely time to jump in.

"Listen, Moron," she interrupted, "for once in your life try not to be the world's biggest jerk!" Denny had never pretended to have mastered the gentle art of verbal diplomacy. "In case you haven't figured it out.

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Weasel Brain, these people are offering us the chance to experience intergalactic space travel!"

"Actually," Aristophenix offered, "it's cross-dimensional."

"Whatever," she said, waving the creature aside and refocusing on Nathan. She didn't understand cross-dimensional travel any more than she understood the gentle art of verbal diplomacy. But she did understand the less refined art of physical intimidation. Riveting him with her best destructo-stare, she did all she could to make her 4'11" frame look like 6'2". "If you blow this one," she continued in a slow, measured rythmn, "I'll make sure you pay for the rest of your measly, stinkin' little life."

But Nathan had heard her threats for most of his measly, stinkin' little life, and was basically unimpressed. "I just don't know." He pretended to yawn. "I'd hate to stay up past my bedtime . . ."

"Nathan . . ." Denny knew it was bad manners to snarl in front of cross-dimensional guests but she couldn't help herself.

"... then there's school tomorrow . . ."

"NATHAN . . ."

"... and you know I was so looking forward to giving my oral book report on dental hygiene . . ."

Clenching her fist, Denny was ready to give Nathan a little free dental hygiene of her own when Listro Q interrupted and tried to reason with him. "But something more important than books learn you can."

The boy looked at him blankly.

"Caring learn about you can," Listro Q continued, "and same time diploma Samson can earn."

Of course Nathan was dying to go. Who wouldn't be? But it was important for him to make as many

THE VISITORS

people suffer and bend to his will as possible. This was something Denise understood about him perfectly. Unfortunately, it was something the Fayrahnians did not. So, not wishing to be rude, Aristophenix graciously tried to withdraw the offer:

We don't want to be pushy, perhaps we should go. 'Sides, the Season of Bobok^, lasts a couple more hours or so.

The name Bobok sent a shudder through all three strangers. Maybe Aristophenix was right, maybe it was better if they didn't take the kids. Maybe another time when it was less dangerous. Maybe when Bobok wasn't—

"Wait a minute, wait a minute," Nathan protested. "I didn't say for sure I didn't want to go!"

"Well make up your mind," Denise fumed. "Do you or don't you?"

"Well . . ."

Everyone waited patiently. Everyone but Denise. She already knew the answer.

"Well . . . OK," he finally agreed, "why not?"

All three Fayrahnians let out a cheer. But they wouldn't have been cheering if they had heard the other conversation that was taking place. The one just seven dimensions away in the waterless kingdom of Seerlo^ . . .

"Bobok, my precious and most trusted friend—Tell me on what occasion do you honor my humble king-

"Bo-bok. ^Seer-lo.

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dom with your wondrous presence?" The Illusionist leaned forward from her throne. She hated Bobok with every fiber of her scaled and war-torn body. In the past 3,000 epochs they had fought hundreds of battles over the disputed border between their two kingdoms. Yet, for some reason Bobok now risked all of her hate and vengeance to come and speak with her in person.

"I sense a stirring in Imager's tapestry," Bobok purred as he rolled back and forth in the fire-hot sand just out of reach of her powerful hoofs. He had lost all of his legs and arms in the Great Rebellion. And over the epochs of time, as he propelled himself by rolling, he had worn off all the other outside parts of his body as well. He had become a perfectly round orb—no nose, no ears, not even a head—just a perfectly round, ice-blue orb. But a deadly, perfectly round ice-blue orb . . . with beady little eyes set within deep sockets. "Two threads are tugging at the Weave," he continued to purr, "two threads from the Upside-down Kingdom are about to enter Fay rah."

"What?" the Illusionist asked in astonishment. "Don't they know it is still your Season in Fayrah? Don't they know that you still have two hours to tempt anyone you can to cross through the Portal and into your domain?"

"Perhaps they have forgotten," Bobok quietly chortled.

"And Imager, he would allow this?" she demanded. "After the awful price he has paid for them? You did say they were from the Upside-down Kingdom."

Bobok smiled a sinister grin. "It is the supreme act of egotism, don't you agree? Thinking his love will save them from our ways. But we must work together. If I

THE VISITORS

succeed in wooing them through the Portal, I must cross your kingdom to reach mine."

"But of course, my kindest and dearest of friends. Whatever you wish, after all it is your Season. Of course there must be some minor charge—a tariff for such a crossing."

"Of course," Bobok softly agreed. "And what might that be?"

"Since we have been so close to each other these many epochs, and since you are such a kind, handsome gentlemen, the fee will be slight."

"I thought as much," Bobok cooed.

"Let me see," she pretended to think aloud. "Your keen intellect perceived two Threads, did it not?"

"Yes, male and female."

"And they've both been re-Breathed?"

"No, neither one. Though the girl may be closer to re-Breath than the boy."

"Good . . . good—then you must let me try to lure the girl to stay with me."

"That is a hefty price, dear Lady ... to take half of my catch."

In reply, the Illusionist gave the slightest wave with her hand. Suddenly a thousand soldiers rose from underneath the parched and windblown sand. They had been hidden there all along waiting for her signal. In an instant Bobok was surrounded on every side by an army ready to destroy him.

But Bobok didn't turn to look. He had known this would be the Illusionist's response.

She continued with a smile. "Surely a sensitive man of your great heart and giving nature would not deprive me of the girl."

"Of course not, gracious Lady," Bobok purred.

• 31 •

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"The girl is as good as yours." With that he turned and started rolling through the sun-scorched sand, past the soldiers, and toward the distant Portal . . . toward Fayrah.

The Illusionist leaned back in her throne, grinning over her powers of persuasion. But even now a part of her was beginning to think that the confrontation might have been just a little too easy.

Meanwhile Bobok continued to roll onward. He too was grinning. And for good reason. Everything had gone exactly as he had calculated. He had no interest in the girl—none at all—never had. All he wanted was the boy. And he would do anything he could to get him.

— Chapter Three -

(g^^ki^iGtfi

The Journey Begins

"Denny, Bloodstone, before we go, pick you up," Listro Q commanded as he pulled out a small electronic box. It almost looked like a remote control to a TV, but somehow Denise suspected it did more than pick up local cable.

"Make sure you got the coordinates right this time, ol' Buddy," Aristophenix suggested.

"Cool, it is," Listro Q insisted. "Canteens on back shelf see I. Them need. Nathan two grab."

Nathan gave a nod and quickly limped down the aisle to pick up a couple of the old army surplus canteens at the back of the store. He couldn't figure out what canteens had to do with cross-dimensional travel, but for once he kept his mouth shut. After all, he figured, Listro Q might know a little bit more about it than me — at least for now.

THE PORTAL

As Nathan came back up the aisle, Aristophenix gave the two some last minute instructions:

To travel across dimensions, there's some things you must know, to help ease the trauma, and allow you to flow.

"Most of work, Cross-Dimensionalizer do it will," Listro Q said as he referred to the little box in his hand. "But weight have you of hate, anger, even un-forgiveness, far too heavy to carry through The Center. Mind free you must be of these burdens."

"That's right," Aristophenix agreed.

Think of things pleasant, the Imager has made, or the breadth of his passion, which seems never to fade.

Neither Nathan or Denise clearly understood what they meant but both caught the general gist. Somehow the trip might be a little easier if they thought happy stuff. No problem, they could handle that.

With that Listro Q reached for the control box, pressed the four buttons . . .

BEEP.. . BOP.. . BURP.. . BLEEP.. .

... and they were off.

Suddenly there was so much light that Denny couldn't see a thing. It was as if a thousand flash bulbs had all gone off in her face at once.

Slowly, as her eyes grew accustomed to the brilliance, she could make out even brighter lights surrounding

• 34 •

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

her—even' imaginable color but they all had one thing in common. Like herself, they all seemed to be traveling at incredible speed toward the middle of something.

We're falling, Denise thought. But there was no fear. No panic. Instead, it was more of a quiet obser\'ation. We're all falling toward the center of something.

Correct that is, Listro Q answered.

She turned and saw he was right beside her. Like the others he was glowing. In fact, he was so bright that if it wasn't for his distinct shape, she would never have recognized him.

He continued to speak—but it wasn't really speaking because his mouth never moved. It was as if he was thinking the words and somehow she heard them. All worlds and dimeyisions, to The Center connected, he explained. Slow travel would it be around outside from world to world. Faster travel it is, through The Center to go.

Wow, so we're going to like the center of the Universe!

Center of all Ufiiverses. End and beginning of all things.

Denise asked. You mean like Heaven, or something?

Listro Q shrugged. The Center — Imager's home is it. Imaged by him all things are — him from all things come.

God!? — the Imager, is he like God??

Again Listro Q shrugged. Intense pure — The Imager, he is. The Center, his home.

But before Denny could ask any more questions she spotted Aristophenix approaching. Like Listro Q, he was glowing with light. Beside him little Samson was also glowing. And beside him was what looked like the stuffed bulldog that had been sitting on the counter—one of Nathan's birthday gifts. Apparently the toy had been too close to them when they took off and the Cross-Dimen-sionalizer had somehow sucked it into their journey.

But what really caught Denny off guard was Na-

THE PORTAL

than—at least she thought it was Nathan. Yet this Nathan seemed to be full grown. Not only was he full grown but he was incredibly handsome, and both of his legs were perfectly whole, his hip perfectly well.

Then there was the matter of his clothing. Instead of sweater and jeans he now wore some sort of bright metal, all over him, like a suit of armor or something.

And finally she noticed the canteens—the ones Nathan had picked up at the back of the store. They were no longer exactly canteens. They'd changed their shape. Oh sure, they still had their black screw-on lids and the green camouflage cloth covers, but now they were shaped like . . . well, they almost looked like swords. And, on what would be called the blades of the swords there was the slightest spattering of . . . blood. But it wasn't human blood or even the blood of animals. Somehow Denise knew or felt deep inside that it was a different blood—like the blood of reptiles or maybe insects. That's weird, she thought, insects don't have blood. Or do they?

Suddenly Aristophenix pointed toward The Center. They were approaching what looked like a thin layer of fog. And below that. . . below that was the faintest trace of what could only be described as a city—a city that glowed!

Start thinking them good thoughts. The Interface we're nearer. Keep thanking the Imager, and you'll pass freer and clearer.

Denise winced. The one thing that hadn't changed was Aristophenix's awful poetry. But she understood his warning and quickly searched her mind for something pleasant, something she could be thankful for.

She had it. Charlie. She thought of that first day

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

when her parents brought him home—an orange tabby kitten, hill of fluff and warmness. What wonderful feelings those were. She was only three or four at the time but she remembered how both parents knelt beside her—how they were both stroking Charlie—how they were both smiling. Those were happy times—the best times.

The memory was so warm and good that Denny barely noticed as they entered Interface—as the fog gently embraced and enfolded her. In fact, instead of being cold and damp, the fog somehow had the same warm cuddly feelings as the kitten.

And then it happened . . .

In her memory she looked up to see her parents smiling. There was her mom looking like she always did. And there was her dad . . . But wait a minute. She couldn't remember his face! There were his thick arms, his broad shoulders, even his wavy hair. But no face. Why couldn't she remember it? Why couldn't she remember his face!?

Then the anger started. Anger over her parents' fights. Anger over his leaving. Anger over never seeing him again! Why? Why had he gone? What had she done? Why had he deserted her?

The hate and resentment started to churn inside her and at that very moment the shaking also began— a shaking that grew more violent by the second.

What's going on? she said turning to her companions. But no one was near. Everyone else was several feet below her and falling much faster and smoother.

For the first time since the journey began, Denise felt fear. A cold, icy panic gripped her somewhere in her stomach and quickly raced to the rest of her body—which seemed to make the shaking even more

THE PORTAL

violent. ListroU AristophenixU? she shouted.

But no one heard. No one noticed. Everyone was so involved in the joy and goodness they were experiencing that no one paid attention.

Suddenly Denise was feeling very alone. Very alone and very frightened. Very, very frightened.

The shaking grew to violent bouncing. She tried to scream but she was thrown around so savagely that no sound would come. She clenched her teeth and closed her eyes—hoping through sheer concentration to ease the relentless banging and bumping—to make whatever was happening stop. Again she tried to picture the kitten. But there was too much fear now— more fear than she had ever experienced.

Then she noticed it. She was slowing down. She was no longer falling as fast toward The Center. She was coming to a stop. And the slower she fell the less bouncing she did until both the shaking and her falling came to a sudden halt.

But this lasted only a moment. Just as quick as she came to a stop, she was flung away—like a slingshot in the opposite direction through the foggy Interface and away from The Center. Faster and faster she flew. The various lights and colors were now just a blur as she streaked past them. Looking down she spotted The Center as it quickly shrank to a little ball, then a little dot, and finally disappeared all together. Now there was only the light. But even that began to dim.

For the briefest moment she was back in the Secondhand Shop—or thought she was. It came and went so fast she wasn't sure. But it made no difference because now she had entered some sort of hollow void— a void that grew darker and darker by the second.

"Help me!!" she tried to scream. But she was going

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

so fast the words were sucked out of her mouth before she could speak. The darkness of the void increased until finally there was no light at all. Nothing. Total blackness. She had no sense of location. No up, no down, only speed, terrifying, horrendous speed hurtling her deeper and deeper into the nothingness.

Then she saw them. How could it be? Somehow in this total and complete darkness there was a blacker darkness. But not just one. Hundreds of them. Hundreds of black shadows racing through the darkness. Shadows feeding upon the darkness, devouring the existing blackness, sucking it into themselves and creating an oblivion so deep, so intense that reality itself seemed to be disappearing . . . and every one of those shadows seemed to be heading directly for Denisel

She threw out her hands to protect herself but she couldn't even see her hands. She couldn't see anything. To be honest, she wasn't even sure if she was there, or if she was even alive. Of course she was alive. Why else would she be feeling so dizzy? Why else would she be hearing the relentless pounding of her heart in her ears?

The shadows were much closer now—coming from all sides. Yet that wasn't true because there were no sides. There was nothing.

The pounding in her ears grew deafening. Her head was spinning so fast that she could no longer think. So this is what dying feels like. It was her last thought as she began to lose consciousness. That and, Are those Daddy's eyes!? For suddenly she was staring directly into her father's dark brown eyes. Well, they were his eyes, yet somehow they weren't. For these eyes looked like they understood every hurt, every sorrow and every heartbreak she had ever had.

And then there was nothing.

/ r'

—Chapter Four—

'd^i^^dMiiimft

Arrival

At first the voices were a blur, like in a dream. Soft, velvet murmurings floating above what sounded like a bubbling brook somewhere in the background.

"uiuiOD T8 saqs 3y[i\ s>[00{ ji 'j3u;jej 'ji p|OH •punoj"

"(:|{91 Moq 'noA UB3"

' UiqOJIMJ H 9J^ 59X9 J9H •9AOUI OJ UIJJBJS 9J X9qj

'uoijipuoD a9q 9>[i| s>|00| jj •9AOjduii o; jnoq^ si

Denise struggled to open her eyes but they were just too heavy.

"XuB 'Mou 9jnuii/\["

"•9;bj:iu9duo9 S9f—ji op UH9 noX uqjEQ 'uo 90103"

The voices were much clearer now but she still

THE PORTAL

couldn't understand the words. It sounded like they were talking a foreign language. But it was more than that. She couldn't put her finger on it. But they all were definitely talking strange—very strange.

'pUBJSJSpun J UOA\ 9L{S •sdlS 9UIOS J9q 9Alg noA |{IJ^ 'UT>[SJ91BA\ 9J9L{1 JBqj 95{BJ O^

•sdi| J[9i{ oj ji jnd puB

Denny felt her head being lifted and the cool rim of a container placed against her mouth. Instinctively she opened up and took a swallow. It was wet and cool and perfect. Just what she needed.

"•;sjy JE qonui oo; lou 'unm poo§ aui '{nj9JE3"

"•SJE9 J9q unj9§Joj 9q ;,uop puy"

Denise felt her head tilted to one side. She was more than a little startled as several drops of the cold liquid splashed into her ear. Next her head was tilted to the other side as more was splashed into the other ear.

"It's no fair making the rest of us wait till she gets better. Can't somebody just stay with her while we check out the place?" Suddenly Denny could understand everv'thing that was being said. Every' word, every sentence—she even recognized that last voice. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, that last voice had to belong to the one and only Nathan More-Spoiled-Than-Any-Brat-She-Knew O'Brien.

"Patience, Partner, patience," Aristophenix's voice said.

"Actually, Master Nathan, the greater number of amiable faces surrounding her at the time of consciousness will facilitate a swifter recovery, thereby allowing you to see the kingdom as quickly and as unimpaired as possible."

• 42 •

ARRIVAL

But whose voice was that? Denny had no idea. And since lying around listening to voices was not exactly how she wanted to spend the rest of her life, she mustered up more of her strength. Focusing all her concentration on her eyelids, she was finally able to pry them open.

"Ah, go we there," Listro Q said, looking down at her. He was at her left side with Samson hovering just over his shoulder. On the other side she saw Aristo-phenix kneeling and looking just as chubby and dapper as ever. And beside him with his head kind of upside down was Nathan. Much to her disappointment, it was the old Nathan—the spoiled, whining Nathan. What happened to the other one—the one in the shining armor and mighty swords? Had it all been a dream?

"I do believe. Master Nathan, that in a matter of minutes the female may very well be as fit and spry as ever."

It was the new voice again. Denny looked above her head and was surprised to see the stuffed bulldog peering down at her. He gave a stiff, stodgy cough and continued. "Note the color already returning to the cheeks as well as—"

"So is she going to be OK or what?" Nathan interrupted impatiently.

Good old Nathan, she thought. Some things never change. With that strange and somewhat comforting thought, Denny struggled to sit up.

"Girl now, cool be," Listro Q cautioned.

By now everything was clear and focused for her. Everything except Nathan. For some reason his face still looked upside down.

She tried to speak, but the words came out dry and choking.

THE PORTAL

"Water, more have," Listro Q encouraged as he held the waterskin up to her mouth. She began by taking a small sip but soon found herself gulping in as much as she could. She had never tasted anything quite so good, quite so satisfying.

"Now, easy, easy," Listro Q warned as he gently pulled the waterskin away.

After a moment of catching her breath, Denise was finally able to speak—although her voice was still dry and raspy. "What . . . what happened?"

"Enter you could not The Center," Listro Q answered. "Vibrate with thanks, all created things. Not, you did."

Confused, she turned to Aristophenix. He tried to explain further:

From rocks to trees, to stars to man, to vibrate thanks, is our purpose and plan. By refusing to join, or not knowing how, nowhere in his presence, did Imager allow.

"Oh, so this was all his fault—that Imager guy." "Your own protection for it was," Listro Q explained.

"Yeah, sure," she scorned. "Some protection." "Your vibration, your frequency out of phase. Kill you it would. By forbidding entrance, save you, he did."

"Right," she scoffed. Already the memories were flooding in faster than she cared. Memories of The Center, memories of Interface and the awful shaking.

ARRIVAL

memories of the terrif\4ng darkness . . . and memories of those eyes . . . those sensitive, caring, pain-filled eyes. Eyes that somehow seemed to be her father's but were somehow deeper.

"Who caught me, then? Who saved me?" she demanded.

"You saved?" Listro Q asked.

"Well, yeah, how did I get here?"

Aristophenix glanced to the others. He nervously cleared his throat and tried to explain.

As best we can figure, you went the long ways 'round. And doing it by yourself, makes it more than profound.

"But my dad, didn't you see him?" Denise insisted. "He's the one who caught me. Didn't you see him?"

"Denny," Nathan offered matter-of-factly, "your dad hasn't been around for years. You know that."

"Well, yeah," she faltered, "but it looked like him . . . mostly. And what about you?" She turned to Nathan. "You just made it through there without any sweat?"

"Not at first."

Denny looked at him and waited for more.

"I tried singing a bunch of songs—you know, happy stuff—but nothing seemed to work. I just kept getting knocked around harder and harder."

"Tell me about it," Denise agreed.

"Then I remembered one of Grandpa's hymns from the old countr>'—one he always sang to me at bedtime . . ." The boy's voice trailed off as if he were lost in thought ... as if he had seen a thousand things he couldn't describe.

THE PORTAL

Denise watched a moment before she finally persisted. "And? . . ."

At first Nathan didn't hear her voice. Once he did, he simply looked at her, gave a shrug, and answered, "And here I am."

Denny took a deep breath. Her frustration was definitely growing. "What about all that armor you were wearing?"

"Armor?" Nathan looked puzzled.

"Sure . . . you were dressed in some sort of weird get-up with swords and—"

"/ was dressed weird?" Nathan was starting to sound defensive.

"Well, not weird, actually you looked kinda—"

"What about you in that wedding dress?"

Wedding dress? It was Denise's turn to be surprised.

"And how did you get that thing to glow like that?" he continued. "You looked pretty neat." Then, catching himself, he tried to cover the kindness. After all, he was Nathan O'Brien; he did have a reputation to keep up. "I mean, considering how strange you normally look and everything."

Denise barely noticed the put-down. She was still too puzzled. What wedding dress was he talking about? And why hadn't he noticed the armor he was wearing? Things were definitely getting strange. On the bizarre scale of 1 to 10, this was definitely pushing an 11.

Suddenly Samson began to chatter.

"Right are you," Listro Q agreed. "To see much we have to. Walk, you think you can?" he asked Denise.

"Of course I can," she insisted. With the help of the others Denny rose to her feet, and immediately wished

ARRIVAL

she hadn't. Instantly she found herself standing upside down. Well, it really wasn't standing. Her feet shot straight up toward the sky and her head rested firmly on the ground. "What's going on!?" she screamed.

"Don't panic," Nathan said.

"Yeah, right, like this happens all the time!" she cried. She threw a look over to Nathan and was surprised to see that he was also upside down. But they were the only ones. Everybody else seemed to have their feet and heads in the right position.

"This is crazy!" she yelled.

"They say it's because we're from the Upside-down Kingdom," he answered.

"Upside-down what!?"

"Kingdom. They say our world is the only world in the universe that does things upside down."

"Upside down?!" she repeated. Not only was she annoyed at her present position but she was also bugged that Nathan seemed to take it all so calmly. "What do they mean, 'upside down'? Like what?"

"In our world if you want stuff you take it," Nathan said. "Or if you want to be like the boss or leader you make sure everyone else obeys you."

"So?"

"Well here," Nathan continued matter-of-factly, "if you want something you give it away, or if you're trying to be the leader then you help others."

"That's crazy!"

"No . . . just upside down."

"For them!" Denise sputtered. "They're the ones that are upside down—not us!"

"I guess," he shrugged. "Except they're the ones standing on their feet, aren't they?"

Denise looked back at the group. "Great," she

• 47 •

THE PORTAL

groaned, "so we spend the rest of our time here standing on our heads. Wonderful."

"I say there ... I do believe there is an expedient solution available." It was the bulldog again.

"And why aren't you upside down?" Denny demanded. She didn't mean to be so cranky, but all in all it hadn't been one of her better days. And at the moment it didn't seem to be improving much. "If you're from our world, why aren't you flipped around like us?"

"Obviously, my dear human, because I don't have the potential of being Image Breathed."

"Oh great, more of this Imager stuff. I tell you, he really knows how to show his guests a good time, doesn't he?"

"Get real," Nathan sighed. "We're not in The Center anymore. We passed through it to Fayrah."

"My dear Master Nathan, if you would be so kind as to allow me to continue?" the dog said.

"Certainly, Mr. Hornsberrv'," Nathan said. "Go on."

"Mr. Homsberry, what a name," Denise muttered. "Doesn't that just figure . . ."

Ignoring her, the dog continued. "In my humble estimation I believe your dilemma is an optical phenomenon." He turned to Listro Q and Aristophenix. "Am I correct, gentlemen?"

They both nodded.

"Then, simply by placing a few drops of your special water into their eyes (as you have already done with their ears) will they not also be able to see right-side up?"

"Mr. Hornsberry, you're a genius!" Nathan shouted.

"Yes, well that goes without saying, doesn't it?" the dog agreed.

• 48 •

ARRIVAL

"If that's all it takes, then let's get on with it!" Denise insisted.

"Patience female, patience," Mr. Hornsberry scolded. "Why you humans were ever given control is beyond me." He turned to Listro Q and asked, "My good man, would you be so kind as to do us the honors?"

"Cool," Listro Q said as he opened the waterskin and knelt down to the faces of Nathan and Denise. First he turned to Nathan. "Your eyes, open you keep, lots of water into them, let."

Nathan gave a nod.

With that Listro Q began pouring the water into his hands. It was the first time Denny had seen the water. Oh she had tasted it, all right, with all its cool goodness. She'd even felt it as they poured it into her ears. But seeing it for the first time was a shock.

The reason was simple—it wasn't water at all. Well, maybe it was. Who could tell in this place. But what it looked like . . . well, it's hard to explain, but it didn't exactly look like water. It looked like . . . letters . . . and words. That's right . . . letters and words. It was as if someone had taken actual letters and words and somehow managed to turn them into liquid. There was an S pouring out, followed by a W, L, E, and then a T. Next came the entire word, THE followed by BEHOLD, TIME, IN, and a dozen more. Though they were all shapes and sizes, there was no missing the fact that they were actual words and letters pouring into Listro Q's hands.

All Denise could do was stare.

Now with his hand cupped full of the liquid, Listro Q said, "Go, here we!" and quickly splashed the water into Nathan's face.

THE PORTAL

For a moment nothing happened. But as soon as the boy opened his eyes, as soon as some of the liquid got into them, just like that, he was standing right-side up with the rest of them.

"All right, way to go!" the others cheered as they slapped Mr. Hornsberry on the back and congratulated Nathan.

In the meantime it seemed like they had completely forgotten Denise. "Excuse me . . . excuse me?" she finally called. "I don't mean to be a spoilsport or anything like that, but do you think you could maybe do me next?"

"Certainly, oh," Listro Q said as he kneeled back down to her. "Sorry, so." He poured another handful of the liquid letters into his hand and, without warning, quickly splashed them into her face. When she finally opened her eyes, she was also standing right-side up.

And for the first time she saw the beauty . . .

Aristophenix could see the look on her face and beamed:

Welcome to Fay rah, the kingdom of love, where the harshest assault, is the cooing of doves.

Denny didn't know much about that. But she did know one thing, the place was beautiful . . .

First there were the colors. They were the same colors as back home but somehow richer, more vivid. Yet none of them seemed too bright or glaring. Instead, each color gently blended into the next. Everything she saw had its own distinct color and outline, yet each of those colors and outlines blended naturally

ARRIVAL

and easily into its neighbor. It reminded Denise of a watercolor painting that someone had dipped very quickly into a tub of water after they had finished.

Then there were the trees. They were all around— each having their own shade of glimmering green leaves, leaves that Denise suspected would never fall; and if they did, somehow she knew they'd never need to be raked—at least not by girls who had better things to do on Saturday afternoons.

Past the trees were the rolling hills. Jade green and as soft as velvet. And past the hills, well past the hills was something Denny had never quite seen before . . .

They were mountains. But instead of the usual hues of purple or violet that you'd expect, these mountains were a faint and very pleasant shade of . . . red. Not only were they a faint and very pleasant shade of red, but they were a faint and very pleasant shade of red that seemed to glow and pulsate ever so slightly.

"Look!" she pointed.

"Ah, the Blood Mountains," Aristophenix nodded.

"Bloodstone your from these mountains came," Listro Q added.

"No kidding?" Denny asked. Suddenly remembering she had it in her pocket, she pulled the stone out to take a peek. Much to her surprise it was glowing again—only faintly. Not only was it glowing but it seemed to be pulsating in exact rhythm to the mountains.

"Neat," Nathan said as he tried to reach for it— until Denise subtly blocked him with her body. It may have been his gift, but right now she was holding it in /zer hand.

"Celebration signal to all," Listro Q explained as he referred to the mountains, "that Upside Downers, here are."

• 51 •

THE PORTAL

"What?" Denise asked, not believing her ears.

"Here, because you are, glow Blood Mountains, to celebrate."

"You mean to tell me those mountains are glowing like that just 'cause we're here, visiting?"

Listro Q nodded proudly.

"Why?"

"Upside Downers precious very to Imager." Listro Q grinned. Then turning back to the mountains he continued, his voice quiet, almost reverent. "The Great Purchase . . . mountains these, reminder they are . . .

A stillness crept over the group as everyone looked on with a sense of awe. Well, almost everyone . . .

"Hey, Denny, check it out!" It was Nathan.

Since he couldn't be the center of the Blood Mountains conversation, he had turned his attention somewhere else. He'd discovered a stream a dozen yards behind them. But it was not a stream of water, it was a stream of those very same letters and words.

Turning in the boy's direction, Aristophenix answered:

Thank you dear Nathan, I'd almost forgot, you must fill your canteens, so truth can be sought.

Happy to again be the center of attention, Nathan grabbed his canteens and quickly limped toward the stream.

Denise wanted to talk more about the Blood Mountains and of the Bloodstone in her hands, but since Nathan had noticed the Stream, and since Nathan had pointed it out, and since Nathan would be the first

ARRIVAL

to arrive at it, she had a pretty good idea where the conversation was headed next.

And that's too bad. She needed to learn more about the Bloodstone and the Blood Mountains. As a matter of fact, both children needed to. Little did they know that someone else had noticed those mountains starting to glow. Someone who had just crossed through the Portal into Fayrah. Someone who was now hiding in the low-growing brush less than fifteen feet away.

Bobok rolled back and forth in quiet anticipation. "Soon," he purred. "Very, very soon. . . ."

—Chapter Five—

The Stream

"Is this cool or what?" Nathan shouted as he dropped to the grassy bank and began untying his shoes.

"You're not going in there?" Denny called in alarm.

"Sure, why not?" He'd already kicked off his shoes and was working on his socks. "We drank the stuff and it didn't kill us. And Listro Q splashed it all over our faces."

Denise turned back to Listro Q and Aristophenix. "Is it safe?" she asked.

"Perfectly," Aristophenix said as he smiled and waddled closer to the Stream.

" 'Sides," Nathan shouted as he peeled off his shirt, "I can't wait to tell Mrs. Barnick, my English teacher, that I took a dip with her precious alphabet. Maybe she'll give me an A next time."

THE PORTAL

"Welcome are you, join him to," Listro Q offered to Denise.

"I don't think so," she said, giving a dubious look at the Stream. Call her old-fashioned, but somehow she felt words and letters were better suited for reading than for jumping in and swimming with.

But not Nathan. With a slapping splash he dove headfirst into the words and disappeared. Denise waited for what seemed like an eternity but he didn't resurface. She glanced to the others. No one else seemed concerned. She tried to relax. "He'll be up any minute," she assured herself. After all, didn't Aristo-phenix say it was safe? And if Aristophenix said it was safe, it was safe.

Or was it? Seems her little cross-dimensional trip hadn't been so safe. Come to think of it, it had been downright dangerous!

Come on Nathan, don't he a jerk, she thought. Come back up.

But Nathan didn't come back up.

Denise kept waiting. A slight sweat began to break out inside her palms. It's true the two of them weren't exactly best of friends, but Nathan was a human being (though there were times she wondered). She really didn't want anything to happen to him. I mean, what would she say to Joshua, his older brother? "Hey, sorry 'bout losing your brother in that Stream back in that other dimension, but hey, like can we still be friends and stuff?"

Come on, Nathan, come back up!

She looked to the group again. Maybe these creatures weren't so interested in their safety after all. Maybe this was all an elaborate trap, some way to lure poor unsuspecting earth kids into another world so

THE STREAM

they could be kidnapped and drowned. I mean, really, when you get right down to it, how long had she known them? Basically, weren't they just your common, average, run-of-the-mill strangers? Well, all right, maybe harry faces, purple skin, and glowing tails aren't exactly average, but they were still strangers. And what did every kid know about taking rides with strangers??

WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

Her mind began racing for solutions. / could jump in there and save him. Yeah! Before they could stop me I could kick my shoes off and leap in there to save his life! Course I can't swim but. . .

Suddenly there was a stirring on the surface of the words.

That's him — he's coming up!!

Wrong again. It was only a slight breeze rippling across the surface of the water.

Denise was in a panic—and for good reason! Then, just when she was ready to jump back, point her finger at them, and tell them she knew exactly what they were up to and that they had better stop—just when she was ready to blow the whistle on them and challenge each and every one of them to one of her world-famous fist fights, Nathan exploded out of the water laughing and gulping for air.

Denise was furious . . . furious and relieved.

"This is incredible!" he shouted. "Denny, there's no bottom to this thing!"

At first she was going to yell at him, to give him the scolding of his life. But she didn't. What good would it do? He'd just laugh at her. And she'd just feel foolish—something she had enough experience at already, thank you very much. No doubt everyone al-

• 57 •

THE PORTAL

ready considered her the official "group idiot." First there was her little cross-dimensional detour, then her little stand-on-the-head routine. No thanks, she thought, I've had enough of being a fool for one day.

So instead of giving Nathan the tongue-lashing he deserved, she tried to smile. She pretended to be the Denise I'm-Having-A-Good-Time kid, instead of the Denise I-Know-We're-All-Going-To-Die fool.

She watched the words THEREFORE, SURELY, and BEGAT as they dripped from Nathan's hair onto his shoulders. Then, after sliding down his back, they splashed back into the Stream as it swirled and lapped about his waist.

"Where does the Stream come from?" Denny asked, trying to sound very matter-of-fact.

"The Center," Aristophenix answered.

It comes to Fayrah

and wanders around,

for us to employ

when truth must be found.

"But the words, the letters?" she persisted.

"Imager's mouth, come from they," Listro Q answered. "Every word, every sentence spoken he has ever."

"Hey, Denny, check it out!" Nathan squirted a handful of water at her. The word REST shot from his closed palms and landed on the bank just a few feet from her. She watched as it slowly seeped into the ground and disappeared.

Samson briefly chattered something.

"Right," Listro Q agreed. "See much too. Nathan!" he called. "Come you must."

"Ah, do we have to?"

THE STREAM

"Come," he repeated. Then, stooping down, Listro Q grabbed the two canteens Nathan had left on the bank and handed them to Denise. "Filled must these be."

She gave a nod, took them into her hands and crossed to the edge of the bank. Typical, she thought. Just like everything else — Nathan gets to play while I do all the work. But the thought didn't last long. For when she knelt and looked down into the Stream she was in for another little surprise.

It wasn't the words and letters that startled her. It was her reflection in those words and letters. Somehow what she saw in that Stream, somehow that reflection wasn't herself. Well it was and it wasn't. I mean the reflection was doing everything she was doing. It moved when she moved, it gasped when she gasped. But this reflection looked much older and, she had to admit, more beautiful. Much more beautiful.

Oh, and there was one other thing that caught her attention. The reflection was wearing a wedding gown. A wedding gown that was breathtakingly gorgeous. It had an intricately embroidered bodice, long lacy sleeves, and a sparkling veil covered with tiny glittering beads—beads so fine and shimmering that it made her think of early morning dew on a spider web.

Denny continued to stare. She slowly raised her hand toward her face, to touch the veil. But of course there was no veil there. It existed only in the reflection.

Then she saw Listro Q's reflection appear over her shoulder. He was smiling. But other than that there was no difference. He looked exactly the same in the reflection as he did in real life.

"I don't—I don't understand," she said, still unable

THE PORTAL

to take her eyes from the Stream.

"Imager's words, reaUty show—see things as they are, not as they appear."

"But. . . that's, that's not me, that's not what I look like!"

"You how Imager sees."

"But that," she said still referring to the reflection, "that's not real."

Listro Q chuckled softly. "More real that," he pointed to her reflection, "than ever will be this," he said pointing directly at her.

"Come on, Denny, are you going to fill those canteens or what?" Suddenly her reflection shattered into a million pieces of light as Nathan splashed through it to reach the shore. "Here, gimme one of those." He grabbed a canteen from her hand and quickly dipped it into the water.

"Quite so. Master Nathan," Mr. Hornsberr\' said in his typical snooty manner. "If one doesn't take charge, one may never accomplish anything."

"You got that right, Hornsey," Nathan said, pulling the filled canteen from the Stream and grabbing the next one from Denise. "Especially when all some people want to do is sit around and gawk at themselves."

Denise wanted to fire off a stinging comeback— especially after the fright he'd given her with his little drowning imitation. But she didn't say a word. She couldn't. All she could do was stare at the reflection as it reformed.

But now it was more than just her reflection ... it was also Nathan's—the older Nathan—the one wearing the bright glowing suit of armor and carrying the bloodstained swords. What caught her attention even more were his eyes. The mouth was still busy spouting

THE STREAM

the usual sarcasms and putdowns but the eyes, they were different . . . they were gentle . . . even sensitive. Amazing.

But Nathan never saw that reflection. In his haste he never bothered to look. "Come on, let's get out of here," he snapped as he rose to his feet with the second canteen. "We got lots to see. Denny are you coming? Denny!?"

Slowly she rose to her feet. Then, hesitating for a fraction of a second, she looked back to the Stream one last time. Her reflection remained, almost as if it were waiting. But waiting for what?

"Heads up!"

She turned around just in time to catch one of the canteens Nathan had thrown at her. "Carry your own water," he scorned. "I'm not your slave." With that he turned and started to limp down the path. The rest of the group followed.

After several moments Aristophenix spoke. In case the original reason for the visit was starting to fade, and since he was the official leader, he cleared his throat, raised his walking stick, and cheerfully reminded everyone:

To show you Fayrah is our purpose and plan, how different we live from the species of Man.

Samson buzzed over to Nathan and briefly chattered something to him.

"What's that?" Nathan asked.

It was Mr. Hornsberry's time to translate. "Master Nathan, I do believe he is referring to your shoes. In

THE PORTAL

your admirable effort to hurry the female, you have forgotten your shoes."

Nathan looked down. Hornsey was right. "It's this stupid path," he complained. "The moss on it is so soft I didn't notice I wasn't wearing them. Just my luck," he whined. "Listen, you guys go on ahead, I'll catch up in a second."

"Back, go we can," Listro Q offered.

"Not on your life, bucko. If we get Denny looking at herself in the water again, there's no telling when she'll let us leave."

The group gave a gentle chuckle.

Denise bit her lip.

"Over knoll this, Capital is," Listro Q said as he pointed to the grassy hill just in front of them. "Wait, we can."

"You guys go on ahead," Nathan called. "I can take care of myself. I'll meet you there."

"Wait for me. Master Nathan," Mr. Homsberry called as he turned and scampered after the boy, "I shall accompany you!"

"Great, we'll be with you guys in a couple minutes."

Good riddance, Denise thought. Any time away from those two irritating voices, no matter how short, would be a relief.

Unfortunately, she had no idea how soon she'd be missing those two irritating voices. She had no idea how desperate she would be to hear them again.

For the first time since he had entered Fayrah, Nathan felt a chill. Strange, he'd never paid attention to the temperature before, probably because the climate

THE STREAM

was so perfect—never too hot, never too cold. But now, as he sat next to the Stream tying his shoes, he felt a definite shiver roll across his shoulders. He threw a glance at Mr. Hornsberry who was sitting beside him. By the way the dog was flaring his nostrils, it was obvious that he had also sensed something in the air. But it wasn't a smell, or a breeze or even a gust of wind. Just a chill. A chill eventually followed by a voice . . .

"Greetings, Most Favored."

Nathan would normally have been startled, but this voice was so smooth and gentle it almost sounded like it came from his own thoughts. He turned and saw a little sphere rocking back and forth ever so gently beside him. It had no arms, no legs, not even a nose or ears—just two eyes, and a mouth. And it was blue.

"Who—who are you?" Nathan asked cautiously.

"My name is not important. You are the only one of importance."

By now Mr. Hornsberry had risen from his haunches. He gave a low growl of concern.

"Easy, Homsey, it's OK," Nathan said, reaching out to pat him on the head. Mr. Hornsberry relaxed slightly. Pats on the head are good for a dog's relaxation—even haughty, intellectual dogs. Turning back to the orb, Nathan asked warily, "Why am I so important? What did I do?"

"It's not what you did," the blue sphere purred, "it's who you are. You are one of Imager's chosen. A brilliant Thread in his nearly perfect Tapestry."

Nathan eyed the sphere carefully as it rolled closer to him. The chill grew deeper.

"But a Thread not allowed to rise to its fullest potential."

THE PORTAL

"What—what do you mean?" Nathan found himself strangely attracted to the little orb. Yet at the same time there was fear—a cold, chilling fear.

"Have you not ever felt you were different—that somehow you were better than the rest?"

Nathan could feel the attraction grow stronger with each word the creature spoke.

"That maybe, just maybe you were specially chosen?"

"Well, well, yes," Nathan stuttered, "how did you know?"

"Because it is truth and I know truth." Suddenly he turned to Mr. Hornsberry. "And you, my little friend—how clever you are to see your master's greatness."

Whatever concerns Mr. Hornsberry had quickly melted away. The stranger's kind words were more comforting than any pat on the head. Besides, how could you mistrust someone with such keen insights into others? "Well, yes," Mr. Hornsberry nervously cleared his throat, "quite right, I am rather, as you say, clever, aren't I?" He gave his stubby tail a little wag, in hopes of more praise.

The creature grinned. Lower life forms were so easy to control.

He rolled a little closer to Nathan but kept a wary eye on the Stream. Something about that Stream made him nervous—very nervous. He turned to Nathan and continued. "When I speak of your greatness, Oh Chosen Thread, don't you feel a stir of excitement? Does not your heart beat a little faster at the hearing of this truth?"

It was true. All of his life Nathan had felt that he was somehow different—special. He thought it when

THE STREAM

he saw the singers on TV, the movie stars on the screen, the super jocks at school. That should be him. He could do that. If he only had their breaks he could be somebody great. He was sure of it. And now . . . could it be? Could all of those thoughts, those suspicions of greatness, could they all have been true?

"Listen to your instincts," the sphere cooed, "trust them, trust what your heart whispers to you as truth."

"But . . ." Nathan asked hoarsely, "I don't understand . . . how—how do I, you know, become . . . great?"

The creature gave a little chuckle. "You already are great—you have just not realized it."

"But . . ."

"Come, follow your humble servant to his kingdom."

"You mean a different kingdom than this one?"

The creature rolled back and forth in a gentle nod.

"Why?"

"To rule."

The words set Nathan's head spinning. "What?!"

"We have been waiting many epochs for your arrival. You are one of the great, a Chosen Thread."

The boy continued to stare.

"Surely this call to leadership does not surprise you. Listen to your heart, listen to its stirrings. Inside, you know you have been called to greatness."

"But—but what about Listro Q and Aristophenix . . . and Samson. They invited us here, to see r/ze/r kingdom."

The sphere rolled closer still—so close Nathan could feel the coldness of his breath. He said only one word. "Why?"

Nathan was having a hard time concentrating. By

• 65 •

THE PORTAL

now the stranger had Nathan's head racing with so many thoughts that he seemed to be thinking of everything at once and of nothing at all. "I don't know . . ." he stuttered, "something about giving, about serving."

Suddenly the blue sphere broke out laughing. It was a harsh, brittle laugh. "Don't you see, this is simply another trick to hold you back."

"Hold me back?"

"Yes, just as your hip has held you back for so many years."

Instinctively Nathan reached down to touch his injured hip. The stranger had spoken another truth. He could have done so much. He could have been so great. If it just weren't for his hip—if it weren't for his stupid hip.

"Do you think Imager wanted you to have that deformity?" The orb pressed in. "Not at all. It was thrust upon you to hold you back, to prevent you from finding your true self, from becoming all you were to be."

Nathan listened, his heart beating faster by the second.

"If you visit this kingdom," the orb continued, "if you visit Fay rah and learn only to give and serve, you will never rise to your true stature of greatness. It is another merciless trick to sidetrack you from your destiny."

"My destiny?"

"Come with me. Chosen Thread. Mine is a different kingdom—a kingdom of owners. Only the weak are destined to give. You are destined to take. You are destined to possess. In my kingdom everything your eyes behold can become yours. No longer will you be held back. No longer will your destiny be hidden. You will become exactly what you have been chosen to become

THE STREAM

since the beginning of time."

With that the orb started to roll forward. "Come, follow your trusted servant. Follow him. . . . Your kingdom awaits."

"But where is it?" Nathan asked as he quickly limped to join him. Mr. Hornsberry trotted right alongside, as excited as his master. "What is the name of this special kingdom for me?"

"Keygarp^" the sphere said as he continued rolling forward.

"And your name, you never told me your name."

The sphere turned toward him and purred ever so gently. "My name is Bobok."

'Key-garp.

• 67

—Chapter Six—

^j^^jamgCi

The Capital

Denise wasn't sure what to expect as they neared the top of the knoll. Except for Listro Q, Aristophenix and Samson, she hadn't seen one other citizen from Fayrah. Granted, everything else in this world was beautiful—the trees, the hills, the glowing mountains, even that peculiar Stream. But what about the people?

Fortunately, the question was short-lived. For as they reached the top of the hill, the capital of Fayrah came into view.

It was breathtaking. Magnificent. And even more surprising was the fact that it wasn't surprising. Not to Denise. Not anymore. Somehow she'd expected breathtaking magnificence. And she was not disappointed. She saw it in the quaint cottages, the emerald green lawns, the perfectly manicured trees and shrubs

THE PORTAL

. . . and most importantly she saw it in the people— lots of happy, laughing, slap-you-on-the-back kind of people.

Well, maybe people isn't exactly the right word . . .

Not only were there several of the Aristophenix and Listro Q varieties, but there were also dozens of even stranger and weirder types. Still, even though the shapes and sizes were strange and weird, they didn't seem frightening. Like everything else in Fayrah, they seemed completely unique and yet perfectly blended.

Then there were the buzzing dragonflies or lady-bugs, or whatever you'd call them—the ones that looked like Samson. There were hundreds of these little critters zipping about, each chattering a mile a second. More than a few gave the group a little buzz to check them out. It was then that Denny realized they weren't exactly like Samson. It seems all the others had beautiful shimmering tails that glowed a deep red, like the Blood Mountains. But, for some reason, Samson's tail was the only one she saw that glowed blue. Although it wasn't an ugly blue, it certainly wasn't red like all the others.

Poor kid, she thought. Even in a place like this I'll bet it's no fun being the odd ball. And Denise knew exactly what that felt like—being the odd ball . . .

—// she's so smart on those I.Q. tests, how come she's so dumb in school?

— What's a pretty girl like that trying to prove by beating up all those boys?

— Lots of kids don't have fathers. Why does she make such a big deal out of it?

Denny had heard the questions whispered behind her back for years. And since no one ever had any answers, that made her—you guessed it—the oddball.

THE PORTAL

"Well bless my soul, is this the Upside Downer?" Denise turned to see a camel-type creature in a large hoop skirt and with two furry arms extending from its chest. At the moment it was reaching one of those arms out for a handshake. Unsure what to do, Denny looked to Listro Q. He gave a nod. With more than a little hesitancy, she reached over and took the hand.

"It's certainly a privilege ta be makin' the acquaintance of someone from yer kingdom." The camel spoke in an elegant Southern drawl while politely pumping Denise's arm so enthusiastically the girl thought it might come off. "My name is Sally."

"How do you do . . . Sally. I'm Denise." "What a charmin' name," the camel creature said. "Will ya'll be stayin' long?"

"Not long," Aristophenix answered.

We jes' want to show her some of the town, How through givin' and carin' joy and peace can be found."

"Well ya'll got the right guide," Sally said, referring to Aristophenix. Then lowering her voice she smiled, "That is if the poetry doesn't drive you crazy."

Denise smiled back. She was already beginning to like this Sally camel-person.

"What was that?" Aristophenix asked.

"Not a thing, Sugar," she teased, "not a thing. Say, Listro Q, is that a new coat?"

Listro Q practically beamed with pleasure, which is a pretty hard thing to do when you're trv'ing to be cool. But, somehow he managed. "Like it, you do?" he asked.

THE CAPITAL

"Honey pie," she said, reaching out and stroking its fine silk texture with one of her hands, "it's jus' perfect."

Denise couldn't say for sure but somehow it looked like Listro Q had suddenly grown an inch or two taller.

"Say," Sally asked changing the subject, "did ya'll know today's my birthday?"

"Why, that's right. Happy birthday," Aristophenix said. The others offered similar greetings.

"Thanks," she answered. "So, since it is my birthday," she was speaking directly to Aristophenix again, "would ya mind too terribly if I gave ya this here pocket watch? It was my great grandaddy's." She pulled a golden, ornate watch from the pocket of her skirt and handed it to him.

"Wow!" Aristophenix was quite impressed. "Sure you don't mind, ol' girl?" he asked as he carefully took it into his hands. "She's a beaut."

"It'd be my pleasure."

And it was, too. You could tell by the look on Sally's face that she really enjoyed giving the watch away. The others crowded around Aristophenix for a better look. After they gave the appropriate ooh's and aah's, Sally finally spoke. "Listen, there's lots more people down there," she pointed to the village, "jus' dying to meet Denise, here. And since I got myself a lot more gifts to be passin' out, I'll jus' be movin' along."

Again she reached out to take Denny's hand. "It was nice meetin' ya, girl, and if yer ever in my neck of the woods again, be sure to look me up, hear?"

"Sure," Denise smiled.

They finished shaking hands and Sally was off. "Bye-bye, now," she called as she drifted up the hill as graceful as any four-legged camel with two arms can drift.

• 73 •

THE PORTAL

The others called out their farewells as Denise finished rubbing the feeling back into her hand.

Samson rattled off something and for the first time Denise thought she actually understood it. Well not all of it. Well OK, so it was only a word or two, but a word or two was a lot better than before. Maybe she was finally starting to get the hang of this place. Maybe . . . but she wasn't taking any bets on it.

In any case, Aristophenix answered Samson, "Sorry 'bout that. Partner, I'd almost forgot." Then, turning to Denise he explained:

To help Samson graduate

was the purpose of this trip.

He must show you Fayrah

so from his diploma he don't get gypped.

This time the entire group let out a groan. Most of the time they were able to endure his poetry, but once in awhile he fired off a zinger that was just too painful to ignore. Still, Aristophenix paid little attention as he turned and led them down the knoll toward the village.

"How much farther is it? Do we have to walk so fast? Aren't we there yet?"

Nathan's questions were beginning to wear on Bo-bok. The only way the awful creature could continue was by reminding himself what a fair, delectable catch the Upside Downer would be. But they'd have to hurry. Not only were Bobok's nerves wearing thin but there was less than two hours of his Season remaining in Fayrah. Less than two hours before the Portal sealed itself shut.

THE CAPITAL

"Perhaps if you left that canteen behind," he offered, "it would be easier for you to travel." Ever since he had seen that canteen, Bobok had feared it. But the fear wasn't for the canteen, it was for what it contained.

"This stupid canteen's not the problem," Nathan complained. "It's how fast you're making us run."

"The Portal is just past the Courthouse, Most Favored Thread. But we must circle behind the Capital to avoid the idle chatter of its citizens—lest they contaminate you with their weakness of thought."

"Well, hurry," Nathan whined. "My feet are hurting, besides you never said it would take this long and I still don't know why we have to run so fast."

Bobok continued forward, beginning to wonder if being the most evil and dreaded ruler of the entire dimension was really all it was cracked up to be.

Back inside the Capital, Denise was becoming quite a celebrity. It seemed everywhere she went she was followed by crowds of excited citizens. The glowing Blood Mountains had signaled everyone that she had entered their kingdom and now everyone wanted to wish her well. Apparently being a member of the Upside-Down Kingdom was quite an honor.

"Ain't this somethin'?" Aristophenix shouted over the crowd.

"I'll say," Denny answered as she reached up to shake claws with a giant twelve-armed crab. "Are they always this happy?"

"Sadness only we have," Listro Q called, "when out give one another, we try."

Denise broke out laughing. "Figures."

THE PORTAL

"Oh, and girl?" Aristophenix called.

If ya' need somethin' else to erase all them frowns, jes' look over yonder with them big, baby browns.

Denise turned. Despite everything she'd seen so far, there was no way she was prepared for this. She didn't know how it got there or why she hadn't seen it before . . . but suddenly, in front of her stood the magnificent Courthouse. It was made of brilliant marble—every stone perfectly cut and gleaming white. In fact it was so white it almost hurt the eyes. Almost, but not quite.

High atop the building, past the hundreds of glimmering steps, the twelve towering pillars, and windows of what could only be pure crystal, stood the town clock. Its ruby hands glowed and shimmered in the bright morning sun as they pointed to half past ten.

Aristophenix spoke again:

This here's our Courthouse,

where our money never laxes.

Fact it's at this very spot

where the government pays us our taxes.

Denny could only stare. Well, smile and stare. Next, Listro Q pointed toward another building equally as grand and impressive as the Courthouse.

"Library, here it is at. All Fayrahnians keep we records of."

"Records?" Denise asked.

Listro Q nodded. "Every deed of good, kindness of acts, books written and recorded in."

Denise nodded. By now she was able to understand Listro Q—at least most of the time. Obviously this was

• 76 •

THE CAPITAL

the library where records were kept of every good deed every Fayrahnian had ever done.

Suddenly Samson began to talk. And, even though Denny couldn't understand, she could tell by his tone that something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.

Then she spotted it . . .

She had never seen anything like it in her life. Off in the distance it was as if the entire kingdom came to an end. But not all at once. Gradually the sky drew lower and lower. Slowly the ground rose higher and higher. And off on both sides the trees and bushes crowded closer and closer together. It was as if they were inside a giant pop bottle that slowly narrowed to a tiny little neck. A tunnel.

"There!" Listro Q pointed. "The Passageway, inside!"

But it wasn't the Passageway that had his attention. He had seen it a thousand times. He was no longer afraid of the way its insides shrank and shriveled to a sickly black/brown, or by the way the sand blew and howled so fiercely within. What he was afraid of was the small round opening at the far end— the small round Portal that was the source of all the blowing wind and sand. The small round Portal that opened slightly and closed slightly, opened slightly and closed slightly . . . almost as if it were alive.

But Listro Q wasn't only pointing at the Portal. He was also pointing at what was heading for it.

"Nathan!" Denise gasped, "...and Mr. Horns-berry."

But it was more than Nathan and Mr. Hornsberry. Directing Nathan through the opening was . . .

"BOBOK!" cried Aristophenix.

THE PORTAL

Denise spun around to Aristophenix for an explanation, but the look on his face said it all. For the first time since she had met him, Aristophenix was frightened.

"What's going on?" she cried. "Aristophenix, where's Nathan going . . . who's that with him?!" She could hear her voice getting high and shrill, the way it always did when she got excited. "Aristophenix . . . Aristophenix, answer me this minute!"

Finally the furry creature was able to take his eyes from the Portal. He tried to look relaxed and calm. But he was as bad an actor as he was a poet. He cleared his throat and swallowed:

This isn't a time to worry, or appear too terribly glum. But that fella hurryin' Nathan, well he ain't a Fayrahnian chum."

"Bobok! You called him Bobokl Is he a bad guy?" Denise demanded.

Again Aristophenix swallowed. He was trying to avoid her look. But Denise wasn't backing down. She continued to wait, the blaze in her eyes insisting on an answer.

Finally he looked into that blaze. He had no choice.

Nathan's heading to Keygarp, that's where he will be. From Bobok's Kingdom of Winter he may never get free.

Denny stared at him helplessly. This is what she had feared since the beginning. Things were too good to be true. Something awful had to happen. She sensed it at the Stream and now she saw it starting to unfold. Quickly she spun back around to the Portal,

• 78 •

THE CAPITAL

but it was too late. All she caught was a glimpse of Nathan and Mr. Hornsberry as they disappeared through the opening.

"NATHAN . . ." she screamed. "NATHAN—COME BACK!! MR. HORNSBERRY!!!" But it did no good. They were gone.

Immediately Listro Q broke from the crowd and started toward the Passageway. "Go Keygarp, come on let's!" he shouted.

But Aristophenix had other ideas . . .

Hold on ta yer horses; I don't think that we should. If we go on inside there, it might be for good!

"What are you talking about?" Denny demanded. She could feel her cheeks flushing with anger. "We've got to get Nathan. He's in danger—you said so yourself!"

The Portal seals at noon,

that only gives ninety minutes,

to get in and get out,

or become permanent tenants.

It was Samson's turn to argue with Aristophenix . . . and he did, long and loud, until Denise could take no more. "What's going on?" she interrupted. "What's he saying?"

Listro Q's translation was quick and simple, "Help Nathan needs. Choice no other we have."

All eyes turned to Aristophenix. It was a tough decision. There were only 90 minutes left in the Season of Bobok. After that the Portal would seal. If they didn't make it back in time they would all be trapped on the other side. For good.

• 79 •

THE PORTAL

And yet, as Samson had said, if Nathan needed their help, what other choice did they have?

Aristophenix took a deep breath and looked to all the faces anxiously awaiting his decision. Actually he didn't have much of a decision to make. It looked like it had already been made for him. So, not wanting to be left out, he finally nodded.

There was a quiet "whoop" from the group and cheers from the crowd as the four turned and raced for the Portal. Aristophenix did his best to stay in the lead. If there was one thing he knew about leadership, it was that leaders were supposed to lead. Unfortunately, his roly-poly body hadn't quite got the message. For with each step he waddled, he fell farther and farther behind.

Slow down on them tootsies, c'mon, let me pass. I know there's a hurry, but I'm runnin' outta . . .

No one heard his last word. It was lost forever as they entered the howling tunnel of wind and sand.

— Chapter Seven —

The Portal

The first thing Nathan noticed as he stepped through the Portal was the heat. But it wasn't the type of heat that made you wet and sticky. It was the type of hot dry heat that pressed in on your head and made your eyes burn.

The second thing Nathan noticed were the insects. Hundreds of them racing across the parched desert sand . . . directly for him!

"Bobok!" he cried, "Bobok, stop them!"

"Close your mouth!" Bobok shouted.

"What??"

"Close your mouth! They smell the moisture from your breath and they want it."

"But—"

"Close your mouth and breath through your nose— NOW!"

^

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ti

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X

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THE PORTAL

Nathan wanted to protest but he barely had time to obey let alone argue. He closed his mouth just in time. The little critters reached his legs—thousands of them—and quickly began scampering around his ankles and calves. Instinctively Nathan tried to kick them off and slap them aside but there were just too many. As soon as he knocked one off a hundred more would appear.

"Stop it!" Bobok shouted. "Let them have their way. It will only last a minute."

By now the obnoxious creepies were swarming around his knees in their desperate search for water. As they raced back and forth they made the skin of his legs tickle and itch at the same time. But Nathan wasn't moving. Not anymore. He was too frightened. Forget being frightened. He was petrifiedl

"That tickling you're feeling is only their tongues," Bobok assured him. "They're licking the sweat off your skin—don't worry."

But Nathan was worrying, big time. He looked down and his eyes widened to saucer size. He could no longer see his legs. He could see their shape OK but. . . well, let's just say his blue jeans were no longer blue. They were a mass of black and brown crawlies. Not only were they racing around inside his pant legs but they were also on the outside—thousands of little hairy legs, fluttering wings, and hard-shelled bodies swarming as they slowly worked their way up toward his thighs.

Nathan couldn't take any more. He was just about to open his mouth and let out the world's most terrifying scream when suddenly he heard:

"CHILDREN!"

Immediately all movement on his legs stopped.

• 83 •

THE PORTAL

"CHILDREN GET OFF THAT HANDSOME UPSIDE-DOWNER THIS VERY MINUTE!" The voice was screeching and powerful—like a huge piece of steel drug across concrete. In six seconds Nathan's legs were completely free of the insects. Completely!

They pulled back into a teeming, swarming wall several feet high and several yards long. A teeming, swarming pile that had reluctantly obeyed but decided to stick around . . . just in case.

"You'll have to excuse their eagerness." The voice was much softer now, even comforting. "It's been a long time since we've had the privilege of such a wonderfully handsome visitor with so much . . . moisture."

At last Nathan was able to take his eyes from the quivering mass of bugs to see who was speaking. She was gorgeous—a woman as kind and beautiful as any he had ever seen. Soft brown hair that fell to her delicate shoulders—long, graceful, pretty. And a mouth so kind it was only outshown by her eyes. Nathan liked her instantly.

He wouldn't have liked her instantly if he had known what she really looked like. But the Illusionist was as crafty with her disguises as she was with her words.

"Did you know," she softly mused, "that Upside-Downers are 90% water?"

"She's trying to scare you," Bobok whispered. "Don't fall for it."

But Nathan wasn't frightened. How could he be? The Lady was far too kind, far too lovely. The nearby pile of droning bugs, on the other hand, well that was another matter. Nathan threw a nervous look down to Mr. Hornsberry to see how he was taking it.

The dog didn't seem to mind the insects at all. And

THE PORTAL

why should he? As a stuffed animal he was made up of cotton batting, sawdust, and cloth—not much moisture there. But the Lady . . . for some reason he was very suspicious of the Lady. And when she glanced over to him he couldn't stop a faint growl from escaping his throat.

But instead of anger or concern, the Lady broke into the most incredible smile. "My, what a beautiful dog," she grinned. "Isn't he just the most perfect thing?"

Immediately Mr. Hornsberry felt his tail thumping the sand in delight. He hated being such a pushover for compliments. But, like Bobok, this Lady obviously appreciated the finer things of life. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.

"Come here, boy," she said as she kneeled down and patted her lap. "Come on."

He gave one of his throat-clearing coughs and nervously answered, "Excuse me, I don't wish to be too terribly rude at this juncture of our relationship, but it's probably best if I remain here with Master Nathan."

"Oh, and he talks," she said with a wondrous grin. "Isn't he just the most clever thing." Then, turning to Nathan she continued, "What a lucky young man you are to have such a friend."

Mr. Hornsberry's entire body gave a shudder of delight. For the first time in his life (about 33 minutes at last count) he had been wrong. This Lady was terrific!

With the dog taken care of, the Lady slowly rose to her feet and addressed the little blue orb. "Bobok, dearest and most trusted friend, you promised two specimens. I see only one and he's a boy—though an

• 85 •

THE PORTAL

incredibly intelligent and handsome boy to be sure. But where, Dear Heart, is the girl you promised?"

"She will be coming soon," Bobok purred. "Trust me."

The Lady smiled warmly to Bobok and once again turned her focus upon Nathan. "And why have you left her behind?"

Nathan swallowed hard and looked to the wall of thirsty insects. For the first time that he could remember he wasn't sure if opening his mouth was such a great idea. But he didn't have to worry. Before he could speak, the lovely Lady had answered her own question.

"Of course," she smiled. "It is because a young man of your incredible genius, and talents, would only be held back by someone of her mediocre skills."

Nathan looked at her in surprise.

"I am correct, aren't I?" she asked sweetly.

What could he say? When she was right, she was right. After all, isn't that exactly what Bobok had said—that he was "special," a "Chosen Thread"? Nathan shrugged his shoulders and quietly agreed with the Lady, "Yeah, I guess."

Immediately the buzzing from the wall of insects grew louder in agitation ... or was it anticipation? Maybe it was both. In any case they definitely smelled the water from Nathan's breath and they were definitely hoping to move in for seconds on drinks.

But the Illusionist gave one snap of her fingers. Immediately they grew silent.

She continued, her voice filled with sympathy and understanding, "It must be very difficult for a good looking young man such as yourself, with so many gifts and talents, to deal with such average people as the girl."

THE PORTAL

Nathan looked at her carefully to see if she was teasing him. But there was no mocking in her eyes . . . only the kindest, most sincere look he had ever seen.

"Sometimes," he offered humbly.

The Illusionist nodded in compassion as she approached and gently rested her hand on Nathan's shoulder. "Poor boy," she consoled.

"Dear Lady," Bobok quietly warned, "remember our agreement. The boy is coming with me."

"Of course, my esteemed friend. Though I must say I would give half my kingdom for someone with such looks and great intelligence to stay and keep me company."

Nathan looked up to her. He couldn't help but smile. She returned it and gave his shoulder just the slightest bit of a squeeze. It wasn't much, just enough to say, "Even though we've only met, we really understand each other, don't we?"

"Dear Lady . . ." Bobok's warning was a little more stern this time.

"Oh, kindest Bobok, you needn't worry." Then directing her attention back to Nathan she continued, "All I'm saying is that it must be terribly frustrating to be as great as he is and have to deal with commoners like that girl all the time." She gave him another little squeeze.

"Oh, it's not so bad," Nathan ventured. "I mean, she can be pretty stupid sometimes, and well, yeah, sometimes she's a real pain, but—" •

"Ahhhh . . ." Suddenly Denise doubled over in agony. She had never felt anything like it. They had just entered the Passageway and started for the Portal

THE PORTAL

when a searing pain ripped across her mind.

'Wrong what's?" Listro Q was immediately at her side. "Happened what?" he shouted over the howling wind.

"My head!" she gasped.

But it wasn't her head. This was no headache she was experiencing. It was deeper . . . much deeper.

Suddenly the pain left. It disappeared as quickly as it began. Denise lifted her eyes, dumbfounded.

"OK, you are?" Listro Q yelled. Even above the roaring wind and whistling sand it was possible to hear the concern in his voice.

"Yeah," she said as she slowly rose. "What was that?"

"What was what?" Listro Q shouted.

By now Aristophenix had joined the confusion. "What's wrong?" he yelled over the wind.

"I'm OK," Denise shouted.

"You sure?!"

She gave him a nod.

"Good. We've got to hurry!" Aristophenix shouted as he pointed ahead. "Not much time!"

The group followed his finger to the Portal. Through all the blasting wind and sand it was still possible to see it widen and contract, widen and contract—as if it were breathing. And each time it contracted, the opening shrunk a little bit more. Aristophenix was right. In time it would be sealed for good. In a very short time.

By now the pain that shot through Denny's head had completely disappeared. It was only a memory. There was only the roaring wind and stinging sand. It bit her face and arms and made her eyes water so badly that she could barely keep them open.

THE PORTAL

But she had no right to complain. Samson was the one who really had it rough. The poor little guy was fluttering his wings for all he was worth and was still barely able to hold his ground against the wind. He gave a brief chatter for everyone to hurry and move. And they did.

Then it hit again—only worse. This time the pain was so intense that it knocked Denny to the ground. She grabbed her head in agony. But it wasn't just her head. It was as if her whole person—her mind, her body, her personality—ever\'thing about her had been hit. Hit hard. The pain was so intense, so violent that all she could do was gasp.

"Is it what?!" Listro Q cried as he dropped to her side.

But Denny couldn't answer. She was too busy just trying to breathe.

"Nathan!" Aristophenix shouted. "It's Nathan!"

Once again the pain shut off. But this time it left Denise weaker, much weaker . . . and confused. "What . . ." she panted, trying to catch her breath, trying to make sense out of all of it. Forget "all of it." Right now she'd just settle for making sense out oiany of it! "... what's going on?"

Listro Q answered. "Speaking bad about you, Nathan is. Words his, hurting you."

"It's because he's an Upside-Downer," Aristophenix went on to explain.

Your words can cut

and force others to bleed,

'cause they're spoken from mouths

which have been Image-Breathed.

Denny wasn't as astonished as she could have been.

• 89 •

THE PORTAL

Lately she was beginning to think anything was possible in this place and lately she hadn't been disappointed. "You mean," she shouted as they slowly helped her to her feet, "Nathan is doing all this to me with his mouth? This is all happening because of what he's saying?"

Listro Q and Aristophenix both nodded.

"Great authority have Upside Downers. Powerful very, their words of blessing or cursing."

"OK, fine," she called. "He wants a fight, I'll give him a fight. Nathan Hutton O'Brien," she shouted at the top of her lungs, "you are the world's most—"

"NO!" Suddenly both creatures covered her mouth with their hands, or paws, or whatever you'd call them. Listro Q looked very stern. "Spoken never," he shouted, "harsh words in Fayrah, never."

Samson let out another chatter. By now he was several feet behind them and losing ground rapidly.

"He's right," Aristophenix yelled.

Oh Sammy boy's a fadin',

let's get on with the show.

He can't last much longer,

so come on, let's move it, let's go!

Listro Q called, "Form a wall, let's quickly!"

"Good idea. Partner."

With that both creatures suddenly spun from De-nise and raced back to Samson. Turning to face the wind they formed a living shield with their bodies to protect their little friend. It took Samson a moment to get the hang of it, but soon he was able to duck the wind by hiding directly behind their backs as they pushed their way to Denise.

THE PORTAL

When they were there, they hnked arms with her and continued forward.

The Portal was only 20 or 30 feet ahead, but with the blasting wind and sand it could have been miles. And the opening was growing smaller, there was no doubt about it. It wasn't shrinking quickly but, just like the hour hand of a clock, it continued to make progress—slowly but ever so surely.

And still they pressed on . . . heads lowered and shoulders bent to protect their faces from the biting wind. Two steps forward, a slip, one step backward. One step forward, a stumble, another step back. Yet, somehow, miraculously, they made progress. Like the Portal itself, they may have been moving slow but they were also just as steady and just as determined.

It happened a third time—a blow to Denise stronger than the other two combined.

She wasn't sure, but she thought she fainted. One moment she felt the impossible pain. The next moment Aristophenix and Listro Q were on the ground beside her shouting, "Denny can you hear us? Denny!"

"Thanks, Nate," she groaned. "That was a beaut."

"Stand, can you?" Listro Q shouted. "Denny!? You stand, can?"

Denise wanted to break out laughing. And she would have if she'd had the strength. "You gotta be kidding," she mumbled. "Stand? It's all I can do to breathe . . ."

— Chapter Eight —

A Hasty Exit

"Well that's enough talk about that silly old girl," the Illusionist continued in her gentle, soothing voice. "But please, you've been so modest. Tell me more about yourself. What a wonderful life you must live, being a Chosen Thread, traveling in and out of dimensions as you do."

Once again Nathan looked into her understanding eyes. Somewhere deep inside he felt a stirring. But it wasn't love. It wasn't that deep. Instead, it was a little rush of excitement. The same rush that came every time he managed to manipulate someone into getting his own way. It was a wonderful little feeling, a type of victory mixed with self-importance. And the best thing was that he didn't even have to earn that feeling. Not here. Not now. It just came naturally. All he had

THE PORTAL

to do was listen to her compliments and look into her eyes.

Bobok rolled back and forth ever so slightly as he tried to hide his impatience. He wasn't crazy about this—not one bit. The boy was slipping out of his grasp with every word the Illusionist spoke. That wasn't the agreement. The boy was supposed to be his. He was to get the boy and she was to get the girl. Of course, the Illusionist had chosen the girl because she was the better catch. After all, she was closer to being re-Breathed. And, as everyone knows, if you can convince someone with the potential of being re-Breathed into hating Imager, the feeling is . . . well, let's just say, there are few joys as intense. So, with this in mind, why was she going for the boy? Unless . . .

Suddenly it became very clear. The Illusionist wanted the boy and the girl. Of course. She wanted them both. Her all-consuming ambition wanted everything. Bobok smiled slightly. He'd almost forgotten why he so admired her.

But he wasn't worried about losing the boy. Not at all. True, there was that wall of thirsty insects less than 30 feet away. And let's not forget the sand soldiers—thousands of them buried just a few inches below the surface of the desert. A single command to either and Bobok would only be a memory—just a tiny blue smudge of history on the endless sands of Seerlo. But Bobok would not be a smudge. Bobok still had one card left to play . . .

"Dear Lady," he purred, "we would love to chat but we must be going."

"Oh, please stay," the Illusionist begged. But she wasn't asking Bobok. She still had her eyes riveted

A HASTY EXIT

upon Nathan. "Your visit has given me such courage, such strength. Just to be in the presence of someone hke yourself. Please, don't leave—not yet."

What could Nathan do? That little rush of excitement he'd felt growing inside was now a raging current. How could he say no to someone who admired him so much? How could he refuse to allow her to adore and worship him? "We can stay a couple more minutes," Nathan said, unable to take his eyes from hers. "Isn't that right, Bobky?"

Bobok gave a little shudder. He had been called lots of things over the many epochs, but Bobky? Still, he was too cool and experienced to let this little brat disturb him ... or so he hoped. "I think not. Chosen Thread," he answered. "There is much to give you in my kingdom and it will take much time for you to acquire all of its possessions."

"But . . ." the Illusionist insisted, "if he stays here with me he will be loved and admired for his greatness."

"Admiration is important. Dear Lady. But what of material goods? Acquiring possession is of great importance to a Thread of this stature. Am I mistaken. Chosen One?"

Nathan faltered for a moment. It was true. The little blue orb had a point. Being admired was one thing. But having whatever you wanted whenever you wanted it, well now, that was quite another. Still, why couldn't he have both? "Bobky," he asked, "if I'm so great and everything, then why can't I be, you know, adored and have all the possessions?"

"Precisely," the Illusionist agreed. "In my kingdom you would not only have our worship and adoration, which of course you so richly deserve, but you would

THE PORTAL

share in all our possessions as well."

"Share?" Bobok's voice was sharper now, "Such a Thread does not share\"

"A poor choice of words." The Illusionist realized Bobok was going in for the kill. She must be careful in everything she said. Very careful. "I did not mean share, I, too, meant possess. He would possess all that I have."

Bobok broke out laughing. "And what a lucky creature he would be. Imagine, possessing all of this sand, all of these insects. To think. Chosen Thread, someday this could all be yours."

For a moment the spell had been broken and Nathan was able to turn from the Illusionist's eyes and look at the grinning Bobok. It was a grin Nathan couldn't help but return. After all, it was true. What did the Lady have to offer but sand and insects? Oh sure, he'd be loved and adored—treated like a king. But a king of what? A king of sand dunes and bugs? "Bobky's got a point," he said as he turned back to the Lady. "I mean let's face—"

But that was as far as he got. For as soon as their eyes met he came to a stop. He wasn't sure if what he saw was inside her eyes, or if it was a reflection upon their surface, or if he was even looking into her eyes at all.

Whatever the case, the barren desert had suddenly exploded with life. Everywhere he looked there were magnificent castles of crystal, spiraling pathways of gold, and lovely parks and gardens filled with millions of flowers. But what most impressed Nathan were the people. Thousands of beautiful, perfect people—waving, smiling and applauding. And, most importantly, they were all waving, smiling and applauding him!

A HASTY EXIT

"You were saying?" the Illusionist smiled. Somehow she was standing beside him now. It was weird; one moment he was looking into her eyes and the next moment they were standing together gazing over the beautiful city and thousands of people.

"Where—where did they all come from?" Nathan asked. His voice was thick and a little breathless. "They're—they're beautiful."

"Their beauty is only a reflection of yours," she assured him. "Where they came from is of no importance. The fact that they love and adore you—each and every one—that is all that matters."

Mr. Hornsberry nervously cleared his throat. He had not looked into the Lady's eyes and, try as he might, he could not see any people—just the thousands of thirst-crazed insects. But before he could mention this Bobok again spoke.

"Gracious Lady, we had an arrangement. We agreed. Your reflections are most unwelcomed! "

"This is his illusion, not mine. This is what he wants to see."

"Chosen Thread," Bobok called, "your water!" There was no missing the urgency in his voice. It was time to play the final card and it was time to play it now.

But Nathan barely heard. He was too taken by the thousands of adoring people calling out to him—beautiful people begging him to come closer so they could admire him, maybe even reach out and touch him. Nathan started toward them and to his amazement he discovered that his hip no longer hurt. In fact, he didn't even have a limp!

"Master Nathan," Mr. Hornsberry called. "What are you doing—where are you going?"

THE PORTAL

"Those are my people . . . my fans."

"What people? What fans? Master Nathan, you're proceeding directly toward that multitude of insects!"

But Nathan was no longer listening. Somehow, through the Lady's eyes, he saw the pile of water-starved bugs as idolizing, adoring fans.

"Chosen Thread!" Bobok called.

"Leave him be," the Lady warned. "If this is the reality he wishes, let him live it!"

Nathan was stepping closer and closer to the mountain of crawling insects. Insects that were clacking their antennas, buzzing their wings, and swarming over each other in eager anticipation.

"Chosen Thread! Your canteen—your water!" Bobok shouted.

But Nathan barely heard. The screaming fans were just too loud in their praise and adoration. By now he was only a few feet away. Just a couple more steps and he would be right in the middle of their loving, embracing arms.

"Master Nathan, Master Nathan!" Mr. Hornsberry cried. He wanted desperately to help him. But he also liked the idea of surviving. And right now the farther he stayed away from that pile of bugs the better his chances were for the latter.

But Bobok had no choice. He started rolling toward the boy and the mountain of buzzing bugs. "Chosen Thread," he shouted over the din, "aren't you thirsty? Does not this hot, dry sand make your throat ache for water?" By now he was under the boy's feet trying desperately to get his attention. "Chosen Thread, how about a drink of water! It's so hot. I'm so thirsty—aren't you? How about some cool, luscious water?!"

A HASTY EXIT

Nathan glanced down to his feet and had to smile. Poor little guy, he thought. Obviously Bohky wants some of the glory, too. Well why not? After all he was the one who first noticed Nathan's greatness. And by the looks of it there were plenty of fans to go around. But why was the little fellow so insistent about him taking a drink?

Oh well, Nathan shrugged, the creature hadn't been wrong yet. And he was right about it being hot. So, half because he wanted to and half because Bobok thought it was a good idea, Nathan reached over to his canteen and opened the lid.

That was all it took.

Immediately the adoring fans began to scream. It wasn't a scream of hysterical adoration ... it was a scream of horror. Suddenly the crowd began to push and shove at each other. But it wasn't to get closer to Nathan ... it was to get away\ Everyone was shouting, kicking, shoving, doing anything they could to try to get away.

"Bobok, what's going on!?" Nathan cried. "BOBOK?!"

"Stop it!" the Lady screamed somewhere from behind. "Stop it at once!"

"Pour it on the ground!" Bobok shouted. "Pour the water on the ground!"

"But they're leaving!" Nathan was starting to panic—his lifelong dream was starting to fade. "Why are they leaving!?"

By now the crowd was fighting and trampling over one another in a desperate attempt to flee.

"STOP IT!" the Lady screeched.

"Pour the water on the ground!"

Mr. Hornsberry was running around in tight little

• 99 •

THE PORTAL

circles of frustration shouting, "Do what he says, do what he says!"

"BOBOk, I DON'T UNDER—?!"

"POUR THE WATER ON THE GROUND!"

"BUT—"

"NOW!!!"

Mr. Hornsberrv' could stand no more. Before he knew it he was running straight toward the boy. In a flash his chubby little body was in mid-air. In another flash he had Nathan's wrist in his mouth.

"OW!" Nathan cried as he dropped the canteen.

And then it started . . .

As the water of words poured from the canteen onto the sand, they sizzled and popped. Like some sort of powerful acid they began to eat into the sand, turning it into a clear, black liquid.

"GET OUT OF THERE!" Bobok shouted as he quicklv rolled backwards awav from the rapidly growing puddle. "GET OUT OF THERE FAST!"

Nathan and Mr. Homsberry needed no second invitation. They stepped back several feet and watched as the liquid letters ate into the sand making a bigger and bigger pool—a bubbling pool that began to swirl as it liquified everv'thing it touched.

But it was no longer the pool that had Nathan's attention. It was the reflection inside that pool. Now, at last he was able to see the illusion for what it was. There were no castles, no golden paths, no flowery hills—just sand. And there was definitely no crowd of adoring fans. As Nathan looked into the pool at their reflection he saw them for what they were—the mound of teaming insects, the mound that he had nearly walked into and that had nearly devoured him! But now it was a mound that was quickly collapsing

A HASTY EXIT

as the insects tried in vain to scurry away from the widening pool.

"MY CHILDREN, MY PRECIOUS CHILDREN! " the Lady cried.

But it did no good. For even as she cried, the growing, spiraling pool continued to eat away at her kingdom. Maybe eat away isn't the right phrase. Maybe dissolve would be better. In any case, Nathan watched with horror and fascination as the pool continued to grow and suck in the sand . . . the insects . . . everything that it touched.

It's like cotton candy, he thought. One minute you're shoving a handful of the stuff into your mouth — the next minute it's dissolved to nothing. And nothing was exactly what was becoming of the Illusionist's kingdom as the pool continued to suck in and destroy everything within reach. Even the sand soldiers were leaping up, trying to race away. But with little success. Like everything else in the kingdom, they too were being pulled into the spiraling pool.

"START RUNNING!" Bobok shouted over the roar of melting elements.

"WHAT'S HAPPENING?!"

"IT'S THE WATER FROM THE STREAM—IT'S DESTROYING SEERLO! RUN!"

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, BOBOK!" the Lady screamed, though you could barely hear her over the wind. "I SWEAR, YOU'LL PAY!!"

Nathan and Mr. Hornsberry spun back toward her. Both were amazed at what they saw. It was the Lady's voice, all right, but it was no longer the Lady—or at least as they remembered her. This time the Illusionist appeared as she really was ... a scaled and war-scarred body, with huge cloven hoofs, and large black

• 101 •

A HASTY EXIT

leathery wings that were now unfurled and flapping . . . wings that lifted her high above the swirling whirlpool of what had once been her kingdom.

"HURRY, CHOSEN THREAD!" Bobok called. "HURRY!"

—Chapter Nine—

^^uiMiSiM)f»

Keygarp

Back inside the Passageway Denise wasn't sure how she had managed to stand. She was strong, she knew that. But not strong enough to fight the wind and sand—much less the punches of Nathan's words. The best she figured, it had something to do with Lis-tro Q's and Aristophenix's love. And, of course, Samson. Poor little guy. He was practically worn out trying to fly against the wind. Yet he stayed right there at her side as the other two helped her to rise to her feet and stagger the last remaining steps toward the Portal.

The Portal was still shrinking as it continued to expand and contract, expand and contract. And it was a little spooky stepping through an opening that almost seemed alive. But following the others, Denny

THE PORTAL

moved forward and squeezed through the windy opening and entered into . . .

Now hold on to yer horses, I don't mean to harp. But what happened to Seerlo? This here looks like Keygarp.

Listro Q and Samson both agreed. Although none of them had ever entered the Portal, they all knew from their geography courses at school that the first kingdom on the other side of the Passageway was Seerlo—the kingdom of sand and heat. What they didn't know was that, thanks to Nathan, their geography courses were now outdated. Thanks to Nathan the kingdom of sand and heat had just been dissolved and erased forever. Seerlo no longer existed.

So instead of Seerlo the group stepped immediately into the next kingdom. Bobok's kingdom—the Kingdom of Keygarp.

Keygarp was everything Seerlo was not. Cold instead of hot. Ice instead of sand. Trees instead of barren desert. But, of course, the trees had no leaves. It was too cold for that. Instead, each of their twisted and gnarled branches was covered in centuries of sparkling frost and ice.

That was Denise's first impression of the place— frost and ice. Oh, and the color blue. It seemed everything was blue. From the midnight blue of the tree trunks and boulders, to the lighter shades of blue for the snow, to the clear blue layers of crystalline frost that coated everything. There was no yellow, no orange, no red . . . only blue. It was both beautiful and eerie. Denise gave a little shudder and pulled up her collar against the cold.

KE YGARP

Listro Q and Aristophenix were doing the same with their wraps—although Listro Q was also making sure his fine tuxedo coat was free of any dust or debris from the Portal.

"You there—Upside-Downer!" The voice was harsh and raspy, almost like the cawing of a crow.

Denny looked up and was the first to spot it. "What on earth?"

The others followed her gaze. Through the twisted branches of the forest they saw the Illusionist. She circled high overhead, her black leathery wings standing out in stark contrast against the cold blue sky.

"I have not forgotten!" she cried. "You have been promised to me. I have not forgotten!" And then, with two mighty thrusts of her wings she sailed off—a queen in search of a kingdom.

Denise gave a deep involuntary shudder. For years she had heard that voice. For years it had been in the back of her head—emerging only during her most terrifying nightmares. And that body. Where had she seen it? Had it, too, been in those awful nightmares?

"Who . . . who was that?" she finally managed to croak.

No one had an answer. But it would not be the last time Denise saw or heard her—not by any means.

"Look!" Listro Q called as he pointed off in the distance. "Castle, Bobok's!"

It was a craggy looking set of towers that seemed to defy gravity as they leaned and loomed in all directions.

To help Nathan let's move, since that's what we chose. Cause there ain't much time, before the Portal is closed.

• 107 •

THE PORTAL

The others agreed and quickly started for the castle. Aristophenix gave a sigh and did his best to keep up. Although, as usual, he seemed to be losing ground with every waddle.

The doors slithered open with a harsh hiss. Like everything else in Bobok's castle, they were made out of smooth, cold steel. And like everything else in Key-garp, they were covered with a thin coating of frost that sparkled in the deep blue light.

Nathan had learned the hard way not to touch the walls or doors or anything else in the castle. Actually, the touching wasn't the problem. It was the letting go that got a bit painful. You see, the steel was so cold that once you touched it, it was impossible to let go without leaving a layer of skin forever frozen to its surface.

Crossing from Seerlo to Keygarp hadn't taken long at all. The growing pool of words was sucking Seerlo in so rapidly, all Nathan had to do was leap high into the air and watch as hundreds of yards of the kingdom zipped by under his feet. Then another leap and a few more hundred yards. Of course, the pain in his hip had returned, but it seemed like a small price to pay to escape with his life. Soon, almost before he knew it, the border of Keygarp had come into view. And sooner still the three of them had crossed through the frozen forest and into the castle.

They had barely entered before Mr. Hornsberry sidled up close to Nathan. "I do hope I'm not speaking with impropriety," the dog whispered between chattering teeth, "but I don't fancy this place. Master Nathan—I don't fancy it one bit."

KEYGARP

Nathan had to admit he wasn't too fond of it either. In fact, he wasn't sure if he was shivering because of the cold or because he was afraid. Maybe it was both.

The next room they entered was just Hke all the others—a large, cavernous hall that didn't seem to have any purpose except to echo each and every one of their footsteps. And, like every other room, the walkway was lined on both sides with little orbs that rolled onto their faces as Bobok, Nathan and Mr. Hornsberry passed. Each frosty-blue ball wore a helmet and had a small sword strapped to its side. And, like Bobok, each had a set of sunken little eyes.

By now Nathan couldn't help thinking how everyone in the castle looked exactly the same. In fact, they reminded him of one of those assembly lines where the same part is stamped over and over again. That's what they were—stamped carbon copies. Carbon copies of Bobok. Only these creatures had no personality. They were just stamped carbon copies that moved in perfect synchronization with no life or feeling.

Oh, and there was one other strange thing Nathan noticed ... a hum. He'd heard it when they first crossed the border into Keygarp. Now with every footstep it seemed to grow louder. Louder "was the word he used to describe it. But what he felt was something different. What he felt was that the sound wasn't getting louder, it was getting . . . heavier.

As they neared a set of huge doors that towered dozens of feet overhead, Bobok slowed to a stop. "You'll like this," he purred. His voice was as smooth and gentle as when they first met. "You'll like this a lot."

He waved his hand and the doors immediately whisked open. A blast of cold air hit Nathan so hard

• 109 •

THE PORTAL

that he had to close his eyes. And when he opened them . . . well, let's just say he wished he hadn't.

The three of them stood at the edge of a platform hundreds of feet high. In front of them floated dozens of strange creatures—some as thin as pencils, some as round as beach balls, some with three eyes and one head, others with three heads and one eye. It was amazing. If you could imagine the strangest imagin-ables imaginable, and then imagine them just a little stranger . . . well, you'd be getting close to what they saw.

"What—what is this place?" Nathan stuttered.

"Welcome to my Menagerie!" Bobok beamed. "I spend as much free time here as possible."

Nathan continued to stare. The creatures were rotating inside a giant cone, hundreds of feet high . . . an invisible cone of energy that crackled and sparked every time someone or something bumped against its side. Still that was only the beginning. Each of the creatures looked like they had been in a thousand fights. They were scarred and beaten and battered. Their strange, exotic clothing was torn into a million shreds.

But that isn't what scared Nathan the most. What really frightened him was how everyone seemed to be in some sort of trance. Although their eyes were open it was as if they really couldn't see. Then, as they drifted into one another, they'd automatically begin to fight and scratch. Sometimes it was over a shred of clothing, or a scrap of floating food or even the remains of a shattered toy. But it was always done in slow motion—as if the creatures were being controlled. As if they couldn't help themselves.

Finallv there was the matter of the hum. Nathan

KE YGARP

no longer wondered where it came from. It came from here. And it really wasn't a hum. It was a groan. Lots of groans. Long, slow, moaning groans from these strange creatures caught within the energy field.

"Who . . . who are they?"

"Oh, just different beings I've collected from different kingdoms," Bobok purred. "But they all have one thing in common—at least they do now." He chuckled as if over a little joke. "Each is possessed with greed; pure, unadulterated greed."

Nathan stepped back as two creatures drifted so close he could have reached out and touched them. Like the others they kept fighting slowly and mechanically.

Mr. Hornsberry let out a long, low growl.

But Bobok was no longer concerned with the dog. "Once they're in that energy field," he continued, "they are under my power. They're doomed to scratch and claw, to take and steal for eternity. Great sport, wouldn't you agree? "

Nathan continued to stare,

"Particularly for those who never give but want only to possess."

Nathan tried to respond but he had no voice.

"But you know," Bobok purred as he slowly turned toward Nathan, "in all my years I've never had an Upside-Downer in there . . ."

Nathan swallowed hard. Try as he might he couldn't help but look to Bobok.

He wished he hadn't.

Bobok was grinning his grin again. A grin that said his desires were about to be fulfilled.

—Chapter Ten—

The Menagerie

At first Denise didn't notice the guards at the drawbridge. She just thought they were a couple of larger than normal snowballs. Granted, they were bluer than the rest of the snow, and granted they just happened to be wearing helmets and swords but, hey, it had been a long day.

So far she'd been hurdled away from The Center into unknown regions of darkness, caught by somebody who was her father but wasn't, forced to stand on her head, laughed at for staring at a confusing reflection of herself in the Stream, beaten up by Nathan's words in the Passageway, and threatened by some grumpy old hag with bat wings flying above her head in the forest. I guess you could say it hadn't been one of her better days. And I guess you could understand why she might make a few minor mistakes.

THE PORTAL

Unfortunately, these two guards were anything but minor.

"Who goes there!?" Guard One immediately shouted.

The group came to a stop. All eyes looked to Aris-tophenix. The pudgy bear gave a heavy sigh. Why was he always the one to have to speak up? Why was he always the one to take the risk of getting clobbered? Still, he was the leader, and according to the Leader's Handbook he had no choice. So, after a deep breath, Aristophenix answered:

We're from the land of Fayrah. And though meeting you is a treat, we're looking for a boy and an orb who needs feet.

Listro Q simply rolled his eyes at him. "Hey, it's the best I can do under pressure," Aristophenix whispered.

But the two guards paid little attention. Instead, Guard One slowly approached Listro Q.

"Fayrahnians, huh?" he asked. His voice sounded mechanical and brittle—almost like a recording.

"Right are you," Listro Q answered, trying to be cool. But it's hard to be cool when you're sweating in fear.

"Nice coat," the guard said as he rubbed against Listro Q's tuxedo jacket.

"Uh, er, thanks."

"Give me," the guard demanded.

For a second Listro Q hesitated. After all, it was his favorite coat. Then without a word, he reached down and began unbuttoning it.

"What are you doing?" Denise demanded. "You love that coat, why—"

• 114 •

THE MENAGERIE

"Shhhh," Aristophenix whispered.

Everyone watched as Listro Q took off his coat, then slowly laid it at the foot of the little blue ball.

But instead of showing his gratitude with a "thanks," the guard did what any true blue Keygar-pian would do. He demanded more. "Nice shirt. Me want shirt, too."

"Cold, freezing it is," Listro Q tried to reason.

"Me want shirt!" the guard insisted.

"This is ridiculous," Denise muttered as she pushed up her sleeves and started for the little blue orb.

"Denny," Aristophenix warned.

"There're two of them and four of us," she insisted.

"It's not the Fayrahnian way!"

"I don't care whose way it is," Denise argued. "They're just a couple twerpy little ice balls and if you're not man enough to do anything to stop them then I—"

But that was as far as she got. For when she turned back to the Guard she discovered the little "ice ball" had grown five to six times in size. He now towered a good half foot above her.

"WHOA!" she shouted in startled surprise. "What happened?"

"Your hate," Listro Q said, as he finished unbuttoning his shirt and handing it over to the guard, "fed him it."

"My hate did this?" Denise asked, marveling.

The blue ball just grinned.

"But, but," Denise stuttered in frustration as she turned back to Aristophenix, "you guys just can't stand around and give them whatever they want."

THE PORTAL

Samson chattered off a response. Aristophenix nodded and translated:

Give what they want, do what they say. That's our code of love, that's the Fayrahnian way.

"But that's not fair!" Denise could feel the tops of her ears start to burn. It was a sure sign that her anger was just about out of control. The same anger that made her the terror of every bully in the schoolyard. The same anger that would attack any foe, no matter what their size, even five-foot-five round blue ones!

But when Denny turned back to the guard he was no longer five foot five. Now he was ten foot ten.

"AUGH!" She screamed in surprise. She threw a look over to Listro Q who only shrugged as if to say, "I told you so."

Then, before she could do any more damage, Aristophenix reached into his vest pocket, pulled out the gold watch Sally, the camel creature, had given him, and took a look at the time.

My oh my,

well what do you know. We'd love to chat, but it's time to go.

It was Guard Two's turn to roll forward. "Nice watch."

But he had a little competition. For even though the first guard had Listro Q's shirt and coat, he was still greedy enough to try for the watch as well. "Yeah," Guard One bellowed, "very nice."

THE MENAGERIE

Why this httle thing, Shucks, it's all rusty and old. Though I guess that's not rust, since it's made of solid—

But no one heard Aristophenix last word as he "accidentally" dropped the watch to the ground. Before he could complete his illustrious poem, the two blue balls rolled for it.

Now it's true. Guard Two was many times smaller than Guard One, but as they fought, and shouted, and struggled for the watch, Guard Two began to grow in size.

"Quick! Go let's!" Listro Q shouted as he scooped up his shirt and coat from the ground.

"But—" Again Denise protested.

"Hurry!"

Reluctantly she obeyed and followed the other three across the drawbridge and into the castle. But just before they stepped inside there came from behind them a violent explosion immediately followed by another.

The group spun around. The giant blue orbs were nowhere in sight. Instead there was only a light blue snow that had started to fall.

"What happened?" Denny shouted.

"Snow!" Listro pointed.

"I see the snow but where'd those guys go?"

"Here," Listro Q said, again pointing to the snow.

"You mean . . . this is them?" She couldn't help but feel a grin of satisfaction coming on. "This snow is them?"

"Correct are you."

"They blew themselves up!?"

THE PORTAL

"Critical Mass," Listro Q agreed. "Blew them up, their hatred."

"All right!" Denny laughed. "Well, I guess you guys really do know what you're doing, don't you?"

But no one answered. Instead, all three stood there giving her some of the weakest smiles she had seen in her life.

Suddenly Denise wasn't quite as confident. "You did know that was going to happen . . . Right?"

Again they smiled.

"Oh, brother," she sighed. For if there was one thing Denny had learned, it was that Fayrahnians could not lie. They could smile all they wanted, but they could not lie.

"You mean to tell me you just guessed this would happen? You just winged it?"

The trio smiled to her a third and final time.

"Oh, brother," she repeated as she turned and gloomily headed into the castle. "Oh, brother . . ."

Aristophenix, Listro Q, and Samson looked to one another, shrugged, and followed her inside.

"If you think I'm going in there," Nathan said, starting to back away toward the door, "you're crazy!"

"You are a Chosen Thread," Bobok insisted as he slowly rolled toward the boy. "To take and possess without ever giving—to look out only for yourself— that is your dream."

Nathan continued backing away, "Yeah, but—"

"This is what you've lived for, what you've always wanted . . ."

It was Mr. Hornsberry's turn to speak up. The hair on his neck was sticking straight up and although he

THE MENAGERIE

still remained formal, there was no missing the determination in his voice. "Excuse me, but if you persist in rolling any closer I'm afraid I shall have to take a bite out of your head."

Bobok threw him a glance and chuckled slightly. "This is my Kingdom, O Cloth Stuffed with Sawdust. You will do as I say." Bobok continued, moving toward them.

"Now I've given you fair warning," Mr. Hornsberry said, sounding as bold as any English bulldog could sound—although he would have been a little more convincing had he not been shaking or crowding in so close to Nathan's legs.

Bobok continued to press in.

"Please, Bobsky, er, Mr. Bobok, sir," Nathan stuttered. "Maybe we can talk, you know, work something out."

Bobok continued forward.

"It's quite obvious. Master Nathan," Mr. Horns-berry said, "that the creature wishes no further dialogue." Turning to Bobok he continued, "Am I correct in this matter?"

Bobok said nothing but only grinned.

"Very well," Mr. Hornsberry said, "have it your way—though please remember I gave you sufficient warning." With that the dog leaned back on his haunches and with a fierce growl sprung directly toward Bobok. But the ruler was prepared. Quickly inhaling he fired off a blast of icy cold breath that hit the animal dead center. And there, in mid-air, Mr. Hornsberry froze. He didn't even fall to the ground. He just hung there in the air, completely frozen.

"Mr. Hornsberry!" Nathan cried, racing to him. But the dog felt as cold and stiff as a chunk of ice.

THE PORTAL

"What have you done to him!" he demanded. "What have you done?"

"It makes no difference," Bobok purred. "In a matter of seconds you will no longer care."

Nathan threw a cautious glance back to the Menagerie. Another pair of fighting creatures were drifting by, lost forever in their mindless trance of scratching and clawing, owning and disowning, taking and possessing. "But I don't want to go in there—I've, I've changed my mind."

"All of your life. Chosen Thread, you have been planting the Seed. Now it is only fair that you enjoy the Harvest."

"But there's no joy there, there's no fun."

"It's what you've always wanted. I'm only fulfilling your desires."

"Yes, but—I mean, I didn't . . . What I'm trying to say is . . ." But Nathan had run out of arguments. Bo-bok's logic was too precise, too penetrating. The plain fact of the matter was Bobok was right.

Nathan had no other choice. He had to make a break for it. He had to slip past Bobok and out the door. He had to—But Bobok saw the thoughts in the boy's eyes. And with one quick movement of the hand he motioned for the guards. Their speed was amazing. They were a blue blur as they raced to their positions in the doorway—hundreds of them, completely blocking off Nathan's route of escape.

Nathan was in a panic. "I'll not go in there. You can't make me."

Bobok said nothing. Instead he simply nodded to the guards. Like a precisely synchronized machine the little balls started forward. They forced Nathan to back up—closer and closer to the edge of the ramp,

THE MENAGERIE

closer and closer to the Menagerie.

Nathan had tried everything and failed. Nothing was left. Nothing except the one thing he had never done in his life—beg. But at the moment he wasn't below giving it a try ... at least now . . . now when everything else had failed.

"Please . . ." he did his best to sound pitiful. And for an amateur he was doing a pretty good job. "Please, don't do this . . . Please I . . . I . . . (he took a deep breath and forced the word out) I beg you . . . please."

Bobok only smiled. It was the same routine. Always. They all did this. No matter how selfish or pride-ful they were, when the chips were down they all resorted to this last bit of groveling. But it made no difference. Nathan was his. Just a few more inches backwards and the boy would fall off the platform, into the cone of energy. Just a few more inches and he would be part of the Menagerie forever.

"Please . . ." Nathan pleaded. He was now balancing on the very edge of the platform. The guards continued to close in. "Please ..."

"Enjoy yourself," Bobok grinned. "I know I will."

Finally Nathan's foot slipped. He tried his best to keep his balance, to hang on, but it did no good. With a chilling scream he tumbled and fell.

The energy cone crackled and surged slightly with power. Nathan's selfishness was great. The energy field would be able to feed off his spoiled, self-centeredness for many, many epochs.

Chapter Eleven—

^i^^Mmm

The Rescue

"Hurry!" Denise shouted as she ran ahead of the group into the huge entrance hall of the castle. "There must be a thousand rooms for us to check."

"Denny," Listro called. "Shut and seals the Portal in . . ." he looked at his watch, "nineteen minutes!"

"Nineteen minutes?" she cried. "How can we find him in time?"

"And Nathan free," Listro Q added, "and Portal to return, and Portal through escape."

"It's impossible," Denny cried. "We couldn't possibly do all that!"

She was right. The truth slowly brought the group to a halt. A silence crept over them. There was no way they could succeed. It was over. Their mission was a failure. They would have to turn and head back. They would have to leave Nathan a prisoner in Keygarp

THE PORTAL

until the Portal was reopened—something that could take years. For several moments they stood there in defeat—no one paying any attention to the low, heavy hum that broke the silence. No one but Samson . . .

He began to chatter.

At first Listro Q and Aristophenix just looked at him.

In frustration he quickly repeated himself, sounding more and more excited.

"Are you sure, ol' boy?" Aristophenix asked.

Samson fired off a terse answer.

"What?" Denise demanded. "What's he saying?!"

Aristophenix turned to her and explained:

From his studies he has knowledge, that to me seems far fetched 'bout a room full of moaning, where Bobok's prisoners are kept.

"So?" Denny challenged.

"Listen, so," Listro Q said.

Once again the group fell silent as the low hum continued to seep into the room.

Denny's eyes began to brighten. "That's it!" she cried. "That hum could be their moaning!"

The others looked at each other It made about as much sense as anything else.

"So let's follow the hum!" she cried. Denny turned toward the door where the sound was the loudest and started for it, "Come on—Let's go!"

The door hissed open and the others quickly followed.

Now, tracking a hum isn't as easy as you may think. Especially when you're in a castle with a maze of twisting hallways—hallways that often come to dead

THE RESCUE

ends for no apparent reason. Often the group zigged when they should have zagged and headed down a few stairways when they should have headed up. But after the usual frustrations and confusions, they somehow made it to the front of a huge towering door—a door that slowly crept open as they approached.

All four were speechless. They had never seen anything like it. They were standing on the ground floor of the Menagerie. Directly before them was the base of the cone-shaped energy field that stretched out far above their heads. The discordant groans were deafening as the zombie-like prisoners circled and floated by—each slowly fighting and scratching for the slightest scrap of food, clothes, or toys.

Denise was the first to spot him. "Nathan . . ." she gasped.

On the far side of the energy cone, a few feet from the floor, Nathan was floating. Like the others he seemed to be in some sort of trance. His sweater was already gone and he was slowly and mechanically fighting a strange triangular creature for what was left of his shirt.

"NATHAN!" Aristophenix shouted. "NATHAN, OL' BUDDY!"

The others also joined in . . .

"NATHAN, CAN YOU HEAR US? NATHAN, NATHAN, NATHAN . . ."

But Nathan did not hear. Not a word.

"Well, hello there," a voice called from somewhere above. The group craned their necks to see Bobok standing high on a platform, several stories above them. "Welcome to my little party."

"Bobok." Aristophenix gave a little shudder.

The same icy chill swept through the other Fay-

THE PORTAL

rahnians as well. But not Denise. Nathan was starting to drift toward her and she was preparing to jump into the energy field and pull him down. "Nathan . . . NATHAN!!"

"IT WATCH!" Listro Q shouted, grabbing her arm. "Energy field, touch don't!"

Denny turned to argue with him but she could tell by the look in his eyes that he was deadly serious. So, instead of jumping into the field, she inched as close to its edge as possible and resumed shouting. "NATHAN . . . NATHAN . . ."

He continued to drift around coming closer and closer until their faces were onlv a few feet apart.

"NATHAN, CAN YOU HEAR ME??"

But Nathan gave no sign of recognition. Instead, he just continued the slow mechanical fight over his shirt.

The voice above their heads broke into malicious laughter "Call all you want, my dear," Bobok taunted. "He'll never hear you. He's mine now—doing what he's always wanted."

"I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE," Denny shouted, "BUT I WANT NATHAN BACK AND I WANT HIM NOW!"

Again Bobok gave an ominous laugh.

"LISTEN, YOU LITTLE FUZZ BALL! " she shouted, "IF I EVER GET MY HANDS ON YOU, YOU'RE GOING TO BE—"

Suddenly the energy field of the cone flashed and sparkled brighter—much brighter. Suddenly the groaning and moanings grew louder. And suddenly Listro Q's hand was upon Denny's shoulder.

"What did I do?" she protested. "I was just—"

"Your hate," Listro Q reminded her as he motioned

THE RESCUE

toward the energy field. "The more have you hate, the more has it energy—hke the guards outside."

"But . . ." Denny stuttered in frustration. "... but we have to do something. Aristophenix!" she cried, turning to the harry bear. "What do we do?"

Aristophenix stared at her blankly.

"Come on, you're supposed to be the leader!" she snapped. "What do we do now?"

But he had no answer. There were no longer any pithy poems, no blustery proverbs. The only answer he had was in his eyes. And in his eyes was the look of hopelessness.

"ARISTOPHENIX??" she cried.

"I'm . . . I'm sorry," was all he said.

Not believing her ears, she spun around to his partners. "Samson! Listro Q!?" Both stared hard at the ground.

"I don't believe this!" she yelled in frustration. "I don't—"

Suddenly Samson had an idea. He spoke only a few words before the other two joined in.

"Yes!" Listro Q shouted.

"Of course!" Aristophenix cried.

"What?" Denise insisted.

"Bloodstone, have you?" Listro Q asked excitedly.

"What stone?"

"The Bloodstone," Aristophenix repeated.

The stone from the mountains, you used to signal us first. It's a bit of a long shot, but it might break the curse.

"You mean Nathan's birthday gift—the one from your Blood Mountains?"

THE PORTAL

"Have it, you?" Listro Q repeated.

"Well, I'm not . . ." she began digging into her pockets. "Yeah, here it is."

"Great," Listro Q exclaimed as he took it into his hands. Samson chattered something else.

"Hope so, let's," Listro Q agreed as he carefully aimed the slightly longer portion of the stone in Nathan's direction.

"What's going on?" Denny asked. She seemed to be asking that a lot lately, and at the moment she didn't seem to be getting many answers.

Once Listro Q had the stone carefully positioned in his hands, he gave a nod and Aristophenix spoke to Samson:

OK, ol' boy

let's give it a shot.

It's all aimed and ready,

let's see what you got.

Quickly, Samson swooped down to the stone in Listro Q's hands. Then, hovering just a few inches above it, he began to buzz his wings harder and faster. And the louder he buzzed the brighter the blue light in his tail began to glow.

Denise had always noticed it flickering when he spoke, but now it seemed to glow several times brighter than before. In fact, it was so bright that the light began to bounce around and reflect inside the Bloodstone until the rock itself started to glow.

"More, lots need," Listro Q urged.

Samson bore down harder. Louder and louder his wings buzzed. Brighter and brighter his tail glowed.

"Hurry," Aristophenix encouraged. "We haven't much time."

THE RESCUE

Samson continued to work until finally, to Denny's amazement, a single beam of intense red light began to leave the stone.

"Atta boy. Partner!" Aristophenix shouted. "Keep it up!"

Denny watched with fascination as Listro Q continued to carefully aim the pointed section toward Nathan. Slowly the red beam cut its way through the energy field toward the floating boy.

"That's it," Aristophenix cried, "keep her a comin', keep her a comin'. "

The beam was nearly there, just a few feet from Nathan. Then it began to sputter.

"More," Listro Q shouted, "need we more!"

"He's giving it all he's got," Aristophenix answered.

As the beam continued to sputter it also began to slow. Finally its progress came to a stop altogether. It could move no farther ahead. It was as if it hit a wall— a wall with Nathan just a few feet on the other side.

The little bug worked even harder—buzzing louder, and trying to glow brighter. But it did no good.

"Reach him, we can't," Listro Q shouted. "Samson,

more, more

I"

"It's no good!" Aristophenix called. "That's all he's got!"

Denny watched, helplessly. She wasn't sure what the red beam could do, but she knew it was important for it to reach Nathan. Important, and by the look of Samson's exhaustion, nearly impossible. Then out of the blue, an idea struck her: If she could increase the power of evil by hating and being mean, then maybe, just maybe she could increase the power of good by loving and being kind. It was a long shot, she knew

THE PORTAL

that, but it was the only shot they had.

"That a boy," she called to Samson. "Hang in there, fella, you're doing great."

For a second Samson hesitated. It was the first time he'd heard her compliment anybody for anything. But, after a moment, he started to bear down harder and his tail actually seemed to get brighter. Not a lot, mind you, but right now every bit helped.

"That's it," she cheered. "Samson, you're doing it!"

His buzz continued to grow louder and his light grew brighter. Now the beam from the rock started to glow at full strength again. Immediately it resumed its progress toward Nathan.

"Good boy," she encouraged, "good boy!"

The beam continued to grow longer and longer, drawing closer and closer to Nathan. Finally they connected. Not only did it land on him, but thanks to Listro Q's excellent aim, it struck Nathan right smack dab in the face.

"Stop it!" Bobok shouted from above. "Stop it at once!"

But no one paid any attention to Bobok—not now.

Ever so slowly, life seemed to come into Nathan's eyes. He gave his head a shake and started looking around, as if he were trying to get his bearings.

"Nathan!" Denise shouted. "Nathan, over here!"

At last he spotted her. He started to move, to try to free himself from the energy field. But he couldn't. His mind had been cleared, but he wasn't strong enough to move his body. "Denny!" he called, "Denny help me!"

"Nathan . . . listen to me . . . listen to me very carefully!" It was Aristophenix. He was no longer speaking in rhymes. "We haven't much time. You're gonna to have to break this power."

THE RESCUE

Again Nathan struggled and fought against the energy field, but it was just too strong. He couldn't break loose.

"You're gonna have to stop fightin'," Aristophenix shouted. "You're gonna have to stop fightin' them creatures in there and start showin' them love!"

"You're crazy!" he cried. "It's impossible! Not in here—I can't!"

"Yes, you can!" Aristophenix shouted back. "With the power of that there light on you, you can do anything!"

"You don't understand! They'll tear me to pieces! I gotta fight!"

The light on Nathan was starting to sputter.

"Much, too," Listro Q cried to Aristophenix. "Can't last, Samson!"

Aristophenix nodded and continued shouting to Nathan even more urgently. "You gotta show some love . . . trust me! Stop fightin' and show them love!"

But even as they spoke, the triangular creature Nathan had been fighting took advantage of the boy's distraction. With his sharp jagged claws he ripped off an entire section of Nathan's shirt while deeply cutting into the boy's back.

"AHHH!" Nathan screamed in agony. "SEE WHAT HAPPENS!"

"Let him have it!" Aristophenix urged.

"WHAT??"

"Let him have your shirt! All of it!"

"I can't!" Nathan gasped. "You don't understand, I can't!"

Samson was growing weaker by the second. The beam from the Bloodstone was starting to flicker out.

Denise continued to encourage him. "You're doing

THE PORTAL

good, Sammy . . . you're doing real good."

But the truth of the matter was, the Httle bug wasn't doing real good. Not anymore. The truth of the matter was, he was exhausted.

Aristophenix continued shouting to Nathan. "You can give it to him! Give that shirt to him. You gotta!"

"ON COME!" Listro Q shouted to Nathan. He could see that Samson had just about reached the end of his rope. "HURRY!"

"I . . . I . . ." Nathan's voice was growing weaker Not only was it growing weaker it was growing flatter—sounding more and more like the dull monotone voices of the outside guards.

And then, at last, Samson collapsed. He fell to the ground, panting, barely able to catch his breath. The light from his tail had completely gone out. And the red beam from the Bloodstone immediately vanished.

"NATHAN!" Denise screamed.

But it was too late. Nathan had fallen back into the power of the Menagerie. He was back in a trance.

— Chapter Twelve —

A Second Chance

"Samson! Samson, you OK?" Aristophenix had dropped to his knees to help the httle bug.

Denny quickly joined them and watched as Samson gasped and tried to gulp in as much air as possible. "Is he going to be all right?" she asked.

Aristophenix hesitated a moment before nodding. "He's young," he said, "and like you, he's stubborn."

Denise threw Aristophenix a glance. But he didn't mean it as a put-down. In fact, for a moment it almost sounded like a compliment.

"Easy, fella," Aristophenix urged as Samson struggled to get up. "You've been workin' too hard. Easy, little guy, easy."

But Samson would have none of the sympathy. In a matter of seconds he was back on his feet—all six of them to be exact. Then, after a couple false starts, he

THE PORTAL

was able to flutter his wings fast enough to slowly rise off the floor and become airborne—although his buzzing sounded much weaker than before.

Denny watched with awe and wonder. She could feel herself getting caught up in his determination— growing more and more excited over his courage. Once again she was back on her feet. And, once again, she was cheering him on. "Atta boy, Sammy! Atta boy!"

The encouragement helped. In fact, with each positive word she spoke he seemed to grow stronger

By now Nathan had drifted completely around the Menagerie and was floating back toward the group. Now he was much closer. Now the beam from the Bloodstone only had to travel a short distance. Now it needed far less energy from Samson.

Without a word the little bug took his position over the Bloodstone to start buzzing his wings and glowing his tail. There was no missing the stress and strain he was under. But he wasn't about to give up—not this time.

Neither was Denise. She stepped up closer to the hovering bug and quietly whispered into his ear—telling him how impressed she was, what a tremendous "person" he was, how much she appreciated and, yes, even admired him for what he was doing.

And that made all the difference in the world . . .

A new surged of brightness shown from Samson's tail. The Bloodstone started to glow. Finally the shaft of pure red light shot out from it and hit Nathan squarely on the face. Once again the boy regained consciousness. By now he and his fighting partner, the triangular creature, were so close they could practically reach out and touch the group.

A SECOND CHANCE

"Aristophenix . . ." Nathan pleaded, "please, you gotta help me!"

"There's nothin' more we can do!" Aristophenix explained. "Only You can break his control—and there isn't much time!

"But—"

"You've got the power!" Aristophenix insisted. "Just do it!"

"Come on, Nathan!" Denny called. "You can do it!"

For the briefest second Nathan was surprised by the encouragement in Denny's voice. It was a tone he had never heard before—at least not from her—at least not to him.

"WATCH IT!" Aristophenix shouted, pointing to a pair of fighting prisoners who started drifting between Nathan and the beam.

Quickly, Listro Q dropped to his knees, shooting the beam underneath the fighters so they would not interrupt its flow of power to Nathan.

"Nathan," Denny called out. "You can do it! I know you can! Just stop fighting and give that thing your shirt!"

Again Nathan looked to her. For the briefest second he almost thought he saw a smile of encouragement on her face. And without knowing it, he almost found himself trying to return it. He wasn't sure if it was the power from the beam or just Denny's words of encouragement—maybe it was both. But somehow, somewhere part of him started to believe that he just might be able to do it. With the greatest effort he slowly lowered his arms and started unbuttoning his shirt. Of course the triangular creature immediately went in for the kill. And, of course, his sharp, jagged claws dug deep into Nathan's chest. The boy let out a

THE PORTAL

cry of pain. But this time he would not give up. He continued to unbutton his shirt.

The beam of light started to weaken. Even though Nathan was much closer, Samson just didn't have the strength that he had at the beginning. Still, between seeing Nathan's efforts and hearing Denny's continual words of encouragement, the little bug managed to find the strength to go on.

Nathan had unbuttoned the last button. Now he started to pull his arms out of the shredded sleeves.

"That a boy, Nathan!" Denise shouted. "You can do it, you can do it!"

Samson's light was starting to sputter again.

"Hurry, boy . . ." Aristophenix called out, "hurry . . ."

Finally the shirt was off. But that was only half the battle. Now he had to fight the Menagerie's power. Now he actually had to reach out and show love to the creature. Now he had to give him the shirt.

"YOU MUST STOP THIS!" Bobok shouted from above. It was not the cool, confident voice that had been his trademark. Now his voice was high and shrill and frightened as he began to roll back and forth across his platform. "CHOSEN THREAD, THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED—FO(7 SAID SO YOURSELF!"

But Nathan was no longer listening. Giant beads of perspiration sprang up on his forehead as he fought and struggled with every ounce of energy. If he could just overcome the Menagerie's control—if he could just utilize the red beam's power and reach out to offer the shirt to his enemy.

But he was starting to drift away.

Samson worked even harder but the blue light of his tail grew fainter by the second. Now the shaft of

A SECOND CHANCE

light from the Bloodstone was so faint it was almost invisible. Almost, but not quite.

"YOU WILL NEVER BE HAPPY ANYWHERE ELSE!" Bobok screamed. "STOP THIS—STOP THIS AT ONCE!!"

"Come on, Nathan!" Denny called. "You can do it— you can do it!"

Finally, Nathan started to reach his arms toward his enemy—arms that held the prized shirt. Slowly, inch by inch he made progress until, at last, his arms were fully extended. With a vicious growl the triangular creature snatched the shirt from his hands . . .

And suddenly the entire energy field began to lose power.

"MY MENAGERIE," Bobok screamed hysterically. "LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE, LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE!!"

Like a giant machine winding down, the Menagerie slowly came to a halt. The groans of the prisoners faded to silence as each regained consciousness and gently floated to the ground. Many shook their heads in bafflement, trying to remember where they were or what had happened. And, as the realization sank in, they began to murmur amongst themselves—a murmur that continued to grow until it finally turned into shouts of joy!

"NATHAN!" Denise cried as she raced to him. Before either had realized it, she had thrown her arms around him in a giant hug. The others ran onto the floor right behind her "I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!" she shouted over and over again. "I KNEW YOU COULD!!"

Nathan couldn't return the hug. He could only stand there, dumbfounded at the love he was receiving

THE PORTAL

from Denny. Still, there was no missing the glint of moisture in his eyes. And there was no missing the thick hoarseness in his voice when he spoke. It wasn't much of a sentence—actually only one word. But a word Nathan hadn't used in years.

"Thanks . . ." he said. Unsuccessfully he tried to swallow back the lump in his throat. "Thanks a lot."

By now the rest of the group had managed to work their way into the embrace. In fact the entire floor was full of creatures hugging, celebrating and congratulating one another.

But it didn't last long.

Bobok's voice was shrill and piercing. "AFTER THEM!"

Immediately the hundreds of little blue orbs that had surrounded Bobok began to leap from his platform to the floor of the Menagerie. Many of them were hurt by the fall or crushed by their fellow orbs landing on top of them. But those who survived had one goal— to recapture the prisoners before they escaped!

Panic swept through the crowd. "WHAT DO WE DO! WE'RE LOST! HE'LL CATCH US AGAIN! " Then, just before things grew completely out of control, Aristophenix raised his cane high above his head and shouted:

Onward to the Portal, there's not a second to waste. It soon will be sealed, let's move, let's go, make haste!

With his cane still held high above his head, the roly-poly bear waddled forward and the crowd followed.

A SECOND CHANCE

The freed prisoners raced out of the castle and across the drawbridge. But for some reason, none of Bobok's Httle blue guards followed.

"Where are they?" Nathan shouted to Aristophe-nix.

Panting hard, the bear tried to answer. "Look at your feet!"

Nathan looked down and saw that the hard ice and snow was turning to slush. "It's starting to melt!" he shouted in surprise.

"The whole kingdom—inside and out," Aristophe-nix agreed. "The guards can't roll in slush—not like packed snow."

Soon everyone had crossed the bridge and entered the barren forest.

"There it is! Over there!" a creature pointed to the Portal—the very same Portal that each and every one of them had been tempted to cross through on their way to Keygarp. But the breathing opening was much smaller now and it was growing smaller by the second!

"Hurry!" Aristophenix called over his shoulder. "It's nearly sealed!"

"Samson!" Denny cried in alarm. She had looked in every direction but couldn't find him. "Where's Samson!?"

"Here, right," Listro Q said, appearing at her side. He held out his pocket—a pocket that was glowing and pulsing as Samson chattered away safely inside.

Denny grinned.

So did Listro Q.

When they arrived at the windy Portal, Aristophenix took a position beside the opening and began directing the crowd through it. Listro Q joined him. For

• 139 •

THE PORTAL

many of the creatures it was going to be a tight squeeze, but with Aristophenix and Listro Q's help they were able to make it. "Be careful of those antenna; there you go. Watch your heads, ma'am; that a girl . . ."

"Mr. Hornsberry!" Nathan shouted.

The group turned to see the bulldog racing across the bridge as fast as his stubby little legs could carry him. "Master Nathan, wait for me, wait for me!"

"You're unfrozen!" Nathan cried.

"An accurate observation," the dog said as he arrived and leaped into Nathan's arm, practically knocking the boy to the ground. "Apparently everything is beginning to thaw."

But the joy of the reunion was short-lived. For soon they heard it. It was an ominous chant—half living, half machine . . . LUMM-KUMM, LUMM-KUMM, LUMM-KUMM . . . The ground itself seemed to vibrate with the noise . . . LUMM-KUMM, LUMM-KUMM, LUMM-KUMM . . . Once again all eyes turned to the drawbridge.

Slowly Bobok's army emerged from the castle— hundreds of them—marching in perfect precision. And although they were slowed by the thawing slush, their progress was steady and constant—like a slow-moving machine—a giant machine that nothing could stop . . . LUMM-KUMM, LUMM-KUMM, LUMM-KUMM . . .

Raw panic raced through the crowd. Desperately they began to push and shove, doing anything they could to be the next through the Portal.

"Please, everybody, please!" Aristophenix shouted.

But his request was met with only more panic as the creatures screamed and yelled and shoved . . .

A SECOND CHANCE

... as the army of blue orbs continued their approach.

LUMM-KUMM, LUMM-KUMM, LUMM-KUMM

"Them all through," Listro Q called, "we can't get!"

"We'll have to try. Partner," Aristophenix shouted over the din, "we'll have to try!"

LUMM-KUMM, LUMM-KUMM, LUMM-KUMM

Suddenly there was the whinnying of a horse. All heads snapped toward the castle to see Bobok emerge. He was riding a coal black steed. And to Bobok's face the cool look of confidence had once again returned. He quickly trotted past his troops to take command.

The prisoners' panic had nearly turned to a riot. Every one of them remembered Bobok's ways—his persuasive reasoning—his incredible power. Oh, and there was one more reason for their panic—the cold blue orbs were now less than fifty yards away—fifty yards away and closing in!

"Good, no it's!" Listro Q shouted to Aristophenix. "Good, no it's!"

Aristophenix looked to the crowd. Listro Q was right. It was hopeless. There were still two dozen creatures to help through the Portal. They couldn't possibly do it in time. Either the Portal would seal or Bobok's army would move in—or both!

What could they do? Where could they turn?

Samson began to chatter.

"That's what?" Listro Q asked, opening his pocket and allowing Samson to fly out.

Samson repeated himself.

Immediately Aristophenix shook his head. "No, no, that's too risky."

• 141 •

THE PORTAL

"What?" Nathan shouted.

Denise joined him, "What's he saying?"

But Aristophenix wasn't answering. He was still arguing with Samson. "No, I haven't got a better idea, but—"

Again Samson chattered.

"Samson . . ." Listro Q warned.

But whatever Samson was saying it was clear he wasn't giving up. He kept right on arguing.

Aristophenix and Listro Q exchanged glances. There was a moment's pause.

Finally Listro Q spoke. "Sure you are?" he asked. "Something this is, want you to do?"

Samson answered even more impatiently.

Then slowly Listro Q looked from Samson over to Aristophenix. Apparently a decision was about to be made. And apparently it could only be made by Aristophenix.

The hirry creature shifted his weight uneasily. He didn't like this—not one bit. He looked to the screaming, shoving crowd as they cried and pushed their way toward the opening . . .

He looked over to Bobok's army who were much closer now—much, much closer . . .

He looked to Listro Q who waited patiently . . .

And finally he looked to Samson. As he did, there was no mistaking the sadness in his eyes.

At last, he nodded "OK." But by the catch in his voice you could tell that it really wasn't OK. It wasn't OK at all.

Immediately Listro Q reached into his pocket and pulled out the Bloodstone. He threw it just a few feet behind them, directly in front of Bobok's approaching army.

A SECOND CHANCE

Samson quickly followed the stone and once again began to hover over it.

"Samson!" Denise shouted. Fear raced through her as she began to suspect the worst. "Samson, Samson what are you doing??" She turned and started for him but Listro Q caught her. "Let me go! Let me go!" she yelled.

But Listro Q's grip was firm.

"Let me go! He hasn't the strength!"

"No!" Listro Q said.

"Let me go, LET ME GO!"

"STOP IT!" Listro Q shouted. And it was the intensity of that shout that caused Denise to stop. Finally he spoke. "Only way, it is," he said quietly . . ."only way it is . . ."

In silence the two turned to watch as Samson buzzed his wings furiously over the rock ... as the army continued its approach. Once again he was able to generate a blue light from his tail. And once again that light started to bounce back and forth inside the Bloodstone until it suddenly shot out as a bright red light. Only now, since Listro Q wasn't there to direct it, the light was no longer a thin beam. Now, it formed a huge red circle—a circle whose color the army had to shield their eyes from—and a circle that eventually forced them to a stop.

"Auugghhhhh!" Bobok cried as his horse began to prance and buck at the light. "Get that bug!—Stop that light!"

The army tried to inch their way forward, but they could not approach the light. For them it was an impenetrable wall of color. A wall that, at least for the moment, protected the few remaining prisoners as they exited through the Portal.

• 143 •

THE PORTAL

"Quickly," Aristophenix encouraged the prisoners. "Don't look back! Quickly now!"

Samson went full throttle. But his buzz was rapidly weakening. He simply hadn't had the time to rest and recover from the last ordeal.

Cautiously the army surrounded the wall of color, until they formed a semi-circle around Samson and the stone.

"DESTROY HIM! STOP THE COLOR! " Bobok once again started losing control. "STOP HIM!!"

But the army would not, they could not penetrate the red glowing wall.

Unfortunately, it was a wall that was beginning to shrink as Samson's strength began giving out.

"Come on, Samson!" Denise shouted. "You can do it, vou can do it!" But even Denny's words were not enough to help.

Samson's light grew fainter and fainter. Quickly the wall of color shrunk smaller and smaller . . . and relentlessly Bobok's army closed in tighter and tighter.

"He can't make it!" Nathan shouted.

"Quickly," Aristophenix shouted to the last remaining prisoners as he ushered them through.

Samson had nearly reached the point of exhaustion. The wall was only a few feet around him now . . . and so were the hundreds of blue orbs.

"DESTROY HIM!" Bobok shouted.

"Nathan!" Aristophenix called. "Nathan, you're next!"

Nathan looked up as the last of the prisoners escaped through the Portal. There was just the four of them left.

"Nathan, now!" Aristophenix shouted. He had

A SECOND CHANCE

wedged his way into the opening trying to keep it from closing completely. But his efforts were in vain. For although he was slowing it, it was obvious he could not stop it. "NATHAN!"

Looking back to Samson, Nathan was torn.

"There's nothin' you can do for him—not now! Trust me!"

Nathan continued to hesitate.

"NOW, OR WE'RE ALL DOOMED!"

Finally, reluctantly, Nathan ducked his head down and quickly squeezed through the Portal.

"Denny!" Aristophenix called. "DENNY!"

But Denise wasn't moving. All she could do was stare at Samson. The poor little critter was completely exhausted and had less than a foot of light surrounding him. Less than a foot of color to protect him from Bobok and his vicious army.

"DENNY . . .DENNY!!"

But she couldn't budge.

Suddenly she felt herself picked up by Listro Q.

"Put me down! PUT ME DOWN!" she screamed.

At last Samson's light flickered out . . . forever. It was a pathetic sight to see the brave little creature surrounded by hundreds of Bobok's thugs. And it was even more frightening as they rolled toward him. But that was the last Denise saw. To spare her from the awful sight Listro Q quickly covered her eyes as he physically pushed her through the windy opening.

"SAMSON!!!!" she cried out one last time. " S A M -S ON!!!!!"

But it did no good. Her voice was lost in the howling wind. Samson never heard it.

Listro 0 followed right behind her. Then Aristo-

THE PO RTAL

phenix—and just in time. For as the pudgy creature unwedged his body from the opening, it slammed shut with a thunderous boom—permanently sealing the Portal until the next Season of Bobok.

—Chapter Thirteen—

Home, at Last ...

Aristophenix, Listro Q, Nathan, Denise, and Mr. Hornsberry stepped out of the Passageway into Fay-rah. As always, it was a perfect day with perfect weather. But for some reason the colors seemed more vivid than before—glowing reds, bright greens, vibrant yellows. Maybe it was because the group had spent so long seeing nothing but the blue hues of Key-garp. In any case, the colors of Fayrah were so pure and beautiful that for a moment their eyes seemed to ache with pleasure.

Then there were the citizens—thousands of them. They had all come out to greet the newly freed prisoners. It was a time of joy and celebration. Everywhere there was laughter, backslaps, and shouts of delight as long lost friends and relatives found one another in the crowd.

THE PORTAL

Nathan and Denise seemed to be the only ones having a difficult time of it. Oh sure, they tried to smile as they were congratulated and they did their best to laugh and look happy. But neither of them were too successful. They had lost a friend—a good friend. And no amount of backslapping or laughter could take away that loss.

"He was . . . good!' Denise quietly said to Nathan.

Nathan nodded. "Yeah . . ."

Sensing their sadness, Aristophenix cleared his throat and tried his best to encourage them:

Don't be so downhearted. There's no need to stew. After all, Sammy boy just did what all Fayrahnians want to do.

Denise forced a smile. It was almost good hearing Aristophenix use his poetry again. Almost, but not quite. It would have been better if Samson had been there to complain about it with the rest of them.

"He did what all Fayrahnians want to do?" Nathan repeated. "What do you mean?"

"Same love as Imager," Listro Q quietly spoke. "Able to experience same love, he was."

"All he did was die. What good did dying do?" Nathan challenged.

"So free are you," Listro Q answered. Then, motioning toward the thousands of happy Fayrahnians before them, he continued, "So others, too."

Nathan wanted to argue, but as he looked around to the crowd of freed prisoners . . . and as he looked to his own self . . . well, somehow, that argument went flat. Somehow he began to suspect that maybe Sam-

HOME, AT LAST. .

son's "love" did do some good. And Nathan suspected something else, too.

He suspected that his speeches about self-centeredness and looking out for Number One would never hold quite the water they had in the past. Oh, that didn't mean he wouldn't still use them from time to time. But something inside Nathan was changing. He knew that even now.

The celebration continued for several more minutes as Nathan and Denise tried their best to participate. Finally, glancing at the Courthouse clock, Aris-tophenix cleared his throat and spoke:

Don't mean to be party-poopers

or make you feel more low.

But your Grandpappy'll be a worryin',

if toward home we don't roll.

"Home," Denny quietly mused. It seemed like a million miles away. Joshua, Nathan's brother, was probably just finishing basketball practice. Grandpa O'Brien was probably home by now with the puppy he'd bought for Nathan. And her mother—well, her mother would still be at the diner taking orders and clearing tables.

"Got them coordinates, ol' Buddy?" Aristophenix asked.

Listro Q gave his standard answer: "Cool."

"Folks . . . folks!" Aristophenix shouted to the crowd. "Folks, may I have your attention, please? May I have your attention?"

Slowly the crowd grew silent. Aristophenix continued:

Our friends have to leave us, it's sad, we all know.

THE PORTAL

But you just can't travel to, without traveling fro.

The crowd groaned slightly.

"Push them buttons," Aristophenix whispered anxiously to Listro Q. "I'm losin' them."

"Cool," Listro Q answered as he gratefully reached for the little Cross-Dimensionalizer control box. "Cool."

The crowd began waving and calling out best wishes to Denise, Nathan, and Mr. Hornsberry, which the trio of course returned—until Listro Q finally set the coordinates and pressed the four buttons.

BEEP.. . BOP.. . BURP.. . BLEEP.. .

Suddenly the group was bathed in intense light. Once again all five of them seemed to be falling. Once again they were surrounded by other lights who were doing the same—gracefully and smoothly. Each and every one of them was headed toward the bright concentration of light in the middle—The Center. Only this time they seemed to be coming from the other direction.

The thought of heading back toward The Center didn't make Denny leap for joy. She didn't have to be a genius to remember what happened the last time she took this little trip.

She looked around nervously. As soon as her eyes grew accustomed to the light she spotted Mr. Horns-berry, Listro Q, and Nathan. Once again it was the older more mature Nathan—the one wearing the suit of armor. Only this time he didn't have his swords—

• 150 •

HOME, AT LAST

the one's fashioned out of the canteens and covered with bug blood. Hmmm, sometime she'd have to ask him if he knew what any of that was about.

Right now, though, The Center was coming into clear view. They were quickly approaching its bright, glowing buildings. Already she could see that thin layer of fog Aristophenix had called Interface.

Closer and closer they came as Denise tried to think of some pleasant thought. She wasn't about to go through what she went through the last time. No way. She was going to fill her head with something good. Anything good.

But she was trying too hard. Nothing came to mind. Oh sure, maybe a Christmas present here, a compliment there. But those were short thoughts. She knew they wouldn't last—not all the way through The Center. She began to panic. They were nearly at Interface and nothing was coming. She began looking around. Desperate for something . . . anything.

Aristophenix! her mind called. Aristophenix help. . . ARISTOPHENIX!!?

Suddenly a large pair of hands tenderly covered her eyes. For a moment she struggled, trying to fight them off, to push them away. But they would not budge.

And then she smelled it. It was aftershave. But not just any aftershave. It was the same aftershave her dad used to wear. It had been years since she smelled that smell. In fact, until now, she had completely forgotten it.

She had also forgotten how her mother had kept his clothes in the closet. How they had remained there for what seemed like years after he left. She had forgotten how as a little girl she used to sneak into the

THE PORTAL

closet, stand on her tiptoes and bury her face into his favorite flannel shirt. She would just stand there pressing her face to it, breathing in the smell of his aftershave . . . and remembering.

That's what was happening now—the remembering. She could feel her whole body start to relax. Slowly she began to lean into what she remembered to be her daddy's arms. And, strangely enough, they were there to support her. Deeper and deeper she relaxed—as she continued to breathe in his smell—as she continued to remember his strength and his tenderness.

The light outside the pair of hands was growing impossibly bright. And there was also the sound of singing. Beautiful singing. Denny wanted to look but she knew she would be too terrified at what she saw. Besides this was better. Resting in these arms was safe—secure. She knew as long as she stayed there nothing could ever touch her.

After several minutes the light and singing started to fade. And finally the hands were gently removed. But Denise didn't bother to turn around or try to see who they belonged to. Somehow she knew no one would be there—at least not now.

She looked for The Center and was surprised to see it was above them and not below. They had passed completely through it and had come out the other side. Now they were heading away from it—but not wildly and out of control like her last venture. This time everything was smooth and easy.

The light from The Center faded rapidly. Within a matter of seconds, the faint outline of walls, ceiling and floor began to materialize around them. Then, just like that, the sensation ended as quickly as it had

• 152 •

HOME, AT LAST

begun. The group was once again standing inside O'Brien's Secondhand Shop. Everything was perfect. No surprises.

Well, there was one little surprise . . .

"SAMSON!!" Nathan shouted as he spotted the half dragonfly half ladybug by the counter. The little critter was buzzing back and forth over the Bloodstone in excitement.

"Samson! You're alive!" Denny called as she started to run toward him. But she'd only taken a step before she caught herself. It wasn't Samson. Oh sure, it looked like Samson. But this one's tail light was red. Samson's was blue.

"Congratulations, ol' boy," Aristophenix called out to the bug. "Glad you could join us!"

Denny turned to Aristophenix. "Hold it," she said, "Samson's dead."

"Right is that," Listro Q agreed. "Dead and alive." For the first time she could remember he was actually grinning!

In response the little insect dive-bombed Denise a couple of times, then began buzzing around her head—all the time chattering in delight.

Denny wanted to be convinced. I mean, it sure sounded like Samson. And except for the light in the tail it looked like him. "But . . ." she hesitated, "if he's, you know, dead . . . how could he . . ."

Aristophenix gave a slight chuckle.

I'm so sorry, Denny, I thought that you knew. Fayrahnians have to die, so their lives are renewed.

Denise was lost. "But his tail, Samson's was blue—

• 153 •

THE PORTAL

this one's . . . this one's red."

In giving Hfe we find it, Sammy boy's passed the test. The red means he's grown up. A citizen Hke the rest.

"Samson—it is you!" she cried as she did her best to throw her arms around him. But hugging a flying bug isn't the easiest of tasks. Samson zipped in and out of her arms and continued chattering a mile a second.

"What's all that noise out there?" It was Nathan's grandfather. He was somewhere in the back room. "Nathan, is that you?"

Aristophenix quickly whispered:

We'd better get a goin',

don't have much time to waste.

We'd love to surprise him with a howdy,

but heart attacks are in such bad taste.

"Nathan?" his grandpa called again. Now the lights to the store were snapped on.

Suddenly Denny had a new concern. "Will we ever see you again?" she whispered. She had just lost one good friend and found him; she didn't intend to lose any more.

"Of yes, course," Listro Q assured her.

"Are you sure?" It was Nathan's turn to sound concerned.

Just put that stone in the moonlight, you know the score after that. Wherever we are or are going, we'll swing in for a little chat.

"Goodbye," Denny said, first hugging Listro Q, • 154 •

\'

^v\

^ \

THE PORTAL

then burying her face deep into Aristophenix's fun

"Goodbye," Nathan said, shaking both of their hands and doing his best imitation of a grown-up. But before he knew it his handshakes had also turned into hugs. "You guys have done a lot," he hoarsely croaked.

Samson gave a chatter.

"And you," Nathan said, looking up to the bug. "I'll never forget you. Ever." Denny wasn't sure, but in that light it looked like Nathan was almost starting to cry.

Samson gave an answer and Listro Q translated. His voice was also growing thick, "Nor we you . . ."

"Nathan?" By now the old man was shuffling up the far aisle toward them. "Nathan, answer me."

"Quickly!" Aristophenix whispered to Listro Q.

To which Listro Q, with trusty Cross-Dimension-alizer in hand answered, "Cool."

Turning to the children and calling over Samson's chatterings of goodbyes, Aristophenix shared one last thought:

Our journey's been nifty, it's really been swell. But now we got to be movin', so bye-bye, ta-ta, fare-thee . . ."

BEEP. . . BOP. . . BURP. . . BLEEP.. .

In a flash of light the Fayrahnians were gone.

. . . And, just in time.

"Ah, so there you are," Grandpa said as he rounded the corner "And would you mind tellin' me now, just where you've—"

HOME, AT LAST . . .

But the poor man never finished his sentence. Immediately he was attacked by two running children who smothered him with all sorts of hugs. And if that wasn't enough, they both began talking at once, using strange words like Bloodstone, Fayrah, Aristophenix, Seerlo, Keygarp, Listro Q —

"Hold it, hold it!" Grandpa shouted until they finally came to a stop. It was at that moment that he realized four things ... It was late, the kids had obviously been on a strange adventure, his heart wasn't as young as it used to be, and some things were better left unsaid ... or for that matter, unasked. "Maybe," he ventured, looking back and forth between their excited faces, "maybe it's better for you to be tellin' me some other time."

Nathan and Denise glanced at each other and broke into grins. From that moment on they knew that "some other time" would never come.

Suddenly they were interrupted by the yelping of a little dog. They turned around and spotted an adorable black and white puppy scampering down the aisle toward them.

"Ohhhhh . . ." Denise cooed as Nathan bent over to pick him up and immediately receive a non-stop face wash.

"Whose is he?" Nathan asked, trying to avoid the wet, slippery tongue that seemed to find every part of his face at the same time.

"Why, he's yours, Lad. Don't you remember?"

"But. . . but I have a dog." Quickly Nathan scanned the shop until he spotted Mr. Hornsberry. Once again the English bulldog was sitting on the counter. Only now he wasn't giving speeches, or sounding stodgy or being pompous. In fact, right now he wasn't even mov-

THE PORTAL

ing. Instead, he just sat there as stuffed and silent as when Nathan had first unwrapped him.

"But that's just a toy," Grandpa said. "This one here's real—it's the one you've been saying you wanted."

Nathan looked back down to the puppy and got another face wash. Grandpa had a point. This is exactly what he wanted. So why couldn't he have both? I mean, just because he had Mr Hornsberrv^ there was no reason why he couldn't have another . . . and another ... or as many as he wanted, that is, if he played his cards right.

Denise stood nearby. She knew exactly what Nathan was thinking. The old Nathan was once again planning, conniving, and conning. Some things never change. But then something happened: Nathan's eyes landed on the Bloodstone. And immediately Denny knew he was thinking other thoughts . . . thoughts of the Blood Mountains, of a Kingdom of Giving, and of a little dragonfly-ladybug with a brand new tail light.

Suddenly the boy turned to his Grandfather. "Grandpa, what time is it?"

"A little bit after nine."

"Do you think the Johnson children will still be awake?"

"Why?" Grandpa asked. He knew gears inside Nathan's head were turning. He just couldn't figure out which direction.

"Do you remember when they were here this evening—how badly they wanted a puppy?"

"What's on your mind. Lad?" Grandpa asked suspiciously.

"I was wondering . . ." Nathan continued. "Would it hurt your feelings if I, you know, gave the Johnson's this puppy?"

• 158 •

HOME, AT LAST

"Nathan!" Denise didn't mean to call out like that but she couldn't help herself.

"Lad, have you gone daft? I spent near every dime on this fella."

"I know, and he's super—it's just . . ." Now, you have to remember this type of thinking was new to Nathan, so it took him a little longer to gather his thoughts. "It's just . . . well . . . they wanted a puppy so badly and, you know, I really do have one already and . . ."

"You feeling all right, Lad?" Grandpa slipped his hand to the boy's forehead. "No fever ... no headache?"

Nathan shook his head. "No, I'm fine. Could we. Grandpa? Do you think that would be all right?"

The old man stood there a long moment—first looking at Nathan, then to Denise, then back to Nathan. Then, without a word, he turned and headed for the coat rack.

"Where are you going?" Nathan asked.

"After all of these years," he said, as he threw his coat on, "do you think I'd be missing out on seeing you actually give something away?"

"All right!" Nathan shouted.

"Yeah!" Denny laughed, "I'd like to see this myself."

Nathan shot her one of his world-famous looks as all three headed for the door. But this time the look had a twinkle to it.

Denny grinned back. She was almost beginning to like Nathan . . . not just yet, mind you . . . but she was sure a lot closer to it now than ever before. The thought of her actually being able to put up with Nathan struck her as pretty strange. But then again it had

• 159 •

THE PORTAL

been a pretty strange night.

The group stepped out of the shop and into the street. It had started to snow again. But it was a gentle snow—the type that slowly covers up the grime of the city and rounds out its sharper corners and harsher edges.

Grandpa turned back to lock the door If he would have looked inside one last time he wouldn't have believed his eyes. For there, inside the darkened and deserted shop, the red stone lay on the counter And for the briefest of seconds it gave off a tiny little flicker. A flicker that said its work was not over—not yet—not by a long way . . .

This book made available by the Internet Archive.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Pages

Table of Contents

Back Cover

Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Pages

Table of Contents

Back Cover