Chapter 16
Nothing happened. The tension disappeared as Elias sucked in a breath, disappointed. “Do it again, Riles.”
I touched my finger to the stone again to no result. Mama Pacha grabbed my hand and held my finger down on the stone, the cut stinging as she mashed it to the rough rock.
After three or four long seconds, the stone grew warm. A red light glowed under my finger, and I jerked my hand out from under Mama Pacha’s. I backed away until my back hit against the far wall. Elias and Anthony joined me as the room vibrated.
The red light spread to the stones immediately around it, and I could hear a noise rather like a lion roaring. Elias spoke as I turned to him, excited.
“Did you hear the sound of water running?” he asked.
“No,” I replied. “I heard the sound of an animal roaring.”
Anthony and Mama Pacha said, simultaneously, “I heard the running water.” Michael remained silent.
Mama Pacha explained the reason, “You hear sounds of your homeland through the portal stones.” My eyes grew wide and latched back onto the sight of the glowing stones.
Great. I’m going to go through to an animal of unknown origin, big enough to roar like a lion.I reached one hand under my shirt and squeezed the handle of one of my many guns, this one resting at the small of my back.
The glow spread until all of the stones resembled hot coals in a fire. Mama Pacha had an expression on her face like a child staring at a Christmas tree. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes huge, like a cat about to pounce on a favored toy.
A wind swept through the room and tickled my cheeks. It was hot and dry. It didn't feel like the cool air we’d encountered on this island. The heat swirled around me and lifted my hair from my shoulders; it was eerie, frightening, and completely fascinating.
Nobody else was showing signs of being windswept. Michael stared at my hair, awestruck, and the others were staring at their hands and arms. “What are you guys feeling?”
“Mist,” said Elias. “It feels like I’m standing at the edge of a waterfall. I can hear the splash, and feel the droplets on my skin, but I’m dry.”
“I smell damp earth, dirt,” added Anthony.
Michael smiled at me, his eyes a fountain of sadness. He approached me and touched my hair. “I see it moving, but I don't feel the wind.” He grabbed the end of a clump of hair. The end he held was still, but the middle of the strands still tried to move.
“How long will the portal stay open?” I asked.
“Now that it’s activated, it'll stay open until you place your blood on a different stone. It is important that it be closed as soon as we're finished so that nothing else comes through from another dimension. We must move quickly.”
She turned to the well and climbed over the edge. She sat on the stones, legs dangling inside. With one last glance at me, she stood in the middle, supported as if she were standing on solid ground. Then she faded out and was gone.
Elias and Anthony approached and scrutinized the well. “Besides the glowing stones, the well looks like we'll fall all the way down when we step in.”
“Well, she did it okay. It’s now or never, guys. Michael is going to stay here until we know it’s safe.” I ran up and kissed them both on the cheek one last time. “Be careful and come back to me. I will go as fast as I can and come back to you. I…,” I trailed off and glanced back at Michael. “I love you both. I need you both to come back so we can begin our lives together.” They both promised to be safe and come back to me before climbing onto the edge of the well.
“Would it be weak of me to want to hold hands?” Anthony asked, laughing at his own nervousness.
“I’m cool with it, man.” Elias grabbed Anthony’s hand. They stood up inside the well, eyes fixed on me as they faded into nothingness. Before they disappeared, I saw Elias try to wipe his face as if it were getting soaked.
I walked up to the well, the wind whipping my hair faster as I approached. The heat was overwhelming after being used to the chilly air of theIsla. I took a deep breath and sat on the side of the well on the far side, so I would face Michael as I stood. The stones were warm through my pants, as if heated by fire.
I dangled my legs into the well and gathered the courage to stand. Michael’s face was panicked again. He ran toward me and scooped me up off of the well. “Turn off the portal, Riley. Do it!”
“What’s wrong with you, Michael? Put medown!” I screamed, furious. He sat me down across the room and grabbed my bleeding hand.
“Give me blood! I need some blood to close the portal.” He was distraught. He wiped my blood on his hand and ran back to the glowing stones. I followed, at a loss for what to do to calm him and complete our mission. That portal was my only ticket to a longer life. “Dang it, Michael, now isn't the time to lose your sense!”
Michael rubbed my blood on random stones, hoping one of them was the one that would shut off the magic. He grabbed my hand and squeezed fresh blood from my finger. While he was busy at the base of the portal, tapping my blood onto each stone, I ran over to the well and jumped inside before he could stop me.
I almost dropped to my knees. Somehow, when I jumped over the side, I expected to fall, my eyes deceived by the depth of the well. But my feet were on solid ground. My body vibrated and my hair stood on end from the wind. “I’m sorry, Michael. I have to go. I will be back as soon as possible.” Michael was standing beside the well, mouth gaping.
“No, Riley, jump out! I can’t touch you while you’re there or I might be transported too. Please, please come out of there!” he begged. I waved as the lights in the room went out, like someone turning a dimmer switch.
