“This is part of what makes Walkers so dangerous. We have the innate ability to open doorways to any part of any star system that we want. As long as we can picture where we want to end up, a doorway will open. We then traverse that distance at the speed of light, and we can take others with us.”
While I was interested in learning about Walkers, it hadn’t escaped my attention how deftly he’d changed the subject from Quarn’s unusual doorway. I let it slide for now.
Brace stepped up then and grasped my left hand. Lallielle linked hands with Josian, and offered me her other. Taking it cautiously, I waited with apprehension.
Josian stepped into the doorway, pulling us along.
The force sucked me through fast.
Whilst Quarn’s style was a simple and gentle transition, the trip back was a little different.
I was being drawn through a black slide. There was no pain; I didn’t bump into anything, but every particle in my body was traveling too fast.
I wanted to climb off. My claustrophobia was starting to rear its head as the darkness encased me. I couldn’t breathe.
Ripping my hands free, I wrapped them around myself and tried to slow my racing heart.
I felt arms encase me as Brace held me against him. I heard words. I’m not sure if they were out loud or in my head.
“Breathe for me, Red ... breathe.”
His closeness and soothing accent were the perfect distractions. I buried my head into his rather enjoyably muscular chest, and waited for the sensation to be over. Walkers everywhere would be hanging their heads in shame. I was a disgrace.
There was no other noise in the tunnel. It was a vacuum. I didn’t even know if noise could exist there, like in space there was nothing. But I knew instantly when we were about to arrive. My cells stopped jumping around, I could breathe freely again. The sensation was unmistakable and I wouldn’t be forgetting it any time soon.
Without a jolt, we exited. I’d expected the worm hole to spit us out in a great jumble. Instead we were all standing, unscathed, in the alley. Brace was across from me, my hands encased in his. He let go abruptly, before rubbing his head a few times and walking away. I hugged my arms close again, before zipping up my coat. Small ice particles floated past my face.
“Don’t worry. You’ll get used to it. Walking the worlds is in your blood.” Josian placed a comforting hand on my back. His breath came out in puffs of condensed air.
I looked around. There was trash everywhere, and despite the cold the dumpsters were in fine stinking form. It felt like I was home.
Smiling, I glanced along the empty alley. It was early morning. Light filtered throughout the dimly lit area. Lallielle looked around as well, her elegant nose wrinkled.
Josian paced. “I hate the sensation of being on Earth. I feel like I’m functioning with half my senses. Blind, deaf, and dumb.” He growled.
I laughed. “Well, personally, I love that no one can rummage through my head. Plus everything has rules, and works the way it’s supposed to. Buildings don’t have energy I can manipulate.”
Three set of wide-eyes and slack jaws alighted on me. Yep, they thought I was insane.
Josian took Lallielle’s hand and pulled her close. For some reason I found it reassuring to see their constant contact, like watching a fairy tale, all the way to its happy ending.
Brace continued to rub his temples. “You’re just not used to the convenience of things on First World. Once you figure it out you’ll wonder how you ever did without them.” He shook his head in a jerky manner.
Josian cleared his throat. “That won’t help, Brace. The more energy you have on First World, the harder it is to adjust to Earth. You’ll get used to the sensation soon.”
Brace didn’t seem convinced.
Josian looked at me. “Once your powers are enlightened, Aribella, you will hate being without them. They will be comforting, your favorite warm blanket to keep you safe.” He shrugged. “And with the combination of your mother’s and my powers, we have no idea of your capabilities.”
Lallielle’s derisive laughter trickled through the alley. “When I fell pregnant with you, some First Worlders and apparently a few Walkers thought we should destroy the unknown power. You’re unique, one of a kind.”
Josian stroked Lallielle’s face. “Your mother didn’t even realize at the time the extent of your enemies. She almost definitely saved your life.”
“Come on ... why would anyone even care?” I couldn’t comprehend the fact I had ‘enemies’. Important people, and bad people, had enemies. I was neither.
Lallielle shrugged. “I guess to them you should not have existed: Walkers cannot breed with any but Walkers.”
Josian placed a hand on Lallielle’s elbow. “Can we walk and talk. I don’t like our lack of movement.” He ushered us to the entrance of the alley.
I stepped out onto the sidewalk and indicated that they should follow me. We needed to check out the compound first. If we ended up in a battle, weapons were important.