Orenda (4 page)

“No. I tried to call her, but she's not answering her phone.”

The officer glanced down at the pad in his hand. “Yes, Mr. Porter called us already and gave us her number. It's going directly to voice mail. Are there any problems at home or in school?”

“No, she loves her family. They get along pretty well.”

“Pretty well?” the officer asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Lil is independent, but she wouldn't go anywhere without telling someone,” Bray said.

Suddenly, Mr. Porter yanked the front door wide open and rushed inside the house. Jamey ran into her father's arms.

“We'll find her,” he said, reassuring himself as much as his daughter. “I called all her friends, but no one's seen her since this afternoon at school.”

The officer thanked Bray before walking over to Lil's father, questioning him next.

Bray stayed a few minutes, trying to imagine where she could have gone. The only thought he had was an impossibility. He remembered the dream that had terrified her and the fact she'd brought back a trace of something, a polished fingernail. He couldn't tell Lil's family about the dream. They'd think he was crazy. Maybe he was, because it couldn’t be real. There had to be a plausible explanation. Someone had snuck into her bedroom. Some disgusting pervert painted her fingernail and stalked her until they were certain no one would believe her. Then they abducted her. Nausea gurgled in the pit of Bray’s stomach, and he could feel bile rising, unwelcome in his throat. Flinging the door open in a rush, he lunged outside and vomited on the front lawn.

Bray headed down the street, needing some fresh air and time alone. He couldn't stop thinking about Lil. Who would pick her up from school, and why would she go with them? He walked faster, kicking a stone in the center of the street, turning away from the main road toward the forest. He glanced up, staring at the large expanse of nothingness. She'd seen the mystery boy at the clearing by the school. Bray's heart skipped a beat. It was the first place they should have checked—the forest.

Bray walked through the forest. His eyes searched the bone-dry ground for any evidence that Lil had been there earlier, but he found nothing—no broken branches, no footprints. Those were the only tricks he learned from watching hours of crime dramas on television. What a waste.

From within the forest, a dirt path caught his attention. Bray jogged over, spotting tire tracks, but he couldn't make out how old they were. Had Lil been here? Was she dragged by a lunatic into the forest? Maybe whoever picked her up drove her through the forest? He was grasping at any shred of evidence he could, but nothing pointed to Lil. He followed the path, stopping when the tracks vanished along the road. Where had the vehicle gone? Things didn't just disappear.

“Help!” The voice was undoubtedly Lil’s.

Bray spun around in the forest. He couldn't see their subdivision. There was no way the police would hear either of them scream.

“Lil!” Bray shouted for his best friend. If he could hear her, then she could hear him.

There was a slight whirl, accompanied by an odd wobbling sound. He stepped toward the sound and reached out his hand, feeling heat radiate off a strange, crystal clear shimmer. It rested at the edge of the tire tracks in the middle of the path. “Lil?” His voice held a tinge of panic. He had no idea what this was. It pulled at him and dragged his feet forward like a black hole sucking him up. Even if he wanted to stop, he couldn't. He was paralyzed by the force before him. The moment his skin touched the shimmer; it burned cold. Bray opened his mouth to scream, but the sound died on his lips. He gasped for air, unable to breathe. He quivered, then convulsed, collapsing onto the ground, out cold.

Minutes passed before Bray’s eyes fluttered open. Breathing hard, he ran his fingers through dry dirt. Realizing he was lying on the ground, he grumbled and moved to sit up. The dark forest surrounded him, and a hint of pink flickered from the distance. “Lil?” he shouted, standing up, swaying from dizziness. He groaned and fell forward onto his knees, throwing up the last of his lunch.

The wind rushed through his hair and grazed his body. “Braylon.” He heard her voice and wiped his mouth with the back of his arm.

“Lil?” His voice was less certain as he pushed away from where he had knelt. He tried again to stand, this time leaning on a tree for support. “Where are you?” he asked, seeing a figure in the distance. It was a girl with brown hair that hung down her back.

“Over here.”

“Is that you?” He stumbled into the forest, using the trees for support as he headed toward the mesmerizing voice. He was certain it was Lil. It had to be her.

His eyes squinted with suspicion, and he ducked as a black crow swooped low overhead. Bray shielded himself from the bird as it dove straight at him.

“You're in Orenda. It’s a land of magical power. It’s the reason your nails, hair, and eyes are different in our world.” Rawlie gestured toward the distinct changes that existed on Lil. “Our water and our atmosphere are unique. There are elements in our world that harness the abilities our people are capable of. The Willow who grew up here always had traces of magic in her blood, which is rare, but it was the Mystics who unveiled her destiny after the Scourge. I'm hoping you harbor the same abilities. By the looks of it, I'd say it's quite possible.”

“Mystics? Abilities? Scourge?” Now she had more questions than answers.

Rawlie grimaced. “You're a Porter.” He ran a hand through his hair. “A Porter in both name and ability. Just like Willow. She protects both worlds, a gatekeeper. She's supposed to keep the door closed and protect your world from the evil unleashed here by Eilith, brought on by the Scourge eight years ago. Both worlds have areas that are degrading, falling apart. You've heard of the Bermuda Triangle in your world?”

“Of course, there's always a lot of weird stuff happening there. People disappearing. Ships and planes vanishing. You mean they get sent here?”

“It's Willow's job to keep them from coming over to this side and from allowing anyone or anything to your side. Places like the Bermuda Triangle are degrading areas we call soft spots. They intensified with the Scourge. One of these spots happens to be where your house is, in both worlds.”

“Why's that?” Lil asked.

“I don't know. Willow couldn't figure out if it was natural or man-made, but she's the one destined to protect it.”

“What’s the Scourge?”

“A curse brought on by greed. Eilith, once a sorceress now cursed as part demon, is responsible for our world’s devastation. She’s wiped out the majority of the population of Orenda. Her strength is gained from feeding on human flesh and blood. She consumed souls by the thousands in the beginning. Willow and I suspect she’s grown weaker over the years, with less living entities to feed on. We’ve found no way to stop her, only to slow the progression of destruction. I suspect she kidnapped Willow to help gain entrance to
your
world, since Willow can easily move between parallel worlds with just a thought. Unfortunately, her ability only works in one direction. We usually travel together. She brings us over to your world, and I can bring us home.”

“Cursed?” She swallowed nervously.

“We believe so.”

Lil didn’t like thinking that her world might be in danger. Just hours ago she had hoped this was all some weird dream. It didn’t appear as though she’d be waking up anytime soon. “What was your world like before the Scourge?” She'd only seen a small part of their land, driving through the forest, and what she saw she didn’t like.

“Our technology had advanced beyond yours. There were scientists and sorcerers, both equally appreciated. However, they didn't work well together. Magic slowly began to overpower science. Our most talented scholars couldn't explain the supernatural. Eilith grew powerful, and when the Scourge happened, the intellectuals were the first ones she attacked. I suspect it was because they had attacked her professionally.”

“Magic is a profession?” Lil was astounded.

“Yes, but very few practice it as skillfully as Eilith.”

“So, what happens now that
your
Willow is gone?” Was her world in danger? Was he trying not to worry her? It sounded bad.

“Hopefully, nothing.” He cleared his throat. “Any other questions?”

“Why does Willow seem just like me, and why is your Jamie different than my Jamey?”

“Our worlds were once one. It's why some things are so alike, still connected. Other things have changed over time.”

Jamie leaned forward in his seat toward Rawlie. “Do you think she can help us?”

“Settle down, Jamie.” Rawlie sat down beside the boy, patting his back. “The two worlds can be seen as parallel worlds, though at times completely different, both born from the same seed. Eight years ago, our world was overpowered by Eilith when she unleashed Pandora's box. That was what brought about the Scourge.”

“That's an old story.” Lil remembered the Greek myth of Pandora being given a box by the gods, which contained all the evils of mankind. She had been forbidden from opening it, but driven by curiosity, Pandora had unhinged the container and all the evil enclosed had escaped and spread across the earth. She had tried to close the box and stop the evil from spilling out, but by the time she shut the box, all that remained inside was hope.

“Our worlds were already different. They have been for millennia,” Rawlie said. “Our waters are sacred. Not all the water, of course. Only a few select springs are filled with magical powers in the mountains.”

“Is that why your Willow is different?”

“Willow's lineage is what makes her special. I don't know where it originated. Her mother harbored abilities long before Eilith came into power.” Rawlie glanced toward the window, pushing past the curtains with a scowl. “We should go now. I'll explain the rest on the way.”

Jamie stood. “Can I come with you?” he asked with bright eyes filled with hope.

“Go where? What do you expect me to do? This world is nothing like my home! I may look like Willow, but I'm not your friend,” Lil said.

Rawlie headed down the stairs with Jamie in tow.

Lil threw her hands up in the air, frustrated they weren't listening to her. She dug into her pocket, found her phone, saw it had no service, and shoved it back inside her jeans. She left her book bag. She didn't need it here. Lil followed Rawlie and Jamie down the stairs. “Is anyone going to answer me?”

Rawlie grabbed his keys. “Jamie, you need to stay here. It's not safe on the way to the sanctuary.” He hugged the ten-year-old boy. “Lock up and don't let anyone in the house.”

Lil shook her head in dismay. “Why are we going to a sanctuary? Is that where Willow is?”

“It's a place of protection from evil and soldiers are trained there, right?” Jamie said.

“We can’t rescue Willow without your help,” said Rawlie to Lil.

“I'm not going anywhere, except back home.” Lil crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. She wasn't taking anything else as an answer. “This isn't my fight.”

Jamie's bottom lip jutted out, but he didn't cry. He stepped closer to Lil as if she was his last hope. “If you won't go, then please tell Rawlie to let me come with him. I can learn to fight; I've seen my sister train.”

“You're still a child,” Rawlie said.

“I am not!” Jamie insisted. “I can go to the Mystics. They should make the decision, not you. You're barely older than I am. I just need someone to believe in me.”

“Out of the question. Willow would kill me if you left this house without her.”

Jamie slumped onto the sofa. “I wouldn't be alone. You'd be with me.”

“Let the boy come.” Lil was tired of the arguing. She just wanted to go home.

The wind outside picked up, and Lil shuddered, though the house hadn't changed temperature. “What's that?” It sounded like a storm had blown in out of nowhere.

“Grab your bag, Jamie. We don't have much time,” Rawlie said.

Jamie's face lit up in excitement as he tore up the stairs to pack what he needed for the trip.

Rawlie glanced at Lil. “You should come outside and see this . . . ” His words trailed off as he unlocked the front door. It swung right open and the screen door flew off its hinges, disappearing into the forest.

The gale was fierce. Crimson clouds drew closer to the house. The squall stung unprotected skin and felt as if it could burn flesh. Lil held her hand up to shield her eyes, while Rawlie stood there unaffected. Lil noticed the slight tremble in his eyes; he was putting on a good show.

Lil shouted into the deafening roar. “What's going on?” Her voice barely reached Rawlie's ears as he turned to see her speaking to him.

“Nothing good.” He glanced back into the house, the door still open. Pictures fell from the wall as the wind assaulted the home. Jamie struggled down the stairs, gripping the banister. He slung the bag over his shoulder. His lips moved but neither Rawlie nor Lil could hear what he said. Jamie stepped out, and Rawlie struggled to pull it shut, securing the lock. “Car, now!”

Lil wanted to hold back, and ensure that Rawlie was taking her home and not to the sanctuary, but the words were lost on her lips. She struggled to breathe and pushed against the wind's resistance with each step toward the car. It was like pushing an elephant to move a fraction of a step forward. Beads of sweat dripped from her forehead, but never reached the ground. She reached for Jamie's hand, doing her best to help him forward.

A lifetime seemed to pass before she reached the door. She didn't bother with opening it. The top was down on the convertible. The drive would be brutal. Dirt, slicing like glass, tore at her skin. Lil helped Jamie climb into the backseat before she found her position up front. Rawlie joined them, started the car, and sped away from the forest through the large expanse of nothingness, not waiting for them to fasten their seatbelts.

It took several minutes to breach the windstorm and pass through as though nothing had occurred. Lil turned around and could see the giant shape of a bubble encased over the home and a fraction of the forest. “What is going on?” Lil glanced at Rawlie.