The Battle for Duncragglin (34 page)

The professor had everyone pulling and twisting carvings, some of which had to be done in unison, all of which had to be done in the right sequence and with the right timing. Alex took notes, scribbling furiously on a flagstone with chalk. Somehow, deep inside, he felt the sequence made sense. It was as if it told a story – a myth played out in symbols. But it wasn't entirely what he expected. No matter, as long as he followed the professor's sequence exactly, he would get back, perhaps with his parents at his side. He would have to persuade Sir Ellerslie not to seal off the time chamber, not yet.

A familiar deep rumbling came up through the stones, slowly building in volume as the monster-head began to lower.

Sir Ellerslie stood with his mouth agape. “Never in all my days have I seen such a sight. There truly are magical forces at work here.”

“Actually, it's all physics and engineering.” The professor leaped over the carved snakes onto the flat top of the lowered head. He turned and, with the portal ramp leading into the darkness behind him, he triumphantly raised his arms. “So … who's with me?”

Annie looked at Alex and turned away. “This is so hard,” she said in a choked voice. “First I lose Katie, now you.”

“But, Annie, I'm not lost, I'll still be here.”

“Don't you understand, Alex? The moment I'm back in my own time, you'll be dead, long dead.”

Alex had not thought of it that way. It troubled him. It seemed wrong somehow. “I think it makes more sense to think of us living in parallel separate worlds,” he said, taking her hand.

She held him out at arm's length. “Every year, if you can, at noon on the day of the summer solstice, go to our hideout on the point. That's the longest day of the year. Bring a picnic and sit on the boulder next to the fire pit. I will be there too. If you're right and we're in parallel worlds, we'll be together then … okay?”

Alex nodded. “Bring something to eat,” he said. “Surprise me with something and I'll bring you a surprise too.”

“Deal.” Annie gave him one last hug – a big tight hug that almost squeezed the air out of him. Then she was gone up the ramp with her mother.

Willie slapped Alex's hand awkwardly. “Take care of yourself. I'll think of you often.”

Alex clapped him on the back. “Be good.”

“I doubt that.” Willie gave Alex a broad grin. “But I'll try.”

Craig was hanging back. Alex suddenly noticed he was crying and trying to hide it.

“Craig, old buddy, you'll always be my pal. We've been through some crazy times together, haven't we?”

Craig turned his tearstained face towards Alex and grabbed fistfuls of Alex's shirt. He jerked Alex forward. “I'm
coming back. Remember that. I'm not done here yet.” Then Craig, too, was gone.

Alex watched the McRaes walk arm in arm, up the ramp into the portal, together with the professor. A hollow, yearning welled up inside him. His throat clenched. He watched Annie, then Willie, briefly turn and wave as they walked away. Part of Alex wanted to go running after them. They were the best friends he ever had, and now he was going to lose them. But he knew he had to stay. They might meet again, it might even be soon…. The professor had left instructions on how to use the portal controls to return to his time, should he find his parents. He also had his own notes, scribbled in chalk. He might see them again.

He repeated this over and over to himself as he stood watching his friends ascend the far reaches of the portal block. Tears streamed down his face as the rumbling started once more and the snake-haired portal block began to rise. “Good luck!” he shouted after them, waving frantically.

A few muffled shouts, distant waves, and they were gone. The portal closed and Alex was left staring into the snake-haired monster's eyes, furiously wiping his face and feeling alone.

“Your time will come, Alex.” Sir Ellerslie placed his arm about his shoulders. “Your time will come … but for now, let's go. There's much to be done.”

So much to be done indeed, and he, Alex Macpherson, would do it, in his own time!