Unleashed (The Gate Chronicles Book 3)

Chapter 19: Departure

Donnovan took a deep breath as he stared at the stormy sky above West Base. “You ready?” He looked over at Kane.

Kane nodded. “Let’s do this.”

Andrew stepped forward and rested a hand on Donnovan’s shoulder. “Be careful out there. You haven’t been back in years. Who knows what’s changed?”

Kane frowned and looked between the two. “Back? He’s been where we’re going?”

“When I was a kid.” Donnovan bit the words off.

“Why?” Kane questioned.

“Drop it. It’s not important. What matters right now is that I know the terrain and people who may be able and willing to help.” Donnovan looked at Kane. “Don’t ask again.” His tone softened. “I’d rather not relive the past.”

“You won’t have an option.” Andrew answered, squeezing Donnovan’s shoulder. “Where you’re going, you’ll invoke the past every moment you’re there. There’s no way to avoid it.”

“I’ll find a way to avoid it for as long as possible.”

“That may jeopardize your mission. Time is of the essence.” Andrew shook Donnovan. “You can’t afford that, Donnovan.”

Donnovan hung his head. “I know that. I’m sorry… It was foolish of me to say that.”

Andrew nodded. “You’ve got a good mind, Donnovan. Best of luck to you.”

The soldiers on duty at the Gate watched the farewells in silence, standing to attention as their commanding officer turned to look at his surrogate mother. “Mrs. Parsi… You’ve been like a mother to me ever since I came here, and you took over that role permanently when my own mother disappeared.” He pulled her into a hug. “You’ve always had faith in me, and I’m asking you to have it now. I swear that I will do everything in my power to get your daughter back.” Donnovan whispered. 

The wind howled through the trees as the heavy clouds above growled with thunder. Fat drops of rain fell out of the sky and dampened the curls of both Allayra and Donnovan. Allayra let the tears fall down her cheeks, unabashed despite their audience. “I know you will, Donnovan… Just be safe.”

Donnovan pulled away and wiped the rain and tears from her cheeks. Lifting her chin, he smiled at her. “I will take every precaution that I can. Don’t lose hope.” He squeezed her hand. “I’ll be back.”

Glancing over at Kane, he said, “It’s time.”

Kane nodded and shouldered his pack.

Donnovan picked up his own rucksack and tossed it over his shoulder. With one final nod to Andrew and a weak smile at Allayra, he summoned the shadows. 

*** 

They emerged in an arid desert territory with the wind whipping through their hair and tossing sand into their faces. Donnovan coughed and spit out the sand that got into his mouth. “This isn’t where I thought we would land.”

“Are you sure this is where we’re supposed to be?”

“In the dimension or the dimension itself?”

“The dimension we’re supposed to be in.” Kane clarified.

“Yes. It’s the right dimension. But if I’m right about our position, we’re way off course.” Donnovan glared at the whipping sand. “As in, way, way off.”

Kane raised an eyebrow and shouted over the wind. “How far is way off?”

“Two or three days off.”