Mind Games

Chapter 27

We were almost there, the wind was picking up. It was getting harder to walk, I was tired, I was hungry, but I knew I had to keep going. "It looks like it's going to storm soon." I said, breaking the silence. "Yeah we better get to the portal before it does." Katrina said. "How much further do we have to go?" I asked, looking around trying to see if I could spot it. "Damien said it'll be on the north mountain. Isn't much further, probably another mile up ahead." Katrina said. I gave her a quick smile and kept walking. We didn't talk the rest of the way, we kept our focus on what was needed. It was getting darker, the clouds were moving fast. If we didn't get there soon, it would put off another day and we would have to find somewhere to go and wait out the storm. "There's the north mountain. Over there." Katrina pointed, running over to the mountain, standing in front of it. "I don't see a portal Katrina. Are you sure this is where Damien told you to go?" I asked, losing hope. "I swear he said the north mountain. I don't get it. Where is the portal? Look around, maybe its hidden or something." Katrina said, looking around for anything to reveal the portal.

We looked around, but time was running out. If we didn't find the portal soon, we would be caught out in this storm for another night. "God dammit. Why doesn't anything ever go right?" I was getting frustrated; I kicked the dirt in frustration. "Wait. Maybe there's a test before you can reveal the portal." Katrina said. "What are you talking about Katrina? What test?" I said, not believing anything she was saying. "The only way you can be let into the portal is if you're a seeker, right? The portal isn't just going to reveal itself to anyone .You have to prove that you're a seeker. Maybe the way to open the portal has to do something with using your powers." Katrina explained. "Like this?" I said shooting an electronic force from my hand. Rocks fell from the mountain. Suddenly there was on the mountain. Something flickered. "Cole, do that again. Only do it longer." Katrina said. I did it again, only this time longer. I fell back and tried catching my breath. I was weak, I couldn't do much more. Suddenly, something glitched in the mountain; revealing it before us; the portal. "You go first." I said to Katrina, smiling. She gave me a "Seriously you call yourself a man" look. "Hey, I'm just being a gentleman, ladies first." I said, trying not to laugh. She rolled her eyes and looked back at the portal. She took a step forward and into the portal. Suddenly, she was gone. I stood on the other side alone. It was silent. "Katrina." I yelled; nothing. I panicked. I hesitated, what if this was a trap? What if the portal was a trap? I had to risk it; I couldn't leave Katrina by herself. I took a step forward into the portal and disappeared. A second later I landed on what seemed like gravel. Harsh landing I would say. I scraped against the ground and grabbed my arm wincing in pain. I laid there for a second catching my breath, taking in deep breaths to ease the pain. I took one more breath before getting up. I brushed my pants off and brushed the gravel out of my new found cuts. Where was I? I looked around; it was like a little village. People were gardening, working. Animals surrounded the fields, some blocked off by fences. Where did Katrina go?