|| ×3 FEATURED || When the ever-skittish, homesick, twelve-year old Fralith accidentally-on-purpose stops a kidnapping, no one knows what to think--especially Fralith. Newly stranded on a planet not his own through a misdirected HomeKin portal, wher...
The moon hung in pale grey blackness, a silver orb eye watching the slumbering world. Ashen clouds streaked across its face, making her blink in and out as Fralith gazed up through his window. A chill radiated from the ClearStone, stealing the warmth from his fingers pressed up against its surface.
The nights were cold now, unlike the first time he saw the moon staring down at him all those many nights ago when he first came to this world, and frost nipped at the grass in the mornings. All too soon, snow would descend on the lands, burying everything in a thick blanket of powdery white crystals—or whatever this world did for winter. It might be different.
He'd been a HomeKin transplanted to a new world then, scared, confused, and full of shadows. There had been so many things to learn, to understand, to do, he had nearly drowned in it all. But...now he was blooming. Thriving. Loving and being loved. It'd been hard to gather his roots and sink them into the ground, but...he'd made it. He was here, and he wanted to be here.
To think, he'd arrived in summer and now it was soon to be winter. He'd...been here for a long time. And hopefully he'd get to stay forever. But first, he had to say goodbye to his homeland and the people there he loved. First, he had to ease the shadows lingering in his footsteps.
And to do that, he had to leave. Just for a little while.
Pulling back from the window, he gathered up his SecondHomish clothing wrapped around all his belongings—including the Rectangle BlueShirt gave him—hugging it close to his body. Padding softly out of his room and down the steps, which creaked despite his efforts, he slipped into the living room where a cup with three HomeKins in it sat on a low table.
He stopped in front of the table, staring at the blue flowers, a tightness squeezing his ribs. They were his. His HomeKins. Memorials of his life while he still lived. It...felt wrong in one way, but right in another because they were...part of him, and no part of him was wrong.
Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he set down his bundle and crouched, bringing the flowers close to him. It was time to go back. It was time he saw SecondHome again. Still, he hesitated. The family would worry over his absence. They'd— they'd think he was taken, or worse.
But I have to go. I can't leave my...other family behind without a goodbye. Glancing around one last time, he swallowed and leaned forward so that his nose and mouth almost brushed the flower's petals. "Amnasathicah Amnamlitha silthathaam," he whispered, reaching out to them with his heart. Take me to SecondHome. Take me home, to my mother.
First, from the middle of the plant, a soft glow began. It slid up the petals and stamen, brightening them with a bright, white light. The HomeKins stirred as if a wind blew past, heads raising and petals stretching up. With a whoosh, an oval of light burst from their upturned petals, solidifying with a soft melodic tinkle.
He looked up at the portal, tears blurring his vision. Past its borders stood the warm wood walls, hanging plants, chairs woven out of vines, and the curve of the hall leading away to the next set of rooms of his home in SecondHome. It was there. SecondHome was really there, just a handbreadth away.
A gasp sounded behind him.
With a yelp, he sprung to his feet, whirling around with his hands up. Ray-chel stood a few paces away, a glass in her hand and wide eyes glinting in the glow of the portal.
"I-is that—" she stammered, fingers clutching the glass so hard her knuckles turned white. "Is that— a portal?"
Ray-chel. She— she saw him. She— knew. A dozen feelings flashed around in his chest, clashing and buzzing and sizzling together. This— this wasn't how he meant it to go! Now she— would she try to stop him? How could— how could he explain it wasn't forever? That he was coming back?
She edged closer, flashes of awe mixing with the shock etched into her expression. "Fralith...that's—that's a legitimate portal. A portal! Like— a fantasy portal. How did—" her gaze darkened, landing on him as her brows drew together, realization peeking in at the corners. "—you...open it. You opened it. You...you're—"
No, no, no! He bared his teeth and shook his head, fingers flicking wildly. "No beep. I— leave. Come back.Leave; come back...come back..." What was the word? "...fast. Leave; come back fast. No bad beep."
The darkness hardened in Ray-chel's eyes, solidifying her shock into understanding. "You're...leaving?" Her voice was low and tentative, filled with so many notes and shapes of other emotions it nearly brought tears to his eyes.
"I come back fast!" The words burst from his mouth with more voice and volume he'd expected, gut twisting and churning. He jumped forward and squeezed her tight with his good arm, putting everything he possibly could into making her understand. I love you! I love everyone! But I— I have to do this!
Ray-chel's arms wrapped around him, tentative at first then tight and gripping. "I'm in a book," she breathed over his head, voice wavering. "No wonder everything's gone kaput." A little tearful laugh slid from her, more sad than happy. "Oh, Fralith. I can't believe I'm doing this but...okay. I— I know you will. Book— characters always do."
She pulled back, hand on his good shoulder and gaze locked with his, fierce and steely. "But come back, okay? You're a part of this family now, and you're not leaving forever. I— we need you. So— please come back."
She...considered him a part of the family? A lump formed in his throat, bringing pressure and...a solid, glowing light coating his insides. Yes...he was in their family now. And he wasn't going to leave them forever. Swallowing, he nodded. "I come back fast."
"Good." Ray-chel released him, passing a shaking hand over her face and dowing the contents of the glass in one gulp. "...Good."
He stepped back, chewing on his bottom lip. I love you. Tell everyone I love them. "Goodnight." Spinning on his heel, he snatched up his bundle and leaped through the portal before everything grew too much and made him stay.
His feet thudded on the wood floor and, with a soft whoosh, the portal snapped shut behind him.
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