Tunnel Vision

Chapter 5- Fine Investigation

"Dr. Simon, how are you?" Gray said as he approached his friend who was standing by the Hover Car.
"Fine. I have information on Portal-Z stored here," he responded holding up a tablet computer.
"That's fine. Shall we go, then?"
"Fine."
"Fine this, fine that. Gosh, is that all you people know how to say? 'How are you this fine morning?' 'Oh, perfectly fine.' 'Did you see that fine show last night on television?' 'Yes, it was fine!'" a loud voice said from behind Gray.
Gray cleared his throat. "I almost forgot to introduce our Earthling. Rowan, this is Dr. James Simon, our head scientist of the Science Department."
"Nice to meet you. Shall I lead you two to the field, then?" Rowan said with a polite smile, although some of her anger still lingered.
Dr. Simon exchanged a glance with Gray. "Give me directions in the Hover Car," he said as he helped her into the vehicle.
*****
Rowan described the field and how she had come across the school. Dr. Simon had parked on the side of the road and they all climbed out of the Hover Car, scanning the area.
"It's been a century since I've been here," Rowan muttered.
"Actually, it's only been about two days," Gray responded.
Rowan rolled her eyes. "No emotion, no understanding of metaphorical statements, what next?" she muttered as she began to walk towards the black tree in the middle of the field, Dr. Simon and Gray following behind.
"Let's see..." Rowan said, thinking. "I woke up here, like this." She positioned herself on the ground, her arms and legs sprawled. "Then I sat up and looked around. Then I climbed this tree. You know the story from there."
Gray turned to Dr. Simon. "Thoughts?" he inquired.
"Well," Dr. Simon said. "First we should look around for any signs of evidence that a portal was here. Look for weaknesses in the ground." They all stomped on certain places on the mushy field. Then they investigated the area by the tree. Dr. Simon even used a special camera on his tablet that was able to view invisible particles like Portal Particles, yet they saw nothing. Even after two hours of searching, they could find nothing.
"I just don't understand it," Dr. Simon said. "It must have opened and closed just long enough to allow you through. And I think this tree must have something to do with it, but for the time being, there is no way to get you home."
"No way home?" Rowan said sadly. But that sadness soon turned to anger. "No way home?! You don't understand, I have to get home! I-I have a sister there who needs me! I can-can't be trapped in this hell of a world forever!"
"Rowan," Gray said calmly, but Rowan took off running in the direction of the school. "Rowan!" he called after her as he watched her shrinking quickly as she hurried to the horizon.