Dimension Travelers

Chapter 12

I mainly tell her about Earth. I talk about the seasons and what happens during those times. Her favorite part was fall and winter. I told her about ice skating, snowball fights, and hot chocolate. Rick tells her about Christmas, Jesus' birth, and Santa Claus. She sits and listens to every word.

Then I tell her about holidays, dancing, and fireworks. She really liked the dancing part. I told her about music and the different types. Rick then tells her about sports and school...Well, how boring it can be, anyway.

Rick also tells her about different dimensions that he's been to. I tell her some of mine and Chloe's stories about when we Traveled. I tell her about the time that Chloe and I went surfing. I told her all about surfing and the beach.

Finally, she says, "You really miss this Chloe, don't you? The way you talk about her implies that you do, anyway."

That caught me off guard. My face heats up despite myself. "Um, yeah. I do miss her."

"Is she the person you're looking for?"

"Yeah."

"Earth sounds so fascinating. I wish that I could go some time."

"We'd take you, but we're a little busy at the moment. Well, you know what I mean." Rick says.

I look at him as if to say, "Are you freaking serious?"

Her eyes widen. "Would you take me?"

"Well," I say, "what about your parents? Wouldn't they worry about you if you were gone?"

"I don't have parents." Firefly says bluntly.

"Oh..."

"But we can see why you'd want to leave. This place is a giant hellhole full of Shadow people, hybrids, and shit." Rick says, "I wouldn't want to live here either."

"So, you will take me?" Firefly asks again.

"Look, Firefly, it's a bit more complicated than that. We still need to--" I begin.

"I could help you find her. I can get inside." Firefly says.

"It's too dangerous--not to mention that you could die." I say.

"But I don't want to live in this place anymore!" Firefly says. "I want what you have."

I sigh and run my hand through my hair. We can't just take this girl with us! It would be one more person to look after--another mouth to feed. What would we do with her back home, adopt her? No! My parents don't want another kid, considering that my older sister's in college. As for Chloe's parents, well, I don't really know about them.

"We'll think about it." Rick says. "But no promises."

"Ok. Thank you very much." Firefly says.

We sit in silence for a long time.

"What does she look like? The girl you're looking for." Firefly asks.

"She has brown hair, blue eyes, and fair skin like mine. Why?" I ask.

"Just so I can get a visual."

"Tomorrow, as soon as we leave, we need to cross this fire river or whatever. Do you know how to get across it?" Rick asks.

"No. But there's always a way." Firefly says.

"The supplies that Hammer gave us; are they going to be able to help us?" I ask.

"Yes." Firefly answers.

"Do you guys dress in anything but black?" Rick asks.

"Not usually." Firefly answers.