What Lies Between ✔

Wormhole

36.

Kairos

"When I say jump, you jump, understand?" Adrian asked me.

"I understand," I nodded sharply.

"I don't know about this Kairos, it seems quite risky. What if you get torn apart or lost somewhere?"

"We have no time to consider that," I said, looking back at the car. "Ben needs Galen now."

"Then let's get to it," Adrian said wearily. We had no time for hesitations; I stood firmly beside Adrain, waiting for him to be ready, refusing to acknowledge any sentiment but determination.

Adrian checked to see if Zuri and Justice were in their proper places by the trees before drawing in a long breath. This was risky for him too, I knew, travelling with another person. He had said so when I had first met him. Had it really only been just yesterday? I felt like I had known them all for such a long time. Sema was right; we were all supposed to be together. There was some subliminal dedication we all felt mutually for each other. Bonds were not formed by time, only matured by it. Bonds were really formed by the recognition of oneself in another soul. Nothing could bring two souls together more than the understanding of one another's suffering, not even love. And if anyone understood what it was like not to belong, it was this group of unfortunates here. This was what every one of us was looking for; a sense of understanding and belonging. Only we could give it to each other. I caught Adrian's eye, making him look at me. I smiled up at him, "It's going to be alright."

His smile came easy and he gave a nod. "Alright then, here we go," he sighed resolutely. I had seen Adrian teleport from afar before, but it was a whole other experience up close and personal. The air around us seemed to vibrate, softly at first, but then far too intensely. The world began to toil before my eyes, the air waving as if from heat.

Teleportation is a fast thing. I did not have the time to register what I was seeing before the waves of air suddenly parted before us, a gush of wind whipping my hair back from my face "Jump!" Adrian shouted at me, and dove into the white void that seemed to be closing as quick as it had opened, like the waves were doing one huge clap. I jumped unsteadily, sending myself flailing into the wormhole.

And then began the spinning. It might have been the same concept of a portal, but a wormhole proved to be of a different nature all together. It was like a funnel I was smacking around in that was slowly shrinking around us. Zooming bursts of lights would pop around me, blinding me and making me feel even more nauseated. It was worse than a terrifying amusement park ride that had no end.

Except it did end.

I came shooting out of the wormhole like a human spin top, landing directly on the cap of my skull to plunk suddenly on my side. The sky moved every which way above me, making me want to lose the muffin I had for breakfast. I blinked a bunch of times to clear the dots in my vision caused by those awful flashes of light. Adrian slowly took shape above me and I realized I was moving. He was dragging me behind a big white statue of a man crowned with thorns and holding a cross to his chest."Jesus Christ," I muttered.

"That's what I'm saying!" Adrian whispered. "They're right over there!"

That had me plunging back into awareness. I sat up, feeling little stabs of pain all over me.

"It tore you," Adrian whispered, cringing as he looked over me. I didn't comprehend what he meant until I looked down at my arms, which looked like they had picked a fight with a cheese grater. Long strips of my skin had been torn off, leaving bloody stripes all over me. My jeans and tank top were somewhat shredded as well. I felt a sting on the bridge of my nose, telling me my face had not escaped damage.