Oakbrook - The Portal

Coming Home

Coming Home

Kate checked all three children were sleeping peacefully, but she couldn't settle. Worried about Lily and Sam, she dozed fitfully til morning. Just before dawn she fell into a dream of Lily.

The trees were vivid green and Lily stood before an open portal. Her arms were open and beckoned Kate into a warm hug. She took Kate by the hand, lead her to the portal.

"This will open through the old oak tomorrow morning, at sunrise. Can you be there?" Lily's face was drawn, tired, as she held Kate's gaze until there was a confirming nod.

The harsh buzz of the alarm dropped the dream into grey as Kate slowly emerged into the light of a new day. Sunrise. Tomorrow. Only a day to prepare.

Kate asked Jack to take the kids to school the following day, and drove over to the woods as the sun was peering over the horizon. She was still unsure whether the dreams she'd been having were real or just her own overactive imagination. She'd been round to Lily's to feed the animals and check the post every day during the week since Equinox. Andrew seemed happy with the explanation that his Mum had to be away for a few days. Tom and Susan had quickly settled back into the old routines with Sam gone. Kate wondered what life might be like if they didn't come back. It might be easier.

She parked the car and sat for a while with a heavy heart. Since Hallowe'en, she'd kept blankets and a couple of bars of chocolate in the car now just in case, and she found herself checking they were all where they should be. She hadn't told Jack anything, but he was concerned. Rebekah had offered respite care for the children to give Kate a break. Stress counselling had also been offered. Kate had indignantly refused both but the stress was taking its toll and cracks were starting to show.

Kate looked around the parking area, the woods were deserted but the edge was vibrant with daffodils. Sighing deeply she opened the car door and stepped out into the lightening gloom.

The ground was soft and gentle under her feet but the air was cold. She looked up as she approached the great oak. It towered above her, strong and with its roots anchored in the past. Shadows moved through the deeply crevassed bark as the sun lightened the sky behind the trees. She brushed the leaves from the old stump and tucked her coat under her legs to stop them getting too wet. She let herself sag down and rested her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands. Breathing in the glorious smell of damp earth, rotting leaves, she let her mind wander. Birdsong wound through the trees and mingled with the rustling of small creatures and the slight chill breeze. She was watching a small green beetle fight its way over the mass of leaf mould when she felt someone watching her. She heard the footsteps behind her but still the gentle hand on her hair was a shock.

"Kate." Lily spoke gently as she moved her hand down to Kate's shoulder.

"Where's Sam?" Kate asked without turning, knowing only one person had come through.

"She's not coming back." Lily's reply was short and to the point. Kate pressed a hand to her mouth and tried to stifle the hitching breath that had started to overwhelm her.

"Ever?" She managed to ask. Lily's arms slid round her, and she felt Lily sit close beside her on the stump and hold her close. Kate rested her head on Lily's shoulder and sobbed. A sudden thought struck her. "She's OK though?"

"She's alive and well. Kokare is gone, and the realm is safe but it's not mine. Sam is staying there." Lily stroked Kate's hair and back and simply held her as the sobs subsided. "I'm here for you; remember that." She whispered.