The three of them hurried towards Riverside Park, their footsteps echoing in the eerily quiet streets. As they approached, they could see the faint shimmer of something otherworldly in the distance. Andrew's heartbeat accelerated, approaching a portal again after such a long time. He glanced at Ethan and Mrs. Kepler, their faces etched with worry and determination.
As they drew closer, the shimmering portal came into clearer view. It was a swirling vortex of iridescent light, about ten feet in diameter, hovering a few feet off the ground. The air around it crackled with an otherworldly energy, sending chills down their spines. Ethan's pace quickened as he scanned the area for any sign of Rose or Luke.
It was strange that no police were present to secure the portal's perimeter. They must not have been notified yet, or perhaps they lacked the manpower to guard every portal in the area. Surprisingly, they didn't need to—not a single soul was in sight.
Andrew mentally chided himself. Of course—this made perfect sense. No one knew about abilities yet; it was still too early. People were instinctively staying away from the portals, with no one actively seeking them out.
Ethan searched the whole park, always carefully keeping his distance from the portal.
Meanwhile, Andrew cautiously approached the portal. His typically composed demeanor cracked, his fists clenched tightly as he grappled with resurfacing memories. The screams, the blood, and Ethan's lifeless body in his arms flooded back.
Since that harrowing experience, Andrew had sworn off portals and missions entirely. His quality of life had steadily declined as a result, until... when exactly? The final fragments of his memories remained frustratingly obscured, shrouded in fog. Then, without warning, he found himself thrust back to two days prior—the day it all began.
Suddenly, the portal`s simmering surface started to spiral. Someone was coming through!
Andrew jumped back, just in time as two figures plummeted through, collapsing right in front of his feet. Before he could even take a closer look at them, Ethan had appeared besides him.
"Rose!"
Ethan rushed to Rose's side, cradling her head gently as he checked for injuries. At their side Mrs. Kepler let out a cry of relief and ran towards her boy.
"Ethan!" Rose called out, shock and surprise evident in her voice.
When she saw him, Rose first thought that she was hallucinating. Her second thought was to brace herself for the inevitable scolding. But instead, she found herself enveloped in a tight embrace. Her instinct was to push him away, but as his familiar warmth and scent washed over her, she melted into the hug, clinging to him just as fiercely.
It was her brother. After years, she finally had him back. Hot tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks, forming streams that dampened his jacket. Unable to contain her emotions, Rose began to sob, clutching at her brother like a lifeline.
Ethan was taken aback by his sister's behavior. Ever since puberty hit, she'd shunned physical affection, going so far as to swat at him for merely tousling her hair. A pang of guilt struck him as he realized how much she must have suffered in the realm to react this way.
It took Rose a while to compose herself. When she finally pulled away, sniffling, she kept her gaze fixed on her feet. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, tears still clinging to her lashes, glittering in the portal's multicolored light.
I am sorry for not listening to you.
I am sorry for always making you worry.
I am sorry for not supporting you how you always supported me.
This life will be different.
Ethan held her shoulders, looking her up and down.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" he asked, anxiously checking.
Rose nodded, "I am fine," she said, great even, because I have my brother back. "Only a few scratches here and there, nothing to worry about."
Ethan furrowed his brows at her response. How could that be? Then where did that blood-stained gauze come from? He wanted to say something but changed his mind at the last second.
Ms. Kepler in the meantime had rushed to her son, hugging him tightly and checking him for injuries. Luke, though visibly shaken, seemed unharmed. He kept glancing nervously at the portal, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and wonder.
Andrew observed the reunions silently, his mind racing. Something wasn't adding up. Rose's reaction to seeing Ethan, them entering the portal instead of fleeing. He needed to get to the bottom of this, but not here, not now.
"Rose, what happened?" Ethan asked.
Andrew threw a glance around. Though he couldn't see anyone it wasn't good to stay here longer. And it also wouldn't do them good, if other people knew of them entering the portal. But before Andrew could step forward to interrupt them, Rose answered, casting an uncertain glance around. "Better not here," she said, tugging at her brother's clothes and shaking her head.
Andrew arched an eyebrow in surprise, then quickly schooled his expression as he stepped closer. "She's right. We should discuss everything in a more private location. It's not good for them to be seen in this state by others," he said in a low voice that reached only their ears.
"Yes, yes," Mrs. Kepler hurriedly yanked Luke to his feet and dragged him along towards their home. With a helpless gaze at Rose, Luke stumbled along.
Only now did Ethan register Rose's battered state, and a pungent smell entered his nose. Wrinkling it, he asked, "Can you stand and walk?"
"I think so." Rose nodded, attempting to stand on shaky legs.
Ethan quickly moved to support her, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Let's get you home," he said softly, his voice laced with concern.
As they began to walk, Andrew fell into step beside them, his eyes habitually scanning their surroundings for any potential threats.