At the Portal's End: Empty World Saga, #3

By David K. Anderson

What they needed was an expert to go back to the Empty World and find the lost grown-ups. What they had was Christy.

With the ever-faithful Trevor in tow, Christy defies her mother's wishes and ventures back to the Empty World. Her father and Detective Lockhart have been missing for months, and she's determined to bring them home safely. But trouble-maker Cory has his own reasons for wanting to go back, and he bullies Christy and Trevor into taking him along.

The search takes them to a mysterious underground city, abandoned by an ancient race. Even if they find Mr. Walker and Detective Lockhart, will they be able to find their way back out again? And what of the secretive figure who seems to be following them? The city holds all the answers they need … if they can find them.

At the Portal's End is the third book of the Empty World Saga, a science fiction adventure series for kids aged 8-12. If your kids have blown through the Land of Stories, devoured the Keeper of the Lost Cities, or can't wait for the next Wings of Fire, make the complete Empty World Saga their next read.

Grab At the Portal's End and solve the puzzle of the ancient aliens!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Magical Scrivener Press
• Release date: Nov 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781939233356

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

C hristy, you can’t go back. Look what happened to Cory. He’ll never walk again. And any one of us could have been killed like Clacker was, Danny said, recounting what had happened to them in the Empty World months before.

I am going. Christy was adamant. Trev and I have been planning, and I’m not going to let my mom stop us. I know you didn’t want to go last time, Danny, but I really would like you there this time too, Christy signed to her next-door neighbor and friend. She was getting very good at signing. Danny hardly had to correct her anymore.

Danny backed up and waved his hands before signing back. Never, ever again. And you shouldn’t either. He took a deep breath and continued, signing, Please don’t even think about it anymore. It’s too dangerous.

Danny, we’re going, no matter what. I have to find my dad and Detective Lockhart. Then hopefully look for my grandfather.

The two of them were at Danny’s house, in the living room, signing to keep Danny’s mom from listening in on their conversation. As long as she wasn’t in the room, she wouldn’t know what they were talking about. If they weren’t trying to be secretive, they’d speak and sign, since Danny could speech read and speak very well.

We don’t even need the pond anymore. We have the devices to get us to the Empty World, so we can go anytime, from anywhere, Christy reminded him.

Danny didn’t respond for a moment, then he signed, "What’s the line from that movie… Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should."

Christy was about to sign when her cell phone buzzed. She motioned to it, and Danny nodded he understood.

Hello, Christy said, listening to the caller for a few seconds before saying, Oh, Cory? I never expected a call from you. So you’re home from your rehab?

Christy listened for another minute. Ok, I’ll be right there, she said. She put her phone in her coat pocket and signed to Danny. Something’s up with Cory. He’s back from his rehab in Boston, and he wants to talk to me. Last time I spoke with him, I didn’t think he’d ever want to talk to me again.

Danny nodded. He blames you for everything, but it was his own fault… and I don’t ever want to see him or the Empty World again. All of it was his fault, all of it.

Christy knocked on the front door to Cory’s house. His mom let her in, and they made small talk for a few minutes just inside the door. Finally, Cory wheeled in. Christy noticed that all the wall-to-wall carpeting had been stripped off the floors now that Cory was permanently in a wheelchair.

Cory nodded a greeting of sorts and was about to speak when he turned and stared hard at his mom. She excused herself, leaving the two of them alone. Christy noted the new dynamic. Cory used to be afraid of his mom. Since his accident, it seemed he’d turned that around.

Let’s go into Brad’s and my room. I don’t trust she won’t be trying to listen to us. My mom likes to snoop.

Christy almost said she knew, but thought better of it, and just followed him into his bedroom. Once there, she squeezed in around Cory, and he did a nifty turn with his chair, leaned over, and pushed the door closed. Then he spun around again, facing Christy.

Ok, here it is… I need those devices. Where are they?

Christy’s jaw dropped as she sat down heavily on Cory’s bed. What?

Don’t play stupid, Walker. You and I both know that there are a lot of other worlds out there with portals on them. We’ve seen the etchings on the devices we left behind in that room in the underground city. I want those devices, and I need to use the portal our devices create to get back there.

Christy thought quickly. She saw where Cory’s mind had wandered to and realized that if the situation was reversed, she’d be doing the same. Her voice softened as she said, Cory, what makes you think you’d be able to get any other combination of devices put together to create a portal to get to another world?

Because if I can’t, I spend the rest of my life in this chair. There were a lot of devices kicking around that room, and we know they’re color-coded. Brad and I should be able to figure it out, Cory answered, his eyes moist with tears.

Brad certainly got us home. He probably, no, definitely saved your life. But that doesn’t mean he’d be able to put together four devices correctly to actually open a portal that would get you to another world. And I see what you’re doing. Christy paused, crossed her arms over her chest, and continued, Why do you think that even if you did get to another world, that world would be more advanced than us? Christy didn’t wait for a reply. Or that they, whoever they are, would fix your spine so you can walk again?

Christy watched Cory’s reaction as he fought to hold back tears. He rested his hands on his thighs and stared at her.

Walker, tell me you wouldn’t do exactly the same thing?

Christy didn’t want to answer him because he was right. But that would be too hit or miss, she mumbled.

Cory continued his assault on her guilt, her longing, anything he could, to get her to agree.

I know you’re planning something. Even though your mom hasn’t said anything to my mom, your dad’s and Detective Lockhart’s cars are both just sitting in your driveway. Think I can’t guess why? Or where they might be? Go ahead; deny that you’re planning something. Maybe with flying fingers or Hanson?

Christy sat, listening, as Cory continued.

Or both of them. That would be my guess, he added. And I want… no, I need to go with you.

Then he did something she never expected. His voice became really low. Please? he said.

Watching Cory struggling with his emotions, Christy was almost in tears herself. Danny will never go back. Ever. He resents you for making Brad jump into the portal while he just happened to be watching, she said as she gained composure.

I didn’t make him jump. Cory wiped his eyes. His mind doesn’t work like yours or mine. I’m not responsible for Brad’s decisions, he said through gritted teeth, despite what my mom has always said.

Christy tried another argument.

Listen, if I’m planning something… and I’m not saying I am, but if I am. What if I were to bring back devices so Brad can try to put four together that will work?

Cory was shaking his head even before she was done with her question.

No, Walker, you couldn’t bring enough back here to do me any good. There were dozens there. What? You’d be lucky to bring back one set of four, let alone any more than that. I’m betting on Brad figuring out which ones connect together. But we have to go there to do it.

Since she’d almost admitted she was planning something, she backed off a bit.

I don’t know what to say, Cory. I’m not really planning anything. If I do, I’ll let you know. Ok?

You’re lying through your teeth, Walker. Cory’s tears had dried and he was becoming angry. He pointed his index finger right at her and, staring through squinted eyes, said, And know this. You told me Flying Fingers hid them for you, even though you conveniently didn’t tell me where, when you visited me in the hospital. I’ll find the devices on my own. Or… He looked Christy in the eyes. If I have to, I’ll pummel the little twerp for answers.

Christy turned to leave, angry now herself because of his threat. As she opened the door, Cory added, I don’t care if he’s deaf or not. And me in this chair… don’t matter. I’ll still squeeze it out of him, understood?

Christy ignored him. Stepping out of Cory’s room, she slammed the door behind her.

CHAPTER 2

I don’t know, Trev, Cory won’t quit. He’s guessed that we’re planning something, and he wants in. And he’s as much as admitted to me he’s going to bully Danny to get him to tell where he hid the devices.

Christy was outside her grandfather’s studio, empty now for years. She paced behind it, keeping out of earshot of her parents in the house while she talked on the phone with Trevor.

Then you have to get them out of there and hide them someplace else, Trevor replied.

I know, it’s just that the empty studio is really the best hiding spot. My mom never goes in there. And do you think that Cory can really hurt Danny… make him talk? He’s in a wheelchair, and Danny isn’t as little as he was when he and I first went to the Empty World, well over a year ago. Even just since we got back this last time nine or ten weeks ago, he’s grown some.

Trevor chuckled. I wouldn’t worry about Danny. Just move the devices to another hiding place and let Danny take care of himself.

Yeah, that’s probably the best thing to do. But I can at least warn Danny, don’t you think?

Can’t hurt.

Trev, I was thinking we could store them in your attic for a while. I know your mom and dad never go up there, and there are lots of boxes and crates to hide them behind.

Ahhh, ok, if we have to. But only for a while.

You’re the best.

No problema, mi amiga.

When can we move them? Christy hesitated and then added, I think anytime on Sunday afternoon would be good for me. Mom will be gone for a couple of hours. But what about your parents? She waited for a reply.

Finally Trevor said, That should work. They go food shopping together.

Great, meet me here at 3:30 then, if your parents have left.

Christy met Trevor at the front door and let him in.

Hey, Trev… Good, you brought a couple of empty backpacks.

Trevor nodded and smiled.

I imagine you only have the one that you keep packed for the Empty World. Me, on the other hand, even though I also have the one packed that I’ve stored with yours, ready to go, I have several more that I let scouts use when they first join the troop if they haven’t got one yet.

Walking from the front room toward the kitchen and the back steps as they talked, Christy and Trevor weren’t paying attention to the studio, visible through the kitchen windows.

Trevor turned from Christy and stared out the window as Christy was about to open the back door.

What’s that? Trevor pointed toward the studio and its large glass windows that Christy’s grandfather had installed for lighting.

Christy stopped and looked to where Trevor was pointing.

I… I don’t know. Through the kitchen window they could see bright light coming from the studio where there should be no light at all.

Suddenly Christy knew. Come on, someone is activating the portal.

Christy burst through the studio entrance with Trevor right behind. Years before, Christy’s mom and dad had cleared everything out of the main studio room. When Christy and Trevor stopped short, in front of them was the square walls of light that signified a portal. Inside the light Cory was sitting in his wheelchair. Just outside the portal, Brad was about to collect the devices that had created it.

How’d you get in here? Christy screamed.

Cory sneered at the two newcomers. I warned you that I’d find the devices. I just figured since this place was empty, it would be the best spot to hide them. And Brad is good at picking locks, which got us in here.

Christy pushed Brad aside and dove toward the devices so quickly that neither Brad or Cory could do anything. She fumbled inside one of the devices and removed a crystal. Immediately the light began to fade. She was in time. Another few seconds and the portal would have remained even after the devices were stripped of crystals.

Forget it, Cory. This is my studio, and these are not for you to use. So go home.

Cory sat in the midst of the fading portal and surprised Christy when he began to cry. Not whimper, not snivel, but full-blown bawling his eyes out.

I need to go, please, he said between sobs.

Christy was completely taken aback by his emotion, even though she’d seen a little of it before, when he’d threatened to hurt Danny.

Cory, go home, Trevor said, echoing Christy.

Shut up, Hanson, this is none of your business, Cory sobbed.

Cory, you’re in a wheelchair. How are you going to get around on the spongy moss? You’ve been there. Brad can’t push you, Christy said, hoping for common sense from him. But she really knew better. Desperation would win out over common sense any day.

Brad says he’s set the portal to come out in the underground city, right in the room we found the devices. I believe him. He hasn’t been wrong yet, and you saw what he accomplished when we were there. He continued to sob. Please, please, put the crystal back, and get out of my way.

Christy stared down the desperate twin. She would have continued to push Cory to leave but she felt his anguish deeply. All she could think of was that she’d been in sort of the same situation. Her mom was always denying her pleas to head back to the Empty World. First to find her grandfather, and now her dad and the detective. She wavered for a minute but knew she was losing the battle. His plight was too real, too close to her own frustrations. Only his had an even more desperate reason, he wanted to walk again. She gave in.

Ok, she conceded. She held up the crystal then put it down next to the device she’d removed it from.

Brad, pick it up and put it back and let’s go, Cory instructed his brother.

Brad’s not going, Brad said quietly, his eyes downcast toward his feet.

What? Of course you’re coming with me. You need to enable the devices we find to other worlds when we get there.

No, no, no, no… Brad shook his head and began pacing. No, no, no.

Christy watched Brad and a little thrill ran through her. This was an opportunity she’d not expected. She recognized she now had an advantage that could help her. Under the circumstances, with Cory set to go, she could almost rationalize that she had no choice but to offer to go… almost. That was good enough for her.

You know Brad better than I do, Cory. Does it look like he’s going? What if Trev and I go with you instead? We’d have a good chance of getting some portals to work. And Brad will stay here and let your mom know you’re ok.

Cory sat still, clearly weighing his options.

Just let me go and grab Trev’s and my backpack’s in my room, Christy said.

I’m not stupid, Walker, you’ll call someone or somehow stop me if I let you go, he said, his sobbing now under control as he seemed to wonder about Christy’s motives.

No, I won’t. Trev and I have been planning to go. We want to go. As long as Brad can get us to the underground city it should be ok for you, I agree. There’s the crystal. Christy bent down and picked it up.

I could keep this crystal till we return but, as a show of faith, I’ll leave it. She handed it to Brad and turned to Cory.

Have Brad put it in and just wait for five minutes. Trev and I need our stuff. I’ll be back. Just don’t go without me, ok?

Cory was clearly unhappy, but he glanced at Brad pacing and mumbling, Hurry.

Christy turned to Trevor. Go with him if he goes before I get back, ok? she whispered.

Trevor nodded, and she bolted out the door and into her house as quickly as she could.

CHAPTER 3

Jack and CaTaz were resting as out of the wind as they could get without finding one of the ubiquitous tunnels burned into the hillsides millennia ago. They had already spent weeks combing the countryside searching for Cleaners to warn about the vendetta to kill