Battery and Mara left the monkey bars and the clearing and walked out onto the street. Mara keenly peered around. Everything looked so familiar except for subtle details. The Walters’ house was in the exact same spot across from the elementary school, but the chimney and stairs were now on the right side of the building. And everything that she looked at was just a touch brighter than she recalled. Even the air had a slight sparkle.
“I'm a student at the university,” Battery chattered as they continued down the road. “I'm taking Parallel Realities, which is a new programme in the Psychology Department's paranormal studies. A lot of people think that it is a load of baloney, but I really believe that we are not the only people here.” She paused to turn and face Mara. “And you, Mara, are proof of that.”
Battery must have sensed that Mara felt pressured at her last statement because she continued, “But don't worry; I'm not going to put you in a circus or anything. I just want you to meet my professor. He might be able to help you. I've got an evening class tonight. You can come.”
Mara should have felt somewhat relieved at this friendly promise, but she was too occupied drinking in her surroundings. The girls had reached a cul-de-sac that should have been Wilson Drive, but instead it was called Wolfbright Way. Battery's house was at the very end of the street. It had a red, pointed roof and two large windows in the front. The shrubs along the front of the house looked like a fuzzy green smile on a happy face.
“I like your house,” declared Mara, knowing instinctively that she was safe.
“Mum, I'm home!” called out Battery from the front hallway. A muffled consent came from the interior. There was a delightful scent of flowers and shoe polish.
“I've brought a friend home.”
“Okay, dear, just a minute,” came the reply.
A moment or two later, a tall, thin woman approached with gardening gloves on and scissors in hand. She wore a floppy straw hat that concealed most of her wheat-ish coloured hair.
“My mum's a herbalist. We have a pretty cool garden and greenhouse out back,” said Battery by way of explanation for her mother's attire.
“Yes, hello. My name is Blaze.” She took off her glove and shook Mara's hand. Unlike her daughter, her eyes were a profound amber. Mara couldn't help but look deeply into them at that instant, and she was sure that they flickered like a flame.
“Mum, this is my friend Mara. I'm sorry that I didn't mention that she was going to be coming earlier. She's going to be talking to my class this evening.”
“Oh, that will be exciting for you. Are you good at public speaking?” asked Blaze.
“It's never bothered me. The teacher always calls on me because I'm not shy,” laughed Mara.
“Well, good for you. Would you like to stay for dinner?”
“Yes, please Mrs.… Sorry … Blaze.”
Blaze smiled, and Battery continued, “I am not sure what arrangements Dr. Akub had made for her, but there was a muddle, and she needs to stay with us, at least for the night.”
Mara, although astonished by the swiftness and adeptness at Battery's ability to lie, said nothing and continued to smile sweetly. Secretly, though, she felt her stomach lurch. What was she getting into? No one knew where she was.
“Not a problem, kidlets. Just make yourself at home. I can tell that you are not from around here,” Blaze added in reference to Mara's ears, “so I imagine that you have fabulous stories to pass onto Kiran's class.”
Mara just smiled and nodded, although she had no idea to what she was consenting. She felt scared and uncertain. As she had no other way to get home, she felt she had to remain calm and to trust Battery.
“Excuse me, girls, I must get back to my replanting. We'll have dinner in about half an hour.” And with that, the paper-thin Blaze whisked out of the room.
Uncertain if they were really alone, Mara whispered to
Battery, “Your mum seems nice.” Battery nodded distractedly.
Battery said, “I swear, Mum'll call me kidlet until I'm forty,” as she once more took Mara by the hand and led her up a flight of stairs and then up a fixed ladder to her room in the attic. Mara pulled herself up and stepped into the oddly bright and spacious room. The girls plonked down on Battery's enormous fluffy, green bed in the centre of the room.
Mara was lost in thought. She had always thought characters in novels were crazy for being hesitant when they encountered magical worlds. Worrying about how to get home, she now understood that doubt.
Battery spoke first, “Okay, here's what's going on. You know how I told you that I am in that new programme at university?” Mara nodded. “Well,” continued Battery, “it's really new. I mean, it's bad enough to be in paranormal studies, but when you start talking about parallel realities, people really think you are weird. The only reason that my mother approves is that long before she married my father, she used to date Kiran Akub, my professor. She respects him even if she doesn't really believe in what we are doing. He has always been a good family friend—kind of like an uncle. Anyway, my mum knows that if I am working with him, it must be something scientific and worthwhile.”
“And my mother is one of the most accepting people you will encounter here. I have to admit, her seeing you tonight was good for me—kind of an ‘I told you so’ moment.”
Battery looked directly at Mara, warning her to be cautious. “This is all why it is so amazing that I was the one who found you. You may not have been safe if someone else had come across you lying in the clearing.”
Mara felt that same fearful lurch in her gut, and then her eyes welled with tears. “I am so confused. I don't know what happened to me or how I got here or how to get back.” One lone tear slipped down her cheek, and she cleared her throat, “My dad is going to be so worried about me.”
Battery put her arm around Mara. She realised for the first time that Mara was just a girl. Of course she was concerned about her father and being late. Of course she must be frightened. Battery, who was four years older, was going to have to play a big sister role.
“I know this is easy for me to say, but try not to worry. Dr. Akub will find a way to contact your father. We'll have dinner and then go to school.”
Mara was torn. She felt unbelievably excited by this adventure. This is exactly the sort of story that she and Christi used to make up and pretend to be a part of. As kids, they had spent hours playing brave characters in invented, magical realms. This was a fantasy come true! Yet, in all their imaginary games, Mara had never had to deal with the reality of making her family worry and not knowing how she would return.
Since her mother had left, Mara had developed an extremely close relationship with her father and her older brother, Alex. In Mara's tight family unit of three, each person was responsible to the other. They were partners. Alex was Battery's age and very protective of Mara.
A few minutes later, Battery's mother called the girls down to dinner. As she got up, Battery advised Mara, “Don't be afraid to answer any of Mum's questions. She's nosy but totally harmless. Besides, her interrogation will get you ready for my class this evening.”
Mara quickly fixed one braid and took a deep breath.
“Okay,” she replied. She was nervous but had no choice but to trust her new friend.