Moe and Mikaela walked into the field tent. To the right, they spotted Sin and Frank, intently reviewing data on a screen. The room was filled with piles of books and papers. Canvases leaned against the walls, hundreds deep. Moe guided Mikaela through the maze of stacks to the desk. Frank looked up over his readers, and sighed as they approached.

“You’re going to show her? I thought we weren’t going to do that,” Frank inquired as he looked at Moe.

“She’s here, she needs to know.”

Mikaela looked between Frank and Moe, perplexed by the exchange. Frank reached below the desk and pushed a button. The door behind him unlatched and he allowed them to pass.

The room was dimly lit and lined with beds with people who appeared to be sleeping. Mikaela looked at Moe. “What is this?”

Moe hemmed a bit, then, as they continued to walk by the beds, he started to speak. “Everyone here has already tried to reopen the portal. Most of them tried to go it alone and all of them underestimated its power.”

Mikaela realized no one was stirring. “Are they…they…”

“Dead?” Moe answered sarcastically. “No!” His tone turned somber, “But, a fate much worse if we can’t fix it. They are lost in their own minds. Reality has left them and they are stuck in their own dreamland or nightmare. There is no room for reality anymore…well, at least for now.” He looked down and his steps slowed.

Mikaela picked up on his stride changing, and began to look around at the sad and empty faces around her. Then she saw him laying there. She drew in a deep breath, and her eyes began to turn red. “He didn’t.”

Moe looked down then back at her, “He did. He pushed everyone else away insisting he could handle it alone. It was weeks before the portal fully closed. He was the first to fall.”

She stepped away from Moe and floated her right hand over his left hand. The invisible tattoos on their pinkies glowed in unison. Tears rolled down her face and splashed on the back of her hand, then rolled onto his. She looked up at Moe, “Why? Why didn’t you go with him? Why didn’t someone tell me?”

Moe hesitated. “He didn’t want anyone there. Especially you.”

Mikaela paused. There was history between them, but she thought all those things were behind them and their lives had moved forward, separately. She didn’t understand.

Moe continued, “It isn’t you, it was something within him. He’ll have to share it with you, if he wants one day. But you see, no one will ever be able to work through their own thoughts or have a stable life if we don’t fix this. Including him. You may not realize, but you were headed in this direction fast when Frank pulled you back. You, however were more resilient when you recovered and it is why we decided to bring you in.”

“Pulled me back?” she quizzically asked. “What do you mean?”

Moe exhaled, then continued. “Everyone associated with us here is being monitored. The night he went in, you were impacted. You were spiraling down seeing his nightmare. Frank has a way to wake us up if he catches it, and he did just that with you that night. You might remember waking up at, what did he say, 2 AM, startled and upset. No one is still sure why Frank was monitoring you at the time, but thankfully, he was.”

Mikaela drew in another breath then sighed. She remembered that night better than she would ever share with Moe. It was the night of the nightmare she could remember. She still recalled the look on his face, the anger, the anguish, and the pain. She woke up mad at someone she didn’t even know who caused him to go through it all. And she couldn’t get back to sleep the rest of that night; she just tossed and turned.

She realized she had started holding his hand while Moe was talking. Moe slid a chair behind her so she could sit down. “I don’t understand…if Frank woke me up back then, why didn’t someone tell me earlier?”

Moe looked at her with a scornful look. “Do you know how hard it was? I’d seen you go through enough already outside of this place, outside of him. I was afraid you’d spiral faster than he did. James insisted on bringing you in though. I just hope this makes you stronger for the journey.”

Oh Lord James, he would always throw Mikaela in the deep-end after protecting her for far too long. It started when she was nine, literally. He’d never let her sink, but he knew when he threw her in, she’d find a way through.

Mikaela squeezed his hand again, wiped her face clear of the tears, and straightened herself up. “When do we head out?”

Moe replied, “At first light.” He stepped away from the bed and turned to leave. “I’ll let you have some time. We’ll have dinner around 6 in the cafeteria.” With that he walked off and let Mikaela have some privacy with him.

Sin bounded out of the cafeteria, catching up with Moe and Mikaela. “I’ll show you to Lord James.”

While Moe knew the way, he smiled knowingly at Mikaela. She nodded in understanding; Sin needed to be needed. “Thanks Sin! Please, lead the way.”

Lord James held Warrior I in the middle of the garden. He steadied his breath, found his center and moved into Warrior II. Holding his pose, he was not distracted as Moe, Mikaela, and Sin walked up. Lord James moved into Reverse Warrior, then on to Warrior III.

The trio stopped talking and observed Lord James as he finished his sequence. Lord James returned to Mountain pose and broke from his concentration, greeting his guests. “Good morning, Moe and Sin.” Lord James stepped forward toward Mikaela, and leaned toward her, pecking her on the cheek. “Mikaela, it has been years. Nice for you to join us.”

Mikaela thought to herself….she really didn’t have much of a choice. They essentially kidnapped her from home. They always did things oddly here. “Lord James, it is nice to see you.”

As Lord James stepped back, he found her hands and looked at both sets of rings adorning her fingers. “One day, you will choose. Now is not the time however, I know. I hope you choose well.” He released her hands from his grasp and stepped back.

Chills went down Mikaela’s back. Lord James’s words struck her harder than she expected. The tattoo on her pinky began to pulse, glowing through the lacework engraved through the ring. She calmed her heart, breathing, centering herself quietly, and the pulsing subsided.

“Sin, thank you for your help this morning. Can you check with Frank on if he has made any advancements with his research? We’ll need everything he can gather.” Lord James dismissed Sin with a swift nod.

When Sin was out of earshot, Lord James relaxed and let out a sigh. Then he looked over at Moe and Mikaela. A smile crept across his face, followed by a cheery laugh. “Guys, it’s great to see both of you!” Lord James went in for a group hug with Mikaela and Moe.

Mikaela looked at Moe as Lord James hugged them both in. Moe smirked….there was the James he knew.

Lord James released his grasp. “I have to keep up the formal appearance in front of the others, but, damn, you two. You know me. We can relax when we’re in private.

Moe and Mikaela chuckled. The work/friend dynamics exist, even here.

“So, let me fill you both in.” James led them back to the building to a small office. The office was sparsely decorated, a chair, a desk, a sofa, and a small bookcase. His Kindle sat atop the bookcase. “Isn’t it great — all my books are on here now or my phone!” James was not one to go without his books, it was nice to see he kept up with technology. “I fall asleep here most nights with my kindle or my phone falling on my chest.” He looked over at Mikaela, then turned around to look outside.

James continued, “Anyway, Mikaela, we need your help. The portal through the wall closed on us a few weeks ago. With it closed, everyone on this side are not getting the necessary relief from their thoughts, dreams and desires.” James looked up, his eyes suddenly appeared weary. “Have you felt it?”

Mikaela looked down, and thought for a few moments. It would explain why she had felt trapped recently, and the nights of interrupted sleep. She blamed other factors from working too hard to being stuck in a rut. She had even suffered seeing other peoples dreams and nightmares in her own, but being unable to recall them when she woke, except for that one about him. She looked back up at James.

His eyes blazed as he locked in on her gaze. He knew she felt it. But with Moe there, she wouldn’t reveal details. All she could give was a slight shrug, but her downcast eyes revealed her answer was yes. James continued to speak of the situation at hand, catching Mikaela up on a variety of details and the previous attempts to reopen the wall. “We don’t want the wall gone, that would create chaos and disrupt all of human nature, but we need the portal open to release the stress building up in everyone before destruction ensues.”

Mikaela looked at Lord James with a confused expression. “Destruction vs. Chaos? I don’t understand.”

“It’s about balance Mikaela, you know this. I know you do.” James paused in a moment of self-reflection, then continued. “Alright then, you may as well see the results. People cannot find any peace.” Lord James triggered a display on the opposite wall. Images of fighting and discontent flashed across the screen. “Creativity and innovation is suffering as well. We’ve seen a marked decrease in the arts, and de-evolution of knowledge as well.”

Mikaela became overwhelmed by everything he displayed and began to shake. “I can’t do anything to help this. I’m just one person, struggling through it myself.” She took a big breath.

James looked at her. Mikaela always underestimated her abilities, and hated being put on the spot for ailments and decisions beyond her control. He knew where she stood, how she could become frozen, but he needed her to get through this. “You won’t be doing this alone, Mikaela. You see the cost, and I know you want to help fix it. It starts with one step.”

Mikaela turned and walked out of the room, needing to catch her breath. She found her way outside, back to the garden, and sat down, overwhelmed by her responsibilities. The images from James screen continued to flash through her head, along with the images from her nightmare of him. Was he just looking for the distorted, the bad; surely it wasn’t affecting everyone.

She rested her head in her hands as tears flowed down through her fingers and splashed against her tunic. She’d do almost anything she could to bring peace and balance, but she was nervous as to the cost. She looked at both rings on her fingers, hoping for some sort of sign, but there was none at the moment.

Moe stepped up behind her and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be with you, as will others. But we need you to guide the way and push through.”

She looked at Moe as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders, and wiped away her tears. Her mouth quivered as she spoke, “I know. I understand. But, my heart can’t handle it, I fear.”

Moe reached for her hand to help her up. He knew far more than he let on, and decided it was time to show her more. “You need to see what you are fighting for, who you are fighting for.” He guided her to a large field tent in the distant field. “Come with me; this way.”

Mikaela woke up. She knew she wasn’t at home anymore. She sat up on the twin bed, curled up with the comforter thrown over her. She looked about the room. It was sterile, except for a few of her own pictures sitting on the desk. She recognized them and sighed. She remembered the blue cabinets on the walls, the countertops. How was she back here after all these years? And when did they put in rooms with beds?

A gentle knock came from the door. She pulled her comforter up, although she was fully clothed. She still didn’t know why she was here. “Come in?”

A short blonde woman entered the room. She looked familiar. “Sin, is that you?”

Sin stepped into the room. “Yes, it’s me. It’s been years. How are you?”

What a strange way to greet your old nemesis. Well, Mikaela never understood why she was Sin’s nemesis, but there was always tension between them. “I’m okay, but why am I here?”

Sin looked at the floor and back up at Mikaela. “We tried, we really did. Moe said not to involve you, it would be too difficult, but, well, I’ll let Lord James explain. We have breakfast ready in the mess and afterward, I’ll take you to see him. There are some clothes in the dresser for you and a shower through that door. I’ll be outside to take you there.”

Sin looked down as she walked out the room. Life had changed her, softened her it seemed. Mikaela put her feet down on the cold floor, still clothed in her outfit from the night before. The emerald ring on her pinky felt strange. The invisible tattoo was still glowing underneath, rejoined with its physical presence. She spun it around, hiding the gem inside her fist, and ran her finger over the scrollwork in the gold. Sadness filled her face as she switched her attention to her left hand and the diamond brilliantly shining as if it were competing for attention.

She stood up and walked over to the dresser, pulling out a simple black tunic and jeans, then headed into the shower to freshen up. As the water hit her back, tears fell from her dark brown eyes. Violet streaks came back in her irises after being hidden for years. It wasn’t time, her heart and mind knew this, but here she was.

She stepped out of the shower, dried her short dark hair quickly, and dressed. She gave her eyes a final check, making sure the redness had subsided. She was startled a little by the violet mixed in with the brown flecks, it had been years since she allowed the violet to show, but now would be the time. However, she couldn’t show Lord James any emotions or concerns, for it would not end well. He was all about peace and balance.

She walked out of her room and met Sin in the hall.

“Oh good. Let’s head over to the mess,” Sin said too exuberantly. “We have basics, eggs, toast, bacon, tomatoes, oatmeal, you know the drill.” Sin walked briskly down the hall to the cafeteria.

Mikaela was amused. Sin had a cadence similar to being in the military, both in her speech, calling the cafeteria the mess, along with the rhythm of her walk. She decided to make some small talk as they made their way down the long corridor. “Sin, do you know who picked out my things in my room?”

“Oh, that’s Frank. He’s really good at feeling people out. You’ll see him again, probably tonight or tomorrow. ” Sin smiled, paused and then walked through the door and waved off to the corner. “Moe is over at the far table. He’ll catch you up on what you need to know before you meet with Lord James. I can’t provide you much more information, but he can.” Sin’s face turned back to looking resigned and tired. “It was good to see you.” With that, she softly patted Mikaela on the arm, turned and walked away.

Mikaela waved at Moe, then walked over to the buffet to prepare a plate. She spooned a little scrambled egg, a roasted tomato, and grabbed a vanilla yogurt from the line. She spied some strawberries and pineapple chunks and spooned those onto her plate, then added ketchup to the eggs. Finally she made her way to the beverages, pouring some hot water into a cup, two sweet-n-low packs, and two sachets of tea. It wasn’t her normal London Fog or Chai Latte, but it would have to do for now.

She headed over to Moe. “Hey, it’s been years!” she exclaimed as she walked up. Moe stood up and gave Mikaela one of his famous bear hugs. She hugged him back. He’d experienced her as she worked through the worst times of her life, and she was grateful he let it stay there. “How’s the family?”

Moe and Mikaela took their seats and he regaled her with his travels and new life. They caught up on so many things in those brief moments. Then Moe turned serious.

“Mikaela, we would never ask you to come back, except, we’ve tried everything we know. We can’t make it through the wall though. You’ve made it through before, and we need you to do it again.” Moe looked shaken. “We’ve never seen it like this, and we need to get the path opened.”

Mikaela was confused as she looked at Moe. “Surely you’ve got more strength and pull. I don’t have that kind of….”

Moe held up his hand. “We don’t think it has anything to do with brute strength. We called on the strongest we knew, and that is no longer me.” Moe smiled, happy to pass that mantle on to others. “Others have tried, science, physics, explosives, water, fire….nothing broke through.” Moe paused, and looked at Mikaela’s hands. “By the way, I’m glad to see you wearing both sets of rings. It’s as it should be, for now. Should we go see Lord James?” Moe made air quotes when he said Lord.

She giggled at Moe’s air quotes. It was extremely odd calling James Lord. “Sure. We can.” Mikaela fiddled with the emerald ring, still uncertain about being back.

They stood up and dropped off their dishes as they left the cafeteria. When they stepped outside, the sun was high above and the clouds floated by. There was a slight chill in the air, which hit her bare arms, causing some goose bumps. She rubbed her arms to warm them up. Still, it was a beautiful day as they walked to the garden in the distance.

The storm continued to rage. Mikaela stares at this man lying in her foyer. She saw the blood dripping down his forehead. She ran to the bathroom and grabbed a couple towels and the first aid kit. As she returned, she rolled up the towel and rolled the man on his back, resting his head atop the towel.

She kneeled down beside him, trying to see through the dark. The ambient flashes of light from the storm let her find where to blot up the blood and help him as much as she could in the dark. She couldn’t move him on her own, but she tried to comfort him.

In the distance, the storm began to roll away. Slowly the hum of electricity returned and the lights came back on. She looked over the man. He was still out from being knocked on the head. She didn’t know him, at least she had no memory of him. It wasn’t a neighbor, a friend, or anyone she could recall.

He was a tall man, lanky in form, and he had a kind face. His hair was a pale wheat, but it appeared to be dyed that color from something much darker. He was much younger, probably in his mid-twenties if Mikaela were to guess. He was dressed in hiking clothes and boots. He started to regain consciousness, and his eyelids began to flutter. Slowly, he opened his eyes, revealing the most amazing violet and blue streaked eyes.

Mikaela’s jaw dropped. She knew those eyes, but not this man. She slowly stood up and stepped away from him, unsure of what she should do. His eyes opened finally and he raised his head slightly looking about. When he spotted Mikaela, his eyes locked with hers.

“Mike, is that you?”

Only one person ever called her Mike. Miki, maybe, but not Mike. Just him. Her face turned to stone. “Who sent you? Why are you calling me Mike?”

Slowly the man sat up on the floor, turning toward her. “I mean you no harm. I am only a bearer of a message. I was told to come here and ask for Mike. I thought I was looking for a man.”

She took in a breath and composed herself. “Why are you here?” She needed an explanation from the man with the violet eyes. Her mind was disturbed. Was she being called back, after all this time? Had something happened? Was something wrong?

The man started to get up from the floor. “May I take a seat? I’m Frank by the way.”

Mikaela motioned to a chair and took a seat on the opposite side of the room, keeping her distance. “Frank, I don’t understand. How do you know the name Mike? Please, state your business.”

Frank began to dig in his pockets and pulled out a small box. “I am to deliver this. The storm caught me unaware; it has been a long journey.” Frank looked toward the floor, then looked up with sad eyes. “I’m sorry by the way.”

Mikaela’s heart sank. Nothing good comes from sorry. She trembled and walked over to her visitor, then took the box from his hand. His free hand briefly lifted and brushed her other hand. When he touched her, a shock went through her system, throwing her backward. She fell onto the couch behind her, knocked unconscious.

Frank stood up and looked over her. “I’m really sorry.” A tear fell from his eye and landed on her cheek. He walked out to the kitchen, then topped off the cats bowls, making sure they had food and water for a few days, then he returned to the living room. He pulled the box from Mikaela’s hand which was still grasping it, took out the emerald and gold ring, then placed it on her right pinky, covering the invisible tattoo encircling her finger. The tattoo began to glow as the ring slid on her finger.

Frank walked through Mikaela’s home, observing her photos and memorabilia of her life. He gathered a few items and packed them away into a bag. He knew how it felt to be called back; he hoped he would make Mikaela’s transition smoother.

Mikaela’s cats came out of hiding and quickly warmed up to Frank. He kneeled down and pet them on their heads, then whispered, “Don’t worry little ones. This won’t take long. I will send someone for you in a few days. You’ll be back with Mike before you know it.”

With that, Frank stood up, turned and placed his pack on his back. He scooped up Mikaela into his arms, and walked out the door, then secured it behind him. The storm began to rage once more as he took her into the night.

She sits, curled up by the window, her eyes looking out through the rain at the street lights reflecting in the puddles on the road. The warm cup of tea keeps her hands warm while the blanket on her lap protects her from the chill in the air. The rain becomes heavier as it passes over the house. Pounding sounds of fists smack against the roof.

The lights flicker and soon go out. Inside and out go dark. She sets her tea down and fumbles around trying to find a lighter and candle. Finally she lights the candle. The wick crackles against the silence inside, while the storm outside continues to rage.

Suddenly, a sound from the roof echoes down the hall. The cats hiss and runs through the room, their tails puffed out more than she’d ever seen. She tries to soothe her furry friends, but the banging moves across the roof, closer and closer. Then, it stops.

Suddenly, the rain stops as does the wind. Complete silence surrounds the home. As quickly as it stopped, it starts again. Lightning bolts fly across the sky and the windows become saturated in light, more than the brightest sun at midday. The glass panes shudder from the force and the doors push against the locks which strain to keep them closed.

She steps away to the center of the living room, fearing what may come. Never had a storm frightened her this way. She huddles up in the corner, away from potential flying glass, as the winds begin to pick up again and downed branches are thrown against her home. The cats curl up against her feet.

Suddenly, a pounding comes from the front door. A steady methodical fist beating against it. She steps away from the protection of her corner. When the lightning flashes again, she sees the outline of a person. Who would be out in this weather, this late at night? Should she answer it or stay away? More objects hit the side of the house and she hears a cry of pain. Then, she hears her name being called out and decides to open the door to let whoever it is in to get away from the storm outside.

As she opens it, he stumbles across the threshold, holding his head, blood trickling between his fingers. It takes both of them to push the door back closed, and she bolts the lock to reinforce whatever strength remains to keep it shut. As she starts to look at her visitor to figure out who it is, he slumps to the floor and the candle blows out.

Who do you think this person is?

A little retreat I’ve built in my head. Isn’t it nice to dream? Enjoy!

The paved road is pot-holed and broken. There was a time it was gravel and dust. It splits off the main road and takes us off to Grandma and Grandpa’s old home. Poplar, oak and maple trees shade the road as we wind our way, up and down the hills, past my own father’s house, and around a few other relatives homes before we see the weeping willow and the old home’s drive.

Another family lives in Grandma and Grandpa’s old place now; still a part of the family, but it’s not the same. Grandma and Grandpa have long passed away, and so we continue on. Up one more hill, then down, where our drive should be. Uncle blocked it off with a pile of gravel so teenagers wouldn’t turn it into a hangout spot. We’ll have to continue around. Some orange daylilies and purple passionflowers grow alongside the road as we drive on.

So on we go, around the bend, past another Uncle’s, and his field of corn, then back to a freshly blacktopped road. Turn left and just up the road, a gravel drive leads up a hill. There is our destination, the other side of the drive to our land, leading up to my uncle and cousin’s houses, which both back up to our property.

Our property is a future site for a future home. However, I doubt I’ll live here one day. I’ve thought of plans, how to make it welcoming, to bring my mother and her family together, but the timing isn’t right. Mother doesn’t want to be here at this point and we no longer fit, not that I ever did…

We settle in and say our hellos to my aunt and uncle. Sitting on the back porch, our land lies ahead. Two acres for mom, one for me, up on a small brush covered nob. My cousins keep mom’s side mowed; they have turned it into a glorious lawn between their homes. It is the perfect place for their kids and dogs to play and the fireflies to light up the evening as the sun sets.

Still I can see the place I’d like to build. Maybe a little vacation home might be nice. Maybe plant a couple pear trees along the drive; the driveway would follow the valley between our lots. The drive would lead up to the house with an open porch, rockers and chairs about, and an outdoor kitchen and setup for a firepit with chairs all around. As you walk in, a long dining table, with a bench seat running down one side, so there is always room to squeeze in one more. Wood floors throughout along with throw rugs here and there to keep our feet warm. Tile in the wet areas and kitchen to ease cleanup.

A gas fireplace in the center of the home to warm it up on cold winter days and welcome everyone with a little heat. Maybe two-sided, one side toward the eating area, the other to the living room. The living room would be inviting and comfortable, a sofa and some chairs, and room for a Christmas tree in front of the window.

A roomy kitchen would border the dining room. It would be reminiscent of Grandma’s, with countertops large enough to make biscuits, bread, and cakes as well to set out a family dinner. A gas stove would be a must. A side door would lead to an outdoor gathering spot for all the family to share.

A bedroom or two with bathrooms to boot would round out the house, whether they be upstairs or down. I might want a little summer porch in the back, much like Grandma’s, where the washer and dryer would sit along with any extra pantry items needing to be stored. The house would be quiet, and cozy, and hopefully filled with love.

It could be a nice little place one day, but for now, it will stay a dream. A different life requires my attention.