Part 2 (1/2)

Valerie heard footsteps, and she saw Dr. Freeman walking briskly down the hall. He paused and addressed Yellow-Eyes. We need to re-stock the gauze in the exam rooms on the second floor. And check the backup generator to make sure its working”the lights shouldnt have gone out for more than a few seconds.

Her tormentor gritted his teeth. Yes, sir.

I havent seen you here before. Whats your name?

Uh, Bill Smith. Ill get that gauze for you right away, Yellow-Eyes said, and then rushed down the hall before the doctor could question him further.

Bill Smith, Dr. Freeman said to himself, making a note on the pad of paper he always carried with him. Then his face softened as he turned to Valerie. You better hurry and join the parade, little guy.

Then Dr. Freeman left without realizing that it was Valerie under the sheet. She was so stunned that she stood frozen, processing the implications of what had happened. Dr. Freeman had seen Yellow-Eyes, plain as day. Yellow-Eyes wasnt a hallucination any more than Cyrus had been. And the doctor wasnt the only one to interact with her tormentors, she realized. Hadnt Daniel talked to Sanguina? And there had been others, too, now that she thought about it.

Why had she never questioned Sanguinas sudden appearances and disappearances more? It was as if her mind couldnt process that there was an explanation other than some strange manifestation of paranoia and schizophrenia. But now she knew there was. Magic.

Valeries mind was racing as she headed down the hall toward the exit sign. She fumbled with the k.n.o.b of the door to the stairwell and then hurried up the steps, taking them two at a time. When she opened the door to the roof and stepped out, she immediately pulled off her costume, which was suffocating her. The cold night air calmed her hot face, and her heartbeat slowed.

The sight of the glittering night sky cleared the last wisps of fear from her mind. The stars shone brightly, all traces of clouds from the days before gone. It seemed like a good omen.

Cy? Valerie called softly.

Boo! Cyrus said mischievously in her ear.

She didnt flinch. Took you long enough, she said with a little grin.

Cyrus laughed. Im guessing you dont have a lot of time, so quit yapping and let me tell you what you need to know. But hear me out, okay? I know this is going to stretch the limits of believability for you, but Id hate for you to look like a dork for not trusting me yet again.

Valerie shot him a skeptical look and nodded. Im listening.

Thousands of years ago, some people on Earth started developing, like, special powers. Or maybe there were always Conjurors”creatures like us with magic in their blood.

No way, she said, and then reminded herself that she had promised to listen. Sorry, go ahead.

Some of these Conjurors banded together because they thought that they should be able to rule over everyone else. They called themselves the Fractus, and they flooded the entire world to prove how powerful they were. They wanted to terrify ordinary humans into never disobeying them”basically turning them into slaves.

But I guess they didnt win, cause as far as I know, no one today is bowing before an evil magical overlord, she interrupted.

Youre right. The rest of the Conjurors”the good ones”fought the Fractus and won, but it was only a matter of time before they attacked again. So the Conjurors used their powers to create another world just for magical beings. And they separated Earth and our world”the Globe”with a barrier so that no one with magic could ever return.

I gotta say, thats quite a story.

And its real, Val, I swear it. Im standing on the Globe right now, as surely as youre standing on Earth. Youre seeing a mental projection of me. I cant be here in person because of the barrier. Thats why I cant touch you right now.

She reached out to grasp his arm, but her hand pa.s.sed though him, triggering a memory of what had happened in the hall with her tormentor.

Does one of these Fractus people have yellow eyes? Or how about a lady with red hair and super pale skin? she asked, holding her breath as she waited for the answer.

I dont know, why? Have you seen someone? Cyruss voice rose with alarm.

Valerie told him about Yellow-Eyes and Sanguina, and Cyrus listened intently. When she finished, he said, Ive never heard of either of them, but Ill ask around. Theyre probably part of the Fractus. Theyve been stirring up trouble lately, and they could be after you, too. Its really rare for someone to have enough magic inside them to have to come to the Globe”youll be the first person to travel here in thirty years. They might want to find you for that reason alone.

Wait, who said anything about me coming to the Globe? I dont even know where it is!

Cyrus looked up at the sparkling night sky. Its out there, he said.

You mean, in s.p.a.ce? Valerie couldnt keep the disbelief out of her voice.

Exactly. The Globe is in the center of a black hole.

Thats not possible. Ive read about black holes. No one knows whats inside of them, but they do know that anything that goes in will probably be crushed by the weight of the holes gravity.

Youre kind of a know-it-all, you know that? Cyrus said with a smile. Technically, youre right. But the creators of the Globe combined magic with all the energy in the black hole to create a planet inside that no one can see from Earth.

And you want to take me there, she said flatly.

Yes.

Its hundreds of light years away. By the time I get there Id be dead of old age.

That would be true except for magic, remember? Pay attention, sheesh.

You really expect me to skip out of the hospital all alone and leave everything and everyone I know”forever?

Cyrus frowned. What have you got to lose? Theres nothing here for you. Your magic is gonna kill you soon. And whatever you think of everything else Ive told you, you know that fact is true.

She couldnt deny it. Even though it was hard for her to accept that she had some kind of magic power, she could feel herself growing weaker. Her next standoff with Sanguina would probably be her last.

He continued, interrupting her thoughts. Besides, you wouldnt be alone. Were sending someone to guide and protect you. His name is Thai, and h.e.l.l take you to the launch site where youll take off from Earth to the Globe.

A million thoughts tumbled chaotically around in her head, but she knew that ultimately there was only one choice to make if she wanted to survive. Finally, trembling, she whispered, So whats next?

Does that mean youre coming?

Valerie closed her eyes, but there were no answers there, only darkness. When she opened them again, the sky twinkled above her. Yes, Im coming.

Chapter 4.

The next afternoon, Valerie was ready when Dr. Freeman visited her on his rounds. Neither Sanguina nor the yellow-eyed medical a.s.sistant was anywhere to be seen. She was glad”she didnt want to be distracted from her mission. Whether she was crazy or not, her decision was made. She was going to the Globe, and now she had to do her part.

That morning she had forged a letter from a cousin to show Dr. Freeman. She was going to have to make a run for it, and she didnt want him to worry about her too much after she was gone. He was one of the few people on Earth who would notice”and care”if she vanished.

As he checked on the other patients in her room, her face burned. She hated lying, especially to him. He was the kind of person she wanted to be when she grew up”patient, smart, and caring. It didnt feel right telling him the biggest lie of her life.

Well, Ms. Diaz, youre looking much better. Its good to see pink in your cheeks again, he said as he reviewed her chart.

Im feeling a lot better. I have great news! My cousin is coming to visit. I havent seen him in a long time. I got his note today, she said, unfolding the letter she had written.