I watch her roll the stone between her fingers. She has a mischievous look in her eyes. I wonder what she intends to do. She better not be planning on using her powers here. Other houses overlook the beach and Clara might also see as well. Her powers need to be heavily guarded. No one can know about it.
Then, she flips it and opens a portal. I wait, as I expect to see her demonic arms come out. Instead, a pretty lady with huge busts comes out. I see the instant recognition in Arya's eyes. They must know each other. More importantly, I see the terror. I have never see her afraid before.
Unfortunately, the woman is not alone. I was prepared to take her even though her powers will definitely be superior to mine.
Then, ugly looking creatures start bursting out of the portal. I pick up the only weapon I can find, an axe. It does not seem like they are going to stop. Creatures with many arms and eyes, and gruesome teeth and claws. Most of them are black, while some are dark green, purple and brown.
One starts moving towards Clara. The girl is still preoccupied with her sand castle. The monster stands above her and opens its mouth to devour her head. She turns around and looks up at it as it drools on her. I hear her scream. I sprint and launch myself into the air. Then, with all my might, I sink the axe into the creature's neck.
The head falls off. Green liquid spews everywhere.
I turn to Arya. I had picked Clara over her because I believed she was capable of handling herself.
The woman with her is molesting her. Why doesn't she try to defend herself? I want to go to her, but the monsters are coming towards us. There is no way I would make it to her.
I carry Clara in my arms and start running. The beasts are running on all fours. There is no way I will be able to get away fast enough.
I hear screams from nearby houses. The beasts have started invading houses. What have we unleashed?
I look back one last time. Arya is being pulled into the portal. After that, it closes. No more beasts can come out. But we still have to deal with the ones that are already here.
I keep hearing breaking glass and screams. Clara is surprisingly silent. She has gotten over her initial shock. I make it to the car park and enter the rented vehicle. One of the beasts darts in front of the car. I immediately run it over. It isn't dead, but at least it's out of the way.
I look at the rearview mirror and realize that I spoke too soon. The monster is on our tail. It is gaining on us quickly. It seems to be faster than the car. Luckily for us, it gets distracted by the presence of other humans.
I don't still slow down. I look back at Clara. She is looking back.
She is not crying at all. She just looks terrified. She reminds me of myself when I was a boy. I had been brave.
I drive for hours. I need to get us as far away from the monsters as possible. I finally stop at a hotel. I carry Clara inside and check us in. She fell asleep in the car.
She trusts me enough to fall asleep in the car with those beasts on the loose. She must believe that I can keep her safe.
When I was a kid, I always slept with a pen knife under my pillow. If I didn't, the other kids in the academy would have killed me.
I take her to our suite at the top floor and lay her on the bed.
I enter the bathroom and lock the door. I run my hands through my hair.
It's all my fault. If Arya is dead, it's because of me. Why did I even hand her that stone in the first place?
Now, monsters have invaded this world. It is my responsibility to get rid of them and find Arya.
But, how was I to know that the portal would be different? How was I to know that she was going to open a portal?
I turn on the tap and watch the water run distractedly. I keep wondering why Arya could not defend herself. The way that strange woman had been touching her still turns my stomach.
Something is definitely going on that I don't know about. Arya clearly did not tell me the whole story. I had envisioned her world as one with emperors and powered citizens, not one with beasts.
Why did that woman even want her? They must have some sort of history. I remember how Arya's eyes had widened in fear as the woman came out of the portal. Something is not adding up.
Yet, it is my responsibility to stop these monsters. The people of this world do not deserve to be killed so brutally by these man- eaters.
I have to do something about it.
I dip my two hands under the running water and collect some in my palms. I lower my head and splash the water on my face. I collect more water and rinse my face again.
I refuse to even consider the probability that I may never see her again. I know she would eventually return to her world, but I did not expect it to happen this way.
She had even promised to stay. I miss her already. I miss watching her when she is not looking, then, she would turn and tell me to stop staring.
I miss stealing food out of the pot when she is cooking.
I slap myself. I will see her again. Even if heaven and earth would come down, I will see her again.
I dry my hands and walk into the bedroom. Clara is still sleeping.
I pull out a pen from the leather jacket I had purchased along the road and draw some pictures on it. Since she can't read, I draw a telephone and the number six. She can call room service if she is hungry. I also draw a peeled banana to indicate food. That is the only food item I can draw that won't raise eyebrows.
I put on my jacket and slip in the daggers I always carry with me into my jacket.
I walk out of the hotel and into the dark night.