Chapter #3

     I slept soundly for most of the night, but was awakened when Jazmin called to me. I sat up in bed.

     -Where are you?- I thought to her.

     -I am here- she thought back -at the foot of your bed. I think our friends should hurry.-

     I could tell she was in pain.

     -How far can you think- I asked her.

     -Not far enough- she said.

     If Jazmin were in good condition, she could contact other Zaras from 'think' very far at all. So it was up to me to contact my friends.

     We Calis can contact each other in emergencies too, only its much harder for us than it is for our counterparts, because of our inherited humanawareness. I concentrated hard -Tira!- I had to yell because ofth e distance. -Tira! Can you hear me!-

     I felt ahead with my mind as I spoke. She was awake,and she could hear me.

     -Tira! We need to hurry! I don't think Jazmin has much time left!-

     -I'll tell Kitha to wake Growlaf!- she called back. After a moment, I felt the familiar mind connection.

     The mind connection can only be made when the group joined are all conscious and willing. When you use the connection, it's almost exactly like the way you talk to your Zara. With only pictures and feelings that can sometimes be translated into words.

     -Ximet is here too now- she thought, no longer having to yell.

     -Yeah, I'm here- I he said.

     I felt the two minds joined with my own. One was awake and only slightly groggy, the other was groggy and only slightly awake. I let them feel the urgency of the situation andsuddenly they were both alert.

     -What ever we do we have to do now.- I said.

     -We'll send Growlaf and Kitha over to get Jazmin.-Ximet said.

     -How long do you think she has?- Tira asked anxiously.

     -Not enough time for what we were planning- Ximet commented grimly, -we'll have to use the 'escape route'. You both know what to do?- It was more of anorder than a question.

     The 'escape route' was a special precaution that we devised could use to use in an emergency. First of all, we had to write a note for our parents. They had been getting used to finding such notes left by us, and so would think nothing of it. Then we would meet at the park, since there was no other place to meet where we wouldn't have to be careful about anything we did.

     -I suppose- I said doubtfully. I was very concerned about whether or not Jazmin would make it out okay.

     -Sure- Tira was much more optimistic than I was.

     -I?ll contact Ebon and tell him what to do.- Ximet said.

     There was a light shuffling sound on my skylight, and I looked up. Two pairs of eyes were gazing back at me. One pair was a lively green, the other, pure gold.

     -Kitha and Growlaf are here- I informed the others.

     -Oh good, I was hoping they'd get there before you left- Ximet said relieved.

     -They sure are fast fliers aren't they- Tira observedproudly.

     -I'll let them in and wake Jazmin- I said. I went to the window and tapped on the glass. Two shapes appeared and I unhooked the latch to open it. As they flew in, I commented "You really are fast fliers."

     -Jazmin- I called gently -Kitha and Growlaf are here to carry you out of here so we can take you to the Home Land.- She nodded

     -Okay- she said. I could tell she wasgetting worse.

     I started writing the note:


               Mom and Dad,
                        Gone to a friends house, will be back soon.
                 Love, Kira


     As I wrote it, I knew the others were doing the samething.

     I looked over to where Jazmin lay and discovered that Kitha and Growlaf were using a towel like a stretcher and carrying her towards the open window. When they reached the windowsill, they teetered there for one precarious moment, then launched into flight. I watched them nervously as they disappeared into thenight. I still had contact with Tira and Ximet

     -They're coming, are you ready?-

     -Yes, we're ready- I heard Ximet say -how long will it take you to get here?-

     -Only a few minutes-

     -Good-

     I got what I thought I needed (a flashlight, some snacks for Jazmin and me, you know, that kind of stuff) and crept out the window and closed it behind me. I knew where to go and what to do, it was just that I was very apprehensive. I shouldn't have worried.

     By the time I arrived at the park, Ebon was already setting up the place portal. I kind of had to be there though, because I was the only one who could accompany Jazmin; I was the only one who could mind-link with her. By the time Ebon finished the time portal, Ximet had instructed me on what to do.

     First, I had to mind-link with Jazmin so we wouldn't get separated and I loose her on the way through. Then sit still and hold her in my arms to wait untill Ebon had finished the portals. That's it untill he was done. That's why you need more than one Cali to make the journey, you couldn't do it alone.

     Ebon would set up the portals (both of them), Then I would go through followed closely by Ximet, who would be my guide. Then Tira would come, with Ebon bringing up the rear with Iznash, and, as soon as we were through both portals, close the gates.

     Sounds pretty simple, huh? Not as easy as it sounds. There are so many incantations to recite, Ebon had barely finished the place portal by sunrise. The place portal was easy enough, it was a simple where gate. The time portal was the tricky one. If the incantations weren't exactly right, you would be sent careening through time.

     That's what we faced, and what we trusted Ebon to do. If he got distracted in the least, the spell would be ruined. That's why we had Kitha, Growlaf and Isnash. They would come too, of course, but they had another purpose; they were the ones who kept a look out for approaching disturbances. They'd warn Tira and Ximet so they could ensure that Ebon was not disturbed.

     By the time that was all finished, the sun was well up, and Ebon was exhausted. We finally got through, and to my surprise, it was dark. But it was beautiful.

     Think of the most beautiful sight you've ever imagined. Okay, now imagine it even fresher, newer and even more lovely and you'll have something close to what we were witnessing. The moon was like a melon; full and round. It threw plenty of light to see our way to a safe-haven. Yes, we had to seek shelter, even in these heavenly surroundings it wasn't absolutely safe. We found an overhanging rock under which we could safely hide from almost anything. There we slept, with either Kitha, Growlaf or Iznash keeping watch.

Hurry up and get on with it!