Chapter One
It was harder than she'd thought, leaving her family. But her Dad had encouraged her to go out and wander the world.
"Discover everything," he'd said. Well, as far as she was concerned, this ripple in the very fabric of reality was so much more interesting than the rest of the world. But why Norway, of all places? Her Mom and Dad had said they'd once spoke across the Void here, in Bad Wolf Bay fifty miles out of Bergen. Not that she'd ever believed it. Yet here she was, trying to decide whether to "poke it with a stick" or not.
Andrea sighed. Dad would disapprove. She could shatter her reality and maybe the one this ripple connected to, if it was connected. He'd say that nothing was worth the chance. And Andrea knew he was right. After all, the only thing her curiosity seemed to be good for was getting her into trouble. Sometimes in way over her head.
Andrea sighed and ran her hand through her hair. This was ridiculous. She couldn't. Andrea turned away from the ripple, disappointment flooding through her. It was for the best though. All for the best…
"And just where do you think you're going?" a voice asked. Andrea froze. Had that come from…? She turned back.
A man in red was smiling at her. Something about him was giving her the creeps. She struggled to keep her cool.
"Home, I think. My Mom and Dad are expecting my call," she improvised. He raised an eyebrow, completely not fooled.
"Really? I thought you might be continuing you're adventure," he said, sarcasm evident. Andrea lost all capacity to be civil or respectful. Gran said this was a flaw I her character, just like Mom and Dad.
"Look, I don't really care who you are or where you came from, but I'm leaving. That's all you need to know," she snapped. She turned and walked over to her bag. She picked it up and turned back, ready to tell the guy off if he'd followed her. But he'd vanished. Slightly startled, Andrea looked around, but didn't see anyone anywhere. She shook her head, puzzled and a bit freaked out.
Her cell phone began to ring and she jumped with a high squeak. Thankful that no one had seen that, she fished around in her bag for her phone.
"Hello?" she asked, managing to keep her voice steady.
"Andrea, where are you?" It was Dad. Andrea sighed.
"I'm in Norway."
"What? Why are you there? I thought you and Tony were going to Transylvania."
"Weeellll, Uncle Tony thought we might check out Bad Wolf Bay, but he caught a nasty stomach flu and made me come without him. We'll be on our way home tomorrow, though," she said. There was silence on the other end for a moment and she knew there would be trouble when she got back.
"I see. Start back now. I want you home as soon as possible, you got that? And be careful," he said.
"Of course, Dad. I'm always careful."
"Alright, then. See you later."
"Bye, Dad. I love you."
"Quite right, too." He hung up. Andrea sighed; smiling in spite of the trouble she knew was coming her way. But it was only the beginning.