A Hasty Retreat

As she looked out the taxi window her heart gave another deafening 'thump'. It wasn't often Nanita called her; it was less often in need of something. Zairah was leery about leaving her safe house at first, but something in Nanita's voice kept nagging at her to do so. Within the week she had packed, boarded a plane that took her from her home in Scotland to the United States. There she would travel to Nanita's home in Missouri. An odd state to live in by Zairahs standards, but if Nanita liked it then who was she to complain.

"Here we ware miss." She gave the driver a curt nod and handed him a wad of cash.

"Keep the change."

"Have a nice day." He exclaimed as she slammed the trunk shut.

Zairah ignored the man's comment and began dragging her luggage up the flag stones that led to Nanitas front door. Although she had been blessed with wealth all her life Nanita was modest in the way she lived. Her house resembled that of a small cottage you would read about in fairy tales. Zairah would often find herself imagining the house being in many of the stories that Nanita would read to her on nights she couldn't sleep. She missed those days. As she knocked on the door her mind wondered back to the reason she was here, and her heart gave another deafening 'thump'.

"I did not expect you here so soon child."

The voice was warm, like cinnamon and instantly calmed Zairah's frayed nerves.

"Oh I missed you so much Nani!" Zairah exclaimed as they embraced.

"Now come in out of the cold. I have supper waiting."

Shortly after dinner they both retired to the sun-room. It was by far Zairah's favorite room in the house. It reminded her of a green house, only without the plants, and water systems. She gave a snort at the thought of a watering system in the sun-room. It would be a wonderful idea for a prank for her sisters to pull. Nanita would be furious.

"What is it that was so urgent you insisted I come here?"Zairah wasted no time getting to the point. The faster this meeting went the sooner she could go home. It was the only place she felt safe in this world.

"As you know, now is not a safe time for you and your sisters. I thought things were getting better till a couple of weeks ago. Misty was attacked." Zairah made a move to interrupt, but Nanita cleared her throat and continued.

"Because of the recent attack I have deemed this place unlivable, for any of you."

"And what do you suppose we do? Find another world to live in?" Zairah had meant the question as a joke, but was surprised when Nanita didn't laugh. Her eyes went dull as she released a sorrowful sigh.

"That is exactly what I wish for you to do." Zairahs mouth went dry.

"What do you mean?" she crocked.

"Your sisters have already done so. It is time you join them."

"You used the key didn't you!?" Zairahs hands came down hard on the table. "You swore you wouldn't! Do you know the danger you put them in? You don't even know what dimension their in! The key is unpredictable and random! You might as well have thrown them to the wolves!" Zairahs words were filled with venom "And now you wish for me to join them? Well I think I would rather take my chances here."

Zairahs breath was irregular and her heart gave off more than one of those deafening 'thumps'. Oh how she hated that, as it pounded in her ears and made her whole body shake with each tremor.

"I'm sorry child. The choice has already been made." With that final statement Nanita quickly began chanting and shoved Zairah forcefully backwards.

The floor gave beneath her and she began to free fall. She felt like she was being pulled apart, molecule by molecule. Her ears began to ring and her fingers and toes started to go numb. Zairahs eyes met with Nanita's on last time. They were sad and full of pain.

"I'm sorry, Zairah." And with that Zairah's eyes drifted shut.