Long Way Home

Chapter 53 – Intervals-Part II

Mid-November – Earth

Jen pulled the pumpkin cheesecake out of the oven and set it on the counter. "There, that's done!" she said, glancing at Beth who was sitting at the kitchen table flipping through a magazine. "I'll let that cool a few minutes before I put it in the refrigerator and then we can go for our run."

Beth nodded, her eyes remaining glued to the magazine. Jen glanced over her shoulder to see she was looking at an attractive black and white dress, clearly intended to be worn in the evening. "Planning for New Year's Eve already?"

"I like having an idea of what I'm looking for before I start shopping," Beth replied calmly. "You know that. Adam is already talking about wanting to go out this year for New Year's. I hope you'll come too. I'd like to have all of us – you, me, Franny together, just like always. And I know Ryan will come, especially if you're there."

"We'll see," Jen said, dropping into the chair beside her. "We haven't even made it to Thanksgiving yet; let me get through one holiday at a time." While she wasn't adverse to the idea, she was reluctant to make plans for anything too far in advance, particularly plans that would encourage Ryan. He'd been cautious after she'd reappeared but eventually had become friendly once again and now seemed determined to pick up where they had left off. She'd been holding him off for a while; had even gone so far as to tell him there had been someone else but after more than a month had passed without Jen's bringing anyone forward, he'd taken it as a propitious sign and resumed his pursuit. It's almost as if he's been reading too many bad romance novels where the man's persistence – even when made clear that serious attentions were unwelcome – finally pays off. But if he expects me to fall into his arms; he's got another think coming! "You know we'd only started to go out before I…went through the…uh…portal."

Beth shook her head as she finally looked up from her magazine. "Jen, I know you're upset that your…that Harry…hasn't shown up, but do you really think he's going to? I hate being pessimistic, but it seems to me that if he was going to come here, he'd have done it by now. How much longer are you going to wait before you go on with your life?"

"I don't know. And I have gone on with my life; just not that part of it yet." Frowning slightly she added, "I don't see why everyone's so eager for me to start dating Ryan. Well…that's not quite true. I suspect my parents think it would be a sign that I'm returning to 'normal'."

"Probably," Beth agreed. "Look," she continued in a sympathetic tone, "it's your life and I know this hasn't been easy for you. But it's been a good two months and every morning when I show up for our run, you're moping. I just want you to be happy, that's all."

Jen nodded. "I know, but I'll be fine. Really. I'm just not ready to move on yet. As you say, it's only been two months. That's not exactly a long time." Her mornings still began with coffee but for all Beth's claims of her moping, she knew she was less tearful; her feelings over Haer'Dalis's continued absence making their presence known largely through the dull knot which formed in her chest whenever she thought of him as she was now. After her initial shock and denial about his non-appearance, she'd gotten angry at herself and the gods – whomever and whatever they were - for separating them from each other. She'd spent days trying to figure out how she might go back to Faerun and look for him, knowing that it was impossible without the portal stone. Although she hadn't stopped hoping that he would suddenly appear on her doorstep, she realized she was no longer expecting it.

"So, how's work going?" Beth asked, turning another page of the catalog. "Any word on whether St. Johns Prep is going to pick you up permanently yet?"

"No," Jen replied. "But it's far too early for them to say anything. I don't expect to hear until spring. But I've picked up three more tutoring jobs which helps." She rose to her feet. "I'm going to go get ready for our run. I"ll be back in a moment." As she left the room, she thought once again about Haer'Dalis. If nothing else, I'd just like to know what happened.


Mid-Uktar - Faerun

The morning sky was overcast and grey and a cool wind was blowing as Haer'Dalis left the Shining Hand monastery. The seasons had begun to change and the ground was wet and slippery with fallen leaves damp from recent rains all of which made his trek more difficult. He persevered however and within a few hours had reached the general vicinity of the portal. He surveyed the site, noting that evidence of the battle with Isaea's company and the werewolves still remained in the form of rotting corpses and scattered belongings. It took little time to engage the stone and open the conduit and he did so, stepping through eagerly.

A blast of cold air struck him as his feet hit the ground and he shivered. Glancing about, he saw that the hillside on which he was standing was blanketed by several inches of snow. Dumping his pack on the ground, he dug through it to find warmer clothing and – remembering Jen's warnings – stow his armor and swords, while wondering how close Earth's seasons were to Faerun's.

When he eventually took stock of his surroundings, he found that was standing just in front of two trees which had grown together forming an archway not unlike the portal entrance in Faerun. Uphill was a large outcropping of rock, also lightly dusted with snow while downhill, and in the distance, he could see water. He picked up his pack, slinging it over his shoulders and headed towards it, eventually realizing that he was on an established path. Upon reaching the bottom he found a sign, making out the words with some difficulty for although the words were familiar, the sign's lettering was pointed and angular; devoid of the flourishes that characterized Faerunian lettering. After a few minutes he made out the words which appeared to indicate a destination as well as the distance to the location.

Although unsure of what a "ranger station" might be or what measurement constituted a mile, he continued down the trail finally reaching a set of heavily shuttered buildings. They appeared to be empty and, after trying doors on each one, apparently locked. Although it was warmer near the water than it had been on the hillside, he still felt the cold sinking into his bones and knew he needed to warm himself before continuing his search. Selecting one of the doors, he concentrated and then attempted to open the door. A few particles of light glowed briefly about his fingertips but the door remained locked. Still the presence of the tiny motes indicated the existence of some magical energy.

Several attempts later the door was still locked but he hadsucceeded in weakening the lock sufficiently that he was able to force it. This may well be a closed world for it seems that the pockets of magic that remain do have limits. The door creaked open and he poked his head in, looking around cautiously but saw no signs of life, so he went in, finding himself in a large room that looked much like a Faerunian shop with a counter running lengthwise across it. But that was where the similarity ended for behind the counter were only a series of empty wooden desks holding stacked, shallow baskets in dull colors and an unfamiliar device with a thick line sprouting from one end. He examined it curiously, lifting it up to look at it closely. The face of the instrument had a small block of numbers and a handle of some kind sat loosely in a cradle across its top. He touched the handle, lifting one side of it slightly and then putting it down. I wonder whether this is one of the machines Jen described. He pulled her note out of his pocket, putting it on the table in front of him, looking carefully through her drawings, moving past drawings of odd-looking horseless vehicles or cahrs as she'd named them – such a harsh, ugly word - until he spotted the picture of the one she'd called a 'fone.' Although the square blocky shape was differed from the one in her drawing, the device did have a handset that looked somewhat similar. If we're separated I want you to call me, she'd said. 'Tis strange to think an instrument like this could allow me to talk with people far away. Still, if it allows me to reach her….

He looked at it for a few more moments, unsure of how to proceed and then prompted by both a longing to hear Jen's voice and his usual curiosity he lifted the receiver. Sound came out – a slight buzz which turned to beeping - the noise shrill and jarring in the room's empty stillness. He put it back in the cradle and reached for Jen's note, studying it carefully before picking the phone up again and pushing the buttons that matched the symbols on the paper. This time, he heard several clicks and then a strangely accented voice that was not Jen came out of the instrument, "Call not completed as dialed. Invalid access code. Please hang up and try again." Puzzled he looked at the paper in his hand. He was sure he'd entered the information exactly the way she had written it. He tried again but the response was the same and after a few more tries he gave up, dropping the instrument back in its cradle with a grunt of frustration.

Turning, he began to look around the room, seeing that the room's walls held a series of pictures; some were of places, objects or vistas, but others were of people – males largely although some of the newer looking ones included both sexes, dressed in uniforms consisting of baggy pants in a style similar to hiking pants Jen had been wearing upon her arrival in Faerun, close-fitting shirts, short jackets and wide brimmed hats. He peered at the pictures, studying them thoroughly, noting with surprise and a rather fascinated delight that they were in fact, not paintings but something entirely different. Several had no color as if all life had faded from them but others appeared almost living. He continued to stare at them, half expecting the images to begin moving and talking but the beings remained still and silent in their frames. They looked much like the humans he'd seen on other worlds, although with far less variation in skin, hair and eye color. Jen was right, he thought in some surprise. In a world of only humans, I will stand out. He thoughtfully touched his own face and ears then put down his pack to pull out the Hat of Disguise. 'Twill serve as a cover even if the magic fails.

Eventually he left the room to walk around outside and soon located a large empty dock with long walkways running down to the water noting several large signs directing visitors to a variety of locations or at least he assumed so given that most included not only words but large arrows. He wandered down the one of the walkways and as he drew closer to a section which had obviously served to dock a large vessel he saw another of the ubiquitous signs. After puzzling for several moments, he finally read, Wizard Island Closed, November – April. Although he knew Wizard Island to be the location, the last two words were unfamiliar. Perhaps they mean something about time. Or the season; they could be months much like Eleint or Uktar.

He left the dock, walking along the shoreline hoping to find a means of traversing the water but found nothing. Finding a vantage point on a rock partway up a small hill he peered towards the mainland noting a similar dock and another series of buildings at some distance away across the lake but could see no signs of life either on the lake or on land. Disappointment washed over him, as he realized his dilemma. There seemed to be no way off the island except perhaps to swim and that wasn't feasible for many reasons. The docks and shoreline were empty of boats and while he knew himself to possess a great many skills, building boats and swimming weren't amongst them. Even if they had been, the mainland was too great a distance away and the water choppy and most likely too chilly. He spent several more hours exploring the island, hoping to come up with a solution but none presented itself. Finally, cold, tired and discouraged he made his way back up the hill to the portal. If he assumed that Earth's calendar was similar to Faerun's then it would be approximately six months before life returned to the island. Six months. The thought of having coming so far and leaving again without finding Jen was frustrating. However, he had ever been a practical soul. If I can't get to Jen, I'll return to Tristan at least until spring. 'Twill make time pass more quickly. He opened the conduit once again, taking a last look around before stepping inside.


January - Earth

The thin but steady stream of cold air blowing into her nostrils dragged her back into consciousness. She wanted to make it stop but it was difficult to move for she was exhausted and her arm and hand felt so very heavy. After several attempts she succeeded in reaching her face; finding that in fact the air was coming from a tiny hose stretched across her face. Her triumph was short-lived as a hand – not hers – reached over and gently fit the slim tube back into place across her nostrils. She reached up again but this time the strange hand took hers, restraining it gently and a melodious tenor voice said, "It's ok. Leave the cannula in. You need the oxygen." Her hand was placed on her stomach with a soothing pat. "Go back to sleep, my dear. You're going to be fine."

The voice sounded familiar. As if she'd heard it before. Haery? Is that you? A feeling of warmth and comfort flowed through her as she drifted back into oblivion.

When she woke up sometime later – she wasn't sure how much later – the hose with its irritating flow of air still lay across her face but this time when she pushed it away there was no one there to put it back. She looked around somewhat groggily and as her eyes took in her rather sterile and utilitarian surroundings she realized she was in a hospital room. What the hell? She'd gone with her parents to a family reunion of sorts, renting a large multi-storied house in the mountains where they were joined by her father's sister and her family for a couple days of skiing and playing in the snow. She pondered for a moment, trying to go think back but last thing she remembered before waking up was getting in the car with her parents to go home.

Her heart began pounding anxiously as she began to wonder what had happened – what she was doing in hospital - and she looked towards the nightstand. No buzzer. But I couldn't reach it anyway. Then she realized the missing buzzer was on the bed, its cord stretching back past her head. It took effort to make her arm move, to reach for it but once it was in her hand she pushed the call button frantically and within a couple of minutes a nurse appeared

"I see you're awake!" the woman said cheerfully as she entered the room. "How are you feeling?"

"I don't know. Things are little…fuzzy. Where am I and where are my parents?" Even to her own ears, her voice sounded weak and rather anxious.

The nurse smiled reassuringly. "You're in Masterson Memorial Hospital. You were in an accident but you're going to be fine." She reached for Jen's chart and looked at it a moment before coming over to take her pulse.

Jen was dying to ask about Haer'Dalis but waited until the nurse was finished before asking, "There was a man here earlier. Where is he?"

"A man?" A thoughtful look crossed the woman's face. "You must mean Bryan Bailey. He was one of the nurses on duty last night," the woman replied. "There's been no one else here." Jen stared at her, her face crumpling as she fought back tears. Not Haery. "Oh she said, in a small voice, "I thought…that is, the voice sounded familiar. But I guess not."

"You've suffered a concussion," the nurse replied, "Head injuries make it easy to imagine things."

"Where are my parents?"

The nurse glanced at her but didn't answer, saying instead, "Your doctor should be here shortly, let me see if she's available." She left the room hurriedly and did not return. Jen pushed the annoying air hose away from her nostrils once again and reached for the bed controls. The movement left her head spining slightly and she lay back, clutching the controls to her chest and waiting for her dizziness to subside before raising the bed slightly so she could look around. The room was moderately large and held multiple beds judging by the number of curtain tracks she could see through the clear plastic at the top of the one screening her own bed. In front and slightly to the left she could see a pair of large doors presumably opening into a corridor. To the right of the doors, she could see a long, rectangular window opening onto some type of work area. Two nurses were moving around inside, occasionally glancing into the room where Jen lay. Neither came into the room although she could hear murmuring and catch an occasional word. An hour went by and more nurses arrived and the two who had been on duty left and the words 'shift change' popped into her mind. The thought proved valid for soon after another nurse – a male this time, came into the room. "So, you've waked up," he said, smiling at her. "That's good. How are you feeling?"

"I have a slight headache and get dizzy if I turn my head too fast. I feel a little weak but otherwise ok," Jen replied. "And this is annoying." She pointed to the hose lying across the top of her head. "I don't need it."

"No," the man agreed, "not if you're awake and breathing normally without it." He reached behind her for a moment and then straightened, removing the offending line.

"I'm trying to find out where my parents are. The last nurse that was in here didn't seem to know; just said something about getting the doctor. I've been waiting for at least an hour and the doctor hasn't come in."

"Rounds don't start until 9:00 a.m. Your doctor should be by before too much longer." He glanced at his watch. "It's 8:35 a.m. now."

She nodded, "Is there any way I can find out where my parents are before the doctor arrives?"

"I'll see what I can do," he replied. "In the meantime, can I get you anything?"

"Some apple juice would be nice. I don't feel like eating."

"No," he agreed, "you probably don't. Most of what we'd be giving you would be broth or soft foods until you've had a little more time to recover. Ok, I'll get you some juice and see what I can find out."

He went back into the station where she could see him looking through files before going to the computer after which he disappeared. He returned a few minutes later with the juice, helping her to take a few sips. "Your aunt and uncle are here and will be in to see you shortly and your doctor's making rounds now," he told her.

His statement proved correct for his exit was followed shortly by the arrival of the doctor, a thin woman whose youthful appearance contrasted with the streaks of gray in her hair. "Good to see you're awake, Ms…" she stopped to consult the chart hanging on the end of the bed. "Ms. Griffith. Now let's take a look at you and then I'll answer your questions." She did a quick examination and then came to stand by Jen's side, looking at her.

"Where are my parents?"

The doctor's face softened, taking on a look of compassion. "As you've probably realized, you were in an accident. Your mother is here in the hospital. You were both injured but are going to be fine. Now that you're conscious we can start thinking about when to move you into your own room. If you'd like to be with your mother, it can be arranged."

"And my father? Where is he?"

The doctor shook her head. "I'm sorry, Ms. Griffith. I don't know. Your father isn't here."

Her sluggish brain heard the words, absorbing them slowly. Not here. What does that mean? She remembered the nurse saying her aunt and uncle were at the hospital. Maybe they know. She peered at the doctor,"Can I see my aunt and uncle?

The woman nodded, "Yes, you can see them for a few minutes. I'll be back to check on you later this afternoon." She smiled at Jen and left the room, followed by the nurse.

Jen lay back, feeling suddenly exhausted. It was impossible to keep her eyes open even though she very much wanted to see her relatives and she found herself drifting off despite her best efforts to stay awake. When she woke a short time later, her aunt was standing next to her. Her aunt's face look tired and puffy and her eyes were red as if she'd been crying.

"Auntie June," Jen whispered. "I'm glad you're here." Her aunt smiled and reached out to take her hand, squeezing it gently. "Do you know where Dad is?"

Her aunt's face froze, her eyes filling with tears. "Oh Jen, I'm so sorry…."