Chapter 9

The quake threw Holly off balance. Rich shoved her through the time doorway, but to her horror, the Marshall men did not follow. Holly found herself back in Enik's cave, but all alone. As scared as she was, she forced herself to push through her fear so she could regroup. Her family needed her. Only one thought was in her head, "help Bill and Daddy." But the big question was how to help them. Normally, she would turn to Enik in these situations, but clearly that was no longer an option.

Fearing for her safety and worried that Enik would return at any moment, Holly retreated back to High Bluff to think. She was only 12 years old, she had no knowledge of the time doorways, and she had no clue what had happened to her family. The thoughts flooded her mind until she finally thought of someone who could help – S'Latch. Aside from Enik, S'Latch was the only Sleestak with intelligence that could aid her. Plus, Rich had saved his life from the Sleestak god. S'Latch did not appear to be evil, but then again, neither did Enik. Still, with nowhere else to turn, Holly decided to take the chance.

Finding S'Latch was not too difficult. He had told the Marshalls he was heading toward a temple near the Lost City to learn more about his heritage and to study the pylons and the time doorways. To her relief, Holly found the friendly green Sleestak right where he was supposed to be. "S'Latch!" she shouted in excitement, "You gotta help Bill and Daddy!"

"Holly Marshall, to what are you referring?" S'Latch asked.

Holly filled him in. "Interesting," he said when she was done, "so it would seem that my ancestors were a deceptive race of people, bent on conquest. I was unaware of this aspect of my people's history, though it does help explain their destruction. It is fortunate then that I destroyed the temporal regulator."

"So that's what happened to it." Holly stated.

"Yes. Though admittedly, I took it out of a sense of self preservation. If Enik returned home and prevented the destruction of the Altrusian race, I would cease to exist. Our world is far from ideal, but I do value my life and with the knowledge you have brought me, it is clear that the universe has benefited from the fall of my ancestors."

"But can you help Bill and Daddy?" Holly asked, getting back on subject.

"Let me examine the situation." S'Latch proceeded to a matrix table he had set up and touched a few crystals. Suddenly smoke filled the room and when it dissipated, Holly and S'Latch could see Bill and Rich, trapped in a wall. "Can you help them?" asked the scared child.

"Unfortunately, I cannot help them directly," he explained. "Enik was quite correct in his assessment of this other reality. I have studied this universe as well. The quake released your father and brother from one bad situation to another. They escaped Enik's trap in the portal, but they became ensnared halfway between universes. To make it worse, the nature of the split doorway not only imprisoned them between realities, but between different worlds within those realities. They currently exist on three worlds at the same time. Right now, they are on this world, on the other Land of the Lost, and on the Earth of the other universe."

"But how can they live like that?" Holly asked.

"Answering your question requires knowledge of fourth dimensional physics that is beyond humans at this point in their development, but I will try. Under normal circumstances, the same matter cannot exist in more than one place at the same time. But when the time doorways become involved, the regular laws of physics can be altered. The residual effects of the time doorway are simultaneously trapping your father and brother between worlds while also keeping them alive. Despite being imprisoned in stone and unable to move, your family has not perished. And to answer your next question, I do indeed know how to restore your father and brother to our universe."

The child smiled at the hope that S'Latch just provided, but she let him continue his explanation without interruption. "Notice that the matrix table to the side of your father has three green crystals missing. To help your family, the green crystals must be returned to the matrix table next to your father. However, any attempt by you or I to enter that universe would result in our own destruction, doing your father and brother no good. It would seem that only crystals can exist in both universes."

"But there's gotta be a way to help them," Holly said.

"Like I said before, out of curiosity, I have been studying this other universe. I have even tried to create a way to travel there and back safely, though I have never tested it."

"Then I'll test it." Holly volunteered.

"You are a brave child Holly Marshall, but even if you successfully make it to the other universe, you may not be able to help your family. My method has not been perfected. You will be disoriented. You will not even be in solid form. And most important, you will not be able to pick up the crystals by yourself."

"But if I can't get to the crystals, how can I help Bill and Daddy?" Holly asked.

"There is only one way. You must make contact with your counterpart. Unfortunately, the machine will not allow for direct communication. The Marshalls of that world will be able to see you, but you will not be able to talk to them directly. Only by getting inside your personal double will you be able to explain your ordeal. I have observed your family's counterparts and I do believe they will help."

"But how can I get inside her?"

"It is simple. To your counterpart, you will appear to be floating, like what you humans call a ghost. Simply float directly inside her body and you will be able to communicate. But beware—your disorientation will make it difficult to clearly convey your message. You must stay focused on the thought of helping your family. Picture the location of the cave in which they are trapped and your thoughts will linger with your counterpart for a short time after you separate. She will be able to lead her family to the cave where your father and brother are trapped."

Holly concentrated on S'Latch's words. She was still frightened, but she knew that her family needed her, so she summoned all of her courage for what had to be done. She briefly thought about Enik and about how she could not trust him. She thought about her family's current location and of the image of her father and her brother trapped halfway through the portal. She thought of when she was inside the time doorway, and about how she could see a road with cars on it. But one thought dominated Holly's mind—"help Bill and Daddy." She turned to S'Latch and said, "I'm ready."

S'Latch motioned Holly toward the machine. "One more thing Holly Marshall—in the other universe, your brother's counterpart is called Will, not Bill, and your father's counterpart is called Rick, not Rich. Perhaps it would be wise to refer to them by those names. It will be easier for you to convey your message."

Holly faced S'Latch as she stepped into the machine. "Right. I'll do anything to get them to help Will and Daddy."

With that, the young girl focused her mind on what she had to do. Finally, S'Latch activated his machine, and sent Holly on the ride of her life.