Chapter Two - Preparations

"Erm...Big Swirly whirlpool of energy alert?" Said Jenna, raising an eyebrow.

"Roger that, lieutenant...Suggested course of action?"

"Run?"

"Copy. Negative, lieutenant, observe?"

"Copy. Observe it is. Want a sandwich?"

"No!"

"Sorry, just wondering! I'm going to get one."

"While you're there...Grab me some juice? I'll keep an eye on it."

"Roger, over and out." Estriel was left alone for two minutes, long auburn hair flying wildly in the wind, while her friend went to fetch food and juice. She edged nervously around the energy pool and saved her bath ducky, then settled herself in the doorway. Staring at it, she wondered in amazement at the millions of colours it held. What could it mean? Perhaps it was just the earlier reading of LOTR, but she considered (just for a moment) the possibility of it being an inter-dimensional time/place travel portal. Then she laughed at herself and dismissed the silly notion. Jenna arrived back, cucumber and marmite sandwich in one hand, juice in the other.

"Observe any changes. Cap'n?"

"Negative. But freed prisoner."

"Prisoner? What prisoner?"

Estriel waved ducky at Jenna.

"Eggbert- he looked frightened.." She explained petulantly.

"Oh," Jenna laughed, "he's a lucky ducky!" After the laughing had stopped, Es asked, "So what do you think it is?"

"Left over Christmas decorations that have mutated?" Suggested Jenna.

Es raised an eyebrow. "Or...some kind of inter-dimensional time/place travel portal?"

"Yeah...That's much more believable. Let's throw something into it!"

"What?" Asked Estriel.

"Eggbert?"

"Or a bit of cucumber from your sandwich?" Es clutched Eggy tighter.

She gladly sacrificed her cucumber and threw it. For a moment it floated in the vortex and then- it was gone!

"Good thing we didn't throw Eggy!" Said Jenna.

"Mmm- hmm." Estriel agreed.

"So...where did it go?" Asked Jenna.

"I have no idea..."

"Jenna..."

"Yes?"

"Don't hit me...but I think we should pack some survival kit...and then walk into it."

"What if it kills us?!!" Jenna screeched.

"What if it's radioactive and we're contaminated?" Shrieked Es sarcastically,

"Come on, Jen, don't be a wuss- you are always saying how you wish something really exciting would happen to us! What's the worst that can happen?"

Jen really didn't want to know.

"Ok...But you're going first!"

"Ok...I'll go pack, then you can. K?"

"Affirmative, Cap'n!"

They grinned at each other, excited, and Es vanished. Jenna sat there and watched the glowing sphere, listing all the things that could possibly go wrong in this little plan of Es'. A few moments later Es reappeared, complete with backpack stuffed full to burst of god knows what.

"Your turn...Hurry, this is so exciting!"

Jenna shook her head at her friend's excessive enthusiasm, and went to pack. She stood there in her room wondering what exactly to take, I mean- who knew where they were going, who had a clue what they would have and not have? In the end she settled for toothbrush, toothpaste, iPod, teddy bear, a candle lighter, deodorant, matches, twine, mirror, face wash, hair bands and brush, lots of thin tops, knickers, bras, paracetamol, plasters, anti- septic spray, various other medical supplies, money, jewellery, Vaseline, torch and a jumper.

Then she went downstairs and fetched, in this order, two largish bottles of mineral water, a flask of brandy, 6 packs of breakfast-bars (high energy, low calories), 2 huge bars of chocolate, a large container of coffee, a medium sized saucepan, 4 apples, two plastic bowls, a packet of plastic cutlery, two sharp (and large) knives, a block of cheese, and a loaf of bread.

Realising that there was no way this was going to all fit in her bag, she ran up to Estriel, and the pair of them spent ten minutes discarding stuff, admiring each other's ingenuity (Es had remembered a pack of cards, makeup- "In what kind of sick world would there be no makeup?" "I don't know, but let's not chance it!") As well as soap, 2-in-1 shampoo & conditioner, a large tarpaulin, small towels, some dried pasta, handkerchiefs, matches- "two packs are better than one!"- and had also remembered the sleeping bags). It was good they had large camping bags. Eventually they were sorted, having fetched various other things they'd forgotten, and dressed in highly practical yet stylish outfits, and were sat in front of the aptly named 'Swirl of Doom'. "Ready, Jen?"

"Ready, Es."

They looked at each other, and stood purposefully. They walked determinedly towards the vortex. "Crap! Wait, I forgot my camera!" Es ran to her room, grabbed her prized camera- a combination video and Polaroid and some extra batteries, ink cartridges and memory space cards, and ran back to resume her position.

"Let's try this again, ok?"

"Ok. Ready, Jen?"

"Hell yeah!"

They both stepped forwards; hands outstretched, and touched the vortex with the tips of their fingers. A slight current could be felt, as if a small electrical charge passed through them. No pain. No burning sensation. They both opened their eyes.

"I feel like a zombie!" laughed Es. Jenna groaned.

"I feel...stupid. Let's go all the way."

Emma laughed harder, Jenna joining in while protesting she hadn't meant it THAT way...

When they had both calmed down, they shared a serious look.

"Let's leave a note."

"We already did hun." Jen reminded Es, knowing she was scared and looking for a way to put off the scariness.

"Oh. Ok. Let's do it."

They smiled shakily, and counted 1, 2, 3... On three, they both simultaneously stepped into the vortex.

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