Everworld: Intervention

Reality. It's what keeps things in order – allows us to go on with our daily lives. Some people think that's overrated. That's why they write stories and make movies – fantasy lands that seem so very exciting compared to our boring, dull existence. Well, I'm here to tell you – after what I… we've… gone through – I'll take reality any day. We got to witness a world where the concept of reality means very, very, little. Sure, it was exciting, it was amazing – the single most amazing experience of my life, in fact. It was also the most deadly.

But I survived. I lived to tell about it. Everworld couldn't kill me. Not through lack of trying, I assure you. It was only because of them. They got me through it alive, they protected me, they helped me – they became a second family to me. My friends. They were living proof that good people and good things existed in bad places. This story is much about them as it is me…

Chapter I

Eli had gotten his license as well as a car from his parents. He was excited about it, and jumped at any chance he got to drive. Naturally, when I told him about the party, he agreed to meet me at my house and drive me there. That's what friends are for, right?

The party was at Brett's house. We arrived there at about 5:30 PM. Parties are supposed to be places of joy – a place to have fun and be happy. That's how this one started. Until the portal. And Fenrir.

Hours later, the gathering was coming to a close – only a few people were left – me, Eli, Brett, Kelsey, Libby, and Jayson. We sat in a circle in lawn chairs, chatting about whatever came to mind. That's when it happened – a sound like electricity, but amplified – a crackling sound. As I jumped in surprise, a feeling of dizziness and lightheadedness overwhelmed me. It was like I was very, very drunk.

That's when I glanced around. I looked at where Jayson had been sitting, and nearly yelled in surprise. Streaks of his skin color were swirling around him, and I could see his skeleton and muscles underneath. I raised my hand to my face. There was no skin. I could see my blood vessels pumping the red liquid. I heard Libby yelp in surprise and fear but the sound was far away – more like a distant echo. I called out to her, and my voice was no different.

That's when Fenrir appeared. Materialized right out from the middle of the portal. There was no mistaking him for anything other than a wolf. A wolf on steroids. His fur was black and dark gray, and there was intelligence beyond that of a canine behind his feral eyes. He was the size of an elephant. He stood, motionless, scanning each of us in turn. I was stunned, completely unable to move. Then, the wolf let out a growling bark, as if he was frustrated, and whipped around to run back through the portal's center and back to wherever it was he hailed from.

However, as he spun around, his tail collided with Libby, sending her back through the vortex. Jayson reached for her at the last second, grasping her hand. But the momentum was too much. He was pulled through with her. Into wherever the portal led.

"No!" Kelsey's voice rang out. She ran towards the portal to help in whatever way she could, but the beast snapped his head towards her, growling fiercely. Kelsey stopped short and assumed a defensive posture, facing the wolf carefully.

"C'mon!" Brett's voice now. He called to Eli and me and actually ran towards the creature, yelling threateningly while waving his arms. I looked to Eli, and then followed suit. I doubt the immense animal saw us as a threat, maybe as slightly more trouble than we were worth, but nonetheless, it retreated back through after Jayson and Libby. Kelsey took a step towards the portal.

"Kelsey…" I called out. I didn't know what to say. What could I say? She turned to face us, nodded, and then hesitantly and slowly stepped through.

Brett was next. He looked at me and Eli then shrugged and jogged in. Now it was my turn. Step. My heartbeat picked up. Step. I began to step through, when I was grabbed from behind – it was Eli. He pulled me back, away from the portal.

"Let me go! I gotta go! Those are my friends! We've got to help 'em."

Eli shook his head, "I know, I know. But you saw that wolf. What if there're more like it on the other side? We're going through that portal. I just want to go through it prepared."

"It could be closed by the time we get back."

He looked at me seriously. "That's a chance we'll have to take. We'd better hurry then, huh?"

Instantly, I knew what he meant. We ran back, away from the portal – the world returning to its normal hues and dimensions – no seeing through people. The two of us climbed into Eli's car and raced to our respective houses, loading up on everything – all the essentials. There was no logical thought involved. Maybe, deep down, we both though this was all a dream. And were just along for the ride.

Regardless of whether or not this was a dream, we wanted to be prepared and ready for anything. At his house, my friend grabbed his AR-15 rifle and several magazines for it. He also dressed out in full tactical gear. Multicam fatigues, kneepads – a vest. At my house, I did the same – a digital camouflage jacket, my Airsoft vest – I wasn't going unarmed, though. From the closet, hidden from view, I took my dad's pistols – a 9mm Makarov and a .22 revolver, as well as all of the ammunition that we had. Just in case, I also grabbed my sister's stun gun, two collapsible metal batons, a marine KA-BAR knife, and several other blades. Neither of our families was home, luckily for us – we'd have a lot of explaining to do.

When we arrived back at Brett's house and raced to the backyard – the portal was still barely open. We raised our weapons and walked towards the vortex. Right before taking the last step through, I stopped, and looked over to my best friend.

"Eli."

"Yeah?"

"This isn't a dream, is it?"

"I don't think so, Jon."

"Damn." I stepped through, and all went black.