text: [Themes: sci-fi]
  
  You give Dr. Verrukt a nod and make your way swiftly back to the door, closing it as quietly as you can manage. You turn back around to see everyone still staring at you, still unsure what to make of your presence.
  
  "Hello," you say; taking your first real look around at the other occupants within. James is here, the linebacker for the Blossom Dale Knights; holding an aluminum baseball bat in his hands. You aren't exactly friends. There's Mike, a video game nerd you sometimes talk to; Frank, dressed perpetually in camouflage playing with a knife; and Destiny, beautiful breathtaking Destiny leaning against the wall and refusing to meet your eyes. It's like she'd rather be anywhere else but here.
  
  "What the hell are you doing here?" Dr. Verrukt asked in a small intense tone.
  
  "I..." you begin, looking around; "I don't actually know."
  
  "You stumbled in here," Dr. Verrukt began hesitantly; "into this specific room in the off-limits hall... By pure chance?"
  
  "No," you say. "I mean... What is this? What are you doing in here?"
  
  James uncrosses his thick arms and takes a few steps forward. "You don't get to ask questions, Chuck," he says. Then he points his finger into your chest. "What the fuck are you doing here?"
  
  "Calm down, James;" Dr. Verrukt says. "I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason for his presence."
  
  Just then the door opens behind you and Christie steps in. "Sorry I'm late," she says; ignoring the tension in the air. "Oh good Charlie," she says to you; "You made it."
  
  "You invited him?!" Dr. Verrukt asks, his arms flailing.
  
  Christie looks a little shaken. She takes a deep breath and nods. "You said we needed more people," she explains slowly.
  
  "I also said it was to remain a secret! The fact that you this young man knows about it at all makes it a poorly kept secret." Verrukt says, letting out wild growl of frustration. The room is quiet for a moment. The man takes a few deep breaths through his nose then speaks considerably more calmly. "What you say is true," he admits. "I did say we needed more people. I accept that I may not have been clear enough." He looks around at everyone in the room. "When I said we need more people, I did NOT mean 'bring your friends'."Christie looks completely crestfallen, her face quite pale. James has his square jaw firmly clenched as he shakes his head and glowers at you. You look back to the doctor.
  
  "This infraction will be excused because I did not technically forbid it. If ever you are unsure of something, check with me first. Is this understood?" Verrukt looks pointedly at your friend and Christie nods. "Very well then."
  
  "Of all the idiots you could bring, Christie; you pick this fool?!" James says, pointing his finger at you at you.
  
  "Hey," you say.
  
  "Enough," Dr. Verrukt says, stroking at the thin beard on his chin. "We do need more people," he says. "It is true that I have said as much. I was hoping to speak to them first, give them an interview of sorts; but I suppose what's done is done with this one. Christie, are you certain that this boy is trustworthy?"
  
  Christie nods. "I am sir, yes. I have known Charlie since we were both very young. He's a good guy and he can keep a secret."
  
  "I appreciate your words," Dr. Verrukt says. "James, you seem to be familiar with this young man as well. What is your opinion of him?"
  
  "I think he's a fucking asshole," James says.
  
  Dr. Verrukt nods. "I will confess that I do not personally know this young man. Can anyone else vouch for him?"
  
  There is silence from the rest of them for a few moments.
  
  "I know him," Mike says. He clears his throat. "He's alright. I trust him."
  
  Dr. Verrukt nods. "Anyone else?" You don't expect Frank or Destiny to vouch for you; you've never really talked much to Frank and Destiny doesn't seem to even know you exist. She's so hot, you think; glancing over at her.
  
  "Very well," Dr. Verrukt says; "That will have to be good enough. Joseph, is it?"
  
  "It's Charles, actually;" you say.
  
  "There's not much we can do," Dr. Verrukt says. "He's here now. We may as well include him."
  
  "Bullshit," James says. "This guy? Dr. Verrukt you can't be serious!"
  
  "What do you propose then, James?"
  
  "I propose we tell him to forget about this place and kick him the hell out of here," James says.
  
  Destiny leans forward off the wall. "Why don't you let him decide?" She says casually. James and Dr. Verrukt look at each other and then at you.
  
  "Well?" Dr. Verrukt says. "You may leave if you wish, provided you tell no one about our meeting... Or you can join us and break new scientific ground."
  
  > join them.
  "Welcome to the team then, Joseph. Allow me to explain what it is that we are doing here..." He puts his hand over his chin, his long index finger reaching up to tap at the tip of his nose.
  
  "Are you familiar with the Multiverse theory?" You stare blankly back at him. "What about multiple dimensions?" You kind of squint a little and half shrug. He frowns. "What if I told you there are an infinite number of alternate realities and universes?" You raise your eyebrows a little, still unsure of what he's going on about.
  
  Your eyes wonder as he paces back and forth, excitedly explaining theories and concepts beyond your ability to understand. James is glowering at you; Destiny is filing her nails; and Mike and Christie are listening intently to the older man. You frown a little and focus your attention back on Dr. Verrukt.
  
  "What I and my assistant discovered was that by using calcium carbonate to draw the correct runes; a door can be opened. It is a one-way door, but it is a door none the less. To return to our universe you must use the correct sequence of runes. My first assistant experimented without me and never returned. I assume he could not mark the correct runes to return home. This was years ago. He is assumed lost or dead."
  
  "Stay with us so that you too can return home," he says with a smile. He walks over to an old slate board and draws an archway in white upon it. "Before I open this portal though, there are a few things you must know." He looks you in the eyes very seriously, his left eye drifting ever so slightly off focus. "If at all possible try not to make contact with anyone we meet. Be vague about who you are and if you should happen to run into yourself, absolutely do NOT make contact."
  
  "I still don't understand," you say.
  
  "You will," Mike says. "Just stay close and observe."
  
  You look over at Christie. She gives you a big grin and a thumbs up.
  
  "Alright," you say.
  
  "Good," Dr. Verrukt says. "Now," he begins drawing a complex pattern of runs across the top arch of the portal. He talks as he draws the symbols in a very precise pattern. "This series of symbols will take us to a mirror universe that is in some way somewhat different from our own. Observe," he tells you, drawing one final symbol. Suddenly the chalk drawn archway shimmers wind over water. It seems to change from a chalk board into mirror right before your eyes. On the other side is an exact reflection of the room you are all standing in with one notable exception... None of you are there. It's just the tables, desks, dust, and chairs.
  
  "Whaaaaaaat..." You say.
  
  "This is a portal, Joseph;" he says.
  
  "Charles," you correct.
  
  "On the other side is a world very much like our own but with one or more fundamental differences. There are countless other worlds out there, all you need is calcium carbonate and a large enough surface... And the dimensional address, of course. We've visited worlds where the Vikings conquered the Americas, where sciences were quite advanced or well behind..."
  
  Frank nods. "We visited this one place where everybody had little pet bears.
  
  Dr. Verrukt nods in agreement. "In the history of man in that world, they had tamed and domesticated the bear rather than the wolf. We've also been to worlds where saying the wrong word can get you killed. That's why it's important to do everything with a great deal of caution."
  
  With that he wanders over to the board and studies the room on the other side of the portal. "It looks safe enough," he says. "Let's check it out, shall we?" He asks. He does a quick head-count. There are seven of us then..."
  
  He chalks seven rough circles over the portal and smiles back at the rest of you. "Step right up," he says with an awkward flourish. He steps over the wall and into the chalk board portal, stepping easily into the room on the other side.
  
  > step Inside
  Once Dr. Verrukt has stepped through the chalkboard portal you note that one of the circle's he'd drawn moments before disappeared. Frank steps through next and you watch as another circle disappears. James goes next followed by Destiny and then Christie; leaving you and Mike behind.
  
  "Thanks for vouching for me," you tell him.
  
  He sort of shrugs it off and waves it away. "Hey whatever," he says. "All I did was speak the truth. Now come on, let's check this world out." Without another word Mike steps through the portal leaving you alone behind them with a single circle remaining over the portal.
  
  You take a deep breath and step through. As you step into the portal you find that you feel more like you are stepping out of a chalkboard than stepping into a new world. As soon as you step through Dr. Verrukt draws a portal on the blank chalkboard you stepped out of. Above it he carefully draws a series of runes slightly different than the ones he'd drawn to create the original portal.
  
  "This is the way home," Dr. Verrukt said. "If for any reason we are separated and you need to return home simply draw a circle above the archway and step through. The quality of your circle does not truly matter; you could draw a square or triangle just the same. All that matters is that your circle is closed."
  
  "Why can't you just draw the circles now?" you ask.
  
  Dr. Verrukt looks at you very seriously. "Because anyone can step through that portal if a circle is drawn." He turns to the others and tells them to partner up in groups of three.
  
  James is with Destiny and Christie, he has his aluminum bat over his shoulder, Destiny holds a taser in her hand, and Christie carries a crowbar. Frank teams up with Dr. Verrukt and Mike, only Frank with his knives appears to be properly armed; Mike has a walking stick and the doctor carries some kind of device that looks like little more than a glorified cell phone.
  
  "What about me?" You ask.
  
  "Join up with whoever you want," Dr. Verrukt tells you. "Just follow their lead and do as they say."
  
  "Okay," you say. "But I don't have a weapon."
  
  "Not very prepared are you genius?" James mutters.
  
  "Here," Frank says; handing you a fold-out pocket knife.
  
  "Thanks," you mutter. You take a moment to look at the groups before making a decision.
  
  > join Destiny, Christie, and James
  You glance between your friend and your crush and decide that it's worth tolerating James to be in their presence.
  
  "Great," James says. "Me and three girls."
  
  Destiny ignores him, reaches for the door and says "Come on."
  
  The three of you begin walking down the hall toward the trash barricade and make your way around it. Everything is covered in dust, the halls are littered with papers and notebooks and other school related items. The place is so quiet that your footsteps sound like they should echo.
  
  "Where did everyone go?" Destiny asks in a hushed tone. "It's so quiet."
  
  The four of you continue to walk slowly down the hall. Christie opens the door to one of the classrooms only to find it empty of desk and chair; littered with papers and textbooks. Even the teachers desk is gone.
  
  "This is eerie," Destiny comments.
  
  "Listen, there are four of us," James points out; "We can split up and cover more ground in groups of two."
  
  "Good point," Christie says. Destiny nods along as well.
  
  "Charlie," Destiny says. "You're the new guy. Pick someone to team up with."
  
  You look between them.
  
  James, your nemesis; but also probably the one best able to protect you if something crazy happens.
  
  Destiny, your dream girl; any opportunity to spend some alone time with her would be worth it.
  
  Christie, your friend; the one in the group that you know the most about and would probably work the best with.
  
  So. Who will it be?
  
  > James
  "What?" James asks.
  
  "I said I'm sticking with you," you tell him.
  
  Destiny shrugs. "Cool," she says; "Let's go check out the pool." She and Christie head for the double doors that lead to the swimming pool, leaving you alone with James in the empty hall. He doesn't look particularly pleased with you.
  
  "Why in the hell would you pick me?" He asks. "I don't like you. You know that, right?"
  
  "Yeah," you say, looking at the floor. James shakes his head and the two of you move down the hall. He opens another classroom door to find it in a state of disarray, much like the classrooms you've seen already.
  
  "I could be alone with either of those girls right now," he says aloud, frustration evident in his voice. He glares at you, closing the door behind him; then makes his way further up the hall until you reach another classroom. He opens the door to find it in the same condition as the others. "I'm pretty sure Destiny is down for some action," he says, then as an after thought he says "with me."
  
  "Yeah, I get it," you say.
  
  "I don't think you do," James says, standing very close to you and jabbing his index finger into your chest. "I'm talking about sex with Destiny. Fucking smoking hot Destiny. And me. Sexing it up."
  
  You nod.
  
  "Hell, you could have picked her though; that would have been alright. I could have put the moves on Christie. I've caught her checking me out a few times, that would have been okay with me. She's cute," he tells you. "But no, I'm stuck with you. For fucks sake!"
  
  He closes the door behind him and bypasses the next few classrooms, moving instead toward the exit at the end of the hall. The door there is barricaded shut from the outside where a bunch of chairs and desks are piled up against it.
  
  "That explains the classrooms," James says.
  
  "Yeah, but it answers it with more questions," you respond.
  
  James nods at this, for once no agitated quip to shoot your way. He looks around trying to figure out what's going on. You are at the corner of two halls, the exit door at the turn. He turns slowly around, shaking his head all the while.
  
  "Wait a minute," James says. "Are you gay, dude?"
  
  "What?" You ask.
  
  "You are, aren't you?"
  
  "No, I-"
  
  "Listen, it's okay;" he tells you, resting a hand on your shoulder. "I'm not judging you. It explains why you chose to hang with me instead of one of the babes though."
  
  "I'm not gay," you tell him.
  
  "Whatever," he says. "Just walk in front of me from now on, alright?"
  
  You let out a growl of frustration and make the turn to the other hall, leading the way past empty classroom after empty classroom. Occasionally you stop to check out a room; finding the same sort of mess each time. Each room is bereft of chairs and desks and littered with trash.
  
  "Every room is the same," you mutter.
  
  "Yeah," James says. "This would be way less boring if I were making out with one of the girls. God, you're such a douche."
  
  "A douche is a sanitary product," you reply; "So I will take that as a compliment." There is a moment of extreme-silence after you say this before James bursts out laughing. It is a deep rumbling belly laugh and he reaches for the wall to maintain his balance.
  
  The moment is interrupted by a shout that echoes through the halls toward you. "-to the portal!" you hear.
  
  "Shit," James says, his face serious. "Come on, we need to get back." He jogs out of the room, back up the hall to the barricaded door, and breaks into a full run toward the trash-can line. You do your best to catch up but his long legs quickly put some distance between the two of you.
  
  As he reaches the line of trash cans you see Frank, Mike, and Dr. Verrukt rounding the bend ahead at an all-out run. Behind them, a strange dough-colored figure chases them. Beside you the door to the pool opens and Christie steps out, nearly barreling into you. Her eyes are wide with fear, her face covered in a sheen of sweat.
  
  "Where's Destiny?" You ask.
  
  "Run," she says in a chilling whisper. A moment later she is past you.
  
  The doors to the pool open once more and you see Destiny step out. She is covered in blood from her mouth to her chest. She smiles at you, the dark stain of blood on her teeth. "Hello, Charlie;" she says in a voice not quite her own.
  
  The hairs on the back of your neck stand and a chill runs through you. You look down the hall where Christie is reaching the abandoned hall, the others right behind her. You look back at Destiny, who is stepping closer. A sort of whimper escapes your mouth and you break into a run.
  
  You can tell you're not moving fast enough by the looks on Frank and Mike's faces. A weight slams into your back and drives you face down to the floor, your cheek squeaking against the linoleum. You look up to see Mike and Dr. Verrukt escaping down the hall. Frank, on the other hand; runs toward you.
  
  "Get off him, you bitch!" Frank says when he is upon you, kicking at the woman on your back. You feel the weight roll off of you and you slide to your feet.
  
  Destiny smiles up at him. "You're feisty," she says; "I will enjoy devouring you."
  
  Frank steps forward, dropping to his knees; and stabs her in the eye with his knife, burying the blade to the heel. It has no affect. She smiles at him and grabs him about the shoulder, pulling him toward her.
  
  "What the fuck?" he swears. Suddenly she lunges her head forward, her teeth clamping around his throat. His eyes go wide for a moment and meet yours, then they go dead as she bites in; tearing his throat out and spitting it aside. She buries her face in the gore of it and you take this opportunity to try and stand up and scurry away.
  
  A hand reaches out and grabs at your ankle; the grip is like iron. She pulls you down and drags you toward her. Sweet beautiful Destiny all covered in gore with a look of pure malice in her eyes. "Don't run away, Charlie;" she says with a horrifying giggle. "My friend will want to see you."
  
  She hold you in place while you stare at the empty hall and watch as the strange dough-like figure in the distance draws near. It is a featureless pale creature like a play-dough man. It moves agonizingly slowly. You are praying for death by the time it reaches you. Your death does not come quick.
  
  The creature reaches out with one its fingerless appendages and strokes briefly at the side of your face. Then, as the doughy appendage reaches your temple, you feel it latch on. You feel your surface thoughts leave you, then some buried memories rise up and exit. You can feel thoughts and memories being sucked into the appendage, leaving your mind forever like something forgotten. One by one your knowledge escapes you, sucking into the creature and as you stare at it you note that the features begin to manifest. Soon it is like looking into a mirror, and then you are not sure who exactly is staring back at you.
  
  Your senses dim as a certain coldness settles over you.
  
  And then there is nothing.