Chapter 4
A Sense of Belonging
“Runners!”
Rowan rushed over to the counter. He looked over the ticket paired with the dishes of food waiting to be delivered. He gathered the hot plates and balanced two in hand, one on arm and the last two in the other hand. He ran the food over to the table. He put on his best smile and placed the order down.
Returning to the server’s station, Rowan leaned against the wall. He watched his fellow servers rush in and prepare drinks and bread for their tables. They mumbled their frustrations and cursed the difficult customers before putting on their fake smiles and returning with a little pep in their step.
The cooks moved in their stations with urgency. They were like white blurs with how fast they were moving. Some chefs ran to the back for more ingredients, some were moved to help another station, and all were trying their best not to be overtaken by the rush.
He had known these people for a few years now. He had gone out drinking with these people often and would even consider them friends. He knew who was nearly finished with school, who was about to leave, who had family problems, and all sorts of details. He knew the everyday lives of his coworkers.
Even before today, hearing about his co-workers dreams and passions, their lives, they all felt wrong for him. He always knew that their way of life wasn’t for him.
Now he stood here, feeling the emptiness of not belonging multiplied.
His attention fell to the flames on the stove. With his new sight for the magical, he saw fire differently. It was hard for him to explain, but the emitted light was brighter. He finally understood why people used the expression ‘dancing flames’. Fire actually did dance. It would jump and twist and shake. Every color imaginable danced in those flames. He had never seen green or purple in flames before. He was entranced.
“Rowan, your table is looking for you.”
Rowan snapped out of his thoughts. “Oh… yeah. Thanks, Ray.”
His fellow server smiled. “Table giving you trouble?”
“No.” Rowan chuckled. “My mind is just elsewhere.”
“Well, best get out there before one of the managers get on you.”
Rowan nodded. He walked up to the table obnoxiously waving him down with his scrunched eyebrows and calling over the other tables for Rowan’s attention.
Why am I even here? There’s an entire world for me to explore calling out to me.
“May I help you with something, sir?”
The customer rolled his eyes. “We’ve been waiting ten minutes for our food. What’s taking so long?”
“The well-done rib-eye you’ve ordered generally takes about fifteen to twenty minutes, sir. It will be out shortly. Would you like any bread or refills for your drink in the meantime?” Rowan bit his tongue and kept his grimace wide. I don’t need to be here anymore.
“Yes, and the manager while you’re at it. I want to file a complaint.” The pudgy man puffed out his chest victoriously.
“Right away, sir.” Rowan turned on his heel. His smile disappeared instantly.
He went up to the expeditor station. “Hey, Sal. Two-twenty wants to make a complaint.”
Sal ran a hand through his slick dark hair. He twitched his nose, making his mustache dance. “What’s the problem?”
“The rib-eye didn’t come out fast enough.”
Sal took a glance at the ticket for table two-twenty. “They ordered it well-done. You told them how long it would take?”
Rowan shrugged. “He still wants to talk to you.”
A grumble and curse left Sal’s lips. “Fine. Watch the station for me.”
Rowan stepped behind the counter and put on gloves. He started issuing orders and setting up the next ticket. A wonderful thought popped into his mind. If I’m going to another world for who knows how long… I can’t work here. I can quit! A smile came to his lips.
When his shift ended, Rowan approached Sal in the back office. “Good work today, Rowan,” Sal patted him on the back. “I can always count on you.”
Rowan scratched the back of his head. “Yeah… about that…”
Sal eyes squinted. “NO.”
“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”
“But I know I’m not going to like it.” He put his hands on his hips. He huffed in preparation. “Alright then. Spit it out.”
“I’m quitting.”
“Goddamn… Is it the pay? I can try talking to the higher-ups about getting you some kind of raise. Anything.”
“It’s not the pay.” Rowan pursed his lips. “Well, the pay does suck, but that’s not why I’m leaving. Something has come up. An emergency. I have to leave.”
Sal sighed. “Damn it. How long do I got left with you then?”
“I leave tomorrow.”
“You just have to make my life difficult.” Sal shook his head. “Does this have anything to do with that freak disaster?”
“Yeah. Someone needs me and I have to leave town for a while.”
“But you’ll be back?”
Rowan shrugged. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone for or if I’m even coming back.”
“This puts me in a very stressful situation, but I understand you’ve got to take care of things.” Sal leaned back in his office chair.
“Just know that you always got a job here.”
“Thanks for everything, Sal. You took a chance on me when I had no experience. I appreciate it more than you know.”
“You surpassed my expectations, kid. Good luck with whatever you got going on.”
Rowan turned on his heel. He untied his apron and tossed it in the dirty towel bag. He was done with this place.
Upon walking into the dining area, Rowan heard the call again. The call was clearer than it had ever been. Excitement boiled in Rowan. This was a call to adventure. A call he always wanted. There was no reason to resist.
He left the restaurant without saying anything to the rest of his coworkers. He couldn’t do the heartfelt goodbyes right now. Nor could he stand the send-off party at the bar they were sure to do. He had to pack for the trip. And he had one person to visit.
. . .
Rowan knocked on the door. He glanced to his left. Strange, miniscule creatures made of rock wrestled in one of the potted plants. Small flickering orbs of blue floated around the plants. Rowan blinked. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this.
The door opened.
Rowan smiled. “Hey mom.”
His mom leaned against the doorway and gave Rowan a look over. “My boy. Look at you. Come on in. I’ll fix you up something to eat.”
Rowan followed his mom into the kitchenette. He noticed the faint scent of weed hanging around. He glanced at the counter to find a glass of orange juice, probably with rum, and her mp3 player. It was a party night.
His mom looked young for a woman in her late 60s. Most people would think she was in her late twenty’s or early thirty’s. Her olive skin was smooth and oily. Her hair was braided with individuals and tied back into a bun. She was lean, no, she was skinny. She looked like she rarely ate, even though he knew she had three well-sized meals a day.
As his mom pulled out thawed chicken and her favorite seasonings, she glanced back at Rowan. “This is a nice surprise. You don’t visit often.”
“I’m always busy.” Rowan made his way to the barstool at the counter. “I just wanted to check up on you.”
“You usually call for that. What’s going on?” His mom froze. She spun on her heel, tongs in hand. “Your abilities haven’t been discovered, have they?”
Rowan chuckled. “Heavens, no. But…”
His mom put the tongs down on the stove and turned the flame off. She leaned over the kitchenette counter. “What?”
“You know that quake that happened yesterday; the one that ruptured the ground for at least a mile?”
“Don’t tell me that was you.”
Rowan noted the panic and disappointment flicker in her eyes. “No. But, it did involve me. I’ve been hearing this strange call this entire week. It’s some kind of woman calling me. I’ve been ignoring it, but apparently, that’s what caused the quake.”
“Interesting…”
“I’m answering the call tonight.”
His mom took a sip of her orange juice and rum. “And what does that mean?”
A smile appeared on his face. “It means I’m going to another world, or dimension, or whatever. I’m going somewhere magical.”
“Sounds adventurous… and dangerous.”
Rowan nodded. “I’m scared. I’m literally about to go to another world where who knows what awaits me.”
“Then don’t go.”
“I can’t. I don’t know why, but I feel like I have to go.” Rowan stared at his hands. “The answers I’ve been looking for my entire life are there. I just know it.”
His mom sighed. “Do whatever you need to do, honey. Just be careful.” She came around the counter and sat in the barstool next to him. She put a loving hand on his back. “I worry about you.”
“I know.”
“I want to know just as much as you do why you have the ability to control the wind, but I don’t want you to be consumed by it.
You already know the consequences of messing with stuff you don’t understand.”
“Yeah…” Rowan closed his eyes to hide back the rising tears. “I don’t want to kill anyone again…”
Rowan was pulled into a comforting hug. His mom stroked his hair tenderly. “It was an accident, honey. You’ve got to stop blaming yourself. Knowing him, your father certainly wouldn’t.”
“I can’t help it. He would be here if I didn’t have these damn powers.”
“We don’t know that. It could have very well just been his time.” His mom got up. “Now stop wallowing. I didn’t raise no woe-is-me child. I raised a man.”
Rowan chuckled. “Yeah. Who knows, maybe I will find a way to get rid of these powers once and for all.”
His mom simply nodded. “What about your job? How long are you going to be away?”
“I don’t know. I just quit my job before I came here. I don’t even know if I will be able to come back.”
His mother frowned. “What about your apartment? How are you going to pay rent?”
Rowan shrugged. “I’ll figure it out. I have some savings.”
“Oookay…” His mom went back to cooking. “Do you want any food to take with you on your trip?”
I haven’t even thought about that. “Sure, mom.”
. . .
Rowan zipped up his messenger bag. He put it a bunch of snacks, two water bottles, clothes, a hand towel, and a journal to record everything he would experience. His excitement held strong. His heart beat rhythmically. Rowan stared at the contents inside. Something was missing. He stroked his chin in thought. “Ah!”
He ran to the closet and pulled out a blanket. He rolled it up as tight as he could possibly imagine. Content with the density he stuffed the blanket into his bag. He was as ready as he could be.
Rowan pulled on his combat boots. He took a look in the mirror. He wore his black jeans, a red short-sleeved shirt, and a dark denim jacket. A blue bandana was tied around his arm.
“Mighty fancy there, Rowan.” He let out a deep breath. “Time to head out.”
He found his legs rooted to his floor. He looked in the mirror to see his hands were shaking. Rowan chuckled to himself. “Come on, Rowan. You can do this. Don’t be scared.”
Still he didn’t move. The fast beat of his heart hastened to panic. He mind began racing. What am I going to do about my apartment? What if I lose it? What if I don’t get back to get my stuff or find a new place in time? What if I never make it back? What if I never see my friends or mom again? What if this world ends up being too dangerous? What if I lose control of my wind there?
A knock on the door broke the runaway train of thoughts. Rowan exhaled. He took a step. At least he had the courage to open a door.
Rowan blinked back his surprise to find Alex standing in the hall. He stood with the stubborn pout Rowan had come to know well. “Hey… what are you doing here?”
“You’re leaving for this other world today, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, of course I’m going to be there to see you off.” Alex rolled his eyes.
Rowan smiled. “Of course.”
Alex couldn’t keep a straight face. “Damn you. Why can’t I ever stay mad at you?”
“Cause you love me.” Rowan stuck out his tongue.
“In your dreams." He pushed Rowan playfully. "Are we going or not?”
Rowan nodded. He grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Let’s go.”
. . .
Abi lead Rowan and Alex down the dark hall. The shadows clung to the wall like vines trying to escape a cage. The magical beings in the house remained away from the hallway except for Julius. He walked by Abi’s side in his protective manner, concentrated on the darkness deep inside.
“Have I mentioned how creepy this place is?” Alex tried rubbing the goosebumps off his arm.
“You aren’t wrong,” Rowan said.
They continued the lengthened walk into the shadows. They reached a door which opened to a pool of darkness below.
“A basement? In California?” Alex glanced at Rowan, who merely shrugged.
Abi gave a coy smile. “This house is protected by magic. There’s no need to worry about earthquakes here.” She stepped into the darkness.
Rowan and Alex slowly descended the stairs. They used their heels to ensure safety with each step. Once they reached the bottom, they noticed a bright neon light coming from behind another door.
“The gate is just behind this door,” Abi said. “Once you enter, you will be on your own. I have no idea if you'll be able to return or not, but the gate will be here.”
Rowan nodded. He took a step forward. “I know.”
Abi opened the door. Two columns wrapped with vines stood atop a small grassy mound. Between the two columns was a bright blue light which snapped and crackled.
Rowan gulped back the rising fear. “That's the gate? It's... heavenly.”
“This portal was originally designed to help a lost soul find their way. I tweaked it a bit to do the opposite and help a call guide a soul.” Abi grinned. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah...” Rowan looked at Alex. “Keep an eye on my mom for me.”
“I will. And I'll keep an eye on your apartment too.” Alex stuffed his hands into his pockets.
“You don't have to do that.”
“Yeah, I do. Your mom called me earlier and asked me to do so.”
Rowan smiled. “Always interfering after I specifically said not to. Thanks, Alex.”
“You just stay safe, Rowan. Don't do anything reckless. We want you back here.”
“I'll do everything in my power to make it back.” Rowan stepped toward the gate. “Do I just step in?”
“Yes.” Abi held out a couple of satchels. “Take these. There are a couple of potions and helpful items inside.”
“What kind of potions?” Rowan frowned. “It feels weird to be seriously saying potions.”
“There's a note in there explaining each one, but there is a healing potion for when you are wounded, a cure for when you feel sick or inflicted with something, and a couple other beneficial concoctions.” Abi pointed her finger directly in Rowan's face. “Do not lose or misuse these. There is powerful magic in each one and could cause you harm if you don't pay attention.”
“Okay, okay.” Rowan looked at the glimmering gate. He inhaled deeply. “Here I go.” He grabbed the strap of his messenger bag tightly. He tucked his chin into his chest and dashed in.
A Sense of Belonging
“Runners!”
Rowan rushed over to the counter. He looked over the ticket paired with the dishes of food waiting to be delivered. He gathered the hot plates and balanced two in hand, one on arm and the last two in the other hand. He ran the food over to the table. He put on his best smile and placed the order down.
Returning to the server’s station, Rowan leaned against the wall. He watched his fellow servers rush in and prepare drinks and bread for their tables. They mumbled their frustrations and cursed the difficult customers before putting on their fake smiles and returning with a little pep in their step.
The cooks moved in their stations with urgency. They were like white blurs with how fast they were moving. Some chefs ran to the back for more ingredients, some were moved to help another station, and all were trying their best not to be overtaken by the rush.
He had known these people for a few years now. He had gone out drinking with these people often and would even consider them friends. He knew who was nearly finished with school, who was about to leave, who had family problems, and all sorts of details. He knew the everyday lives of his coworkers.
Even before today, hearing about his co-workers dreams and passions, their lives, they all felt wrong for him. He always knew that their way of life wasn’t for him.
Now he stood here, feeling the emptiness of not belonging multiplied.
His attention fell to the flames on the stove. With his new sight for the magical, he saw fire differently. It was hard for him to explain, but the emitted light was brighter. He finally understood why people used the expression ‘dancing flames’. Fire actually did dance. It would jump and twist and shake. Every color imaginable danced in those flames. He had never seen green or purple in flames before. He was entranced.
“Rowan, your table is looking for you.”
Rowan snapped out of his thoughts. “Oh… yeah. Thanks, Ray.”
His fellow server smiled. “Table giving you trouble?”
“No.” Rowan chuckled. “My mind is just elsewhere.”
“Well, best get out there before one of the managers get on you.”
Rowan nodded. He walked up to the table obnoxiously waving him down with his scrunched eyebrows and calling over the other tables for Rowan’s attention.
Why am I even here? There’s an entire world for me to explore calling out to me.
“May I help you with something, sir?”
The customer rolled his eyes. “We’ve been waiting ten minutes for our food. What’s taking so long?”
“The well-done rib-eye you’ve ordered generally takes about fifteen to twenty minutes, sir. It will be out shortly. Would you like any bread or refills for your drink in the meantime?” Rowan bit his tongue and kept his grimace wide. I don’t need to be here anymore.
“Yes, and the manager while you’re at it. I want to file a complaint.” The pudgy man puffed out his chest victoriously.
“Right away, sir.” Rowan turned on his heel. His smile disappeared instantly.
He went up to the expeditor station. “Hey, Sal. Two-twenty wants to make a complaint.”
Sal ran a hand through his slick dark hair. He twitched his nose, making his mustache dance. “What’s the problem?”
“The rib-eye didn’t come out fast enough.”
Sal took a glance at the ticket for table two-twenty. “They ordered it well-done. You told them how long it would take?”
Rowan shrugged. “He still wants to talk to you.”
A grumble and curse left Sal’s lips. “Fine. Watch the station for me.”
Rowan stepped behind the counter and put on gloves. He started issuing orders and setting up the next ticket. A wonderful thought popped into his mind. If I’m going to another world for who knows how long… I can’t work here. I can quit! A smile came to his lips.
When his shift ended, Rowan approached Sal in the back office. “Good work today, Rowan,” Sal patted him on the back. “I can always count on you.”
Rowan scratched the back of his head. “Yeah… about that…”
Sal eyes squinted. “NO.”
“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”
“But I know I’m not going to like it.” He put his hands on his hips. He huffed in preparation. “Alright then. Spit it out.”
“I’m quitting.”
“Goddamn… Is it the pay? I can try talking to the higher-ups about getting you some kind of raise. Anything.”
“It’s not the pay.” Rowan pursed his lips. “Well, the pay does suck, but that’s not why I’m leaving. Something has come up. An emergency. I have to leave.”
Sal sighed. “Damn it. How long do I got left with you then?”
“I leave tomorrow.”
“You just have to make my life difficult.” Sal shook his head. “Does this have anything to do with that freak disaster?”
“Yeah. Someone needs me and I have to leave town for a while.”
“But you’ll be back?”
Rowan shrugged. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone for or if I’m even coming back.”
“This puts me in a very stressful situation, but I understand you’ve got to take care of things.” Sal leaned back in his office chair.
“Just know that you always got a job here.”
“Thanks for everything, Sal. You took a chance on me when I had no experience. I appreciate it more than you know.”
“You surpassed my expectations, kid. Good luck with whatever you got going on.”
Rowan turned on his heel. He untied his apron and tossed it in the dirty towel bag. He was done with this place.
Upon walking into the dining area, Rowan heard the call again. The call was clearer than it had ever been. Excitement boiled in Rowan. This was a call to adventure. A call he always wanted. There was no reason to resist.
He left the restaurant without saying anything to the rest of his coworkers. He couldn’t do the heartfelt goodbyes right now. Nor could he stand the send-off party at the bar they were sure to do. He had to pack for the trip. And he had one person to visit.
. . .
Rowan knocked on the door. He glanced to his left. Strange, miniscule creatures made of rock wrestled in one of the potted plants. Small flickering orbs of blue floated around the plants. Rowan blinked. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to this.
The door opened.
Rowan smiled. “Hey mom.”
His mom leaned against the doorway and gave Rowan a look over. “My boy. Look at you. Come on in. I’ll fix you up something to eat.”
Rowan followed his mom into the kitchenette. He noticed the faint scent of weed hanging around. He glanced at the counter to find a glass of orange juice, probably with rum, and her mp3 player. It was a party night.
His mom looked young for a woman in her late 60s. Most people would think she was in her late twenty’s or early thirty’s. Her olive skin was smooth and oily. Her hair was braided with individuals and tied back into a bun. She was lean, no, she was skinny. She looked like she rarely ate, even though he knew she had three well-sized meals a day.
As his mom pulled out thawed chicken and her favorite seasonings, she glanced back at Rowan. “This is a nice surprise. You don’t visit often.”
“I’m always busy.” Rowan made his way to the barstool at the counter. “I just wanted to check up on you.”
“You usually call for that. What’s going on?” His mom froze. She spun on her heel, tongs in hand. “Your abilities haven’t been discovered, have they?”
Rowan chuckled. “Heavens, no. But…”
His mom put the tongs down on the stove and turned the flame off. She leaned over the kitchenette counter. “What?”
“You know that quake that happened yesterday; the one that ruptured the ground for at least a mile?”
“Don’t tell me that was you.”
Rowan noted the panic and disappointment flicker in her eyes. “No. But, it did involve me. I’ve been hearing this strange call this entire week. It’s some kind of woman calling me. I’ve been ignoring it, but apparently, that’s what caused the quake.”
“Interesting…”
“I’m answering the call tonight.”
His mom took a sip of her orange juice and rum. “And what does that mean?”
A smile appeared on his face. “It means I’m going to another world, or dimension, or whatever. I’m going somewhere magical.”
“Sounds adventurous… and dangerous.”
Rowan nodded. “I’m scared. I’m literally about to go to another world where who knows what awaits me.”
“Then don’t go.”
“I can’t. I don’t know why, but I feel like I have to go.” Rowan stared at his hands. “The answers I’ve been looking for my entire life are there. I just know it.”
His mom sighed. “Do whatever you need to do, honey. Just be careful.” She came around the counter and sat in the barstool next to him. She put a loving hand on his back. “I worry about you.”
“I know.”
“I want to know just as much as you do why you have the ability to control the wind, but I don’t want you to be consumed by it.
You already know the consequences of messing with stuff you don’t understand.”
“Yeah…” Rowan closed his eyes to hide back the rising tears. “I don’t want to kill anyone again…”
Rowan was pulled into a comforting hug. His mom stroked his hair tenderly. “It was an accident, honey. You’ve got to stop blaming yourself. Knowing him, your father certainly wouldn’t.”
“I can’t help it. He would be here if I didn’t have these damn powers.”
“We don’t know that. It could have very well just been his time.” His mom got up. “Now stop wallowing. I didn’t raise no woe-is-me child. I raised a man.”
Rowan chuckled. “Yeah. Who knows, maybe I will find a way to get rid of these powers once and for all.”
His mom simply nodded. “What about your job? How long are you going to be away?”
“I don’t know. I just quit my job before I came here. I don’t even know if I will be able to come back.”
His mother frowned. “What about your apartment? How are you going to pay rent?”
Rowan shrugged. “I’ll figure it out. I have some savings.”
“Oookay…” His mom went back to cooking. “Do you want any food to take with you on your trip?”
I haven’t even thought about that. “Sure, mom.”
. . .
Rowan zipped up his messenger bag. He put it a bunch of snacks, two water bottles, clothes, a hand towel, and a journal to record everything he would experience. His excitement held strong. His heart beat rhythmically. Rowan stared at the contents inside. Something was missing. He stroked his chin in thought. “Ah!”
He ran to the closet and pulled out a blanket. He rolled it up as tight as he could possibly imagine. Content with the density he stuffed the blanket into his bag. He was as ready as he could be.
Rowan pulled on his combat boots. He took a look in the mirror. He wore his black jeans, a red short-sleeved shirt, and a dark denim jacket. A blue bandana was tied around his arm.
“Mighty fancy there, Rowan.” He let out a deep breath. “Time to head out.”
He found his legs rooted to his floor. He looked in the mirror to see his hands were shaking. Rowan chuckled to himself. “Come on, Rowan. You can do this. Don’t be scared.”
Still he didn’t move. The fast beat of his heart hastened to panic. He mind began racing. What am I going to do about my apartment? What if I lose it? What if I don’t get back to get my stuff or find a new place in time? What if I never make it back? What if I never see my friends or mom again? What if this world ends up being too dangerous? What if I lose control of my wind there?
A knock on the door broke the runaway train of thoughts. Rowan exhaled. He took a step. At least he had the courage to open a door.
Rowan blinked back his surprise to find Alex standing in the hall. He stood with the stubborn pout Rowan had come to know well. “Hey… what are you doing here?”
“You’re leaving for this other world today, aren’t you?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, of course I’m going to be there to see you off.” Alex rolled his eyes.
Rowan smiled. “Of course.”
Alex couldn’t keep a straight face. “Damn you. Why can’t I ever stay mad at you?”
“Cause you love me.” Rowan stuck out his tongue.
“In your dreams." He pushed Rowan playfully. "Are we going or not?”
Rowan nodded. He grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Let’s go.”
. . .
Abi lead Rowan and Alex down the dark hall. The shadows clung to the wall like vines trying to escape a cage. The magical beings in the house remained away from the hallway except for Julius. He walked by Abi’s side in his protective manner, concentrated on the darkness deep inside.
“Have I mentioned how creepy this place is?” Alex tried rubbing the goosebumps off his arm.
“You aren’t wrong,” Rowan said.
They continued the lengthened walk into the shadows. They reached a door which opened to a pool of darkness below.
“A basement? In California?” Alex glanced at Rowan, who merely shrugged.
Abi gave a coy smile. “This house is protected by magic. There’s no need to worry about earthquakes here.” She stepped into the darkness.
Rowan and Alex slowly descended the stairs. They used their heels to ensure safety with each step. Once they reached the bottom, they noticed a bright neon light coming from behind another door.
“The gate is just behind this door,” Abi said. “Once you enter, you will be on your own. I have no idea if you'll be able to return or not, but the gate will be here.”
Rowan nodded. He took a step forward. “I know.”
Abi opened the door. Two columns wrapped with vines stood atop a small grassy mound. Between the two columns was a bright blue light which snapped and crackled.
Rowan gulped back the rising fear. “That's the gate? It's... heavenly.”
“This portal was originally designed to help a lost soul find their way. I tweaked it a bit to do the opposite and help a call guide a soul.” Abi grinned. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah...” Rowan looked at Alex. “Keep an eye on my mom for me.”
“I will. And I'll keep an eye on your apartment too.” Alex stuffed his hands into his pockets.
“You don't have to do that.”
“Yeah, I do. Your mom called me earlier and asked me to do so.”
Rowan smiled. “Always interfering after I specifically said not to. Thanks, Alex.”
“You just stay safe, Rowan. Don't do anything reckless. We want you back here.”
“I'll do everything in my power to make it back.” Rowan stepped toward the gate. “Do I just step in?”
“Yes.” Abi held out a couple of satchels. “Take these. There are a couple of potions and helpful items inside.”
“What kind of potions?” Rowan frowned. “It feels weird to be seriously saying potions.”
“There's a note in there explaining each one, but there is a healing potion for when you are wounded, a cure for when you feel sick or inflicted with something, and a couple other beneficial concoctions.” Abi pointed her finger directly in Rowan's face. “Do not lose or misuse these. There is powerful magic in each one and could cause you harm if you don't pay attention.”
“Okay, okay.” Rowan looked at the glimmering gate. He inhaled deeply. “Here I go.” He grabbed the strap of his messenger bag tightly. He tucked his chin into his chest and dashed in.