CHAPTER TWO
THE DOOR IN THE DARK
Elara didn't take his hand.
Instead, she stepped backward.
"How do you know my name?"
Kael lowered his hand.
"Because we've been looking for you."
"Who is we?"
"The people of Aetheria."
Elara stared at him.
"Aetheria?"
Kael nodded.
"A world beyond yours."
She almost laughed.
But laughter was difficult when your entire reality had just been turned upside down.
"You're telling me another world exists behind my bedroom wall?"
"Not exactly."
Kael glanced at the glowing doorway.
"The door only appears to someone who can open it."
"And why can I open it?"
"Because you can feel."
Elara froze.
Kael's expression softened.
"You are different from everyone in your world."
"Different isn't always good."
"No."
He smiled faintly.
"Sometimes different is exactly what the world needs."
A loud sound echoed from the hallway.
Elara turned.
Someone was coming.
Her neighbors.
If they discovered the portal, she would be reported.
Kael looked toward the door.
"We don't have much time."
"Why should I trust you?"
"You shouldn't."
Elara blinked.
Kael continued.
"Trust is something people earn."
For some reason, that answer made her trust him slightly more.
"What happens if I go through?"
"You may never see your world the same way again."
"And if I don't?"
Kael's eyes darkened.
"Then your world may never have a chance to change."
Elara looked around her room.
The gray walls.
The silent city outside.
The people who never laughed.
The people who never loved.
She looked at the magical door.
Then at Kael.
"What is on the other side?"
Kael smiled.
"Everything you've ever dreamed of."
He reached out his hand again.
This time, Elara took it.
The moment their fingers touched, warmth traveled through her body.
She gasped.
Kael looked equally surprised.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then Kael whispered,
"So the stories were true."
"What stories?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, he pulled her gently through the doorway.
The world disappeared.
Elara felt as if she were falling through stars.
Then—
She landed on soft grass.
She opened her eyes.
And forgot how to breathe.
Above her stretched a purple sky filled with enormous glowing moons.
Floating islands drifted among silver clouds.
Waterfalls fell upward into the sky.
Tiny glowing creatures flew between enormous trees.
Mountains shimmered in the distance.
And flowers sang.
Actually sang.
Elara sat up slowly.
"What..."
Kael laughed.
"Welcome to Aetheria."
For the first time in her life, Elara smiled without trying.
A real smile.
Kael stared at her.
"What?"
She asked.
"Nothing."
He looked away.
But Elara noticed the faint blush on his face.
* * *