“Wh- What happened here?” Liam gasped, while he stepped off the glass pieces crunching beneath his feet, his body felt as if he was blazing, the tension within him swelling up.

Alejandro’s fists clenched; he was more than aware whoever did this only had the foulest intentions. His eyes represented a dreadful storm taking place.

 “We can’t just stand here and stare, look around and try to find out what happened. Now!”

“Alejandro, calm down.” Nadim stated firmly, he was the only one who thought sensibly whenever something was wrong.

He let out a deep sigh, unaware he was holding his breath. “Just look around.” 

They searched, looking for anything that could even give the slightest hint for Karlo’s whereabouts.

“Erm guys, I found something, I think?” Liam said, tilting his head a little in curiosity.

“If you’re trying to imply, we press that, it’s very unlikely we will.” Nadim said while gazing at the typical red button covered with various, small warning signs.

“It could easily be a project Karlo was working on that he didn’t want anyone touching.” Alejandro added.

“It’s worth a shot, what else do you suppose we do?” He spoke, giving them both a blank look.

“It’s got warning signs all over it, that’s obvious enough we shouldn’t press it.” Alejandro spoke.

Liam rolled his eyes at the fact that his idea went disregarded, what’s the worst that could happen? If they’re going to find Karlo, maybe this could be of some use to them. They both were so lost in each other’s conversations they didn’t come to the realisation that his hand grew closer and closer, his fingertips slightly touching the flat base of the button. With one last glance at his friends, he knew he had to take the risk, bracing himself he placed his palm on the top of the button and pressed down with all his force.   

“Liam!” They both screamed, anger tracing their voices.  

Their fury didn’t last, because now their attention was drifted to what lay in the middle of the room. Twirling round and round, it reflected off their eyes, its colours alluring them, persuading them to take a step closer as each second passed. The lights flickered intensely, only to come to a stop and switch off completely, but it seemed it was bright enough to light beyond the whole room.

“It’s, it’s a portal?” Nadim breathed, only getting two slight nods in return.

It was as if they were in a trance, but were they what it really required?

They were too distracted to notice her presence.

She had no control over her body, the power it had over her was unimaginable, it’s bright light made her tan skin and dull brown eyes glow with immeasurable beauty. She wasn’t meant to be here. Why was she drawn to walk such a path? One that ended problematically. She wasn’t aware of her actions, it led her here and she had no choice but to submit. Dismissing the glass pieces beneath her shoes, she stepped closer and closer. There was now an inch between her and the portal, something within it called her, her feet retraced backwards, and she readied herself.

Alejandro blinked, snapping himself out of what seemed to be an endless trance.

“Who is that? What is she doing?!” He shouted.

Catching the attention of the others, they looked around wide-eyed and clueless on what to do.

“She’s gonna jump!” Nadim warned

It was too late now. She was already inside. There was only one option left.

“We have to go after her!” Liam exclaimed.

“What? No! Are you insane?” Alejandro shouted.

“The gateway is going to close; she could be trapped in there forever!” Nadim added, concern circling his voice.

“That doesn’t mean we get trapped too, there must be another way to open it, we could press the button again!” He said, reaching to press it only to find out it was jammed, not very content on fixing itself either.

“I’m not going to waste time arguing!” Liam replied. He was now dashing towards the portal, his figure leaping through the gap that grew smaller and smaller.

Nadim looked over at Alejandro. “We have to go. Come on!”

Running a hand through his curly brown hair, he groaned, following behind Nadim, and jumping in.

If seeing it was bad, then going through it was a whole different experience. As they went through, its colours spun around faster and faster, as it sucked them in at tremendous speed almost making them faint.

The portal led them falling out of a sky with a purple tint, and a silvery – iridescent moon yet no clouds to be seen. You could see it a thousand times but still never be able to explain the vile feeling of being there, it was beyond compare. Its beauty was something that could not go unnoticed, but its aura would want to be avoided. It consisted of ravishing midnight – blue mountains with a thin layer of sparkling snow, coated on the tip.

They fell with a loud thud but intriguingly took no damage.

She woke up to multiple voices entering her ears in a whisper, the 3 tall dark figures approached her as she squinted when they came in sight. Who were they? Where was she? Panic rose as she examined her surroundings. This must be a dream. It’s not real. It’s not real. She constantly told herself that, in hopes to wake up from this nightmare. She was on the verge of passing out again.

“Err, are you alright?” One of them spoke out, his voice sounded gentle but was engulfed in shock.

Next Chapter: CHAPTER THREE – BEWITCHING THE MIND