Quarkopolis

Mission accomplished! Another human being sparked and filled with hope once again. Jumping back through the Butterfly Portal was pure pleasure for Robith and his student Lizo. As they approached the place of entry, they could see unimaginable beauty all around, light and movement beyond description, and a myriad of sounds, musical and harmonious.

All this was taken in at a glance, in the space of a breath, in the wink of an eye. Almost instantaneously, they were gloriously home.

Robith was satisfied with the completed mission, his first one as a mentor to Lizo. He thought the Quarkkid had exemplary manners and exceptional intuition. Not to mention how fast he learned, what a smart Quarkkid!

Off to file his report with Boss, Robith took his leave of Lizo and the Quarkkid rushed off to find and tell his friends the wonders of the completed mission.

I just had to sigh with relief. FINALLY, Robith is gone and I’m free, at least for a while. I couldn’t get away fast enough, even though I’m pretty fast, if I do say so myself.

There’s so much to tell Moki, I wonder where I can find him and what he’s doing? I zipped and zapped through the brightness, searching, searching, while at the same time dodging Quarkles way bigger than me. Finally, after long looking for my friend, I decided to give up. He just wasn’t anywhere. Dejected, disappointed, and exhausted, I headed home for some much-needed rest.

Earth

Where was that wrench? Irritated, Bill scooted out from under the old VW bug and sprang to his feet. He looked around in the usual places but couldn’t spot what he needed to finish the job that he’d started a week ago. He let fly a few choice expletives, blaming a certain son of his, claiming irresponsibility and this and that, on and on.

“Hey, dad, what’s all the commotion in here?” the accused son appeared from around the corner, “I’m trying to deal with a customer and we can hear you loud and clear, if you know what I mean.”

Bill just scowled and said a few more choice words, returning to his place underneath the yellow bug, wrenchless and wretched.

Quarkopolis

Something startled me and woke me up out of a vivid dream that I was having about other dimensions. My light and energy were recharged and I was more than ready for some exciting action. Wait, I was dreaming about other dimensions? Was that real? Did I really go with Robith through a funny-looking portal and help an old guy on the other side?

Deciding to shake it off, I jumped up and went on a search for my friend Moki. I remember searching for him recently after I came back from that other dimension, so my odd dream must be real! I really want him to come with me to the forbidden rooms again. I HAVE to see those portals. And now that I know how they work, well, let’s just say that I have an idea of what I’d like to do. Whether it’ll work or not remains to be seen.

Earth

Bill was at the end of his rope, he really disliked cliches but this one fit. He was completely fed up with his worthless son, the bossy so and so, arrogant know-it-all. Grumbling under his breath, he glanced at the old greasy wall clock for the thousandth time. Ten more minutes of this ridiculous place. Ten stupid minutes. An eternity.

An eternity passed…

Closing up shop was quick and efficient. All Bill had to do was go out the garage door, pull it down, latch it and leave. His no-good son would do everything else for the night. Bill didn’t care, he just wanted out of there for another day, for another free evening to spend with his passion, hobby, what he lived for, his invention, his and his alone. It was none of anybody else’s business and Bill made sure that nobody else knew what he was doing in his spare time.

It took a few minutes to drive home from the shop, and then a long gravel driveway hid the dull tan single-family dwelling where Bill lived. There was only room for one, in his opinion, so that’s how it was. Anticipation built as he pulled into the space that he’d reserved for his truck. He couldn’t help saying out loud what he’d said for many many nights just like this one.

“I wonder if tonight will be the night that they finally come.”

This is THE END OF the chapter but not the story.