Chapter Twenty
Katie woke to find herself in an extraordinarily dark area. She did not know where she was or how she had come to this place. She only knew that her head hurt, a lot.
She sat up. Well, at least she thought she was sitting up. It was so dark that she couldn’t see—not much, anyway. It was then that she remembered what had happened. She was chasing her train ticket. She picked it up and headed back to the train, but tripped over something and slipped down a hole in the ground. She gently rubbed her head as she recalled the event. Then it dawned on her, if she fell down here, she must be able to climb back up.
Her spirits lifted as hope filled her.
She stood and used her hands to feel around the enclosed area. She reached upwards, because that would be the way out. All she could feel was smooth wood that reminded her of the gold mines she had studied at school. Katie tried with all of her strength to climb back out of the hole.
But she couldn’t.
She couldn’t even see any light shining through from the top—at least what she thought was the top.
With her hope drained she flopped back down onto her bottom, then started to panic. She recalled stories of children and grown-ups who had fallen down old mine shafts, only to be discovered as nothing but a skeleton sitting at the bottom of the tunnel. Was this what was going to happen to her?
She thought of her mama, her papa and her brother, Charlie, and started to cry. And once she started crying she couldn’t stop. She was so alone down in the deep, dark hole in the ground. Katie cried so hard and for such a long time that she became exhausted and drifted off to sleep, only to be woken by the sound of footprints in the snow above, and the sound of barking dogs. With her hope renewed, Katie stood and started yelling, ‘I’m here, down here. Mama, Papa … I’m here—help me … help … HELP!’
She continued shouting until she had no voice left. Then, all she could do was to cry once again. After a while she no longer heard the sound of footsteps in the snow, or the talking voices, or the barking dogs. Katie thought that maybe she should just lay down and go to sleep. And either, she would be woken again when they found her or she would starve to death, or most probably, die of dehydration first. Yeah, she would die in her sleep she thought. After all, Oliver and Libby looked so peaceful when they died in their sleep. If she died, she’d get to see her brother and sister again, wouldn’t she?
The thought of death sat heavily upon her mind and heart. ‘I don’t want to die,’ Katie cried. ‘I want my mama!’
For the first time in her life, Katie felt alone. She had never felt this way before. She had always been surrounded by happiness and love, and she didn’t like the way loneliness felt. It wasn’t a nice feeling at all. She cried and cried and cried before she fell into an exhausted sleep, once again.
Awoken by her empty, starving tummy, she found that it was still pitch black, and her eyes would not adjust to the darkness that surrounded her. So, she started to crawl around to see what else was down there.
Maybe there was another way out?
She stumbled and fumbled her way along the bumpy dirt path that lay beneath her hands and knees, and discovered the mine shaft continued for some time. She started to feel hope that she would find a way out.
Then she noted, she could see a little. It was still dark, but she could see just a little bit more.
Her hope grew.
She looked up, and to her delight she could see stars in the sky. They were a blue-green colour, though. Yet, they were there—some were brighter than others—yet, they were there.
She continued to crawl along following the stars that she could see, feeling as though she was a Magi in the Christmas story, following the shining star to find the baby Jesus.
Then Katie stopped crawling. She thought she could hear a sound that was faintly familiar. It was, she thought, the sound of running water, just like the stream not far from her home. With caution she crawled along a little further towards the sound and it got louder.
Motivated by the need to quench her thirst, Katie pushed her body to move faster towards the sound. Her hands and legs moved in perfect synchronisation, until, as Katie went to put her right hand forward in front of her, there was nothing. The ground had disappeared from beneath her hand.
Immediately she stopped. She had to, or she could have fallen to her death. She tried to look down in front of her to where the sound of the running water was coming from. It was difficult to see, but she thought she saw a type of ladder. She positioned herself for a better view and squinted in the darkness. She reached down and felt it. It was indeed a rope ladder. And it was in good condition.
Bravely, step by step, hand by hand, Katie lowered herself down the ladder until she stepped onto firm ground. The sound of running water was so close now that she could smell it, too. She made her way to the water’s edge and caught some water on the tip of her finger to test like her pa would do. She smelled it first, then tasted it. It was good. She began to drink of it with little sips at first, until her thirst demanded she gulp down huge amounts. And, as she drank the cool refreshing water, a thought occurred to her. The water was flowing, so it must flow out to somewhere. This was her ticket out of the mineshaft and back to her mama and papa. If she followed the water she would be free.
Katie turned her head in the direction of the flowing water and gasped. A little way in the distance she could see a faint light. Instead of crawling she stood and walked towards it with a bounce in her step. Finally she would be free, and back with her mama.
As the light became brighter Katie started running towards it; towards her freedom, and towards her reunion with her mama and papa that she so desperately craved. But, once she reached the light, she stopped dead in her tracks. There was no snow. The ground and trees should have been covered in snow!
Her body stiffened.
Before her was a jungle, deep and green and thriving. This was not the exit she was hoping for, but an entrance; an entrance into another world, seemingly beneath the world.
A lump caught in her throat. Katie turned around to see where she had come from. There was nothing but darkness. She turned back to the Amazon-like jungle before her. It was so beautiful that she had to shield her eyes from looking at it.
Katie dropped to her knees. She was lost forever. She planted her face into the ground, pulled her legs up to her chest and sobbed deeply. “Mama—Mama … I want my m a m a—”
I felt a searing pain on my hand like skin being ripped off. Ben had broken my physical contact with the rock.
I slumped onto the sofa and sobbed.
‘Cate—Cate … I’ve disconnected you. You are back in Gran’s drawing room. Open your eyes and see!’ His voice was firm.
I clearly heard him, yet, I continued to sob. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his body.
‘It’s okay, everything is okay.’
‘It’s not okay, Ben, Gran’s lost. She can’t get back to her family. She’s all alone,’ I cried.
‘You need to go back into the memories, then,’ he said, and pressed his lips into a firm line.
‘Yes,’ I whispered.
He held my hand and placed it back onto the rock. I spiralled instantly back into the memory warp.
I realised then that I was no longer watching the memories in black and white. As soon as Katie had found the entrance to the world below the world it seemed, the memories were in full colour vision.
“Mama ... M a m a . . . .”
Katie became unconscious right there at the entrance to the new world. Emotionally she was overloaded, and her body needed to shut down for repair.
The inhabitants of the new world became aware of the intruder from the exact moment she placed a foot into the entrance of their world. This put them on high alert to evacuate to the survival pods to prevent them from being found. At the same time they sent hunters out to recover the intruder, and to thwart off other uninvited guests.
Ho
wever, upon finding the intruder, the hunters were overcome with sympathy. She was only a young girl who had obviously lost her way. They decided to take her to the village, nurse her back to health, and then help her return to her people.
They knew that if she ever told anybody about what she had found nobody would believe her. They’d think it was the overactive imagination of a child and think of it as a remarkable story.
The hunters carried Katie to a receiving tent and lay her down on the white bed. The female inhabitants placed their fingers onto her head and put her into a deep sleep then sang to hasten her recovery.
When Katie finally woke she thought she had died and gone to heaven. She was surrounded by a sweet scent, peacefulness and angelic sounds.
Katie watched as one of the beautiful women walked towards her. Her movement was so smooth that her legs seemed to be hardly moving. Her hair was golden, long, and flowing, covering part of her slender body.
Katie looked into her eyes but then quickly looked away and squinted in pain. They were a colour she had never seen before; cerulean, a unique combination of blue and green. Her eyes were so beautiful that it was painful to look at them at first.
The female knelt beside Katie in silence. She gently placed her warm soft hand onto Katie’s head, then closed her startling eyes and breathed out a long, calm breath.
‘Child, you are healed.’ Her voice sounded musical. ‘Eat child. You must build up your physical strength for the return journey home. Your emotional strength is at its peak. Your mind is healed.’
‘Katie, my name is Katie. And what is your name, may I ask?’ Katie's voice was soft.
‘Child. Katie. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to tell you. My name is Jenika. Now eat. The window for return to your world does not stay open for long. You must regain your strength quickly.’
Katie did not want to miss the open window, whatever that meant. So she ate, even though she had more questions to ask Jenika.
On the plate, which was made of what looked like flat bread, was a selection of seven fruits, none of which Katie had ever seen before. Perhaps it was because her family did not have a great deal of money and they only ate what they could grow on the farm.
Katie’s eyes grew wide at the vision of so many colours of fruit. She felt like she was looking at a rainbow. Could she eat a rainbow?
While she ate, more persons entered her room, which was more like a tent with light material walls that let in the cool air flow.
There were both men and women. They were all beautiful in appearance, but each different in height, build and hair colour. They were not one race of people, but many. Peace radiated from each one of them, just like Jenika. And, just like Jenika, they all had the same eye colour; blue-green.
As Katie ate she watched them. They looked into each other’s eyes often, but did not talk. Occasionally they would nod, as if saying yes. Sometimes, they would raise their hand and touch the hand of another and close their eyes. Katie wondered why they did that.
Once she had finished her food she thanked them for their kindness. She was ready to go and find the open window to return home, whatever that was.
She slid off the bed, stood, and looked at the people in the tent. Her world started to spin. She fell to the floor, unconscious once more.
Jenika lifted Katie up and placed her onto the bed, once again. Then she placed her hand ever so lightly on Katie’s head and closed her eyes. She returned her to a deep, healing sleep.
Katie remained in this state of deep healing for many hours. And Jenika was there when Katie woke. But she was now joined by another woman, named Jewels. They mothered Katie and made her feel good. But, although they cared for Katie to the best of their abilities, she started to cry, causing Jenika and Jewels to fuss about her even more.
‘Child, why do you cry?‘ Jenika asked.
‘I want my mama. I miss her. Can you please help me to get back to her?’ Katie said between sobs.
‘Of course. That is why we are tending to you. You will build up your energy and then be able to make your way back. We will help you climb the last part where you disappeared into our portal.’
‘Thank-you,’ whispered Katie, wondering what a portal was.
‘Katie, Jewels is here because she wants to touch your head, as I have been doing,’ Jenika said.
Curious, Katie asked, ‘Why does she want to touch my head? Is it because I haven’t washed my hair in a while?’
Jenika laughed. ‘No, child. When I touch your head, I can read your mind. I can read the health of your body and, I can also see everything that you have seen in your life so far. Jewels would like to know how the Earth and its people are doing. But she will only touch your head with your permission.’
‘Oh … okay, I guess,’ agreed Katie.
Jewels gently placed her right hand onto Katie’s head. Her hand remained there for only about one minute. A short time relatively. And then she was finished.
‘Thank-you, Katie,’ said Jewels in a kind voice.
Jewels looked into Jenika’s eyes momentarily, and Jenika nodded. Jewels left the room as if sailing on a boat on the calm ocean. Jenika turned to Katie and smiled warmly at her.
‘Jenika, what happens when you look into the eyes of one of your people and then one of you nod. I don’t understand it. I’ve always been a curious girl. My mama said that as soon as I could talk I was asking questions, and my mama would always answer me with knowledge and truthfulness,’ said Katie.
‘I know you tell the truth, Katie. I have seen it in your mind. I also know that your knowledge and understanding base has much, much more depth than a typical child of your age. When we … look into each other’s eyes, we can tune into each other’s communication part of the brain. We have a conversation, just like we are having now, but without the need to speak. And unlike your method of communication, only the truth can be spoken.’
‘Oh my—I would love to able to do that! I have so many more questions, Jenika. Am I able to ask them? You have been so very kind to me so far in telling me a little bit about things that your people do,’ Katie said with sincerity.
‘Sweet Katie, I am not at liberty to give you much more information. I would have to ask permission for that first. But right now, our objective is to get you energized and returned to your world. Try standing up again and see how you feel.’
Katie did as Jenika asked. She stood, slowly. This time she felt great. ‘I think I am ready,’ Katie said.
Jenika placed her right hand onto Katie’s head once again. ‘I agree, you are ready, child.’
Without the need to call out to anybody the hunters arrived. They looked into Jenika’s eyes, had their silent conversation, and nodded.
They motioned to Katie to go with them. She turned to Jenika and asked, ‘Will you please come with me to the place where I landed? You make me feel safe.’
Jenika looked into the eyes of the hunters once again. They nodded. And so they started their journey back to the portal. Katie was quickly ushered out of their world with the hunters keeping a tight circle around her, shielding her from any opportunity to see what their world consisted of. They moved quickly, hoping that the “window” would still be open.
Katie looked at the blue-green stars on their journey to the portal, only to be told that they were glow-worms. And, the hungrier they were, the brighter they glowed.
After thirty minutes they reached the place where Katie had landed after falling into the hole, as she called it. She turned to Jenika. ‘Thank-you for looking after me, I will remember you always.’
‘You are welcome, Katie. You must remember though, to never, ever tell a living soul about any of this. Your world is not aware that we exist and we want to keep it that way.’
Jenika kissed Katie gently on the forehead.
The hunters helped Katie up to the “window”. Her stomach started somersaulting in excitement as she anticipated seeing her family again.
Then, all of a sudden, the hunte
rs froze on the spot. They looked down at Jenika and mind communicated through their eyes.
Katie knew what had happened. The “window” was closed. They were too late.
In an instant the hunters and Katie were back with Jenika. Nobody communicated, not even through their minds.
Now Katie was sure that she would never see her family again. She was filled with dread and deep sadness. Again the hunters shielded Katie from seeing their world as they returned her to the receiving tent. She lied on the bed and hid her face in the pillow, afraid. She wished she had never bought that return ticket from the conductor on that fateful day.
‘What will happen to me now?’ Katie asked after a while, trying to conceal her tears.
‘The Council are having a meeting. They will decide what is best for you and our people. Their decisions are usually quick. You won’t have to wait for long,’ Jenika replied.
But it did take a long time. Katie remained on the bed, worried, while Jenika filled the room with a beautiful melody with the intention to make Katie feel calm.
Then, as if out of nowhere, Jewels appeared. ‘Katie, the Council has decided to keep you here—to nourish you, to nurture you, to make sure that your every need is fulfilled. And when we are aware of the portal window open again we will ensure that you are delivered there swiftly and safely to return to your home—but—you must agree to our conditions to enable this to happen,’ she said.
‘And what will happen if I don’t agree?’ Katie asked, taking shallow breaths.
‘Then we will send you away to find your own way back, and to wait for the portal to open,’ Jewels explained.
‘By myself?’ Katie was shocked.
‘Of the hundreds that have accidentally entered our world, we have always given them just one option—to return to the Earth. Of course, we have always given them water and food to increase their chance of survival. We also remove their memories of our world so that they cannot endanger us. How many have survived? Many, but not all. If we let you find your own way back, Katie, your chance of survival is exceptionally slim.’
‘Why is it then that you offer me two options? I don’t understand?’ asked Katie.
‘It is because we have looked into your heart and mind and we know that you are good and pure and worthy of trust. We have not seen that so far in others that have ventured here. You deserve to return to the love of you family,’ explained Jewels.
Katie pondered her answer, only to ask another question. ‘What are the conditions?’ Katie asked, wanting to know all that was involved before choosing her option.
‘It is simple, Katie. When you finally return to your world, you must never utter a single word about what you see, hear, taste, do or learn. You are sworn to secrecy, child. You may use what you learn, but you must never disclose the source of your knowledge, or wisdom ... ever. Do you understand the conditions to stay here?’
‘Yes … but, why don’t you just remove my memories, like you did with the others?’
‘We don’t like to remove memories from the developing brain of a child—it may cause problems with your personality when you return to the Earth.’
Katie nodded, then asked, ‘And … what will happen if I accidently reveal the existence of your world? I am only a girl you know, and sometimes I make mistakes,’ Katie added.
‘We will know through our superior mindfulness, and we will send someone to you promptly to deal with you,’ Jewels answered in all seriousness.
Katie did not want to know what “deal with her” entailed. So she did not ask the question that was in her mind that concerned death.
Katie hesitated before she said, ‘I choose to return to my family again. So I am also choosing to agree to your conditions of secrecy—until the day I die,’ Katie replied with conviction.
‘Then welcome to our world, young Katie. Jenika has been chosen to be you servant, your guide and your mentor for the length of your presence with us. I know that you will find our race of people tranquil to be with. And I know that you have many, many questions you want to ask about us and where we live. Jenika is now free to answer your questions. We will promptly inform you when the window to the portal is open. It may be a short time away, or of a long duration until it is open again. We, unfortunately, with all of our gifts, cannot predict the behaviour of the portal. Welcome again, Katie,’ Jewels said.
She placed her right hand on Katie’s head for the shortest of time, closed her eyes and released. She smiled, bowed ever so slightly and left the “tent” where Katie was housed.
Katie had been spared from the penalty of certain death. She would survive past the age of eleven.
Relief surged through me and Ben entered my thoughts, disconnecting me from the memory rock.
I opened my eyes and found his; the cerulean eyes I loved so much. The moment our eyes connected a shock rippled through me, followed by an aftershock. I was stunned. His eye colour was the exact same colour as the people in Katie’s world below the world. I squirmed as I felt uneasy in his presence for the first time in our relationship.
‘Is there a problem?’ he asked, his eyes widened and accentuated their cerulean colour.
I tried to cover up my disturbing reaction by smiling at him. My mind was starting to conjure up questions about his past. I did not want to go there—not yet. ‘Ah … it was just a mind flash,’ I lied. ‘Let’s eat,’ I added to change the subject, then promptly stood from the sofa.
Ben led me out of the drawing room, holding my fingertips in his, sending his heightened energy through me. As we entered the kitchen he turned to me, took both of my hands in his and looked into my eyes. ‘Let’s have a picnic out the back,’ he suggested, and brushed his lips over mine before he stepped away and became busy with the organization of the food.
I watched him move about the kitchen with ease, collecting this and that. I turned toward the sink and looked out the window. I stared at the backyard, lost in my thoughts about where Gran had been.
‘Hey,’ Ben whispered. He stood behind me and wrapped him arms around me.
I put my hands over his and bathed in the feeling of his strong body snuggled against my back.
‘The food for my princess is prepared,’ he whispered, and feathered his lips over my skin below my ear.
I raised my hands above my head and stretched before I turned to him. Ben looked at me intently, as if reading into my mind. My skin prickled. I pushed him in a teasing sort of way. His seemingly mind reading behaviour had spooked me. He frowned at me and stepped back and looked down at the floor, looking like he had taken a blow to the stomach.
After a moment he lifted his head and looked at me with hooded eyes. ‘Picnic out the back. Come.’ He took a deep breath and held out his hand for me to take.
‘Mmmm … sounds good. Lead me there, my prince,’ I said dramatically.
‘Of course, my princess,’ he replied with a servant’s bow and a coy smile, but his eyes were still uncertain.
He spread the picnic blanket out on the lush green grass. We chatted together nonchalantly about anything and everything. He made me feel safe and protected. Until, I would look into his eyes and be reminded of the world where Katie was, and then I felt unsettled about him.
Was he who he said he was?
I timed my glances to study him when he looked away from me. I was intrigued by his apparent physical similarities to the people of the other world. The similarities were too close to dismiss as purely coincidental.
Bad timing saw me caught out looking at him with a frown on my face. He narrowed his eyes at me, then looked down more often than usual after that, and reached out to touch me. He seemed to buzz with nervous energy.
I consciously changed my focus and my mood. I didn’t like that I was making him feel uncomfortable. I stretched out on the blanket, pulled Ben down beside me and laced my fingers through his.
The sky was picture perfect when I looked toward the heavens. I closed my eyes and bathed in the peace t
hat surrounded us. Ben had an undeniable magnetic presence that attracted me like a bee to a flower. I closed my eyes and let his presence flow through me, filling me with warmth and an addiction to him. My lavender rose heart danced and smiled at its sun.
‘Are you at a good place in Gran’s memories at the moment?’ he asked with a little hesitancy, breaking into my happy place.
‘Mmm … yes. I am.’
‘Are you able to tell me any of what is going on?’ he questioned.
‘No. Not this time. You know that I will tell you things when I am able to though, don’t you?’ I replied, keeping my voice calm.
‘Yes. Can I ask you just one thing though? Is Gran okay?’
I smiled at him. ‘Yes. She survives well, I might add.’
He rolled over to look at me and brushed a lock of curly hair away from my face. I remained still, and looked into his cerulean eyes. They were as mesmerising today as the first time that our eyes connected while our identities were hidden behind our masks at the Ball.
He tilted his head slightly and looked deeper into my eyes, projecting a profound deep love that moved through me. I moved my hand to the back of his head and pulled him towards me, yearning to feel his lips upon mine. He hesitated before our lips touched, exaggerating the pleasure of the anticipation of the kiss. He closed his eyes when our lips touched with gentleness until the strength of my desire for him became intense, and I kissed him like I was wild at heart.
He placed his hand on the side of my face and pulled away, then rested his thumb on my bottom lip and looked into my eyes before he sat up.
I closed my eyes and put my hand over my red rose heart, rapidly beating with desire and infusing my life force with the hypnotic potion of damask with summer notes of jasmine, orchid, citrus and patchouli. Ben placed his hand over mine, then leaned in and gave me a controlled, short, kiss.
‘Ben,’ I whispered, feeling my outpouring of love for him.
He closed his eyes and hung his head, then left me in the middle of the garden. I placed my arm over my eyes and tried to subdue my hunger for him. I was thankful he had left me by myself. I needed this time to compose myself and settle my mind for the rock. Gran was right about the fact that he caused my “brainwaves” to react hyperactively.
Once my red rose heart had calmed, I opened my eyes to the sight of Ben walking towards me. I watched him and studied his physical detail. I wondered about his eye colour and why it was an exact match to the people in the other world. I had known him for about two years, but I had never noticed anything bizarrely different about him to regular people in all that time, except that, he was exceptionally appealing to me.
He held out his hands for me to take. An electrical jolt arced from his hands to mine the moment our fingers touched. It always did, from the first moment that we touched. He gave me a shy smile, pulled me up and wrapped his arms around me. I melted into him, intoxicated by his presence.
‘Let’s go,’ he whispered and stepped back from me. He took my hand in his and guided me to the drawing room. I sat on the sofa and continued the journey after reconnecting with the rock.
Jenika led Katie from the “tent” through the rainforest that seemed to go on forever. Every plant was in exceptional condition. The flowers appeared to float effortlessly instead of hanging on to their source of life. They radiated colours that made the forest seem enchanted. It was unlike anything she had ever seen on Earth, or even in books at school.
The soil below her smelled rich in nutrients; different to the sometimes dusty soil at the farm at home. The terrain seemed to reach up to her and made her feel connected to everything that had life. It lifted her spirits so high that she thought she could fly.
In the distance, Katie could hear a running stream, and birds singing sweet melodies of life. Katie took a breath, energized by the peacefulness that roamed over the land.
She looked up to the cloudless blue sky. There, she saw three full moons of different sizes. Each radiated a heavenly presence. It scared her to see the three moons. It seemed so alien, and they reminded her that she was not on the Earth where her family and home were.
Katie averted her eyes away from the moons as a tear collected in her eye. She focused on a mountain covered in a mist, concealing the uppermost part of the mountain. Further down the mountain was rainforest where sheer cliff faces exposed stunning waterfalls that flowed from the various heights and into the rainforest below.
Jenika led Katie along a path to a village set in amongst the rainforest. It was well camouflaged by the trees that surrounded them. People were everywhere. Katie watched as they “mind” communicated and used their sense of touch to talk.
Jenika introduced Katie to passers-by on their trek, including children about her age. They looked at her with intrigue, as they had never had a person from the Earth stay with them before.
When the night time came Katie was led a network of jetties at the water’s edge, not far from the village. There were no boats anywhere as you would expect to see at a jetty.
Jenika walked with Katie for one hundred paces along a wide wooden jetty until they came across a spiral set of steps that descended to below the waterline. Katie hesitated when Jenika started to descended the steps.
‘Katie, child, these are our homes, under the sea. Do not be afraid,’ she encouraged.
With tentative steps, Katie followed Jenika down the spiral staircase. It reminded her of a seashell. The underwater home was like a type of pod, suspended and floating under the water. It was surrounded by three hundred and sixty degree views of the underwater sea life—just like living inside a giant fish tank. A wave of excitement shot through Katie. Although a little anxious about being away from home, Katie made herself comfortable in her new bed that was rocked by the gentle movement of the ocean, sending her off to a deep sleep, sprinkling her dreams with magic dust.
Ocean songs of whales woke Katie to the birth of a new day. She opened her eyes to the most remarkable sight she had ever seen. Outside her windows an assortment of sea creatures swam about the pod and the odd penguin glided past leaving a trail of dancing bubbles in the azure blue water.
Katie loved it here. It was like all of her dreams had come true.
And as the days went by, Katie shadowed Jenika wherever she went, learning the ways of the people in this world. And Katie helped Jenika wherever she could, observing the gracefulness of Jenika’s actions, and emulating her ways.
As time moved forward, there was a boy named James who made a point to seek out Katie’s company. He took it upon himself to help Katie learn about his world.
One day, he took Katie on a long walk into the rainforest.
They stopped at the base of an enormous tree. James looked up towards the top of the tree, grabbed Katie’s hand and led her around the other side of it. A ladder hung from the tree there, and James started to climb. Katie followed, feeling the bounce of energy of adventure fill her. They climbed until what looked like a cubby house appeared, and James helped her inside.
It was exhilarating for Katie to be up in the canopy of the rainforest. She looked over at James, who sat with an enormous smile on his face.
‘Put your hand up. I want to see if I can read your mind,’ he said. As soon as Katie raised her hand, James placed his hand against hers and closed his cerulean eyes. Katie watched him as peace fell over his face. He opened his eyes and removed his hand. ‘Nope—nothing!’ James said.
‘What do you mean, nothing?’ asked Katie.
‘You have to be sixteen to receive the gift of mind reading—I am not sixteen, yet.’ James pulled a sad face, and then beamed a smile at her.
‘James—tell me everything you know about your world, and I will tell you about mine,’ Katie whispered, as if it were forbidden.
James raised his eyebrows and took a deep breath. ‘Our world is called Une Autre Terre, Katie. It is not underground or below the Earth as you might think it is. It is a parallel world. What you thought wa
s an old mine shaft that you fell down that day was in fact a portal, or if you like, a gateway, which sent you through a multi-coloured vortex leading to another place and time.’
Katie found the concept of the portal, vortex, and parallel world difficult to understand, but in the end, she accepted it as it was.
Katie told James about her world, the Earth, warts and all. James could not understand the feelings of hatred, jealousy and anger that some people possessed, and he found money to be a strange concept.
‘Katie, I don’t understand why you would want to return to your world. It sounds sort of … unhappy to me,’ he commented.
‘It can be, and it is for some people. But you don’t have to live that way. You can choose to be kind and caring and forgiving and loving. And that’s what my family is. They love me and I love them,’ Katie explained.
James looked at Katie for a long moment and then looked down, unsure of the nice feelings he had when he was with her.
One day, as Katie worked closely beside Jenika again, she took the opportunity to ask her the questions the plagued her about Une Autre Terre.
‘Jenika, what is it that makes this world is so different to mine?’
Jenika stopped working to respond to Katie’s question. It was important to tell her the truth about the differences between the two worlds. Jenika sat upon a rock and indicated to Katie to sit beside her. They faced each other. Jenika wanted to make sure that their communication was clear, and there would be no misunderstandings.
‘Where will I start, child? You feel the peace, the happiness, the harmony, the tranquility, the serenity, the friendship and value of every being here. It is not our physical environment of the rainforest that gives this to us, it is the people. These things cannot be felt unless they are given by the people. The rainforest is our source of sustenance. It feeds us. It shelters us. We respect it because of this, and in return we never seek to damage it in any way, shape or form.
‘Our community functions differently to yours in that we do not have money—the source of all greed, corruption, dishonesty, rage, hate and many other toxic, destructive feelings and behaviours. Everything we have, we share. No-one gets more than the other. And we use only what we need...
‘We haven’t always been like this. We have learnt from our mistakes. We discovered over a long process, that by making choices that help others, serving others first before yourself, you are also helping and serving yourself. What you give out, you get back. In your world you might call it—you reap what you sow.’
A group of giggling children ran by and Janika smiled.
‘We make a huge investment in our children, Katie. From the time they are born we guide them, and nourish them with love and food and the knowledge of life. Likewise, our older people are held in high regard. Never is a disrespectful word said to them, and we listen to their wisdom, to learn from them.
‘We all learn that truth is of the utmost importance, and without it, the community will start to get sick, and decay.
‘Your tongue can be a fierce weapon of destruction, you know. We are to use our words thoughtfully and with wisdom so that we don’t emotionally wound and scar a person for the duration of their life.’
Jenika stood and indicated for Katie to stand also. They walked for a while by the river. Neither spoke a word as Katie internalised everything she had heard.
‘Katie, I also know that you are intrigued by our communication methods. I will try to explain it to you as best as I can. But I don’t think I can explain it fully. It is a gift, given to us by our Creator.
‘Originally, we were not born with this gift. It was given to one in a powerful form, who then taught us.
‘At first, we would observe the behaviour of persons, and read their moods, their feelings and predict their actions. Then we discovered, by looking into a person’s eyes we could see truth. A person’s eyes give away a lot of information you know.
‘We also found the feeling of touch was soothing, and healing. Through the power of the gift, we each were taught how to nurture and develop our minds for communication. We came to a point in time where each and every one of us possessed mind reading and mind talking. So from then on, because the brain neurons were developed for mind communication, generations began to be born with this ability. But we do not free this ability until a child turns sixteen. Children must learn that the truth cannot be hidden, and that the truth will set them free.
‘We teach our children to admire each other for who we are, never for how we look. We show our true spirit in what we do for others, not what we do for ourselves. In the end, it is what is in your heart that counts, Katie, and that is where your future is set.’
Katie listened carefully to each word that was said before she asked the next question.
‘Jenika, why did Jewels want to look into my mind to see the Earth?’ asked Katie, a little scared of what her answer might be.
‘She was looking for signs, Katie ... signs of the Earth needing help. Not only the people, but nature as well,’ Jenika said.
‘Did she see the signs?’ enquired Katie.
Jenika waited for a moment before she spoke. ‘She saw … the beginnings, Katie. But it is not bad enough to intervene for the good of the people or the Earth, yet,’ Jenika answered in all honesty to the child without alarming her.
‘Katie … we will not let Earth humans totally destroy the Earth. If it is destroyed, we are destroyed also. Our parallel world depends on the Earth for our survival. We are guests of the sacred Earth as they are. We didn’t make the Earth. We don’t own the Earth. We have no right to destroy the Earth or any other living soul. We will help the Earth humans and Earth when it is time. We know the way. We have the means. There is only one Earth, and we as guardians, along with the people of the Earth, must look after it. We are merely guests. If there is no Earth, there is no Une Autre Terre, and no Terrean race.’
Katie looked into Jenika’s eyes with fear, not liking the talk about the Earth being destroyed. Then she took a deep breath. ‘Jenika, just one more question, if you don’t mind?’ said Katie. ‘There is a tree here that is not like any of the others—’
‘And that would be the Magnificent Tree,’ said Jenika with a smile in her voice. ‘It is no ordinary tree, as you have seen. It is our source of ultimate health and healing. If a soul’s body becomes ill, we can treat it with a fruit from the Magnificent Tree, and they will be healed. It is also the tree to longevity and wisdom, which can only be gained after life experiences have been completed. The Magnificent Tree is truly magnificent, but we do not worship it. It is our Maker who has provided the tree for us who we worship. For without Him, none of this would be here.‘ Jenika waved her hand over the land.
Katie looked at Jenika for a prolonged moment, taking in all that she had heard, and then they returned to finishing the job that they had been doing, in silence with Katie in deep thought.
In the end, it was a total of five years that Katie spent in Une Autre Terre. She grew taller and blossomed into a beautiful young woman and was blessed with wisdom and the gift of understanding others with compassion.
She had also developed a special relationship with James, and the two of them had become close, at times inseparable. In fact, Katie had fallen in love with him. But any relationship that was more than friends between them was forbidden. James was reminded of this many times in his mind by the Elders.
The day came of the news that the portal window was opening. It was not a day of happiness for any of them. But Katie knew that this day would come. She knew that it would be difficult to leave after spending so much time with these beautiful people, but she must return to her own world.
If she had learned anything here in Une Autre Terre, it was to put others first; the others being her own family. They would be beside themselves with happiness at her return. And that was the right thing to do.
The hunters gathered together, ready to guide Katie to the portal to return to her home. She
didn’t need Jenika this time. She knew that she would be well protected.
As they started the return journey, Katie hid the tears that revealed the pain she felt inside at leaving this untouched, pristine part of the universe and its people.
She placed her hand over her aching heart as she began to walk, knowing she would never see James again.
After five minutes, Katie and the hunters arrived at the “tent” where Katie was first healed five years ago. She entered inside to check to see if she had left any of her belongings there, any evidence of her presence in this parallel world. There was nothing there, except one thing—James.
He sat silently on the bed waiting for her. He wanted to say his goodbye where it would be just Katie and him.
His eyes met Katie’s and held them as he stood up and touched her hands. A single tear rolled down his cheek. He had never felt sadness before, and he didn’t like it.
‘Good-bye, Katie,’ James whispered. ‘I will never forget you.’
‘James, I love you. I can tell you now as I leave. I will hold you in my heart forever.’ Katie choked on her sadness as she spoke.
James wanted to hold her, and comfort her, but he knew it was forbidden.
The hunters indicated that it was time to move on, so Katie left the tent. As they climbed up to the opening of the concealed cavity of Une Autre Terre, the hunters came to an abrupt stop. James had followed them. They turned to face him, and after a short while, the hunters nodded.
James turned to Katie and smiled. ‘I will walk with you to the portal, and then we will part.’
Once they were in the dark cavity and out of the sight of the people, James found Katie’s hand and held it. This had been forbidden before. But he knew that he would never see her again and he wanted to be as close to her as he could before she left.
The journey came to an end when they were at the place where Katie found herself on the dirt ground five years before.
The hunters positioned themselves to help Katie up and out of the portal window, but James continued to hold her hand. He did not speak as he positioned his body so that it was facing hers. He stared into Katie’s eyes and moved closer to her so that they were almost touching. Katie reached out to James, leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. She knew it was forbidden, but it felt so right.
James pulled Katie closer then and kissed her fully. ‘I love you, for always,’ he whispered to her, then caught her tears on his finger and mixed them with his.
Katie looked at James and found herself in a state of confusion. Should she return to her family who have loved her since before the day of her birth? Or stay with the one person who she truly loved?
Her answer was not easy, but it was the right answer. She would put her family’s needs first before hers and return to them. She wished that she could mind talk now. She had so much to tell James before she left. But the time was up.
James placed a cool oval object into Katie’s hand and indicated that he did not want the hunters to see it. He whispered so that only Katie could hear. ‘This is something to remind you of me. As you look at it for a while, you will know what to do with it.’ And then he kissed her lips once again before time ran out.
While Katie was helped up to the portal she looked down at the hunters. ‘For the record, I kissed James, not the other way around!’ Katie had said this for James’s benefit. She knew that if it was perceived as the other way around he would be severely reprimanded.
The hunters pushed Katie up and out of the portal window, and just like that, she was gone from their lives.
She looked down at the icy ground that she now sat on, trying to shut out the pain of her heart breaking.
I disconnected from the rock and got the feeling that Ben had been monitoring me the whole time of the “connection”.
‘Welcome back to our world,’ he said.
‘What do you mean, our world?’ I questioned, wondering if he somehow could read my mind. Or maybe I had been talking while I was “connected” to the rock…
‘Well … when you connect to that thing, you are in the memory world of another person—that’s all,’ he said, pulling his eyebrows together.
‘Yes, you are quite right.’