The Portal Key
Copyright© 2025 by Duncan7
Chapter 8: Night Terrors
David kept watch over the sleeping former coworkers. Their rhythmic snoring filled the air.
Soon, Saria reappeared with more álfar.
“They haven’t woken up yet?” she asked.
“No.”
“Wake them before more arrive.”
David touched the first sleeping coworker, who groaned.
“What? What happened?” he grumbled.
“I’m David from data entry, you must wake up!”
Gradually, the others stirred.
David moved between them, providing a comforting smile. The álfar stood silent nearby.
“Where am I?” asked another.
“You’re in a forest, far from home. I’ll tell you more later. For now, we must transport you to safety.”
It took minutes to rouse them and get them on their feet.
During this time, Bob walked into view, with his hands in the air.
“Don’t shoot! I’m Bob, a friend,” he said. He pulled off the tabard to emphasize his point. Saria lowered her arrow.
“Welcome back, Bob,” said David.
“The Dark Queen has returned. She brought three more minions. I saw Gus among them.”
“Well, while she got three more, we freed eleven today.”
“Right. Are we taking these to the village?”
“Hey! I know you; you’re Bob from finance!” said one of the former coworkers.
“That’s right, although I no longer work for CHI or Mrs. Ellis. We’ll tell you more about it once we get to safety.”
Everyone started walking towards the álfar village. The álfar kept alert for danger as they traveled.
The procession of former coworkers and álfar reached the álfar village. The álfar guided the humans up the steps and out of sight.
Elion, his voice echoing, greeted them.
“Welcome to our village! David, did you explain things yet?”
“Not yet; perhaps we could use your council area?”
“Certainly, David. I’ll have someone bring some refreshments for you.”
They all moved to the council area, where David encouraged his former coworkers to sit. Then he addressed them.
“Mrs. Ellis, your former boss abducted you all and brought you here to serve as her minions. She used magic to mind-control you. We rescued you and removed her means of controlling you. In due course, I intend to take you back to Earth.”
“You’re asking us to believe magic is true?” asked one of the former coworkers, laced with disbelief.
“Oh yes, Mrs. Ellis is an evil witch. She brought you into this world. You can trust your own eyes. This isn’t Earth.”
“What he says is true. Until recently, I was mind-controlled like yourselves. There are others. Until we can go home, we’re guests of Elion and the álfar. Try not to offend our hosts,” said Bob.
“How do we know you didn’t drug us and bring us wherever here is?” asked another former coworker, suspicion clear in their tone.
“Which is harder to believe? That we drugged you or that Mrs. Ellis is evil?” asked Bob. “I could take you back to her castle, and you’d see it’s true.”
“Of course, if she catches you again, you won’t like it. We risked a lot to rescue you,” said David.
Many discussions focused on the same topic. They couldn’t argue that this was Earth, as it clearly wasn’t. The álfar were clearly not human.
Then Elion addressed them. “We’ve arranged for álfar families to host each of you until you can go home. Please understand, until recently, you served the Dark Queen and persecuted us. We understand you weren’t yourselves, but acting under her control. We’re taking a risk to house you, but we don’t want you getting caught by the Dark Queen and reverting to minions.”
Soon, álfar escorted the former coworkers to their new residences. Elion sat down with David, Saria, and Bob.
“You’ve had a busy and productive day!” said Elion.
“Yes, Bob pretended to be a guard and went inside the castle. He even met the Dark Queen.”
“Wow! And she didn’t realize you weren’t mind-controlled?”
“No, she ordered me to fetch something. I immediately left her presence. I didn’t go back,” said Bob.
“Hmm, we can’t risk your getting seen by her again. She’s not stupid,” said David.
“Also, she couldn’t tell you were free of her control. That’s something,” said Saria.
“Agreed. We need to sleep and plan for tomorrow.”
“I’m proud of your achievements today. Get some rest. Bob, I’ll escort you to where you’re staying,” said Elion.
Saria led David home. Calantha greeted them with hugs.
“Welcome home, you two! Word is you’re rescuing lots of humans, and weakening the Dark Queen,” she said, her voice brimming with joy.
“Yes, Calantha, we’ve reduced her minions by at least half,” said David.
“Please call me Emel. It means mother in álfar. We’re family now.”
“Yes, Emel.” David blushed somewhat as he said this.
Saria’s eyes widened, a silent language passing between them.
“Come and sit down, my intended,” she urged, guiding him to the “good” chair, which was now his.
Saria slipped off his shoes, then offered a goblet of spiced ale, its aroma rich and inviting. She took her seat on the stool beside him, leaning on his lap, her gaze fixed on his face. Hers was a picture of serene happiness.
“It’s late, so I prepared something,” said Calantha.
They followed her to the wooden table, the air thick with the scent of a delicious meal.
“Emel, this is fantastic! Thank you.”
“That’s my purpose. I care for you both. You care for all the álfar, especially Saria. Please eat.”
Saria sat near David, helping him eat, even though he didn’t need it. Calantha watched with amusement as she ate sparingly herself.
Saria’s hand brushed David’s leg under the table. It startled David, causing him to blush. Calantha grinned. This was fun!
“David, when Saria was young, she wouldn’t play with young álfar boys. Now she can’t get close enough to you,” said Calantha.
“Emel!”
“We could separate if it bothers you, Emel,” offered David.
“No, I wouldn’t dream of it. You deserve to be happy together. It’s just she’s changed so much recently.”
Saria blushed a darker shade of green, but she didn’t move away from David.
“Saria, I rearranged the bedrooms. You and David will share the larger room, and I’ll take yours,” said Calantha.
“Emel!” Saria could barely contain her excitement. She looked at her mother, her eyes wide.
“You two fight together, and face death. You deserve to be together. The bonding ceremony will come later, but I see you as bonded already.”
“Thank you,” said David. He was at a loss for words.
“Try to stay alive is all I ask.”
After dinner, David and Saria entered their new bedroom. All their things were already there.
With soft giggles, they shed their clothes and slipped under the cool sheets. Exhausted, they lay in bed, bodies close. Saria gazed into his eyes, filled with wonder.
David, overwhelmed with joy, held her close. “This feels amazing, but we need to rest. Tomorrow we’ve got more to do,” he said.
“Yes, my love.” She clung to him.
“You’re so beautiful. You affect me so much.”
“Yes, my love.”
Soon, they drifted to sleep, wrapped in each other’s arms.
During the night, David awoke. Or so he thought. He was hiding in the álfar forest, but it was different. Everything was gray. A fog obscured his vision beyond a few feet.
Not knowing what to do, he moved behind a tree for cover.
He waited.
Soon, he sensed a presence. It was searching the forest for something. Soon, he realized it was searching for him. It was a malevolent presence, and it made him feel deathly cold.
David didn’t move from his hiding place. He felt extreme panic and bewilderment. He didn’t know where to go.
It reminded him of working at CHI, feeling terrified of drawing attention to himself. He dared not move. Then he realized it was her! Mrs. Ellis, aka the Dark Queen!
David was the subject of the Dark Queen’s search. She was a predator, and he was prey. He felt sick.
“I know you’re out there, David. I can sense you,” said the Dark Queen. It was in his mind.
Sick with dread, he knew better than to respond. It would draw her to him. She was already too close. He had almost lost hope.
“If you agree to leave this land, I grant you safe passage home. Elyria isn’t your world, and the álfar aren’t your people.”
She was getting closer! David cowered in his position behind the tree.
Then he noticed a warm feeling in his chest. He glanced down at the amulet around his neck. It was the sole source of warmth in this inhospitable place.
David sensed her moving past, moving away from him. She’d missed him!
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