The Twins of Almexia

“She’s our daughter,” Audrey said, her breaths heaving with exhaustion. “Maybe the Council was wrong. I can't bear the thought of losing her.” “I don't want this any more than you do,” Jonathan said, wiping at his brow, “and you know it.” It was true. He didn't want to send his daughter away, but the land of Almexia was changing, disappearing into the sea as the waters inched toward the center of the large island. The Council—whose members had left the city to search for three of their own who were lost—had never been wrong in their prophecies. Jonathan knew the survival of the world he and his wife had grown to love rested on their daughters, one who slept in the castle in the center of the city, and the other, unaware of her future, who slept in her mother's arms. “To think they will grow up apart from one another. So much could happen.” Audrey held the child even closer. “Promise me I will see her again. I want our daughters to have a chance to be sisters.” “We have to trust the Council,” Jonathan said, eyeing the gates of the city and then the sky. The green hue of the moon faded as it neared the horizon. He knew if the portal closed, there would not be another chance. As long as they could get the baby through in time, she would be safe. “Let's get moving.” Taking Audrey's hand, he led her through the darkening forest. The familiar scent of the trees brought reassurance to the desperate feelings that fought to overwhelm his senses. He allowed his memory to guide him. A lamp would only give away their whereabouts, so he’d refused to bring one along. As they neared a familiar downward slope, Jonathan noticed his chest tighten. As they reached the bottom, the portal that connected them to their former world came into view. It was time for goodbye. “It is still open,” Jonathan said. “I can see the light.” He held out his arms for the child. Audrey embraced him instead, allowing the baby to rest between their chests. At that moment, Jonathan saw Jarrett, his most trusted servant, emerge from the portal. Green light flowed out of the hole in the sloping ground, making a silhouette that appeared to be of a small boy. “The passage is clear,” Jarrett said and bowed to each. “They are waiting for us on the other side. I'm afraid there isn't much time for goodbyes.” “We love you, Alma,” Jonathan said and kissed the baby's forehead. He stifled a sob as he handed Alma to his subject. “Jarrett will keep you safe.” “Jonathan, Audrey, I promise to protect her until the portal opens again,” Jarrett said. “Remember, it is the only way to be sure that it will reopen.” “We will miss you,” Audrey said. “Please be careful. Earth is very different. It can be a dangerous place.” When he was gone, the king and queen of Almexia turned away in anguish. Audrey wept, her face buried in Jonathan's shirt. Tears blurred his own vision, and for a moment, it seemed as if the shadow of another figure followed Jarrett and the child into the hole, just before the light in the portal faded to darkness.