Lahat ng Kabanata ng Leesa's Advent: Kabanata 511 - Kabanata 520

Suddenly, I realize what’s been bothering me about his appearance—it’s his age. He looks like he’s in his early twenties, but that’s impossible, of course. As far as I know, there’s no one in their early twenties in this world. I glance down at my machete through the corners of my eyes and draw my knees up in front of me.“Uh, Kai?” I ask softly, “where are you from?”He hesitates for just a moment. “I think you have probably guessed that by now,” he says.“You’re from There?” I ask, wanting to hear him say it. “From the other world?”He nods. “Yes. We saw you were in some trouble, so I was sent to help you.”My head feels like it’s spinning. The spit and the rabbit drop to my lap, but I scarcely notice. Kai’s simple statement has raised so many questions that I can’t wrap my brain around them all. Beings in the other

We settle in to wait back among the trees, just to be safe. Lieutenant Gregerson tells me about the runner he sent back to inform my dad that they had discovered the remains of my fire. He thinks the main group of Marines with the Miracles might reach us by the end of the day. If not, he’s certain they’ll be here sometime tomorrow morning, unless something delayed them. I hope nothing has, but in this wild place, there are plenty of things that could slow them down, or even stop them. I don’t let my thoughts go down that road, though.The Marines keep busy constructing crude barriers around our hiding place out of small saplings and branches hacked from trees. While they work, I sit with Kai. There’s something I’ve been wondering about, so I decide to ask him.“When my dad gets here with the rest of the soldiers, will you still stay with us?”Kai looks at me with a puzzled expression. “Where else would I go?”“I don’t know. I thought that maybe once I had plenty of protection around m

I’m still watching Kai across the way. A couple of the Marines, not knowing exactly what’s going on, have their guns raised toward him. I guess I don’t blame them. Protecting the Miracles is their primary job, and after watching that spectacular leap, it’s not hard to see why the soldiers might be unsure about Kai’s intentions.“I will, Dad. But first, tell your guys to rest easy. Kai’s there to carry the Miracles across on the rope, so they don’t have to go all the way around.”“Stand down, men,” my dad calls across. “He’s on our side.”The Marines lower their weapons and Dad turns back to me, looking at me expectantly.“I don’t know all the details,” I begin, “but Kai was sent from There to help me. He saved me from a two-headed cyclops right over there on the other side where everyone is standing. He shot arrows into both eyes, a split-second apa

The next morning , I’m awakened by something dripping onto my cheek. I open my eyes to a world shrouded by thick, gray mist. Overnight, a dense fog bank has rolled in off the Pacific. I’ve seen plenty of morning fogs back in San Diego, but nothing to match this one. The damp curtain has reduced my world to a circle of fifteen to twenty feet. On one side of me, I can see Plush and Lights sleeping close beside each other, on the other I can make out Radar and Doc. The rest of my friends, a bit farther away, are just dark forms, almost unrecognizable. The nearest trees are shadowy columns whose upper reaches have been swallowed by the fog. I know we’re surrounded by Marines, but I can’t see any of them. Kai is nowhere in sight, either.Another drop hits my face, splattering against my forehead this time. It’s condensation, dripping from an invisible leaf or branch above me. I wipe it off with the back of my hand and sit up.It’s not dar

The soldiers have let go of their guns. Those who have swords are gripping them at their sides; the rest are holding their spears flat along the ground. For one of the few times in my life, I wish I had a sword instead of a machete. My blade’s lack of a point renders it useless for this particular defense, so I leave it sheathed on my back. Instead, I grip my new spear tightly.Kai is lying next to me, holding his sword in his right hand. His bow and several arrows lay on the ground beside him, ready for quick use if needed. His left hand rests reassuringly on my shoulder. If it wasn’t for the rapidly approaching flying monsters that want to make us their dinner, lying like this with Kai would quite enjoyable. My Dad is stretched out behind me, guarding me from that side.“Don’t worry, Leah,” Kai says softly into my ear. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”Despite the imminent threat, somehow I believe him. His q