Chapter 1: Skate Park Portal
The concrete ramps at Silverado Park were cool to the touch even in the summer heat. Thor sat at the edge of the bowl, feeling the smooth concrete under his palms. Sweat ran down his face, dampening his ripped jeans that were already dirty from previous falls. His dark brown cropped hair was matted to his forehead.
"You can do it, Thor!" Astrid shouted from the sidelines.
Thor shook his head, trying to block out his sister's voice. He needed to concentrate. Taking a deep breath, he pushed himself off the edge and skated with all his might. The wheels of his inline skates rumbled against the concrete as he reached the opposite rim and launched into the air, spinning a perfect 360. But when he landed, his left foot wasn't fully under him, and he tumbled to the ground. Again.
"Next time, buddy! You got this!" his papa yelled from across the skate park.
"Next time, big brother," said Astrid, adjusting her straight brown hair that reached her shoulders.
"Just don't fall, okay?" added Norah, the youngest of the three and Captain Obvious. Her short curly light brown hair bounced as she nodded matter-of-factly.
Thor rolled his eyes, smacked the concrete in frustration, and skated back to his family. The shadow of the big tree they were under provided welcome relief from the California sun. The grass was a little damp but felt good against his skin. He lay down and closed his eyes.
"I almost had it!" The words escaped his lips in frustration.
"Een paar keer meer en het lukt wel," said his mama with a smile.
"A few more times and I'll get it," Thor repeated, showing he understood the Dutch perfectly. "I know Mama, just keep at it. Goed zo!"
He did know what to do, but the more he failed, the more frustrated he got, and the harder it was to concentrate. He opened his eyes and looked around. His two sisters were wearing their inline skates like him – worn jeans, protective pads, and helmets. All three kids shared the same olive skin tone from their father, darkened by the California sun, and the same deep brown eyes.
Astrid had a huge grin and her right hand on her hip. Norah was playing with her plastic light-sword and had already taken her helmet off.
"Yeah, just don't fall," said Norah again. Thor rolled his eyes and put his head back down on the cool grass.
"Yeah, just don't fall, got it," he said sarcastically.
Astrid laughed, "Now my turn!" She walked across the grass, and started skating when she reached the cement. She went once around the bowl, then jumped inside. Coming up on the other side, she landed on the rim and slid across the edge for a few feet. She jumped and switched her feet mid-slide, grinding a little more before returning to the whoops and hollers of her family.
"¡Muy bien, Astrid!" their papa called out, clapping his hands. "Perfect landing!"
Thor was happy to see her do such a perfect trick, even if it made his own failure sting a bit more.
"Kids, your papa and I have to run to the store. We'll be back in a few minutes. Our neighbor is watching you from over there." Mama pointed with her head to Eva, their neighbor. Her kids also skated at the park. They lived across from them.
"Okay, Mama," said Astrid, pulling at her safety pads. "Can you get more oatmeal?"
"And raspberries," said Norah, brandishing her light-sword. "I love raspberries!"
Everyone chuckled and said their goodbyes. Thor watched as their parents walked to the car, holding hands as they went.
"You wanna play fetch, Viking?" said Norah, turning to their dog.
Viking was a peculiar mix of terrier and dachshund – a small white dog with very short legs and a long, hairy body. He had a long snout and floppy white ears that seemed too big for his head. His funny appearance always brought a smile to Thor's face.
"Yeah, let's play with Viking!" Thor said, sitting up and grabbing a stick. "Here Viking!"
The children laughed and ran with Viking for a long time. Viking loved the attention and would bring back every stick they threw, his short legs working overtime as he scampered across the grass. Nearby skaters smiled at the sight of the excited dog and the three siblings.
One of the sticks flew close to a broken fence by a huge brick building at the edge of the park. Viking ran after it but stopped several feet away, hackles raised.
"That's weird," said Thor. "He always gets the stick."
Viking began to whine, backing away from the fence.
"I'll go get it," Thor said, but Astrid and Norah followed close behind him, curious about Viking's strange behavior.
As they approached, the air felt different – heavier somehow, with a slight electric tingle.
"What is that?" asked Norah in surprise, pointing at the fence.
Behind the broken boards, a red light was glowing. Thor moved closer. It was a large circle of swirling red light, like nothing he'd ever seen before. The boards of the fence seemed newer around the light, as if recently broken.
"Was this fence broken before?" Astrid whispered, stepping closer to Thor.
Thor carefully moved one of the broken boards aside. Then another. The circle of light was perfect, hovering in the air like a window.
"I don't like it," said Norah, her little face all scrunched up. She wasn't scared, Thor knew that; she was just honest.
"I think I see something." Thor leaned in closer, squinting. "I think I see trees, and water. Like a river but smaller."
"A stream?" Astrid suggested, nervously biting her lip. "Don't get too close, Thor. It might be dangerous."
"It doesn't look dangerous, Astrid," he paused, his head tilting to one side. "It looks... peaceful."
"Yeah, peace-fill," said Norah, not quite saying it right. "I still don't like it."
Viking barked sharply, and they all jumped. Thor lost his balance, teetering on the edge of the broken fence. His arms windmilled as he tried to regain his footing.
"Oh no! Someone help!" he cried as he felt himself falling forward.
"Thor!" Astrid lunged forward, reaching for her brother's hand. Her fingers just brushed his as he fell through the glowing circle.
"No! Thor!" Astrid screamed, watching as her brother disappeared into the strange light. Without hesitation, she dove in after him.
Norah stood frozen for a moment, her light-sword clutched tightly in her small hand. She looked back at the skate park, then at Viking, who was barking frantically at the portal.
"I'm coming too!" she declared and, with a deep breath, jumped through the hole in the fence after her siblings.
The last thing she heard was Viking's desperate barking fading behind her as the world dissolved into a swirl of red light.
To be continued...