Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal

by Peter Wilson

  “The portal of the Western Garden is once again safe,” she said. “And it’s because of you three.”

  “I think you and your statues had something to do with it grandma,” replied Jack.

  “Not my statues…ours. And so completes our first lesson.”

  “Grandma, can you teach us too?” asked David.

  His grandmother looked over to him thoughtfully. “Theorden is gone, but I doubt it’s the last we’ve seen of him. Perhaps we do need to spread the family talents in order to keep this world safe.” She paused again before continuing, “But for now I must go. You’ve been gone for three days and the whole family is worried sick! Not to mention the fact that they probably just saw these stone statues walking around the place. I must go back and change their memories of the last few day’s events. Give me an hour or so to sort everything out.”

  Their Grandmother walked from the graveyard, the Warden’s by her side.

  “Did Grandma just become cool?” asked David.

  “I get the feeling she always was,” said Jack. “She just didn’t want to admit it.”

  “I don’t want to sit around here for an hour,” said Rosie. “Can we go to another garden?”

  “Sure,” replied Jack. “Let’s go to the portal and make sure the doors locked. I’ll meet you there, I just want to say hi to my mother.”

  Jack’s cousins left his side and made their way to the Western Gardens.

  Epilogue

  Maddox rose from his vessel, expecting to see the graveyard of Gregson Manor.

  Something was wrong.

  He searched around. The area around him was in darkness. Where was he?

  Some movement to his left caused him to turn. A man was walking away from him.

  “You, come over here,” said Maddox.

  “Why would I want to do that,” Anthrow responded. “I just threw you over there to get away from you.”

  Anthrow had reached the portal and was standing outside it, looking back at him.

  “Where am I?”

  “Cortavia,” Anthrow replied. “Your son thought you might enjoy spending some time on a dark, dead planet alone.”

  “My son is dead,” Maddox replied angrily.

  “No, your son is now probably back at Gregson Manor having tea with his family. Luckily he avoided you trying to kill him.”

  Could it be true? His son was alive? Maddox felt something he’d not felt in a long time. Hope.

  But Theorden had told him he was dead!

  “Farewell Maddox,” said Anthrow. “Don’t worry, this planet does get visitors…every one hundred years or so. Something to look forward to I guess.”

  “Anthrow, take me with you.” Maddox pleaded.

  “Oh I think not, Maddox. I have dinner plans tonight, and I doubt the murderous leader of the Horde would be a welcome addition to the table.”

  With that Anthrow entered the portal and was gone.

  Maddox turned and looked out in to the dark city beyond. It was the perfect home for the Shadow Man and his dark thoughts.

  The End