4338.211 · July 30, 2018 AD
One Second Between
Beatrix steps through the Portal into a Tasmanian storm, searching for Gladys. Sirens are wailing. Police voices approach—Karl's voice. She hides in a toilet cubicle, crouched on the toilet seat, every muscle tense. She activates her Portal device. Impossible colours explode across the grimy walls. Then—BANG. Karl kicks the door open. Their eyes lock for one razor-edged second. The door swings shut. Beatrix dives through the swirling vortex before the door opens again. She lands in Clivilius dust. The Portal snaps closed. Karl is left staring at an empty cubicle, the silver-haired woman vanished.
Portal deposits her into storm's teeth. Rain sideways. Sirens climbing. Gladys's car discovered behind toilet block—abandoned, door flapping. No sister. No trace.
Voices approach. Female officer first. Then Karl—Detective Karl Jenkins. Recognition spikes panic. He remembers faces, has tenacity of terrier. They're examining tyre tracks, confused about physics-defying disappearance. Circling dangerously close to Portal's location.
Broom falls. Metal clatters.
"Police! Come out slowly with your hands up!"
Beatrix slips into farthest cubicle. Locks door. Perches on toilet seat, feet drawn up, every muscle wire-taut. Footsteps squelching closer. Each step countdown between freedom and handcuffs.
Hand finds device in pocket. Finger slides across activate button.
Light explodes—impossible colours painting grimy walls in kaleidoscope. Relief sparks. First breath after being held underwater.
BANG!
Door kicks inward. Wood splinters. Frame buckles.
Karl stands there. Their eyes lock. Single razor-edged second stretching into eternity. His expression unreadable—grim authority mixed with something personal.
Door swings shut on damaged hinges.
No hesitation. Beatrix dives headlong through swirling vortex. Hits Clivilius dust in controlled skid. Portal snaps closed behind her.
Karl left on Earth side. Empty cubicle. Silver-haired woman who couldn't exist—vanished. Physics fractured. Logic abandoned. Only impossible colours remain, fading from concrete walls.
