Battery spoke first, “Okay, here's what's going on. You know how I told you that I am in that new programme at university?” Mara nodded. “Well,” continued Battery, “it's really new. I mean, it's bad enough to be in paranormal studies, but when you start talking about parallel realities, people really think you are weird. The only reason that my mother approves is that long before she married my father, she used to date Kiran Akub, my professor. She respects him even if she doesn't really believe in what we are doing. He has always been a good family friend—kind of like an uncle. Anyway, my mum knows that if I am working with him, it must be something scientific and worthwhile.”“And my mother is one of the most accepting people you will encounter here. I have to admit, her seeing you tonight was good for me—kind of an ‘I told you so’ moment.”Battery looked directly at Mara, warning her to be cautious. “This is all why it is so amazing that I was the one who found you. You may not have been safe if someone else had coMara felt that same fearful lurch in her gut, and then her eyes welled with tears. “I am so confused. I don't know what happened to me or how I got here or how to get back.” One lone tear slipped down her cheek, and she cleared her throat, “My dad is going to be so worried about me.”Battery put her arm around Mara. She realised for the first time that Mara was just a girl. Of course she was concerned about her father and being late. Of course she must be frightened. Battery, who was four years older, was going to have to play a big sister role.“I know this is easy for me to say, but try not to worry. Dr. Akub will find a way to contact your father. We'll have dinner and then go to school.”Mara was torn. She felt unbelievably excited by this adventure. This is exactly the sort of story that she and Christi used to make up and pretend to be a part of. As kids, they had spent hours playing brave characters in invented, magical realms. This was a fantasy come true! Yet, in all their imaginary games, Mara had never had to deal with the reality of making her family worry and not me across you lying in the clearing.”knowing how she would return.Since her mother had left, Mara had developed an extremely close relationship with her father and her older brother, Alex. In Mara's tight family unit of three, each person was responsible to the other. They were partners. Alex was Battery's age and very protective of Mara.A few minutes later, Battery's mother called the girls down to dinner. As she got up, Battery advised Mara, “Don't be afraid to answer any of Mum's questions. She's nosy but totally harmless. Besides, her interrogation will get you ready for my class this evening.”Mara quickly fixed one braid and took a deep breath.“Okay,” she replied. She was nervous but had no choice but to trust her new friend.