As soon as my finger touched the barrier, the portal hummed brighter and pulsed. The pressure pushed me and blew my hair back. I raised my eyebrows in shock and the storm on the other side swirled to a stop. The pull I felt to the portal ended, and i snapped out of my semi trance. Something was happening, and i knew it instinctively.

  "What the hell?!" Kai yelled as the blast had enveloped him and Katherine.

  Katherine yelped loudly and covered her face in surprise. I faced them for a moment before turning back and eyeing the portal again. The swirling died down and I finally got a clear look through it.

  "What? A field?" I said in confusion.

  The portal showed me a field that seemed to stretch out for miles before ending in a tree line. More confusing there seemed to be trash littering the floor. I saw bottles, tires, half a car and even a washing machine. The sight drew me in before Kai snapped me out of it again.

  "What's happening Max! What was that? What do you mean a field?" He questioned a bit aggressively but mostly nervously.

  I struggled to explain what I saw before checking the portal. For the second time, my heart jumped out of my chest. It began to glow brighter and slowly, ever so slowly, move towards us.

  "Run..." I choked out, backing away.

  "What?" Came both of their voices confused.

  "RUN!" I yelled and turned around, this time grabbing Kai's hand and pulling him with me.

  He stumbled but grabbed Katherine's hand and dragged her with us. I looked over my shoulder and my eyes widened further as i see it following us, moving faster. I dove into the trees again, pushing through the brush and holding tight onto Kai's wrist.

  He yelled out while following behind me. "Max! What's happening!? God damn it! What are we running from!"

  His frustration was evident but I kept up with pace, only offering a brief explanation. "It's chasing us, idiot! Keep up, it's getting faster!"

  His eyes darkened at the revelation and he picked up the pace, dragging Katherine behind him ignoring the twigs slapping him in the face. Katherine on the other hand was confused and crying, clearly scared. I felt guilty in my heart but knew we had to keep going. The run was harsh, slamming into trees hitting and bruising my shoulders. Ignoring the pain I kept going and holding tight onto Kai's hand. The hum of the portal grew louder and closer behind us at an alarming pace.

  "Just keep up! When we get out of here, we can run faster in a straight line! We can do this!" I called back almost tripping over a branch but powering through and catching my balance.

  After what felt like eternity i finally saw the edge of the forest, pushing myself to run harder. Freedom and safety were so close. I broke through it in a full sprint yelling in joy before i felt Kai yank his hand out of mine.

  I turned around and saw him on the ground, hovering over Katherine. My blood ran cold as i realize what happened. She was crying and holding her ankle arching in pain.

  'God damn it, she had tripped over a branch.' Cursing to myself i ran to her side and looked her over.

  Her ankle was clearly bruising quickly and she was mess, writhing in pain.

  "It's okay babe, it's gonna be fine. We have to get moving. You're gonna be alright." Kai said brushing the hair and twigs from her face.

  As he coaxed her into moving, I turned towards the trees and saw it. The portal was now pushing through the dense cropping and making it's way towards us, faster than i was comfortable with.

  "We need to carry her! It's almost here. Quickly!" I helped him lift her up and carefully maneuvered her onto his back.

  I took his backpack from him in exchange and made sure she was comfortable. Katherine was still crying in pain but thankfully didn't fight us, choosing to hold onto her boyfriend tightly.

  He stood up and began to run. I chanced a look behind us one last time and saw it breach the treeline. It was only a few feet behind me now. I flipped back around and ran after them faster than I've ever run in my life. Catching up to Kai I realized with dread that it was getting faster. Maybe I could outrun it for now, but he couldn't with her on her back.

  I swallowed hard and yelled at him with gasping breathes "You can't outrun it with her! It's coming faster!"

  He looked at me with fear in his eyes, searching for a solution, but time was up. In a moment that felt like forever, I made a decision and we locked eyes a final time. He seemed to understand and reached out his hand. I gripped it tightly and grinned at him stiffly. He returned the gesture, grinning while scared out of his mind. Just like that we both slowed to a stop, ready to face what may come.

  Thankfully it was over in a second. The rift swallowed us whole and we were yanked in greedily. It was almost how I'd imagine being sucked down a toilet would feel. Swirling, spinning, forced through a pipe before bursting out the other end. The fall hurt less than i thought it would, partly because my bag broke the fall and partly from adrenaline.

  I groaned in pain before opening my eyes and staring up at the sky. "So that's what New York rats feel like."

  After my tasteless joke, i realized instantly something was different. The air felt charged, strong... Good. I took a deep breath and sat up slowly, inspecting myself carefully before gingerly standing up. I took in my surroundings and realized I really had landed in the field i saw through the rift.

  The field was filled with wild grass, up to my waist. On my right lay a forest about a mile away spanning to either side as far as i could see. To my left the field turned to hills that seemed to roll and flow for an untold distance. In front of me and behind me was more of the same. Hills or flat grass. I looked up and gazed into the sky, blue but seemingly tinted with a hint of purple. The sun lay tall in the sky, approximately where it should be from the time we had come in the portal.

  I brushed my pants off and dug in my pocket, instinctively checking my phone. As soon as my fingers touched it, I knew it was broken. I slowly pulled it out and groaned when I saw the display. Completely shattered, useless to me now. It must have broken in the fall somehow.

  With no other options, I grabbed my bag and began calling for Kai and Katherine. My mind raced as i prayed the fall hadn't injured them. I walked in a circle, calling out in all directions straining my ears for a response. Those few minutes of silence built my anxiety up like a drum, begging quietly for someone to hear me. Finally the sound came, and the drums stopped.

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  "MAX! OVER HERE!" A distant call came from behind me. I swerved and began running carefully towards the voice.

  As i ran i noticed the trash that was piling up over the floor. It was really here, not something i had imagined. I jumped over bottles, passed crates and toppled furniture.

  "KAIIII, KATHERINE!" I called out as i ran, listening for another response.

  "HERE!" Came the voice from near the trees. I ran faster and sighed internally with relief when i saw Kai waving at me, Katherine sitting next to him seemingly nursing her ankle.

  After another minute i slowed to a jog and greeted the both of them with a tentative smile. "I'm so glad you're both alright. I was worried about the fall."

  Katherine looked at me, tears stained down her face but said nothing returning to her foot.

  Kai walked up to me and gave me a firm hug, holding me tightly for a bit before letting go.

  "That makes two of us. I'm glad you're alright." He said looking me up and down. He frowned for a moment and continued. "Better than alright actually. I saw you running for a while now. You dont even look out of breath."

  I paused at that and looked down at my hands. He was right, i felt great in fact. My body felt light, and the air in my lungs felt like electricity was flowing through me. My heart barely felt strained.

  "I.. i dont know. You're right. Something's different here. The air feels good. Don't you feel it?" I ask both of them, looking for a response.

  Katherine didn't reply again, and Kai merely shook his head. "I'm not sure what you're feeling dude, but it feels the same to me. Whatever it is seems to be doing good for you at least though." He said wearily.

  "Speaking of, where the hell are we? Katherine and i fell in the field right there and decided to sit in the shade. It's hot out, Suns high."

  I shook my head and replied with uncertainty. "I'm not sure. The tree line seems to go on for miles, same with the hills on the other end." I took a look at the forest before continuing "It's definitely the place i saw through that rift though. Even the trash littered all over the place."

  Kai fell silent at that, looking at Katherine with a mixed expression. He sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her gently. She leaned in and placed her head in his chest closing her eyes.

  "Well. Now what?" He questioned to no one in particular.

  "I-" I tried to start but hesitated. This whole situation was my fault. The portal, the strange feeling. Not listening and just leaving like they asked me too. As good as it felt be here, they hadn't asked to come along.

  I stared at my feet and felt the guilt eat at me before walking over to the both of them and taking a deep breath. I crouched down in front of them and cleared my throat nervously.

  "I'm sorry. Katherine. Kai." Kai looked at me questioningly while Katherine refused to meet my eyes.

  "This- situation. This is my fault. I should have listened to you both, and i didn't. I got you hurt Katherine, and now we're stuck in some place who knows how far from civilization." I hung my head low and continued.

  "I'm truly sorry. I don't know what came over me or why, but you're in danger now and it's my fault. I dont expect forgiveness, i just want to let you know i understand how stupid and selfish i was to drag us all here."

  Kai was about to speak before Katherine finally snapped up and angrily spat out at me. "You're damn right this is your fault! Kai tried to stop you so many times, tried to help you! But you just had to be curious, had to ignore him!"

  "Babe-" Kai tried to intervene, but i held up a hand to stop him. I needed to hear what she had to say.

  "Now we're trapped in the middle of a god damn garbage dump with no water, no food, no supplies and a forest for miles while i have a busted and bruised ankle! Not to mention my phone is broken and I can't even tell my parents where i am!" She shouted louder at me and began crying again. "So yeah, it is your fault. Don't talk to me. Just.. leave me alone."

  She turned her head and leaned into Kai's chest again, crying silently. I watched her with a regretful expression before standing up and looking at the hill line.

  "I'm going to check out what's past the hills." I said to no one in particular dropping my bag on the floor near him. "Oh, i lost your bag by the way. Sorry."

  Kai finally cut in and tried to stop me. "By yourself? It could be dangerous! What happens if you get hurt too? And who cares about the stupid bag dude?"

  I smile at him and place a hand on his shoulder gently. "We cant sit here forever and pray to be rescued. Someone needs to scout the area, and I'm not going to leave Katherine alone here when she can barely walk."

  I start towards the hill line and say "She's your girlfriend, she comes first safety wise. Besides, you said it yourself. This place is doing good for me."

  My walk turned into a run before he could protest and i began making my way across the field, dodging trash, vaulting over broken barricades and appliances. I was thankful at that moment that i had gotten into parkour, made traveling this mess a bit easier. Soon enough i found myself at the base of the hill and slowed down.

  I reached up and placed a hand over my chest. "Damn, i do feel amazing." I muttered as my heart rate barely elevated after the 3 minute sprint.

  I was in decent shape but normally that would have winded me a little at least. Deciding to save the questions for later, i continued my path and ran up the hill side. It was taller than it looked at first, but with my new found stamina i was up it in less than 10 minutes.

  As I neared the peak, I slowed down and grabbed my phone hoping to take a picture of our surroundings. Then as soon as the thought came, i dropped it. I had already forgotten i broke it. It was scary how much i relied on it at all times. That would be no use to me now, not even to call for help. I shoved it back into my pocket disappointed and took a good look at our surroundings.

  Past the hills lay nothing but ocean, open water as far as the eye could see. Not a single city or person in sight.

  "It's the end of the world." I said to myself, watching the water disappear into the horizon.

  I turned and faced the forest and sat down taking in the view. The breeze brushed my face softly and I closed my eyes relaxing for just a moment. At least the wind felt the same. Opening my eyes again i scanned the treeline carefully looking for any sign of civilization. Unfortunately, i saw nothing. We had 3 options at this point, but it was better to discuss them as a group.

  I sat there alone for a few more minutes contemplating everything that was happening while I had peace. I was somewhere in a strange place with minimal supplies, no phone, my best friend and an injured girl. Honestly my odds weren't looking amazing. Sadly i was never a boy scout or Bear Grylls. Survival was going to be a fight for our lives.

  Obviously I had no thoughts of giving up, but damn did things look bleak. I rubbed my eyes out of slight frustration and slapped my cheeks gently to snap out of the mood. There was no use in complaining about the hand we were given. It was my fault we were here, so it was my responsibility to make sure that at the very least those two mad it out of this.

  I finished contemplating with a deep breath before standing up and making my way back towards my friends. Now was the time more than ever to rely on each other. In about 15 minutes i had made my way back to the couple to explain the situation.

  Kai cupped his hands and yelled first when he saw me coming up. "How's it look? I'm glad you're alright."

  "Basically, we have 3 options." I began as i walked up to the two of them once i was in earshot. "Realistically 2 but I'm going optimistic. The other side is completely ocean in any direction. No land to be seen past the water."

  Katherine looked up at me, clearly still upset but listening nonetheless. "So, option 1. We make ourselves a boat and sail the sea. That's the unrealistic one by the way."

  Kai scoffed and said "Yeah, no shit dude."

  I ignored him and continued "2, we walk down this pathway of trash and the treeline and see what we find. Or 3, and my personal favorite, we start going through the forest and try to break through the other side."

  Kai and Katherine made eye contact for a moment before she finally spoke up. "It's going to be hard to walk through the forest with my ankle messed up..."

  Her boyfriend nodded in agreement and sighed. "I agree with what you're saying Max, but we can't expect her to walk on this leg through a forest. We'd have to take turns carrying her and we don't have the food or energy to do that right now."

  Their words only drove me further before I spoke again. "You're right, but what if we splinted it and had her hold onto us while walking? We can easily support her together and take it slow through the forest. I dont think it's a good idea to waste time and energy sitting here. We're never going to be in better shape than we are now."

  They shared looks again before nodding along with some hesitation. "Alright, but how do you plan on making a splint for her? We dont have the supplies for that." Kai questioned.

  "Just leave that to me, I'll figure it out." I gave them a thumbs up before standing again and beginning to dig through the brush looking for some sturdy sticks. There was one thing on my mind at that point. Something gnawing at my insides this entire time, underlying all of the panic and adrenaline.

  'Grandpa, I'm here aren't I?'