by Rudi James
Seggim stood up and gave Alex a respectful bow. ‘Farewell my young friend,’ said a voice in Alex’s head. Alex looked at him. Seggim just smiled that huge smile of his.
Alex tried a thought of his own. ‘Give my regards to your wife Adrena.’
He didn't really think he would be able to transmit the thought to Seggim. To his surprise Seggim’s smile became even bigger and he bowed once more and nodded his head slowly in acknowledgement.
All the farewells over, Shirrac took Alex to one side.
‘I will take you back personally,’ he announced, holding some blue powder in his hand.
The last vision Alex had of his friends, just before he and Shirrac were encased in the blue light, was of them waving and shouting their final goodbyes.
Chapter fourteen
Home
Once the blue light of the cylinder had surrounded the two of them, Alex felt the sensation of travelling rapidly upwards in a lift again.
Just as before, it seemed like only a few seconds before the cylinder vanished.
Alex looked down as they hovered. They were directly above his school, towards the back, near the cloakrooms.
‘There doesn't seem to be anyone about,’ Shirrac remarked. ‘Where would you like to be?’
‘The corridor near the cloaks, just inside that entrance,’ replied Alex, pointing to an open door at the side of the building.
‘Fine, I'll set you down and be on my way,’ said Shirrac.
‘Better hurry before someone sees us,’ advised Alex.
‘No one can see us until we land and then they will only see you, because I’ll be immediately on my way,’ Shirrac promised. ‘Incidentally, you are here on the same day that Hogarth picked you up and about the time you started walking home.’
They descended slowly, but as soon as Alex’s feet touched the ground his companion bid him a final farewell and vanished, without even using the blue powder again.
‘Obviously an expert in realm travel,’ mused Alex. He dived inside the entrance to the school and stood in the corridor for a few moments. He decided to leave by the front entrance, as he had done before, and then make his way home. He was about to make his way to the front of the school when he suddenly had the strangest feeling. In his mind he could sense someone thinking about him. ‘My goodness,’ he thought. ‘It’s old Soames, and he's looking for me. I must be receiving his thought waves just as Seggim had predicted I eventually would.’
In confirmation of what he had just sensed, he could suddenly make out footsteps around the corner from the corridor he was in. Then he heard a real voice.
‘Alex, where are you? I know you’re around somewhere. I need to have a word.’
Alex knew he had been right. It was Soames. He began to panic, this didn’t happen last time. He somehow knew he had to avoid any contact. He got out some of the yellow powder from the pouch that Shirrac had given him and tossed it in the air.
Instead of forming a ring of light, the powder fell uselessly to the floor. He couldn't understand it. He had thought about becoming invisible. The footsteps came closer. He rushed into the boys’ cloakroom.
He fetched out some more powder, but before he could toss it in the air a vision of Shirrac’s face appeared above him.
‘Concentrate boy. Empty your mind and think only of becoming invisible. You can do it. You no longer need to say a rhyme.’
The vision vanished.
Alex could hear Soames’s voice again. The headmaster was in the corridor outside.
‘Who the devil has been playing around with yellow paint?’ Soames had obviously spotted the powder on the floor of the corridor. ‘I hope it’s not you Alex. I know you’re here somewhere. I’m sure I saw you.’
‘It’s now or never,’ Alex thought and tossed his powder in the air. He concentrated with all his might. The powder began to fall and then, suddenly, the ring of yellow light burst into view. With immense relief Alex ducked quickly inside its perimeter.
He was not a moment too soon. As he vanished, the door to the cloakroom opened and in stalked the headmaster. He sniffed the air as he entered.
‘Funny smell of burning,’ he muttered.
Alex flattened himself right against the far wall of the cloakroom. Even though he was invisible he didn’t want to risk bumping into Soames. As he stood there he thought about his adventure with the Realm People. Had he really been in another dimension? There were so many questions left unanswered.
How were the powders derived from the crystals?
What was the true power and nature of the crystals, and what was the extra special power that Seggim had mentioned?
What was the science behind the working of the powders, the crystals and those incredible amulets? Was magic involved?
How did Seggim and his people control "runaway" star formations?
The list was endless and Alex realised he had only glimpsed the surface of the true nature of the realm he had just visited.
One thing he did know, however. Of the whole adventure the meeting with Seggim and Adrena was the one that stuck in his mind the most, and he would never forget the breathtaking vision of the Shanglo Crystals.
He had a strong feeling that he would see all his friends again.
Soames made his way out of the cloakroom. Alex heard him shout.
‘Alex, Alexander Shrine. Where the devil are you?’
THE END
Alex’s adventures will be continued in the sequel to this book.
Alex Shrine and the Seventh Realm.
The first chapter of this title now follows and has been included by the author in the e-book version only, of Alex And The Realm People. It is not included in the hard back printed version.
ALEX SHRINE and the SEVENTH REALM
by
RUDI JAMES
Chapter one
A Strange Visitor
Shirrac stared at the dismembered fire lance on the table in front of him.
‘I’m afraid I can’t modify this thing. We shall need some expert help.’
‘You didn’t hear what I said, did you?’ Drum frowned. ‘I said I wouldn’t mind popping over to Alex’s realm to see how he is. I liked Alex and I’d like him to pay us another visit. He’s been gone a few days and his experience here must have sunk in by now. Especially the fact that he can return to a point in time, in his own world, where no one has any idea he’s even been away.’
Shirrac leaned back. ‘I give up with this thing, we’ve been in this workshop for the last four hours or so and have made no progress.’ He looked at Drum. ‘You’re right; I think it is time to make contact with Alex, just to make sure he’s alright and hasn’t been sent loop the loop by his visit here.’
***
The images in Alex’s mind faded out and the garden came slowly back into view. For the second time the events of his visit to another dimension, a week earlier, had replayed in his mind.
It was as though he had been physically back in the other realm and re-experienced the two days he’d spent there, in what was only ten to fifteen minutes.
Twice now he’d had no control over his mind drifting back; relaying the images and sequence of events. He saw again all the brilliant clours, the forest, the sand dunes and the battle with the Sand Dwellers. He saw the magical powders, the mysterious amulets, the magnificent Shanglo Crystals and, of course, his friends the Realm People.
He thought once more about the Shanglo Crystals and the amulets. It occurred to him that neither had really had their true nature explained to him.
He shook his head to clear his mind, for the experience of re-living his adventure left him feeling a little woozy.
He was sitting in his bedroom looking out of the window at the garden below. ‘Why do I feel so different?’ He thought.
He turned and looked in the mirror mounted on the door of his wardrobe. His image reflected back and he stared at the straw coloured hair, the green eyes, the fresh complexion, as if expecting an answer to
his question. None came.
He didn't know at that point what had distracted him. Something had just caught the corner of his eye. He turned round, but saw nothing. He continued to gaze into the garden.
After a few moments he thought he heard someone whispering. He tilted his head to one side, but could make nothing out. He shook his head. ‘Come on Shrine get a grip of yourself,’ he said out loud. ‘You're so far away in another world that you've taken to hearing and seeing things; probably wishful thinking that Hogarth or Drum will show up or something.’
‘You're wrong Alex.’
This time the whisper was louder and he'd heard it quite plainly.
‘You're wrong,’ repeated the whisper, ‘I'm over here. Look at the wall behind you.’
Alex whirled round. ‘Is that you Hogarth, Drum?’ He said eagerly, his voice full of hope. He stared at the wall but could see nothing. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end and his skin began to creep. ‘Surely not ghosts now,’ he thought.
‘I'm afraid not,’ said the voice. ‘I'm neither of those two, whoever they are. Please look closely. I know I'm faint, but I am here.’
Alex stared hard at the wall and began to make out a dim shape. It looked like an extremely faint shadow. He waved his arms about but the shadow didn’t move. It wasn’t his.
‘I..... we need your help.’ The voice was still whispering.
Alex squinted, trying to make out what he was looking at. ‘Who... what are you?’ He asked, his voice quavering. ‘Please speak louder. I can hardly hear you.’
‘I can't make myself sound any louder,’ replied the voice. ‘I'm lucky to be able to get your attention at all. I.... we keep fading in and out. And we are stuck here. We need help to get back to normal.’
‘Who are you?’ Repeated Alex.
There was no reply. The shadow had gone and with it the whisper.‘What the devil was that?’ Alex spoke loudly again. The hairs were still standing up on the back of his neck.
‘I'm sorry, but I'm over here now. To your right.’ The whisper was back. Alex looked hard and sure enough he could see the shadow again; much stronger this time.
‘As I said, we fade in and out and we have no control over it.’ The voice was unmistakably coming from the shadowy figure in Alex's room. It looked like the shadow cast by any normal person of average height and build.
‘What.... who are you?’ Alex felt extremely uneasy.
‘There's no need to be afraid,’ said the shadow. ‘My name is Gimmel, and I am a who and not a what.’ The voice sounded slightly indignant.
‘I'm sorry.’ Alex's unease was beginning to dissipate. The hairs on his neck no longer stood up. ‘But you made me jump. It's a bit scary to have a talking shadow suddenly appear. I thought I was seeing a ghost.’
Alex felt somewhat ridiculous talking to what was really empty space.
The shadow hung its head in what seemed like despair. ‘I know, I can understand that. I'm not just a shadow though. I only exist in your particular space and time as one. I'm….. we are real enough in our own space. We need help to try and get back to normal and to leave here. Through no fault of ours, we exist partly in your reality and partly in our own.’
‘What makes you think I can help?’ Asked Alex, scarcely believing what he was seeing and hearing.
‘I'll have to answer that later I’m about to fade out; I can feel it.’
The shadow vanished, somewhat abruptly, leaving Alex feeling highly perplexed and very bemused. For the second time in just over a week he was in contact with a strange being. What, with his recent experience in another dimension and now this, he was beginning to feel he was somehow being singled out.
The shadow reappeared as suddenly as it had vanished. It startled Alex again.
‘I thought you couldn't control your fade in and fade out.’
‘I can't,’ replied the visitor. ‘We can control where we appear, but not when.’
‘You keep saying “we.” How many of you are there?’
‘We exist in countless numbers.’
‘I was afraid of that, how come no one else seems to have seen you?’
‘We do our best to stay out of view and we never speak to anyone. You are the first. In any case, we can only be seen in shadow form. How many of your people would notice an extra shadow. Even if that shadow was sharp enough to be reasonably visible?’ The voice had become indignant again.
‘You have a point,’ agreed Alex, ‘but what makes you think I can help you. Why have you picked on me to speak to?’
The shadow seemed to think for a moment before answering.
‘We saw you. We saw you arrive in a rather strange manner outside your school. You seemed to appear out of thin air, with another much smaller person. The small person then vanished into thin air again. You were followed and were seen to use some strange powder to make yourself invisible. We concluded that you must have some unusual powers, that could possibly help us.’
The shadow hung its head again in despair. ‘We are most likely clutching at straws. You probably can't help, but we are desperate to try anything.’
Alex was beginning to feel sorry for his strange visitor. ‘Can you see us all the time, even when you’ve… er…faded out?’ He asked, out of curiosity.
‘Oh yes, but fortunately we cannot be seen by you unless we are in shadow form. As I have already said. I think I should go now I've wasted enough of your time.’
‘Don't go yet, I will try and help you if I can. I don't have any unusual powers, of the sort you seem to be looking for, but I know of someone who might have.’
After this remark Alex could sense an almost tangible mood swing from the shadowy figure in front of him. It changed from near despair and resignation to one of intense interest and hope. The feeling was so strong that Alex wondered whether he was sensing, though not quite reading, his companion's thoughts. He had been told by his Realm People friends that his telepathic abilities would begin to develop more and more, the more he used the powders. He had, after all, used one of the powders again when Shirrac had brought him back, from the other realm, and dropped him off at school.
‘Do you really mean that?’ The voice sounded more cheerful.
‘I do,’ confirmed Alex. ‘I just don't quite know how to do it yet. I shall have to ask my friends. Unfortunately I can’t get back to their realm; I will have to wait until one of them decides to pay me a visit. I'm sure they will. In any case, I'm only guessing they will be able to help. It's quite likely they can.’
The shadow, Gimmel, remained silent for a while.
‘You've been to another realm, another dimension?’ He asked, at length. His voice sounded incredulous. ‘Then we seem to have more in common than I thought. I shall have to return to my friends and tell them.’
‘Before you go,’ interrupted Alex, ‘How did you get into my room?’ I heard and saw nothing; no doors opening, nothing. And how did you know my name?’
‘In our shadow state, we have the ability to pass through solid objects and, as you can guess, are completely noiseless. I shall demonstrate as I leave. I will remain as close by as possible so that I can be in contact whenever I fade in. As for your name; we heard another person, inside your school, calling out for you.’
With that, the shadow seemed to sink into the closed door of Alex's room and slowly diffuse.
Alex had wanted to ask what had caused his visitor’s strange condition. He sat motionless on the end of his bed for a long time, trying to make sense of what he had just experienced. It was only the sound of a car coming up the driveway that snapped him out of his thoughts. His parents had returned from their shopping trip. Thank goodness they hadn't arrived any earlier. He heard the front door open, then his father's voice.
‘Alex, Alex where are you? Hope you've finished your homework.’
Alex rolled his eyes up and sighed. He opened the door of his bedroom and said, in a loud voice, ‘YEAH DAD I'm up here and yes I have finished my homework. Wel
l nearly.’
‘Nearly isn't good enough m'lad, a stitch in time and all that.’
‘Oh for heaven's sake Richard, leave the boy alone. He's worked very hard lately.’
It was Alex's mother coming to his defence.
‘I know, but he seems to be spending a lot of time in his room for some reason. He's been behaving very oddly; about a week now.’
Just then, there was a flash of light in Alex’s room behind him and in sheer panic he shut his door with a bang. He turned round sharply and standing there in front of him was Drum.
‘Phew!’ exclaimed Drum, ‘I've only just got the hang of making an appearance without that gunshot noise you were talking about. It really takes it out of me.’
Alex was still panic-stricken. ‘You picked a fine time to pay me a visit. What happened to your code of safe entry? My parents have just arrived. And how did you manage to find me? You haven’t been here before so you wouldn’t be able to think of where you were going.’
‘I can also think of a person,’ replied Drum, ‘The powder does the rest. Sorry about bursting in on you.’
Alex was absolutely delighted to see Drum, but there was no time for further conversation. Alex’s father could be heard coming up the stairs.
‘What's going on up there did I hear voices? I hope you didn't slam the door in temper. Who've you got in there with you Alex?’
Drum was about to delve into one of his pouches, when Alex stopped him.
‘Not that, there isn't time, my father will be in here any moment,’ he whispered. ‘Get in there.’
Drum did as he was told and hid himself in Alex's wardrobe. Alex switched on his computer and sat down quickly in front of it pretending he had a problem.
‘Blast!’ he exclaimed, in mock annoyance, as his father opened the door, ‘Lost my programme again.’
Alex’s father, a tall, thin, gangly looking man with sparkling eyes and a mischievous expression, looked around the room as if expecting another person to be in there.
