Susanna: Hello, Dortor.

Dortor: Agent Susanna, I have a young woman here who was on the brink of an almost irreparable traumatic incident. You may want to have Agent Ethan check to see if she is in the Records.

Susanna: Will do. Should I attend to her medical needs? She only has a few minor injuries.

Dortor: If they are only minor wounds, then feel free to do whatever you believe is necessary.

Susanna: Thank you, Agent Dortor.

Dortor: It is my duty and pleasure.

Dortor then disappears again.

Susanna: You’ll need to come with me in a couple minutes, but can I see your left arm?

Venessa: Sure…I guess?

She holds out her arm. Susanna touches the small hole where the needle of the IV line was injected into Venessa’s arm. She lifts her hand and the hole fills itself with new skin and no scarring.

Venessa looks up at Susanna: You’re powered? Like me?

Susanna nods: Yup. I can tell this is a lot for you. Why don’t we sit in the Resting Bay for a bit?

Venessa: That sounds great!

Susanna laughs and the two head into what looks like an enormous living room. Stars twirl on the ceiling and clouds float by. Children and teenagers of all ages sit on cushioned benches with adults right beside them. Susanna calls to one of the adults in red who is speaking with a ten-year-old boy who is trying to jokingly explain how the Earth is flat.

Susanna: Agent Ethan, there’s a job for you.

Ethan: Alright, what do you need?

Susanna: Well, Dortor wants you to check the Records room. Look for a “Venessa Teller” in the “Continued” section.

Ethan nods:(to the ten-year-old) I’ll be right back, okay?

Nick: Okay.

Venessa:(to Susanna) What is this place?

Susanna: This is the headquarters of the Keepers of the Realm. It’s where we make our plans.

Venessa sighs. This is just another mystery that she can’t seem to unravel. She stares at the ceiling. The Milky Way Galaxy looms above her in all of its glory. Yet, she can also see Earth’s blue sky, puffy clouds floating languidly by.

Venessa: Why do you have files about me?

Susanna: You kept your gift. The destiny of those who choose to keep their gifts for the rest of their lives is to become a Keeper.

Venessa: Gift?

Susanna nods: The gift that the Commander gave you.

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Venessa: The Commander? You’re working for Beyond?!

Susanna: Calm down, Venessa. You’re safe here, I promise.

Venessa’s mind begins to spiral: Why does he want to kill me?! I haven’t done anything! Well, except for blowing up vandalism, but most of that was an accident!

Susanna: Whoa whoa whoa! Who told you that the Commander wanted to kill you?!

Venessa: I…I think her last name was Dante. She was at…a psych ward with me.

Susanna: Was her first name Emily?

Venessa: I think so.

Susanna sighs: So she’s still living in fear, huh?

Venessa nods: I guess so. Emily called him Beyond, though. Why do you guys call him the Commander?

Susanna: ‘The Commander’ is the name that Dortor’s kind calls him.

Venessa: Dortor’s an interdimensional.

Susanna: What?!

Ethan returns to the room: Good news! Here’s Venessa’s file.(he hands a transparent tablet about the size of a coaster to Susanna) It says she’s only fourteen, so she’ll have to stay with the Presleys for a while. I’ll call up the Chief Rep., then we’ll make a plan.

Susanna: Will do.

Ethan taps his wireless earbud three times and then begins conversing with someone. Venessa is utterly confused and dumbfounded.

Venessa:(exhausted) Can someone please just tell me what’s going on?

Susanna smiles: You’re going to stay with the Presleys until you’re eighteen, or until you are ready to become a Keeper. They’re a very nice family. I can tell you that it’s never boring at their house.

Venessa sighs. Another foster home.

Susanna tries to break the awkward silence: Do you have any other questions? I can’t promise to answer them all right now, but I might be able to later. Or you could ask someone else. I think Dortor would be your best bet, if you can understand his vocabulary.*She smiles*

Venessa puts her face in her hands and then massages her temples: I guess. Why are you wearing blue and…that guy over there…Ethan? He was wearing red. Dortor was wearing silver. What’s that about?

Susanna: That’s a good question. There are three sectors with a head of each one in the organization of the Keepers of the Realm: Flame, Sea, and Cyclone. Flame Sector Keepers wear red. Agent Ethan is head of the Flame Sector and the Civilian Coordinator. Cyclone Sector Keepers are all interdimensionals and they wear silver. Agent Dortor, the one who rescued you, is head of the Cyclone Sector. I’m a Sea Sector Keeper, so I wear blue.

Ethan ends his wireless call:(to Venessa) It’s all set. You’ll be picked up in about fifteen minutes.

Venessa:(sarcastically) Oh, joy.

Ethan(jokingly): You know what, I’ve got a nickname for you, Venessa. It’s one my dad used to call me. Alec. Smart Alec.

Venessa ignores him. The three of them wait for fifteen minutes.

Susanna checks her projector watch: Oh, you’re ride’s here!

Ethan: You act like the Presleys are chauffeurs.*he laughs*

Susanna:(to Ethan) I’m sure they feel like it sometimes.(to Venessa) Let’s head out.

Venessa reluctantly follows Susanna out of the Keeper Headquarters. On the outside, it’s inconspicuous. It looks like every other building in Saint Louis. A car is parked by the sidewalk. People walk past like there is nothing out of the ordinary. Susanna’s navy blue outfit now looks like a regular monochrome business outfit. A woman in her thirties steps out of the car and approaches them. She isn’t dressed like the Keepers, wearing a simple blouse, a silver necklace, and wide-leg jeans.

Susanna: Venessa Teller, meet Annelise Presley.

Annelise tries to approach Venessa, but she shrinks and moves away slightly.

Susanna:*whispering to Annelise* She’s been through a lot. She almost saw 09166Scaled when she was captured by the Hostilities. It’s an absolute miracle that Dortor made it in time to save her from that trauma.

Annelise nods: I understand. *she turns to Venessa* Let’s get you home and out of those clothes.

Venessa looks down at her thirty-year-old sweatpants and improvised hospital-gown top. She supposes that she can go to the Presley house if only for a change of clothes. Venessa gets in the car with Annelise.

Annelise: Drive us home.

Car: Okay. Driving Home: 1347 Felbaro Avenue, Saint Louis, Illinois.