A Strange New World [Chapter XVI]

[Miracle]

"Just eat your food, Miracle."

"You're the head of the household, I will do as you say."

"It's all right. Miracle is a big girl I should treat her as such."

The High Priestess met Laura's gaze, interested in hearing what Laura thought should have been hidden from her from the start.

"Out by the woods several months back a man was attacked. Originally it was presumed as an animal attack but further investigation started showing up things that just wasn't possible. Evidence suggested a vampire did it. A couple of weeks later that tower appeared and more attacks started after that. We've been investigating the woods for some time now and only just recently found a rift that leads to another universe. It's quite fascinating."

"A rift?"

It was as she feared. This world was merging with the others as well and dimensional rifts were being exploited either by people here or on the other side of the rifts.

"You did close it, didn't you?"

[Tenjou, Utena]

"We have it quarantined. It's perfectly safe."
Laura blew it off as nothing, what should have been a vast growing concern was passed aside, dismissed entirely. A rift to a different world, kept opened. Existing as a gaping hole in this one where anything, or anyone, could emerge from its entrance.

[Miracle]

Miracle couldn't believe her ears, she couldn't believe what Laura was saying. Already without realizing, the High Priestess had stood up from her seat with both hands tightly gripped on the end of the table as she looked towards Laura in urgency. Did she have no idea what she were doing? What they were all doing by messing with that rift?

"You must take me to it right away!"

There was no time to lose. If that rift remained open any longer there was no telling what all it would do to the imbalance already existent.

[Kragen]

"Miracle, what's gotten into you? Sit down." The child's current behavior was off, even by the child's standard, yet Wallace seems incapable of placing why she was acting that way. If the portal was quarantined then where was the danger? At this rate they were never going to get to finish dinner...

[Miracle]

"Miracle, what's gotten into you? Sit down."

"Forgive me, Doctor. But this time I cannot."

The High Priestess walked over to Laura's chair and placed a hand on the sleeve of her right arm, pleading towards her with her eyes as she tried desperately to get the woman to see reason.

"You must take me there. I implore you! Please!"

She needed to get there before it was too late.

[Tenjou, Utena]

The amount of worry coming from Miracle at this news caused Laura to worry in return, mainly for Miracle more than anything else. Seeing the urgency in her eyes she looked back to her husband.
"Maybe I can run her over there real quick to show her everything's okay. It will put her mind at ease."
Laura didn't want to be responsible for Miracle having a sleepless night. If it would put her mind at ease then she would gladly drive her up there.

[Kragen]

Doctor Wallace was about to tell Miracle to sit back down in a stricter tone but that was before his wife spoke up and suggested to take her to the site of the portal. With a sigh he looked back down to his plate and fiddled with his food. "Go ahead."

[Tenjou, Utena]

"Thank you for understanding," she replied.
Though she doubt how much he really did understand. Laura got up and brought both her and Miracle's dish to the counter and placed them away in a bowl, the salad in a container, to put away for later before grabbing her husband's keys from the dresser in their room and signalling for Miracle to follow her out of the house and to the car.
"I'm sure once there you'll see that there is nothing to worry about."

[Miracle]

"Thank you!"

Said the High Priestess while bowing to the doctor. She followed Laura out of the home but her lack of concern in this situation was still enough to cause a frown to appear on the child's facial features as they made it back to Doctor's Wallace car. Remaining silent for now, the High Priestess opened up the passenger's side door and stepped inside.

[Tenjou, Utena]

Laura turned the keys into the ignition and started the car up before adjusting the rear view mirrors and pulling out of the driveway in reverse, turning once out on the street and beginning to make their to her place of business.
"Do you want me to turn on the fan or crack open a window?"

[Miracle]

"Do you want me to turn on the fan or crack open a window?"

"No. I'm fine."

Miracle sat quietly on the passenger side of the vehicle as they made their way through the poorest area of the city. Her eyes looking out to the people suffering on the streets, huddling up by the fire and sleeping in boxes as one were even looking through the garbage of what people who were better off threw away and took for granted. They reminded her of the poor back in Genesis who struggled just to see another day. And it broke her heart.

"Pull over."

[Tenjou, Utena]

"All right. I'm just going to turn on some music."
Laura turned the knob of the radio as, Welcome to the Hotel California could be heard coming from it and the woman lit up in delight.
"Oh my god, I love this song. Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place). Such a lovely face. Plenty of room at the Hotel California. Any time of year (Any time of year) You can find it here."
Laura's singing was interrupted however when Miracle told her to pull over.
"What? Miracle sweetie, we're not there yet."

[Miracle]

Hotel caliwhat? Miracle raised an eyebrow at the piece of music that was being played on the radio and repeated by the woman driving before returning to her window. Wondering how one could focus on driving and listening to music at the same time. But that wasn't important right now.

"What? Miracle sweetie, we're not there yet."

"Pull over now! These people need my help!"

Miracle pleaded.

[Tenjou, Utena]

Laura was about to open her mouth to say no but those eyes, she couldn't bring herself to say no to those eyes. Thinking she would no doubt come to regret this move later, Laura moved over to the side of the road and hit the brakes, coming to a stop and unlocking the doors so Miracle could get out.

[Miracle]

"Thank you!"

Miracle replied as she hopped out of the car and hurried over to the men and women who looked to be starved. When were the last time they were able to eat anything or bathe? There was a group nearby fighting over food, a man had only three loaves of bread to feed to his family and the others flocked like vultures to take it from him. He fell and the loaves fell through the air and into the child's hands. The poor people charged at her, not concerned at all with the child's welfare as it was the food they were after. A white light suddenly blinded them and peace came over the group as Miracle's violet eyes looked at them and she broke the loaves and gave them the to the group to share, there was plenty to give.

They didn't know how, they didn't know why and they didn't care. The few loaves of bread quickly became enough to feed them all and the starving families to boot as their savior in white and gold provided it for them. It wasn't long until a police officer came onto the scene and approached the child.

"Where did you get all of this bread?"

The High Priestess looked up to the officer and spoke the truth.

"From God."

It wouldn't go over well.