Denise wasn’t sure what to expect as they neared the top of the knoll. Except for Listro Q, Aristophenix, and Samson, she hadn’t seen one other person from Fayrah. Granted, everything else in this world was beautiful — the trees, the hills, the glowing mountains, even that peculiar stream. But what about the people?

The question was short-lived. For as they reached the top of the hill, the valley came into view. And nestled in that valley was the Capital of Fayrah.

It was breathtaking. Magnificent. And even more surprising was the fact that it wasn’t surprising. Not to Denise. Not anymore. Somehow she’d expected breathtaking magnificence. And she was not disappointed. She saw it in the quaint cottages, the emerald green lawns, the perfectly manicured trees and shrubs . . . and most importantly, she saw it in the people—lots of happy, laughing, slap-you-on-the-back kind of people.

Well, maybe people wasn’t exactly the right word. . . . Not only were there several of the Aristophenix and Listro Q varieties, but there were also dozens of even stranger and weirder types. Yet, even though the shapes and sizes were strange and weird, they weren’t frightening. Like everything else in Fayrah, they were incredibly unique and yet perfectly blended.

Then there were the buzzing dragonflies or ladybugs or whatever they were — the ones that looked like Samson. Hundreds of these little critters zipped about chattering a mile a second. More than a few buzzed around the group to check them out. It was then that Denise realized they weren’t exactly like Samson. All the others had beautiful sparkling tails that glowed a pleasant red, like the Blood Mountains. But, for some reason, Samson’s tail was the only one that glowed blue. Although it wasn’t an ugly blue, it certainly wasn’t red like all the others.

Poor thing, she thought. Even in a place like this I bet it’s no fun being the oddball. And Denise knew exactly what that felt like — being the oddball....

If she’s so smart on those I.Q. tests, how come she’s so dumb in school?

What’s a pretty girl like that trying to prove by beating up all those boys?

Lots of kids don’t have fathers. Why does she make such a big deal about it?

Denise had heard the questions whispered behind her back for years. And since no one ever had the answers, that made her, what else, but the oddball.

“Well, bless my soul, is this the Upside Downer?”

Denise turned to see a camel-type creature. It wore a large hoopskirt and had two furry arms extending from its chest. At the moment it was reaching out those arms for a hug. Unsure what to do, Denise looked at Listro Q, who gave a nod. With more than a little hesitancy, she moved over to hug the creature.

“It’s certainly a privilege to be makin’ your acquaintance.” The camel spoke in a charming Southern drawl while hugging Denise so enthusiastically that Denise could hardly breathe. “My name is Sally.”

“How do you do . . . Sally? I’m Denise.”

“What a charming name,” the camel creature said, pulling back. “Will you all be staying long?”

“Not long,” Aristophenix answered.

We jes’ want to show her, some of the town. How through givin’ and carin,’ joy and peace can be found.

“Well, you all have the right guide for that,” Sally said, referring to Aristophenix. Then lowering her voice she confided, “That is, if the poetry doesn’t just drive you crazy.”

Denise smiled back. She was already beginning to like this Sally camel-person.

“What was that?” Aristophenix asked.

“Not a thing, sugar.” She grinned. “Not a thing.” Then, changing the subject, she asked, “Say, Listro Q, is that a new coat?”

Listro Q practically beamed with pleasure (which is a hard thing to do when you’re trying to be cool). “Like it, do you?” he asked.

“Honey pie,” she said, reaching out and stroking its fine texture with one of her hands, “it’s simply divine.”

Again, Denise had to smile. She couldn’t say for certain, but it looked like Listro Q’s chest actually grew an inch or two larger.

“Say,” Sally asked, again changing the subject, “did you all know that today’s my birthday?”

“Why, that’s right,” Aristophenix said. “Happy birthday!”< P> The others offered similar congratulations.

“Thank you so much,” she said, giving a little curtsy. “And since it is my birthday . . .” She turned to Aristophenix. “Would you mind too terribly if I gave you this here pocket watch? It was my great granddaddy’s.” She pulled out an ornate gold watch from the pocket of her skirt and handed it to him.

“Woo-wee!” Aristophenix exclaimed as he took it into his hands. “Sure you don’t mind, ol’ girl? It’s a beaut.”

“It’d be my greatest pleasure.”

And it was. Denise could tell by the look on Sally’s face that she really enjoyed giving the gift away.

The others crowded around Aristophenix for a better look. After the appropriate oohs and aahs, Sally finally spoke. “Listen, there’s plenty more people down thataway,” she said pointing toward the village, “who’re just dying to meet your lovely friend here. And since I’ve got myself a lot more gifts to be passing out, if you all don’t mind, I’ll just be moving along.”

Again she reached out to hug Denise. “It was nice meeting you, girl, and if you’re ever in my neck of the woods, be sure to stop by, you hear?”

Denise smiled. “Thanks.”

They finished the hug, more fiercely than the last, and Sally was off. “Bye-bye, now,” she called as she drifted up the path as graceful as any four-legged camel with two arms can drift. The others called out their good-byes as Denise gingerly tested her side for any broken ribs.

Samson spoke again, and for the first time Denise thought she understood. Well, not all of it. Well, okay, so it was only a general impression, but a general impression was better than no impression. Maybe she was finally starting to get the hang of this place. Or maybe it was because her personality and Samson’s seemed to be so similar.

In any case, Aristophenix was the one to respond. “Sorry ’bout that, partner, I’d almost forgot.” Turning to Denise he explained, To help Samson graduate was the purpose of this trip. He must show you Fayrah, so from his diploma he don’t get, uh, gypped.

This time, the entire group groaned. Usually they were able to endure his poetry, but once in a while he fired off a zinger that was just too painful to ignore. Still, Aristophenix paid little attention as he turned and led them down the knoll toward the village.

Denise threw a look over her shoulder and asked, “Shouldn’t Nathan be here by now?”

“Worry, don’t you,” Listro Q assured her. “As long as stays he in Fayrah, perfectly safe is he.”

Denise nodded. Although still a little reluctant, she turned to join the group as they headed down the hill toward the city.

“How much farther is it? Do we have to walk so fast? Aren’t we there yet?”

The boy’s questions were wearing on Bobok. The only way he could continue was by reminding himself what a delectable catch the Upside Downer would be. But they’d have to hurry. Not only were Bobok’s nerves wearing thin, but there was less than two hours of his season remaining in Fayrah. Less than two hours before the Portal sealed itself shut.

“Perhaps if you left that canteen behind,” he offered, “it would be easier for you to travel.” Ever since he had seen the canteen, Bobok feared it. But he wasn’t afraid of the canteen; it was the contents.

“This stupid canteen’s not the problem,” Nathan complained, rubbing his hip. “It’s how fast you’re making us go.”

“The Portal is just past the courthouse, most favored Thread. But we must circle behind the buildings to avoid the idle chatter of its citizens—lest they contaminate you with their weakness of thought.”

“My leg is hurting,” Nathan whined. “Besides, you never said it would take this long. Why can’t I at least see some people? I still don’t know why we have to go so fast.”

Bobok continued forward, beginning to wonder if being the most evil and dreaded ruler in seventeen dimensions was really all it was cracked up to be.

Now they were inside the Capital, and Denise was becoming quite the celebrity. It seemed everywhere she went she was surrounded by crowds of excited citizens. The glowing Blood Mountains had signaled everyone that she had entered their kingdom, and now they all wanted to wish her well. Apparently being a member of the Upside-Down Kingdom was quite an honor.

“Ain’t this somethin’?” Aristophenix shouted over the crowd.

“I’ll say,” Denise answered as she reached up to shake claws with a giant twelve-armed crab. “Are they always this happy?”

“Sadness only have we,” Listro Q called, “when out- give one another, try we.”

Denise broke out laughing. Somehow she wasn’t surprised.

“Oh, and girl?” Aristophenix said. If ya’ need somethin’ else to erase all them frowns, jes’ look over yonder with them big baby browns.

Denise turned. Despite everything she’d seen so far, there was no way she was prepared for this. In front of her stood a magnificent courthouse made of brilliant marble. Every stone was perfectly cut and gleaming white. In fact it was so white, it almost hurt her eyes. Almost, but not quite.

High atop the building, past a hundred glimmering steps, twelve elegant pillars, and windows of what could only be pure crystal, stood the town clock. Its ruby hands glowed and shimmered in the bright morning sun as they pointed to half past ten.

Aristophenix spoke again, "This here’s our courthouse, where our money never laxes. Fact, it’s at this very spot, that the government pays us taxes."

Next, Listro Q pointed to another building equally as beautiful and grand. “Library, here is it,” he said. “All Fayrahnians keep we records do.”

“Records?” Denise asked.

Listro Q nodded. “Every deed good of our, every kindness of action, written and recorded in the books.”

Denise nodded. It sounded like the library was where they kept records of every Fayrahnian’s good deed.

Suddenly Samson began to chatter. This time the tone of his voice said something was wrong.

Denise turned and looked down the street. She had never seen anything like it. It was as if the entire kingdom came to an end. But not all at once. Gradually, the sky drew lower and lower, while turning darker and darker. Slowly, the ground rose higher and higher, its grass and flowers turning sickly brown then black. And on the sides, the trees and bushes crowded closer and closer together, as they also withered and appeared to die. It was as if they were inside a giant pop bottle that narrowed into a tiny little neck. A tunnel. A tunnel where everything, every plant, every color, where all of life seemed to shrivel and die.

“There!” Listro Q pointed. “The Portal!”

Denise squinted. At the far end of the tunnel was a small round opening where wind and sand swirled fiercely — a small round portal that opened slightly and closed slightly, opened slightly and closed slightly . . . as if it were alive.

But it wasn’t the Portal that caught Denise’s breath. It was who was heading for the Portal. “Nathan!” she cried. “Mr. Hornsberry!” Then she saw a third creature who seemed to be leading them.

“Bobok!” Aristophenix cried.

She spun to Aristophenix for an explanation. For the first time since they’d met, she saw fear in his eyes. “What’s going on?” she demanded. “Where’s Nathan going? Who’s that with him?” Her voice grew high and shrill, the way it always did when she was scared. “Aristophenix! Aristophenix, answer me!”

The furry creature tried to sound relaxed and controlled. But he was as bad an actor as he was a poet.

"This ain’t a time to worry or appear too terribly glum. But that fella hurryin’ Nathan, well, he ain’t a Fayrahnian chum."

“Bobok! You called him Bobok! Is he a bad guy?” Denise cried.

Aristophenix swallowed and tried to look the other way. But Denise wasn’t backing down. She wouldn’t quit until she had an answer. Finally he looked back at her.

"Nathan’s heading to Keygarp, that’s where he will be. From Bobok’s Kingdom of Winter, he may never get free.

Denise’s jaw dropped open and she stared helplessly. This is exactly what she had feared since the beginning. Something awful was going to happen. She had known it all along. She spun back to the Portal . . . just in time to see Nathan and Mr. Hornsberry crawl through the opening and disappear.

“Nathan!” she shouted. “Nathan, come back! Mr. Hornsberry!” But she was too late. They were gone.

Listro Q broke from the group and started toward the tunnel. “To go Keygarp!” He shouted. “Come, let’s!”

But Aristophenix called out, bringing him to a stop.

"Hold on ta yer horses, I don’t think that we should. If we go on inside there, it might be for good!"

“What are you talking about?” Denise demanded. She could feel her ears burning with anger. “We’ve got to get Nathan. He’s in danger — you said so yourself!”

"The Portal seals at noon, that only gives ninety minutes, to get in and get out, or become permanent tenants.

It was Samson’s turn to argue with Aristophenix . . . and he did, long and loud, until Denise could take no more. “What’s going on?” she demanded. “What’s he saying?”

Listro Q’s translation was quick and simple. “Help needs Nathan. Help must we.”

Denise turned back to Aristophenix. It was obvious that he felt sick over what had happened and that he took full responsibility. It was also obvious that he knew something had to be done.

Once again Samson began to chatter. And once again Listro Q agreed. “Choice no other have we.” Aristophenix stared at the Portal another long moment. Then, swallowing back his fears, he took a deep breath and started toward it.

Denise and the others followed. Of course Aristophenix tried his best to stay in the lead, because as everyone knows, leaders are supposed to lead. Unfortunately, his roly-poly body hadn’t quite gotten the message. So with every step he waddled, he fell just a little farther behind.

"Slow down on them tootsies; c’mon, let me pass. I know there’s a hurry, but I’m runnin’ outta . . .

No one heard his final word. It was lost forever as they entered the howling tunnel of wind and sand.

Excerpted from The Portal, book one of the “Imager Chronicles” series by Bill Myers, and reprinted by permission of Tommy Nelson Publishers. Read chapter 7 of The Portal.

To read chapters 1 through 5 of The Portal click here.