Page 22 of Soaring into the Midlife

"Welcome, travelers," she purred, her gaze drifting lazily over our disheveled state. "I must say, you're not quite what I expected."

"Uh, thanks?" I wasn't of how to respond to such an observation. "We, um, had a bit of a rough journey getting here."

"Indeed," the Chess Queen's eyes twinkled with amusement. "But you've made it this far, and I must admit, I'm rather intrigued."

"Really?" Zara said, her surprise clear. "You don't think we're, like, too weird or anything?"

"Quite the contrary." The Chess Queen's lips curled into a sly smile. "In fact, I find your peculiarities rather... refreshing."

"Refreshing" wasn't exactly the word I would have used to describe our gelatin-chocolate-paint-covered selves, but I wasn't about to argue with the one person who might help us get home.

"Okay, then." I forced a grin. "So, about that whole 'proving ourselves worthy' thing..."

"Ah, yes." The Chess Queen leaned forward, her expression suddenly serious. "I suppose we should get down to business, shouldn't we?"

"Probably a good idea." Kendra's no-nonsense demeanor kicked into high gear. "The sooner we can settle this matter, the better."

"Very well." the Chess Queen's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied us. "But first, let's see just how resourceful you three truly are."

The Chess Queen fixed her gaze on me as if she could see straight through to my soul. "What brings you and your disheveled entourage to my queendom?"

I was never one to mince words, so I lay it all out for her. "Well, er, Your Majesty, we were going after a criminal in our world. We stepped through into the criminal’s home and were transported to another world. We were trying to escape an insane art gallery when we stumbled into your, uh,uniqueworld here. We don't know how or why we're here, but we do know that we need to find a portal to get back home."

"Is that so?" The Chess Queen raised a perfectly arched brow. "And what, pray tell, is so important about this home of yours that makes you so eager to return?"

"Family, friends, work. You know, the usual stuff." I left out the minor details of our supernatural abilities and affiliations. No need to give her any more ammunition than necessary.

"Interesting." The Chess Queen stroked her chin thoughtfully. "It seems you've been lured into some sort of trap, my dear. Quite a clever one, too, by the looks of it."

"Trap?" Kendra said. "What kind of trap?"

"Ah, well, that's the question now, isn't it?" The Chess Queen grinned slyly, clearly enjoying our discomfort. "But worry not, for I am feeling rather generous today."

As she spoke, she gestured, and a couple of chess pieces rushed to move a screen. Behind it was a shimmering portal. "This little beauty appeared in my throne room this morning, and I have a sneaking suspicion it might be just what you're looking for."

"Really?" Zara asked, her eyes widening with hope. "Just like that? You'll let us go?"

"Indeed." The Chess Queen's smile never wavered. "I find you three quite amusing, and I'm always a fan of a good mystery. So, by all means, make your exit. Just remember to tread lightly, my dear. After all, traps have a nasty habit of snapping shut when you least expect it."

"Thanks for the warning," I said, more than a little unnerved by her cryptic words. But as much as I wanted to question her further, I knew we couldn't afford to waste any more time.

I turned to Kendra and Zara. "Let's get out of here while we still can."

Without another word, we hurried toward the portal, preparing to leap into the unknown once more.

"Good luck, my dears," the Chess Queen called after us, her sly grin never faltering. "May you find your way home... or at least to some other entertaining destination."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I said. But there was no time to dwell on her taunts, we had a portal to jump through.

"Ready?" Kendra asked, her hand gripping mine tightly.

"Ready," I said, and with a shared nod, we stepped forward into the unknown, leaving Chesslandia behind us.

10

The momentwe popped into the new realm, I could've sworn my teeth rattled from the ground shaking. Giants—actual flippin' giants—were out for an evening stroll, their footsteps causing personal earthquakes.

My stomach lurched with each seismic step of the behemoths around us. These weren’t your garden-variety, fairy-tale giants. Nope, they looked like they'd been marinated in nightmare juice and sprinkled with terror flakes before being unleashed into the world.