A

al deep breaths. It wasn’t going to be easy, bu

lecturer at the only teaching institute in our realm, believed that taking care of his family properly would require fewer members so each pers

ul, who spent decades co-existing with humans. His teachings taught me that co-existing was

th the authority of the elders. His peaceful mindset gathered information on how the humans were progressing and used the

began when I started sneaking out of Jumana and following Dad through the portals to roam the human world freely. I had been successful in my visits without getting caught. With my trips getting more

mana. Humans studied using books, pen and paper and we studied through hands-on experience. The classes I had been missing were actual field trips to certain places to practice the problem-solving that

day world. I sat on a fire-escape keenly watching people as they went about their business. The building opposite me was warm with the glow of dinn

site. I guessed she was heading home after completing her afternoon shift. She was young, no more

her tearful eyes. The poor woman was terrified. I should have left well enough alone, b

nited a fire in my eyes. They would have ripped her apart with their demands. She was crying and whimpering, begging them to let her go. I could feel my eyes heat up with the beginnings of a rage that would annihilate anyone

d willed myself to materia

u come from?” One

my voice was

s not your business. G

ened as I revealed the

I turned up the pressure and r

Another man shri

I won’t be held responsible.” I steppe

n stood fast. They must have

ance,” I

r woman was in danger of having her life taken away from her. She was only young, maybe with family

ak. He howled in pain. His friend let go of the woman and lunged at me. Quick as a flash, my body ste

my chest. My reflexes kicked in and I lifted the man clean off the ground with one hand at his thr

pect? Women were precious. Without them, none of us would be here and they

ds later that I felt the man’s soul leave his body

man began screaming again and I knew it was time for me to leave.

ne you saw me, d

lped in big, heav

nk you,” sh

ed my fangs and did my

er words out. She was shaking as she backed away and turned to f

and found myself in Egypt. I was sitting high on top of a monume

cussions. Not only had I entered the forbidden world, I managed to kill one, maybe two o