Annika shifted her weight uncomfortably. She looked away from her father, staring into the middle distance where she would start creating these portals from nothing. [i]Think without thinking…know without knowing.[/i] As a perfectionist, Annika hated that. She needed to [i]know[/i] she needed to think and understand so she didn’t make a mistake. 

Annika worried her bottom lip, taking off a few layers of skin in the process. She looked at Jack, taking comfort in knowing that he would be there if she passed out or stumbled into something she couldn’t handle.

[color=#663399]”Okay…”[/color] she said nervously. She turned her focus back to the emptiness in front of her and took in a deep breath. Annika shut her eyes and brought all her focus to the core of her body, to that familiar place where her power seemed to come from. That her understanding of the Everdark within and around her seemed to pool.

[i][color=#663399]Okay[/color][/i], she thought to herself with more determination. Annika pulled on the space around her, creating a portal to some mythical world. She opened her eyes to look before he quickly disappeared, and she tried again. And again and again and again. 

Sometimes a space opened quickly, sometimes sweat beaded on Annika’s forehead before she managed to rip one open. She was trembling after opening her fifth one, but she didn’t think her father would be happy with just five, so she kept going until her vision went dark and her breathing became laboured.