Chapter I: Kaelith--These photos better be worth it.

“God damnit. Another one?”

Somehow they found me wherever I went. The portals. It was almost as if they followed me. These things give me the creeps, I thought as I gazed at it.

It blocked the door to the cafe I frequented. This one was a loud orange color. Its shape was a two-dimensional circle, and was around 10 feet in width and length. I have to do a shoot with one of these things? God, I can’t believe I agreed to it.

My management said that this was in. “Posing with Portals,” they called it. At first, nobody would go near the damn things, and now everybody’s cool? What happened to caution? I can still recall my manager's words so clearly: “You’re too serious. It’s been six months. Don’t you think if something were gonna happen, it would’ve already?”

Yeah, sure. It’s times like these when things do happen. Love the guy, but he’s the typa person who wouldn’t survive in an apocalypse. Honestly, I feel stupid. I’m not the type to fall for coercion, but they said this would take my career to another level. I’m an up-and-coming model. I’ve been grinding in this industry for three years, and I plan to reach a new peak of fame before the end of next year.

So, I’ve decided to let my intuition rest just for this one shoot, and then I’ll go back to avoiding these portals like the plague.

I felt like kicking a rock. The audacity of this thing to block my favorite coffee shop. As I circled around the portal, I noticed randoms staring at me like I was the odd one. You’re weirder for feeling comfortable walking by it like it’s air.

I glanced at the cafe’s exterior and saw a cardboard sign noting a different entrance to get in from. Cool. I followed the directions of the sign into the cafe and ordered my usual drink. The warmth of the liquid coated my tongue, and I felt my body soothe. This is my last reprieve before I had to head to the airport for my shoot in Aruba tomorrow. I grabbed my phone and checked the time: 8:05 AM. Aight, I gotta go. I grabbed my bags and headed out.

***

The breeze of the beach greeted me. I inhaled the freshness of it and let it fill my lungs. The white sand was soft and fluffy, and felt like I was stepping on a cloud. And the view was breathtaking. The pristine, see-through water sparkled with the blend of pink and orange in the sky. Plus, the greenery surrounding the beach was like a tropical heaven. I’m in paradise. This is why I do what I do.

I let out a deep exhale, then felt a pat on my back.

“I know, brother. I know.”

I turned and saw my manager. Dark skin, dreadlocks in a ponytail, handsome face, and refined muscles. He wore an orange flower shirt with khaki pants. This dude wears the most basic fits. He doesn’t even try.

“Yo,” I said.

“Hey, are you ready? It’s five-thirty. We’ve gotta go over to the set now,” he replied.

I felt a pulse of unease in my chest. “Yeah, I’m good. Let’s go.”

The moment we arrived on set, I sensed it. The portal. It felt like it was staring at me. I took a deep breath. This one was a hypnotizing purple color. It was about the same size as the one I saw at the cafe yesterday, but it felt different. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Nah, it’s probably just nerves getting to me.

I shifted my attention to the directing staff-person. She was a short, plumpy white lady, or shorter, I should say. Most women are pocket-sized to me because of my height.

Then I looked at my coworkers, there were three other models besides me. One of them was a curly red head who I’d done a few shoots with in the past. I like to call him freckles. I grinned at him in a quick hello as she debriefed us and our managers on the shoot information. Then, it was finally time for the shoot.

I got into position for my first pose with the others. The portal was off in the distance. I guess my solace is that I won’t need to get close too it. That was also partially part of the reason why I even accepted this crazy proposal in the first place. They said it was unlikely for any footage to be taken within six feet of the portal. I’m at a safe distance. No boundaries crossed. I inwardly nodded to myself.

We went through the different poses as a group, and our three outfit changes. Now, we were nearing the end of the shoot. The sun was low on the horizon, and its rays illuminated my deep brown skin, making it glow like liquid gold.

“You look like a God. Your skin is shining so nicely,” said Jazmine, a female model for the shoot.

“Yoooo, I know right? Like this dude looks insane. Bros whole body is lit up like a light-bulb. Like, look at his chest and his abs! It’s ridiculous. How??!!” chimed in Alexis, another model.

I chuckled, then made prayer hands. “Thank you ladies. I appreciate you both.”

Freckles added, “They’re right. Hey, this has been a good shoot. You guys are fun to work with. Plus, this scenery is sick.”

“Awww, thanks Maxie, I like working with you too.” Alexis replied.

Freckles, or Maxwell, mumbled under his breath, “Maxie?” his tone confused.

“And yeah, it has been a great shoot. The view is totally to die for,” Alexis added.

“Yup, and isn’t the portal so cool? It’s kinda a bummer that we weren’t able to take shots closer to it,” Jazmine added.

“Nah, I don’t think so. I think it’s better this way,” I said.

“Mmm. So, I guess Kaelith’s not a big fan of portals, eh?” Jazmine teased.

“I told you Kae was fine, and also, yeah. I’m not. I don’t get people who are, to be honest,” I replied.

“My auntie is just like you. She swears the portals are the devil, and that the end times are near. Waaaiiiittttt! Are you one of those extremists?” Alexis asked.

“No. I’m not that far removed. I just find them unsettling. That’s all,” I said.

“Ahhh, I gotcha,” Alexis replied.

I glanced over at the crew and saw the photographer with a deep, disgruntled expression on his face speaking with some staff. I watched Zyrell, my manager, get called over to their conversation. Wonder what’s up….

Then the shoot team all looked at me. I felt like a deer in headlights. This doesn’t feel good. I calmed my heart as the staff lady from earlier approached me.

“Hi Kaelith, would you be okay with shooting within six feet of the portal?”

My eyebrows creased as I frowned. “Uh, what? No.”

She shifted her glasses, displeased, then said, “Well, William is unsatisfied. He thinks it’s necessary to have a closer shot, and he feels like you would be the perfect model for that shot in golden hour. He said he felt a beautiful resonance between you and the portals, despite what Zyrell said about your apprehension with them. And also that he would feel unhappy with the shoots ending without these final photos. He promised to get the shots as quickly as possible, if you were willing.”

A solo shot with the portal? This could be my ticket to sky-rocketing to fame in the modeling world. But also, a solo shot with the portal…. I felt my stomach get queasy at the thought of it. Nope. Suppress it. Be a man. I can do it. The only way to rise is by dealing with uncomfortable situations. I got this far. I need to do this.

“Okay, I’ll do it.”

She smiled. “Wonderful.”

She walked back to the crew and told them their good news. William nodded, satisfied, and I nodded back with a smile. I’m already regretting my decision.

***

Six feet, my ass. Those liars.

We took a few shots around that distance, then somehow it wasn’t close enough. I took a minor step back. William smiled at me and gestured for me to back up more. I slid my foot back a few more inches. His smile grew wider. More. He wanted more.

My body trembled as I forced it closer to the portal. I was now three feet away. The air was thicker here. It was harder to breathe. I felt sweat glide down the back of my neck. But he still wanted more. He didn’t understand what it felt like. The closer I got, the more it felt like the portal was gripping on my soul. Like I was a bug trapped in a web, unable to free myself. I felt chills crawl up my spine, as I pushed myself to two feet from the portal.

“Perfect.”

I sighed inwardly. Thank you, God. No more.

“Now back up to about an inch away from the portal, and we’ll be good.”

No! I screamed internally. I was seething, but I couldn’t show it on my face. The hairs on my arm rose as I went back to where it felt like the slightest breeze could tip me into touching the portal. I could feel the energy of the portal phasing through me. I felt it breathing.

“Alright, that’s great. Position, please.”

I posed.

“Let’s begin,” he said.

Time seemed to move at a snail’s pace as he shot the photos. I felt the agitation building within me with every passing millisecond. When is he gonna finish? It took every ounce of power within my body to stop myself from fidgeting to ease the discomfort. Though, I suppose it also helped that any slight movement could have me touching the portal, so I was also like a statue. It was a weird flux state. Then, finally, with what felt like a millennia, he took the final shot.

“Alright everyone, that’s a wrap.”

Some of the crew clapped and started moving. A staff member cried out, “Gah, I’m starving. What time is it?”

Another replied, “It’s 10:33 AM.”

“Gee, I wonder if anything good is open.”

As I watched Zyrell walk towards me, my vision blurred. Then suddenly, the world began to tilt. No, wait, I was tilting…. Fwomp-–the portal sounded as my body fell onto it.

“Agh!” I cried out. Heads turned. I heard gasps, as my body dropped to the ground, my back used the portal for support. Zyrell grabbed my arm and pulled me off of the portal and yelled, “Are you okay?”

I felt disoriented, and my limbs were like jelly. “No. I’m not. I think all my stress and tenseness evaporated too quickly, so I lost control of my body like a fucking toddler.”

Zyrell’s face showed slight relief. “Ah, I see, man. Okay, let’s get you some rest.”

Some crew bustled around and checked on me, and Zyrell spoke to them, saying I was alright.

Those photos better’ve been worth it.