CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Blizzard heard Shell pass through the portal in his cell and then heard the portal close with a soft pop. She listened more closely than before, hoping against hope to hear Shell return already, even though she knew that it would likely take Shell some time to get the others ready for a rescue mission to save her and Treehugger.
“Is he gone?” said Treehugger; her voice was slightly muffled thanks to Shell’s now-empty cell, which was between hers and Treehugger’s. “I heard a pop.”
“Yeah, he’s gone,” said Blizzard. She sat against the wall of her cell, her ear against the wall in order to make it easier to hear Treehugger. “Hopefully to Earth.”
“I hope he comes back soon,” said Treehugger. “If Omanx is right, it shouldn’t be long before we reach the Starborn, and then w
