Chapter 9: Ranch Life and Departure
The soft morning light bathed the ranch as Alex woke to the distant sound of roosters crowing. The air was cool, carrying the earthy aroma of dew-soaked grass. He stretched and glanced out of the window, taking in the vast fields surrounded by the dense forest.
The day began with a hearty breakfast prepared by Aunt Helen: fluffy pancakes, crispy bacon, and freshly brewed coffee. Alex joined Uncle Clyde on the porch, where the older man was sipping his coffee, already dressed for a day of work.
"Sleep well?" Uncle Clyde asked, glancing at Alex with a smile.
"Like a rock," Alex replied, grinning. "It's so quiet out here."
"Quiet, but busy," Clyde said, standing. "We've got work to do."
Their first task was checking on the livestock. The ranch's barn housed a mix of cattle, horses, and a few goats. Alex was eager to lend a hand, but he soon realized how much there was to learn.
Clyde handed him a bucket of feed. "Start with the goats. They're small but feisty."
Alex laughed, taking the bucket. As he approached the goats, they bleated loudly, crowding around him.
"Alright, alright, one at a time!" he said, pouring feed into their troughs. The goats shoved and jostled for food.
Moving to the stables, Alex helped brush down the horses, learning from Clyde's patient instructions. One of the mares, a spirited chestnut named Bella, snorted and stomped as Alex approached.
"She's got spirit," Clyde said with a chuckle. "You gotta earn her trust."
Alex extended his hand slowly, letting Bella sniff him before running a gentle hand down her neck. "There you go, girl," he murmured. Releasing a strand of energy into her body, Alex smiled as Bella neighed in comfort.
Later, they visited a sick calf that hadn't been eating well. Aunt Helen joined them, her concern evident.
"This little one's been under the weather for days," she said, kneeling by the calf.
Alex knelt beside the calf, placing his hand on its side. He let his energy flow subtly, just enough to restore its vitality. The calf stirred, its eyes brightening as it got to its feet and began nibbling at the hay.
"Good instincts, Alex," Clyde said, though he had no idea of the true reason for the calf's sudden recovery.
After the morning's work, Alex took a break to go fishing in the ranch's pond. The calm water mirrored the blue sky, with dragonflies flitting above the surface. He sat comfortably on a stone chair, cast his line, and settled into the peaceful rhythm of waiting. He didn't aim to catch anything; he just wanted to enjoy the leisure and quiet.
By late afternoon, Clyde suggested they head to the shooting range. Alex picked up a rifle, its weight familiar in his hands from past visits. He lined up his shot, aiming at a row of metal targets.
"Let's see what you've got," Clyde said, crossing his arms.
Alex fired, the targets flipping with every shot. He grinned, feeling a rush of satisfaction.
"You've still got it," Clyde said with approval.
In the evening, a few local ranchers stopped by for dinner. The gathering was lively, filled with laughter and stories.
"Alex, your dad used to beat us all at poker," one guest said, raising his glass. "He had a knack for reading people."
"Must be where you got your smarts," another chimed in.
Alex smiled, enjoying the camaraderie. The conversations were lighthearted, but they carried an undercurrent of respect for Charles and his legacy.
That night, after the guests had left and the house was quiet, Alex sat on the porch under a blanket of stars.
"Lily, are you there?"
[Of course. What's on your mind?] Lily's voice replied.
"I've been thinking," Alex began. "If I travel to another universe, what happens here? Will time keep moving?"
Lily paused briefly before answering. [You don't have to worry about that. You can freeze time in this universe while you're away. When you return, it'll be as if you never left. No impact, no lost time.]
Alex exhaled in relief. "That's... reassuring. I've been curious about exploring other worlds, but I didn't want to leave my life here behind."
[That's why I chose you,] Lily said with a hint of pride. [You can explore freely without worrying about consequences in this universe or the other.]
Alex smiled, his voice tinged with excitement. "In that case, I know where I want to go first."
[Oh? Where?] Lily asked, her tone playful.
"The Harry Potter universe," Alex said with a grin. "It's got one of the most fascinating power systems, magic. I want to learn how it works, see it in action, and master it."
[Good choice,] Lily replied.
Alex said confidently, "Besides, I've always dreamed of experiencing a world like that. Magic, wands, spells..."
[Fair enough,] Lily said.
Alex leaned back, looking up at the vast expanse of stars. "I'll spend some time exploring this universe as well someday. There are planets out there no different from ours, some even more advanced."
The dawn broke softly over the ranch as Alex prepared for his hunting trip. It was early June, and the hunting season for bears would end in just over a week. Uncle Clyde had mentioned they still had one tag left, and Alex decided to make use of it. But deep down, he had another purpose. he wanted solitude to prepare for his journey to another world.
Dressed in rugged outdoor gear, Alex loaded his backpack with essentials: a tent, a sleeping bag, a hunting rifle, a sidearm, a compass, a sturdy knife, and enough food and water. Uncle Clyde handed him a small GPS device before he left.
"Just in case you wander too far," Clyde said with a smile.
"Thanks, Uncle," Alex replied. "I'll be back on time."
"And remember, don't take any chances. Bears aren't like deer; they'll fight back if you spook 'em," Clyde cautioned.
Alex nodded, hefting his gear and heading toward the dense forest that bordered the ranch. The air was cool and fresh, filled with the sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves.
Alex moved quietly through the forest, his footsteps soft on the moss-covered ground. He spread his senses and followed the tracks of a bear, a large one, judging by the vibrations of the earth and the movement of the wind around it. His enhanced senses allowed him to effortlessly find and track the animal.
As he walked, he spoke softly in his mind. "Lily?"
Came the reply, her tone playful. [Excited to take on a bear? Or go to Harry Potter world?]
"You know I love to hunt," Alex said, glancing around.
[Ah, I see,] Lily said knowingly.
"Exactly," Alex replied. "I need to finish this hunt first. Uncle Clyde would notice if I came back empty-handed."
[Understood,] Lily said. [Let me know when you're ready.]
Hours passed as Alex tracked the bear. The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting dappled light through the trees. He finally caught sight of a massive black bear, its glossy fur catching the sunlight as it drank from the cool water of a stream.
Alex crouched low, steadying his rifle. He took a deep breath. Hunting for him was easy, but he respected the process. The patience, the skill, and the understanding of the animal's power. He aimed carefully, waiting for the right moment.
The bear lifted its head, sniffing the air, its powerful frame rippling with muscle. Alex pulled the trigger. The shot rang out, echoing through the forest. The bear ran for a distance before it staggered, then collapsed.
Alex approached cautiously, ensuring the animal was down before he moved closer. He placed a hand on its fur, silently thanking it for its sacrifice. Hunting, as his father had taught him, was not just about sport, it was about respect for life and the responsibility of taking it.
After securing the bear and marking the location for retrieval, Alex sat by the stream. The sound of water flowing over rocks was soothing, a natural music that calmed his nerves.
"Lily," he said softly. "Let's go."
[Ready?] Lily asked.
"It's time. I want to explore, learn, and grow. The Harry Potter universe is my first stop. I've always wanted to see what magic really feels like."
[Very well,] Lily said. [We'll activate the transition here. Concentrate your intent to freeze time.]
Alex focused, imagining all movement stopping like pressing a pause button. A faint wave of energy exited his body, broke through space, and sank into the core of this universe, freezing its time.
All scenes around him stopped. The world was quiet. Everything's stagnant except for him.
"What a weird feeling. Will someone notice time stopped for them?"
[Nope.]
"That's reassuring. Let's go. It feels weird staying here."
[Good. Close your eyes and focus. Visualize the world you want to enter.]
Alex closed his eyes, his breathing steady. He pictured the cobblestone streets of Diagon Alley, the towering turrets of Hogwarts, and the bustling Great Hall filled with students. He imagined wands, spells, and the feeling of magic coursing through his veins.
A soft golden glow enveloped him as the energy surged. The forest around him vanished as the golden light intensified, wrapping around Alex like a cocoon. He felt a strange pulling sensation. As the pull grew stronger, Alex clenched his fists in excitement. With a final burst of light, he was gone.
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