Chapter 1: The Portal

Shawn disables all wireless functions at this time but turns on the GPS disabled trip tracker with low accuracy. Just in case the need to back track.

"Worth a shot," Wesley mutters as he drops the phone in his pocket before adjusting the straps on his day pack and getting ready to move.

"We ready? Not sure where we are or where we're going, but I'd like to try and find somewhere better than here before nightfall. I can run point unless someone objects?"

I wonder if we can call each other? And who is getting the bill? He will get one of the others numbers and try to call them.
Sounds good, just stay close?
I just don't want to lose track of you and get lost.

That's . . . odd. I will grab a decent walking stick, then likely find a better one a few minute later as I trail along.

"Have you seen some of the people that frequent 7 Eleven in New York? Trust me, we'll fit right in with our pointy sticks.". At that he grabs a nearby branch that seems hefty enough to use as a club and follows Wesley. "I brought pretty much the same gear as you all. Wanted to travel light, so nothing too crazy. Two LED flashlights, a medkit, some power bars and bottled water, a few Car and Driver magazines in case I got bored." with a slight smile to himself at the last item.

Glancing over at Zak, with a raised eyebrow, "By the way, why are we letting that kid swing around a knife like it's a gymnastics baton?"

Wes looks back with a shrug. "His knife."

Then he pauses mid-step. "Wait... did you... plan... to end up here? Because I just saw a... portal, I guess you'd call it? Anyway, curiosity got the better of me and now I'm here. You sound like you planned for this.

Looking curiously at John Shawn chuckles a bit
I wouldn't say I planned it either. More like I saw a dream come true and jumped at it. Only now I'm wishing for a how to guide book or local encyclopedia
As a bit of a joke he pulls out his phone, turn on the service and asks Hey Google, where an I? though with the phones working here he wonders . . .

"I didn't plan for it per se. I saw the ... portal, a few weeks back. Surprising to say the least, especially when it seemed no one else could see it except for me. I kept being drawn to it, like an itch that needs to be scratched."

He pauses for a moment, "Let's just say things weren't going so well back home. I imagine any normal person wouldn't just blindly walk into that thing if they had a happy life already, no matter how curious?" looking at Wes and then the others. "Or sane," glancing at the kid again, "Really, no one else is worried about this?"

"I think you underestimate the power of curiosity," Wesley states simply. "Although, you have seen it for weeks? I've been through the park multiple times, this was the first I've seen of it. Weird."

He pushes through some plant life, looking for anything resembling a trail or pathway of any sort. "He's just a kid with a knife. So no, not particularly. He's probably the biggest danger to himself. If you're worried, get a longer pointy stick."

I'm pleading temporary insanity/curiosity. Looking over at Zaq, or "Knife Kid" as he has been labeled in Shawn's head. What's the big deal. I've seen six year old's with more dangerous things in their hands in New York. Freaked me out back then. Definitely not like back home. The way I see it, right now we really have no idea what to expect so the more people we have with possible solutions the better. Besides, have you ever tried to take something from a kid who doesn't know you or want to give it up? Idlely he pulls up maps and a web browser search as well, just in case. Weird things are definitely on the menu for the day.

Grinning at Shawn, "Let me guess, those dangerous, knife wielding kids were hanging out at a 7-Eleven?"

Throwing up his hands, "Fair enough and points taken.". He goes through his backpack, making sure all his stuff is still there, then closes and readjusts it. "Lead the way Wes."

"you guys are over-focusing on my knife. It is purely out for self-defense. I can put it away if you prefer but i would be lying if i said i was not a tidy bit scared....."

Aw... come on kid, no need to be scared. Go strait for mind numbing terror, the mental clarity it brings can be liberating. and Shawn chuckles. Besides we got us a real marine as out point man. We wont need you. Other than checking out the dank, dark, cramped holes we find with mysterious lights flickering in them. I mean, the rest of us are too big and we couldn't do that to a girl, could we? and gives a friendly smile to Lilith

Lilith had been quiet, looking around their new environment. Such a strange place, such beautiful nature. Far more than what she could find living in such a bustling, overcrowded metropolis such as New York City. She muttered a quiet prayer to Jord as she stayed at the back. All she had was a dagger she used for her practice, a lighter, her cell phone, and a blanket she brought to the park to sit on.
She returned a glance back to Shawn, but said nothing. Instead, she thought, and she thought. Her clicking tongue can be heard behind her closed lips to anyone close enough.

Wesley will investigate the underbrush.