After Alex described her trip and what she had seen, Igor said, "I'm astonished at how easily you've made the adjustment. We'll work further on extending your stay, but first we have to discuss your ability to move through space as well as time."
"Nick and Martha told me something about 'holes in space' that connect various parts of Sandorra. Is that what you mean?" "That's right," Igor replied. "Your scientists have a theory about 'wormholes' in space, but we've actually managed to use them for travel. It takes the same kind of mental control that you've already shown us. There's a 'Portal' - that's an entry into the hole in space - near here. We'll go there now."
It was a short walk to the area of the Portal. At first, Alex could see nothing unusual about the small, cleared area in the forest. Then she began noticing something strange at the edges of her vision as she turned her head. Igor watched her with some amusement, then said, "Some people can see a vague outline of the Portal, but they can only see it with their peripheral vision. If you look directly at it, you won't see it. Look away, so you can only see it out the side of your eye."
Alex did as instructed, and was able to trace out a roughly oval image. But using her peripheral vision this way was very difficult, and it was almost impossible to tell the exact shape of the opening.
"The fact that you can see the opening will make it easier for you to learn to pass through," Igor said. "Most people who can't see anything just can't believe there's something there, and therefore can't seem to pass through."
The process that Igor showed her was the same as the discipline needed to travel in time. She had to 'disconnect' herself from this place, and let her mind float free, and her body would follow. He cautioned her to make sure she did not wander away from the other end of the Portal, once she passed through, since that was the only way back.
Once again Alex followed his instructions, and actually began to feel afloat. Then she instructed her mind/body to enter the Portal, which she could see more easily now. As she entered the mouth of the hole in space, she felt a strong sensation as though she were being pulled into a giant vacuum cleaner. The feeling lasted only a second, until she felt herself popping out the other side.
Her first thought was to find the Portal again, to make sure of her path back. With her peripheral vision, she was able to make out the entrance. Without stepping away, she examined her surroundings, which seemed to be a tropical forest, with palm trees dripping wet with a recent rain. Birds and other animals called loudly to each other in the tree tops. She did not need much further evidence to convince herself that her travel was successful. She let her mind float her back into the Portal, and she was immediately sucked back to her starting point, popping out near Deanna and Igor. Unfortunately, she emerged a few feet above ground level, and tumbled to her knees. Laughing at herself, she allowed Igor and Deanna to help her back to her feet. "I did it," she said proudly.
"You certainly did," Igor said. "You've conquered time and space."
"Do these Portals go everywhere in Sandorra?" she asked.
"We know of hundreds of them, so we can go to many places. Some are useless, ending under water. One is in the crater of an active volcano. And sometimes new ones appear, and old ones disappear. But they are all in Sandorra; none go to your world. We use the Bridges to cross over, as you know."
"Do you always know where you're going?" Alex asked.
"Many of the Portals can branch inside, and lead to several possible exits. Some of us have developed a directional sense, and can choose the exit we want."
"What's next?" Alex asked.
"We really had more instructions planned for you," Igor answered, "but all you really need is a little practice to achieve mind-release more quickly, and you'll be ready to go!"