Giving Chase

Just as quickly as they appeared, the swirling flames faded away, revealing an empty, scorched walkway. With a hearty laugh, the heavy metal door swung open on silent hinges, revealing a short, barrel shaped man with a long red beard adorned with decorative copper rings. He was wearing a loose-fitting nightgown and held a straw broom in his rough, callused hands.

"Look at that, nothing left to even sweep up. She really went all out with that door." The stocky man said with admiration in his gruff voice.

As the thickset man stood over where Professor Kal had been 'vaporized', he suddenly felt a crushing pain radiate from his shoulder. "While I do appreciate the warm welcome, I do have to say that I would have been happy with just a cup of wine."