The Backwards Jump

The puddles sparkled like tiny mirrors after the rain. Zephyr's blue tail went swish-splash through one. Ember's red claws went splish-splash through another.

"Last one to the portal has soggy wings!" Ivy giggled, her green scales dripping.

They raced toward the shimmering portal at the edge of the school yard. The portal wobbled and glowed, waiting for them like always.

"Wait!" Nimbus called, his white wings flapping. "We're supposed to go through one at a time. Remember? Teacher said..."

But Ember was already grinning. "What if we go backwards?"

Zephyr's eyes got big and sparkly. "And all at once?"

"That's double-naughty!" Ivy whispered. But her tail was wiggling with excitement.

They looked at each other. One, two, three —

"JUMP!" they all shouted together.

They spun around, held their breath, and leaped backwards through the portal — bump-bump-bump — all tangled up in wings and tails.

Whoooooosh!

The world twisted. Colors swirled like a spinning rainbow. Their tummies did flip-flops.

And then — thump!

They landed in a heap on soft, springy moss. But something felt... different. Very different. The air smelled like honey and cinnamon. The trees had silver bark that hummed softly. Flowers with faces blinked at them.

"Uh-oh," Nimbus whispered. "I don't think we're supposed to be here..."