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reflects the light, you see.”
    Whatever they saw the king assured Walker that it was unequaled in its excellence, not just in Nebula but on any planet anywhere in the universe. The king challenged Walker to prove him wrong, which, of course, he couldn’t. They had just turned onto one of the avenues from a side street when a boy crashed into Walker, sending him flying to the ground.
    â€œOh, my lord,” he cried. “I’m so sorry. I was in a hurry and didn’t look where I was going? Are you hurt?”
    â€œYoung man, have you ever heard of the word ‘walk’?” the king asked crossly.
    â€œYes, sire, I have,” replied the boy. “But I always seem to end up running.”
    By this time Walker was back on his feet. The boy began to brush the dust that was everywhere in Nebula off Walker’s clothes.
    â€œI didn’t mean to do that. I’m Astrodor, by the way.” He held out his hand for Walker to shake, and then for the first time he looked up at Walker’s face and was transfixed.
    â€œOh wow,” he said in awe. “The mark of the Chosen One. Can I touch it?”
    Instinctively Walker turned his head away. The king crouched down and looked straight into his eyes.
    â€œDon’t ever be ashamed of that mark,” he said, quietly but seriously. “Do you realize how few faces in history have been adorned with it? Only a handful of people have been so privileged. Be grateful for it. Show it with pride.”
    But the king was wrong. Walker hadn’t turned his face away because he was ashamed of his birthmark. Eddie had said the mark meant Walker was royalty. Astrodor looked at it with awe. The king claimed it made Walker a leader. But Walker knew none of it was true. He was just a wimpy kid with no friends, nothing special, no matter what anyone thought. And he didn’t like anyone looking at him as if he was. It made him feel ashamed, not of the mark, but of himself.
    The king strode on, shaking his subjects’ hands and pointing out this feature and that. Walker had to almost run to catch him up. Although they must have walked for hours he didn’t feel the slightest bit tired. Then the tour was over and they were back at the palace.
    â€œWell, Chosen One,” the king said, “I hope that you enjoyed our little trip around this realm. These are good people, for the most part. Their only fault is that they have lived at peace for so long that they have forgotten that the powers of evil do not rest. But this is a fault most people would happily be burdened with, and not one of their own making.”
    He paused, and then put his hands on Walker’s shoulders.
    â€œAnd now,” he said, “it is time for you to go home. Now you must return to the Outerworld.”

Chapter 6
    W alker couldn’t believe his ears. Was the king really going to allow him to go back and leave the Kingdom behind? Didn’t he understand that Walker would never return? The king smiled at him as if he knew everything that Walker was thinking.
    â€œWhy would I send you back to the Outerworld?” he said. “The better question is: Why would I keep you here against your will? What possible good would it do the Kingdom to have you here longing to be somewhere else? No, you must go back if for no other reason than to realize that time spent in the Kingdom in no way affects time in the Outerworld. Prince Edward will take you whenever you wish, and he will bring you back when you feel you are ready—if you feel you are ready.”
    â€œI think I’m ready to leave,” said Walker, not wanting to let the opportunity to return home slip from his grasp.
    â€œIn that case,” said the king, “you must go. Prince Edward, take your friend to the Outerworld, and keep an eye on him while he’s there. He is, after all, a Chosen One, and deserves our protection.”
    â€œI will, sire,” Eddie replied.
    The king