76 The Portal

76 The Portal They waited until daybreak. Peanut stood in the Bunker's armoury waiting for Mr and Mrs M, Jonathan Higginbottom and Doodle, who were going to lead her, Rockwell and Little-Bit to the portal. She marvelled at the vast array of pink and blue pencils laid out in rows on the floor, all of which had been drawn by the original two that Mrs M still kept in her hair. Peanut took the sight of them as small consolation for the fact that she no longer had Little Tail to contribute to the cause. Rockwell blustered into the room, his rucksack on his back and a bandage around his head. Are you ready, Peanut?" "I am. How are you feeling?" "Oh, I'm fine," he replied. "Hopefully the whack on the

76 传送门 他们一直等到破晓。 花生站在地堡军械库里，等候M夫妇、乔纳森·希金博顿和杜斗，他们要带她、罗克威尔和小比特前往传送门。 她惊叹于地板上一排排摆放整齐的粉蓝铅笔，这些全都是从最初那两支画出来的，那两支现在还别在M太太的头发上。 花生没办法再拿出小尾巴为大业出力，眼前这番景象多少给了她一些安慰。 罗克威尔气势冲冲走进房间，背着背包，头上缠着绷带。 你准备好了吗，花生？ 我准备好了。 你感觉怎么样？ “哦，我没事，”他回答道。 “希望这记打在

head will have knocked a bit of sense into me. It's been quite the adventure, hasn't it?" "Yes. It has. And you know what? There's no one else I'd rather have shared this experience with," Peanut said, smiling. "Now come on. Let's get going. The group left the bunker and headed north for the cover of Sketchwood, and then, once they were hidden by the trees, west. Half an hour later they passed the signposts that Peanut had seen when she first arrived in Chroma. It seemed like a lifetime ago. After another hour of walking, the black, spiky trees of Sketchwood gradually became broader and leafier. "The Green Valleys," said Mr M. "A beautiful, peaceful place. I only hope that it stays that way."

头上能让我变聪明一点。 这真是一场大冒险，对不对？ 是啊。 没错。 你知道吗？ 我再也想不到，能有谁比你更适合和我一起经历这一切了，花生笑着说。 “好了，走吧。 我们出发啦。 一行人离开地堡，向北走去素描森林找掩护，躲进树林后，就转而向西出发。 半小时后，他们经过了花生刚到克罗玛城时见过的路标。 那感觉就像是上辈子的事了。 又走了一小时，素描森林里原本黑色尖细的树木，渐渐变得枝干宽大、枝叶繁茂。 “绿色山谷，”M先生说，“一片美丽又安宁的地方。 我只希望这里能一直这样下去。”

Through gaps in the foliage, Peanut caught glimpses of rolling hills peppered with majestic oak trees stretching their branches up towards the sky. Here we are," said Mrs M presently. They were standing in the middle of a particularly densely wooded area, right on the city limits. Next to them was a narrow pathway that led into the thick greenery through a tunnel of trees. "This is it. The Green Valleys portal." Mr M pointed at the tunnel. "Many famous creatives from your world have trodden this path. Hockney, Spencer, Sargent, your dad, to name but a few. You are in good company." "So..." said Peanut, "I guess this is it. For now, at least." "It is. But we will be seeing you again," said Mrs M. "Of that, there is no doubt. And remember,

透过树叶的缝隙，花生看见连绵起伏的山丘，错落着挺拔的橡树，橡树把枝条伸向天空。 “我们到了，”M太太过了一会儿说道。 他们站在一片树林格外茂密的区域，这里正好是城市的边界。 他们身旁有一条窄路，穿过树形成的隧道，通往茂密的绿植深处。 “就是这儿了。 通往绿色山谷的传送门。” M先生指向那处树隧道。 “你们世界好多有名的创作者都走过这条路。 比如说霍克尼、斯宾塞、萨金特，还有你爸爸，这只是几个例子。 你们和优秀的人同行哦。” “所以……”花生说，“我猜就是这儿了。 至少现在是这样。” “没错。 但我们一定会再见面的，”M太太说，“这一点毫无疑问。 还有，记住

if you uncover any information about Mr White's nefarious activities in your world, you let us know straight away. Deal?" "Deal!" said Peanut and Rockwell together, saluting. "Goodbye, my friends, said a teary Jonathan Higginbottom as he enveloped all three children with his huge, scaly tail. "You take care of yourselves." Tears filled Little-Bit's eyes. "You too. We love you, Jonathan Higginbottom." Rockwell emerged from the reptilian hug and looked over at Mrs M. "Thank you so much for everything. I will never forget my time in Chroma. It's been such an adventure!" "You take care, young man," she replied. And be sure to do well in that physics test. "We'll be back soon," chirruped Little-Bit. "You just see if we're not." "Well, you will always

如果你们发现怀特先生在你们世界做坏事的任何线索，一定要立刻告诉我们。 一言为定？ “一言为定！”花生和罗克威尔一同敬礼说道。 “再见了，我的朋友们，满眼泪水的乔纳森·希金博顿说着，用他那覆盖鳞片的大尾巴把三个孩子都搂进怀里。 你们一定要照顾好自己。” 小比特的眼里充满了泪水。 你也要保重。 我们爱你，乔纳森·希金博顿。” 罗克威尔从这个爬行动物的拥抱里出来，看向M太太：“真的非常感谢你为我们做的一切。 我永远不会忘记我在克罗玛的这段日子。 这真是一场太棒的冒险！” “照顾好自己，年轻人，”她回答道。 还有物理考试一定要考好哦。 “我们很快就会回来的，”小比特叽叽喳喳地说。 等着瞧我们肯定会回来的。” “好了，你们永远都

be welcome at the Bunker, wherever it may be. You have done the city of Chroma a great service by bringing Malcolm back to us." After more hugs and tears as they ruffled Doodle's soft, silky fur one last time, the children waved goodbye and started to make their way down the leafy passageway. The branches arching over their heads got lower the further they walked, so much so that they were almost bent double by the time they reached the door. It was small and wooden— only about one metre high. Rockwell gave it a push. To their relief, it opened easily. "You first," he said to Peanut, wriggling aside to let her pass. "See you on the other side..." Peanut got down on her hands and knees, looked back over her shoulder at her sister and her best friend, and crawled through.

欢迎你来地堡，不管地堡在哪。 你们把马尔科姆带回我们身边，帮了克罗玛城一个大忙。” 又拥抱了几次，大家都流了泪，最后摸了摸杜斗柔软顺滑的毛发，孩子们挥手告别，沿着满是树叶的通道往前走。 头顶上拱起的树枝越往前走越低，等他们走到门口的时候，几乎都要弯着腰了。 那是一扇小小的木门，只有大约一米高。 罗克威尔推了一下门。 让他们松了一口气的是，门一下子就开了。 “你先走，”他对花生说，扭身到一边让花生过去。 另一边见了……” 花生四肢着地，回头看了看她的妹妹和好朋友，接着爬了进去。