***
I wake up in my bed. A dense fog hovers over the corners of my mind, making everything fuzzy at first. I sit up, still fully dressed. There is a folded piece of paper, with my name written on it, on my desk. I stand up, wait until I’m steady on my feet, and pick up the note.
Ember,
Report to the rift chamber as soon as you are awake and have had something to eat.
-Flynn
My stomach growls. No need to tell me twice. Feeling like I’ve slept for the first time in weeks, I head to the cafeteria.
The small dining area has a counter with a selection of food choices and a cooler of milk and juice. I grab a tray of chicken and vegetables, taking it to an empty table where I proceed to devour the food. But every bite is like throwing a penny in a well. The way my stomach twists is more nerves than real hunger, but it feels the same. I could eat every tray in the room and still want more. Drinking half my milk in one long gulp, I return it to the metal tray with a thud that echoes through the empty room. Suddenly, it feels less like a cafeteria and more like a crypt. The rattle from the air vent is like an ominous breath blowing across my skin. I shake my head.
Ugh. What is wrong with me today? First, I freak out in class, and now I’m jumping at shadows. All because of some stupid nightmares. As I think about them, my mind reaches back for the memories but finds nothing. What happened? My stomach churns again. There is something I wanted to remember. Something important. But, it’s gone.
With a grunt, I rise and kick the chair back with one foot. Grabbing my tray, I set it in the dirty dish window. I turn for the door, but, before I can take a step, the room gets hot. Reaching over my head, I wave my hand over the vent. It’s thumping, but no air is coming out. I tug at the collar of my grey shirt. It’s gotten really hot—like sauna hot. Sweat beads along my hairline as little drops of perspiration roll down the back of my neck.
“What the—?” I walk over to the computer interface. It blinks to life when I touch the flat screen. “Interface, what’s wrong with the temperature controls in the cafeteria?”
The voice of Tesla responds with a thick, metallic echo, “All systems functional.”
“Interface, run a diagnostic on the environmental control systems.”
“All systems functional.”
“Then, why is it so hot in here?” I walk over to the door and press the metal plate.
A voice from behind me makes me turn on my heel. “Ember,” it says.
There, in the middle of the empty cafeteria, stands… well, me. I feel my mouth drop open the way you only see in cartoons. She—no, I—am wearing a black leather corset over a golden tunic and striped pants. Her hair is twisted up in the back with loose strands dangling around her face. But the biggest difference between us is the long, fresh scar on her chin. I don’t have a scar there. Not yet, anyway. Before I can compose myself enough to say anything, she takes a step toward me, her hands held out as if to calm me.
“You need to take the first key with you.”
My brain freezes. “What?”
I take an involuntary step back, knowing that we shouldn’t touch. That would be very bad. Catastrophic. Before I can compose myself enough to ask a more rational question like, “Why the heck are we breaking the most basic and universal law of time travel?” she steps backward and vanishes.
I blink. She—no, I—have just risked destroying time to give myself that message—it must be something urgent. Life or death.
I back up until the door behind me slides open with a whoosh.
Once I’m in the hallway, I can feel the cool breeze of the air conditioning system circulating through the air. I let go of the breath I’ve been holding. The sudden release of tension nearly brings me to my knees.
Should I tell someone? I dismiss the idea. No need to get myself in trouble for something I haven’t even done yet.
“Hey, Ember!” Kara calls, coming down the hall with Ethan beside her. “There you are. We’ve been looking all over for you. Are you okay? Flynn said you had a panic attack or something.”
I hesitate. A panic attack? Is that what that was? It’s hazy, but I remember it. Sort of. “Um, yeah. I’m fine. Nerves,” I say weakly.
I look back at the cafeteria door, just to verify that she—me—is really gone. Then I turn, smiling at Kara to cover my shock. “I was just getting something to eat before the test.”
Ethan catches up with me first. He drapes one arm over my shoulders and runs his free hand through his hair. I let myself relax into him. He smells like saltwater and sunshine. I breathe in the familiar scent, holding my breath until I can’t, before releasing it. He’s warm and somehow soft and strong at the same time. He feels like home.
“You sure you’re okay?” he asks, pulling back to search my eyes.
I nod. “Just nervous.”
He narrows his eyes, but he doesn’t challenge me. Finally, he releases me. “Nothing to be nervous about. I took my rift test already. It’s a breeze.”
“Wow. How long was I out?”
“A whole day,” Ethan answers.
That explains the hunger.
“He’s right,” Kara says, taking my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. “If he can do it, we can do it.”
Ethan leans against the wall. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Kara tightens her auburn ponytail. “Just that either of us could beat you with one hand tied behind our backs.”
“Really?”
“Oh yes,” Kara says, her eyes glinting. “Isn’t that right, Ember?”
“Yeah. Sure,” I say. I try to sound confident, but my voice is shaky.
Kara turns her back to Ethan and slips her arm through mine. “Come on, I’ll walk you.”
“I need to go by my room first,” I say quickly.
“Why?” Ethan asks, following us down the hall.
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. What can I say? I’m trying to come up with some excuse, but I’m totally blanking out.
“She got mustard on her shirt, nosy,” Kara chimes in. Leaning her head on my shoulder, she whispers, “You sure you’re all right?”
“Yeah,” I whisper back, kissing her on the head. “Thanks for the save.”
“You can pay me back someday.”