The Edge of Forever (6 page)

I close my eyes and swear under my breath. Why does she of all people have to be here? But I can’t just stand here. I’ve got to get my things.

Elijah sees me first and springs to his feet. “Man, where have you been? Have you seen Vika?”

“Yeah, Creed, what happened back there?” Zed asks, joining us.

I almost answer them, but Mom spots me. Her face takes on a hard edge as she says, “He’s here. I’ve got to go.”

I shake my head and push past them. In my bedroom, I search through the top drawer of my dresser until I find the brown box containing my stash of Calmer. I grab a vial and inject the gold liquid in the right side of my neck. My muscles loosen up instantly. The pressure on my chest disappears.

Outside, I hear Mom ordering Elijah and Zed to leave even though they live here. I can’t believe her nerve. She has no authority here. But tell her that. She’s a big shot artifact retrieval expert for the Department of Temporal Affairs. She’s used to getting her way.

That’s one reason I haven’t used a home pass in over a month. I can barely stand to stay in the same room with her, much less the same apartment. And now I’m about to have to do just that. I don’t know if I can.

Mom’s heels crash like thunder as she crosses the living area. This is one of the few times I wish I could bend space.

She stops in the doorway and studies my room. Her nose wrinkles like she’s disgusted. I didn’t make the bed this morning or pick up my dirty uniforms. “This,” she finally says, her eyes snapping back to me, “is unacceptable.”

“What is?” I ask. My face grows warm despite the Calmer I just took. That’s the effect she usually has on me.

“Everything.” She crosses the threshold and points at the mess. “I raised you better than this. Your room is a disgrace. And to top things off, I get called out of a very important briefing because my son decided to wild out on a time trip. Do you know how this could affect my position? Or what about your brother? He could get assigned to an inferior professor like Telfair because of this!”

Her voice has risen to a piercing screech by the time she finishes. The typical beginning of a Morgan Creed rant. I don’t need this. Not now.

I try to tune her out and pack my clothes while she bitches. But one thing she says catches my attention. I drop the shirt I was holding and face her. My hands begin to shake, so I clench them at my sides. “What did you say about Dad?”

Her eyes narrow. “I said I can’t believe you’re still so hung up over your good-for-nothing father. He’s dead, Bridger, and he’s never coming back. So for you to think he visited you on your little trip is beyond ridiculous. Besides, he’s not worth your devotion. In case you forgot, he left us for another woman.”

I sink down on the bed and run my hands over my face. Unbelievable. After everything that happened today, she has to bring up Dad leaving her. I really couldn’t blame him. All they did was fight for years. Mainly over the fact that Mom tried to control everything. But that’s not all. Mom suspected Dad was cheating on her and flung it in his face all the time. He always denied it.

About three months ago Dad decided he couldn’t take it anymore. He canceled their marriage contract and moved out. Mom claimed she didn’t understand why. She dragged me and my younger brother Shan over to Dad’s place to “talk some sense into him.” We saw him hugging a woman outside his apartment. She had dark hair like Mom, but she was shorter. More delicate looking. Anyway, Mom wilded out on both of them.

“I knew it! You son of a bitch, you’ve been cheating on me!” Mom screeched as she stomped toward Dad and the woman.

Dad pulled her behind him and held up a hand to stop Mom. “Morgan, calm down. I never cheated on you and you know that.”

“Like hell,” she hissed, raising her hand.

Dad caught it. “Don’t you dare start. Not now.”

“Yeah? So I suppose the two of you are just friends? Give me a furing break!” She then let out a stream of obscenities and tried to move around Dad to get to the woman.

While trying to stop Mom, Dad managed to yell to me, “Get Shan out of here. Now!”

Until Dad had said that, I’d almost forgotten about Shan standing behind me. I’d been in shock. He looked so pale, like he was about to puke. I don’t remember us leaving Dad’s building, but I do remember ending up at a nearby Green Zone. It took forever to get Shan to stop crying. That was hard. He hadn’t cried like that in years.

“Have you ever considered the reason Dad left was because of you? You’re impossible to live with.” It’s difficult, but I keep my voice even. I refuse to act like her.

Mom flashes across the room and slaps me. It stings, but I don’t show any emotion. Instead I say, “That proves my point.”

I’m not finished packing, but I have to get out of here. Now. I grab my portacase and storm out of the room. Zed and Elijah can send the rest of my stuff later.

Mom follows. “Where do you think you’re going?”

Without looking back, I snarl, “Away from you.”

Outside, I walk south, toward the transport lot. The farther away I get from Mom, the better I feel.

I’ve got to hurry if I want to catch the six o’clock shuttle back to downtown New Denver. More cadets are out now. I don’t look at them directly. I keep moving. Hopefully nobody knows what’s happened.

I let out a deep breath once I climb on board. There are no passengers. Maybe nobody else will need a ride. Mom has her own private shuttle, so I don’t have to worry about her needing a lift back home. Still, I’m not fully at ease until we’re in the air.

I lean back against the plush seat and look out the window. The Academy grows smaller and smaller, gradually fading into the scenery west of the city. Ahead, New Denver’s lights glow against the darkening sky. I’m not sure where I’ll go once I get there. I just know I can’t stay at Mom’s apartment tonight.

My DataLink chimes, and I check the interface. It’s Professor March. I think about hitting accept, but decide against it. I don’t want to talk to anyone right now.

My thoughts shift to Vika, and my stomach twists. It doesn’t seem real that she’s in a coma and probably won’t recover. I remember how excited she was this morning. How she practically glowed. Her last words echo in my head.

What are you doing? You’re not supposed to leave!

I don’t care what Professor March said about her just trying to get a better view by the stage. She would have never done that if I’d been there. It’s my fault she’s hurt. I run my hand over my face, but I’m still breathing evenly. The Calmer is working, or I’d be a mess. Especially after dealing with Mom.

I just don’t get Mom. I never really have. At least, not since I’ve been old enough to understand what was happening between her and Dad. She always expected Shan and me to take her side, but I’m not stupid. It’s all her fault Dad left. Who would want to be around a shrew like her?

I try not to think about her anymore, but something she said about Dad keeps bothering me. How he would never come back. Professor March thinks I saw Dad on the time trip because I wanted to see him. And General Anderson said the investigative team didn’t witness Dad there at all. I don’t know how Dad kept them from seeing him, but I know what I saw. I heard him. He
was
really there.

I’m not crazy.

But why did he tell me to save Alora?

How can I find out who she is?

The answer crystallizes in my mind as if someone downloaded it. Dad used to tell me everyone has secrets. And he once showed me the perfect place to hide things.

6

ALORA

APRIL 9, 2013

M
y fingers drum a restless pattern on my desk as I try to study my history notes, but I can’t concentrate. I glance at the clock for what seems like the millionth time. It’s 4:43. Two minutes later than the last time I looked. Seventeen minutes until I’m free of detention.

I’ve been suffocating since the moment I walked in this classroom—a.k.a. the Slammer. The room smells like someone’s stinky shoes. Plus, there are nothing but slackers and future criminals in here. And that’s not all. Trevor and two of his buddies got detention. Of course they’re sitting right behind me.

I swear I’m dying.

“Is there a problem, Miss Walker?” the teacher asks. He peers over the top of his glasses before dropping his gaze to my fingers.

A blush warms my face as I snatch my hand off the desk. “No, sir.”

“Then please refrain from making unnecessary noises.”

“Yes, sir.”

Several students snicker and the warmth on my face spreads through my whole body. I could probably burst into flames. Why can’t it be five o’clock already? First thing I’m going to do when Sela picks me up is beg her to take me to The Gingerbread House so I can get some donuts. I need sugar.

I really should study for the history test. At least the history teacher had to go out of town on a family emergency, so there’s a sub for the rest of the week. Hopefully I won’t have to make up the test until Monday.

“Don’t let him get to you,” Trevor whispers, his hot breath tickling the back of my neck. “He has major control issues.”

I’m positive my face is as red as my shirt.

Keeping my eyes on the teacher, I whisper, “I’m not.” My heart is hammering so loud, I’m sure he can hear it.

As the last few minutes tick by, I wonder why Trevor even spoke. He’s barely acknowledged my existence in the past except to lie about me. Why would he be nice to me now?

“You’re dismissed,” the teacher announces as soon as the bell rings. I sling my purse over my shoulder, grab my books, and bolt out the door.

I’m already past the neighboring classroom when someone calls out, “Hey, wait a minute, Alora.”

I freeze at the sound of Trevor’s voice. Slowly turning, I wait for him to catch up to me. Behind him, his buddies stand outside the Slammer, grinning like they’re in on some big secret. This can’t be good.

I try to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach as I search his face for signs of an impending insult, but there’s nothing. He’s wearing a smile that makes most girls melt when it’s directed at them. Not me, of course. His eyes, a blue that almost matches the sky, are locked on to me.

“Hey, are you okay?” he asks, turning up the smile wattage to extra-bright.

I step back before answering, “Um, yeah.” Oh, way to sound intelligent, Alora. “Why?”

He shrugs. “I was just checking. You seemed a little upset in there.” He inclines his head back toward the Slammer.

“I’m fine.”

“You sure? I’m pretty good at reading people, and you look like something’s bothering you. Anything I can help with?”

I want to ask him why he even cares, but I don’t. Aunt Grace says classy is better than bitchy. “I said I was fine.”

“Okay,” he drawls. Awkward silence follows, then he says, “So, I heard you skipped school yesterday afternoon. I never thought you’d do something like that.”

“I didn’t realize you paid attention to me,” I reply. I wish I could figure out what he wants, where he’s going with this conversation.

“Oh, believe me, I do.”

I’m not sure if I should be flattered or totally creeped out. “Look, I’ve got to go. My friend’s waiting for me.” At least I’m not lying. Sela
is
supposed to take me home.

I turn to walk away, but he grabs my arm and says, “Wait.”

His fingers bite into me and I tell myself not to yank myself away. He probably doesn’t realize he’s gripping me so hard. I try to keep a shocked expression off my face as I ask, “What do you want?”

He closes the already too-small distance between us and leans in, surrounding me with the spicy scent of his cologne. “I’ve had my eye on you for a while. I figured you’d like to go out with me sometime.”

My first instinct is to laugh. Trevor wants to go out with me? No. Way. He’s up to something. And even if he hadn’t been such a jerk to me for so many years, I wouldn’t touch him for anything. Trevor is a player. He’s officially dated Naomi all year, but he’s been after other girls too. Girls who are more than willing to play whatever game he wants. I’m not interested in being one of them.

“I thought you and Naomi were together.”

His face hardens for a moment before the smile returns. “Don’t worry, I broke up with her yesterday.”

Sela was right, but still, I’m not buying that he’s interested in me. “Okay, but why do you want to go out with me?”

He places both of his hands on my arms. “What can I say? I’m tired of phony girls, and I don’t think you’re like that.”

Just great, he’s going cliché on me. Rolling my eyes, I say, “Oh please, don’t try that line on me. I think I’ll pass.”

I shrug off his hands and head toward the exit, hoping he’ll drop his act and leave me alone, but he catches up and falls in step beside me. I notice a few surprised looks from students still lingering in the hall. I know exactly how they feel. He opens the door for me and I step into the cooling afternoon. Clouds hang low overhead, threatening to pour rain.

“All right, that was cheesy. I’m sorry. So how about this? We go to Java Jive tomorrow after school and hang out.”

He’s got to be kidding. I think back to my first day of school here after years of being homeschooled by Aunt Grace. Trevor and Kate could have helped me out and introduced me to their friends since we’ve known each other since childhood. But they didn’t. In fact, they went out of their way to make sure everyone ignored me.

So, of course, I say, “I don’t think so.”

Trevor tilts his head and scratches his chin. “Let me sweeten the deal. I know you’re having trouble in history, right?”

I try not to groan. Our history teacher takes great pleasure in sharing everybody’s test scores.

“That’s one of my best subjects. Since you missed the test yesterday, I could help you study. I’ve seen the questions.”

Normally I’d laugh out loud. Who’s ever heard of a jock offering to tutor someone? But, thanks to the history teacher’s big mouth, I happen to know Trevor isn’t joking. He actually likes that kind of stuff. And I need all the help I can get so I won’t fail the class.