Out Of Time

by Oldfield, Donna Marie

  She lifted all the magazines one by one and dropped them into the rack by the window, then she picked up the mugs and hovered them through to the kitchen. She walked behind them to be sure she put them by the sink rather than dropping them on the floor.

  “Brilliant!” said Dylan, who’d followed her. “Now can you do the washing up?”

  “Oi!” she hit him as he collapsed into a fit of giggles.

  “I’m kidding,” he protested, to stop Scarlett whacking him again. “Let’s return to the front room.”

  They walked back into the lounge. “What now?” she asked.

  “Lift the coffee table.”

  Now she understood why he’d asked her to clear it.

  “It’s pretty heavy,” she said, doubting her abilities.

  “You lifted barrels the other day!”

  “Yeah, but they were pretend ones in a hologram world.”

  “True… but I really believe you can do it.”

  “I’ll try…”

  “There’s only do, no try,” Dylan said in a croaky voice.

  “So now you think you’re Yoda?” she laughed. “You do know you got that quote completely wrong?

  “Yeah,” he grinned. “Ah, it’s years since I watched that film and you knew what I meant, didn’t you?”

  “You’re silly,” she said.

  “Sshhh, stop fooling around and lift the table.”

  “But you started it!”

  “Focus!” he ordered jokingly.

  “OK.” She concentrated on the table and flourished her hands up. It worked! It was floating in the air.

  “Do you want me to move it anywhere?”

  “Not in this little room! Maybe lift it a bit higher, then slowly lower it to the floor.”

  She tried and did it. She felt brilliant and was bursting with joy. This was such a buzz.

  “Are you proud?” she asked.

  “Very proud. You’re doing really well, Scarlett. Just like I knew you would.”

  She was about to ask Dylan what was next on the agenda when she heard the sound of the front door being thrown open and three noisy teenagers coming bustling in.

  “Hi,” Lucy said as she came into the room, bringing the cold air from outside in with her. “It’s freezing out there today,” she moaned, pulling her hat and gloves off.

  “How did it go?” Dylan asked, as Neelam and Jay walked into the room.

  “Well, they’re not in Birmingham,” Jay explained.

  “Oh no, I’m sorry,” Dylan said to Lucy.

  “That’s OK,” Lucy said. “We never really expected to find Aaron today. We did get a lead though. We found out they’re being held somewhere in London.”

  “The police are involved this time,” Neelam explained. “We’d assumed that Maria and Aaron would be held at a government science lab like we were, so we’ve been barking up the wrong tree completely.”

  “Figures that Goulden would try to throw us off the scent a bit,” Dylan mused.

  “Exactly,” she said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he planted the lead that took us on a wild goose chase to Birmingham. Like I say, it wasn’t a wasted journey though. On our way back, we spotted several policemen going into a pub by Euston. We recognised one to be Sergeant Dash and we all know he’s in league with Goulden, so we followed them in there.”

  Dylan raised his eyebrows.

  “Don’t worry, we weren’t drinking, we just grabbed some chips and cola. Anyway, one of them was quite tipsy and he was being pretty loud. He moaned about having had a bad shift the day before, looking after ‘super-powered brats’ who’d given him a hard time.”

  “It must be them!” Dylan exclaimed.

  “That’s what we thought. So we know that they’re being held somewhere in the London area by the police, but we still don’t know where. I tried to read his mind, but he got a phone call and left before I could get a chance. You know I have to be near people to do it.”

  “Don’t worry,” Dylan said. “But how are we going to find out?”

  Everyone fell silent.

  “Get the policemen drunk again?” Scarlett joked.

  Jay’s eyes widened. “That’s a brilliant idea.”

  Neelam and Dylan looked at him like he was crazy.

  “And how do you propose we do that?”

  “Well, not get them drunk exactly,” Jay said. “But we can be in the same room as them while they’re partying and their guard is down. We ask them a few questions and they tell us what we want to know. And if they won’t tell us, we get Neelam to read their minds.”

  “Yeah because it’s that easy.” Neelam rolled her eyes.

  “It is,” Jay insisted. “Didn’t you hear them mention that they’re having a big Winter Ball at their headquarters? A masked winter ball…”

  “Oh my goodness, you’re insane,” Neelam said. “You expect us to go into a room full of policemen? We’re pretty much the five most wanted people in Britain.”

  “I think it’s a good idea,” Dylan said. Everybody looked at him in shock. “We’ll be wearing masks. Their guard will be down. It’s the best chance we’ll have of getting information out of them and it’s worth the risk if it leads us to Lucy’s brother.”

  Scarlett noticed Lucy was staying quiet. She was unusually withdrawn; she must be really worried.

  “There must be another way,” Neelam said, shaking her head.

  “We’ve tried them all,” Dylan said. “You and Lucy can’t find anything online or anywhere. This is our only chance. Who thinks I’m right?”

  Lucy and Jay raised their hands, but Scarlett was unsure. She couldn’t help feeling that Dylan was doing this to prove himself as a leader, to show them that he wasn’t always too cautious. She hoped he was making this decision for the right reasons and not leading the team into danger. She had to agree though – it did seem like their only chance. She raised her hand.

  “Oh OK, then,” Neelam sighed. “But we’d better be very prepared.”

  “That settles it then,” Dylan said. “And don’t worry, we will be. I’ll make sure nothing can go wrong. I promise.”

  Chapter 11

  “Scarlett?” Neelam said from outside her bedroom door. “Can I come in?”

  “Sure,” Scarlett replied, as she helplessly tried to fasten the zip at the back of her dress. “I could do with some help, actually!”

  “Wow! You look amazing,” Neelam said as she entered the room. Scarlett was wearing a strapless red, floor-length dress that made her look far more mature than her 18 years. She felt confident and sexy yet a little awkward and embarrassed at the same time. She had never dressed up in anything like this before.

  “Thanks,” she mumbled shyly as she wriggled over to her, holding the back together. “Can you zip me up?”

  “Of course. I have your mask for the ball too,” she said as she swiftly whizzed up the zipper. “Red really is your colour,” she added. “Your parents named you well.”

  “Oh it’s just one of the few colours that suits my boring, black hair, that’s all,” she shrugged modestly. She hated compliments. “I love your frock too,” she said, nodding at Neelam’s gorgeous green number.

  “Thanks!” she said, giving Scarlett a twirl to show off her prom-style, knee-length jade gown. “Ooh and here’s your mask.”

  Scarlett took the red and gold ornate, Venetian-style mask and tried it on.

  “These should hide our identity from those corrupt cops nicely,” she remarked.

  “Let’s hope so,” Neelam said. I could use my powers to shield us, but it’s a bit beyond my limits for me to do it for the whole evening. “Anyway, everyone’s downstairs. You ready?”

  “Yeah sure. I’ll be down in a second.”

  “OK, see you then,” Neelam said as she headed out the door.

  Scarlett checked her make-up in the mirror one last time, touched up her red lipstick, grabbed her handbag and mask and headed down the stairs. They were very tricky in heels. As she neared the
bottom, she saw Dylan standing with his back to her.

  “Where are the others?” she asked.

  Dylan spun round. She was taken by how handsome he was in his smart, charcoal-grey suit. He looked powerful, and sexy. She could feel herself blushing an even deeper red than her gown. “Be composed, be professional,” she thought. But Dylan was blushing too.

  “You’re… you look… that dress is… pretty,” he stammered. He stared at Scarlett in silence, then gulped and added, “You look nice.”

  They stood still for a second, with their eyes locked on each other. Scarlett didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know if there was anything to say.

  “I’ve got your coat,” he mumbled as he held it out for her to put on.

  Dylan was such a gentleman. She liked that. He had a way of making her feel special.

  “Thanks,” she said, turning round to stare at him once more.

  “We should get going,” he said, seemingly trying to compose himself.

  “Yeah,” she said, opening the front door to join the others and breaking the magical moment that had just existed between them. Scarlett’s heart sank a little as they stepped outside, but she was relieved that she could feel the redness draining from her cheeks.

  Thirty minutes later, the group got out of a cab on Whitehall.

  “There it is,” Neelam said, pointing at an imposing, grand, gothic building across the street.

  “What is this place?” she asked, remembering a school trip she had once been on to Scotland Yard. “I thought the Metropolitan Police offices were down the road?”

  “They were, but they and the government have taken control of most of the lavish buildings around here. They named this one Diablo Palace. Its imposing ballroom and gardens make it perfect for throwing the hedonistic parties they love so much.”

  “And that’s not all,” Lucy interrupted. “I’ve also discovered it houses all their records.”

  “And that’s going to be our job,” Dylan explained.

  “Eh?” Scarlett said.

  “Neelam, Jay and Lucy are going to enter the party now. You and I will follow afterwards, so we’re not all seen arriving together. We want to be as inconspicuous as possible. They will try to find out anything they can about Aaron and Maria by listening in on people’s conversations. And, of course, Neelam will tap into their thoughts.”

  “I’ll try my best,” Neelam promised. “See you both soon.”

  Scarlett looked at Dylan as the three of them darted across the road towards the imposing building.

  “So what’s our part in the plan then?” she asked, a little miffed that she hadn’t been filled in sooner.

  “We’ll head in there in a few minutes, mingle for a while and try to find out what we can along with the others. If none of us can find a lead, then you and I will sneak into the records rooms to see if there are any clues about where they’re holding Aaron and Maria. Hopefully, they’ll have some kind of record on file.”

  “What if we get caught?”

  “We won’t,” he said calmly, but Scarlett wasn’t so sure. She stared at her shiny, red shoes nervously.

  “Come on, let’s go inside,” Dylan said, taking her hand and leading her across the street. “I hope you don’t mind me holding your hand,” he said matter-of-factly. “I think it’d best for our cover if we appear to be a couple.”

  “Does that mean you’re buying me dinner?”

  Dylan laughed just as they reached the steps to the building.

  “Put your mask on,” he said, as he placed his own black and silver one on. She did as he said, then let him lead her up the stone stairs.

  “Invites?” a gruff man on the door said.

  Dylan reached inside his jacket and pulled out two glossy, embossed cards.

  “Here you go, sir,” he smiled politely.

  “OK,” the man barked as he pushed the door open for them. “In you go, cloak room is on your right and the ballroom is at the end of the corridor.”

  Dylan led Scarlett straight through to the main hall. She gaped around in awe at the grandeur of it all. The ceilings were decorated with beautiful frescoes and two opulent chandeliers hung near the middle. Even the white walls had an antique-looking panel effect. It was the most beautiful place she’d ever seen. It was hard to believe such luxury still existed when most of the country was in a mess.

  “You’re here,” Neelam said in her head.

  “Hi,” Dylan replied telepathically. “Found anything?”

  “Not yet. All the top brass are still eating their eight-course meal. As soon as they join everyone in this room for drinks, I’ll try to find out what they know.”

  “Where are they having dinner?”

  “Just next door. See that archway in the far right corner? Through there.”

  Dylan and Scarlett both looked over to where Neelam mentioned and saw the doorway, which had a table full of drinks next to it.

  “Thanks Neelam,” Dylan said. “Keep us all linked. Are Lucy and Jay OK?”

  “Yeah, Jay is lapping up all the canapés and Lucy’s turned on her flirty charm with some of the policemen in a bid to get them to open up to her. I think she’s secretly enjoying the attention too. Don’t worry about us. Catch you later.”

  Neelam popped back out of their heads as quickly as she’d entered it.

  “Fancy a drink?” Dylan asked her.

  “I can’t, I… Oh hang on, I am 18 now, aren’t I?” She realised she hadn’t been able to attend her own birthday party, so the fact she was now allowed to drink had passed Scarlett by.

  “You sure are,” he replied as he led her across the room, grabbed two glasses of champagne and handed her one. “And I’d say a toast to your birthday is long overdue.”

  He raised his glass. “To you!” Scarlett did the same and they clinked their glasses. “To me!” she agreed.

  Dylan suddenly peered over her shoulder.

  “Look at them,” he said as he strode towards the archway to the other room.

  She followed him and took a peek. About 20, mostly overweight, men were stuffing their faces with food and drink as they roared with laughter.

  “They’re like repulsive animals,” Dylan said, screwing up his face. “They disgust me.”

  Scarlett felt somewhat sick at the sight of them herself. Dylan brushed her away from the door before anyone saw them snooping.

  “They sit around with all this food and finery while half the country starves and has nothing. It’s wrong. It makes me so angry.”

  Dylan’s face had hardened and his fists were clenched.

  “Once we’ve found Aaron and Maria, I swear we’ll put this country right.”

  “We’re already working to do that,” she said as she gently uncurled his tense hand and took it in hers.

  “Yeah, I know, I just wish we could do it more quickly.”

  “Some things can’t be rushed,” she shrugged. “If we get caught, what then?”

  Dylan nodded his head in acceptance, then his eyes sprung back into life as though he’d had an idea.

  “I just thought,” he whispered. “Why are we waiting to go snooping round for their records? We should do it now while so many of them are busy. Then once that lot do move into here, everyone will be so busy tripping over themselves to please them that they won’t notice what we’re up to.”

  “It sounds like a plan…” she agreed.

  “Neelam,” Dylan said mentally, “we’re going in.”

  “Now?” she asked, sounding alarmed. “Are you sure? You might not even need to if…”

  “We’re going,” he said firmly, then cut her off.

  Dylan looked at Scarlett, his face fixed with determination.

  “Ready?”

  “Sure,” she said. She wasn’t.

  “Right, follow me,” he explained, taking her hand again. He weaved through the noisy, twittering crowd and snuck out of the front door.

  “How do you know where to go?” she asked as the
y quickly turned a corner and headed down a long corridor.

  “Lucy used her hacking skills to get her hands on a map,” he whispered. “And Neelam used her skills to help me store it perfectly up here.” He tapped his head.

  “Wow. Now that’s teamwork.”

  “Down here,” he whispered as they turned and headed down yet another hallway. This place was like a rabbit warren.

  Finally, Dylan stopped outside a huge wooden door. He turned the handle.

  “It’s locked. Can you get us in?” he said, looking at Scarlett expectantly.

  “Me?” she replied, somewhat incredulously.

  “Telekinetically pick the lock by moving the bolt inside with your mind. You used to be able to… sorry, I forget sometimes.”

  Scarlett stared at Dylan and then at the lock. It hadn’t occurred to her that her powers could be so useful.

  “I’ll give it a try.”

  She looked back at the keyhole. How could she move something that she couldn’t see?

  “Move,” she willed the lock. “Move?” Hmmm. “Move!”

  The door clicked to signal it was now open. “Yes!” Scarlett though as she mentally punched the air. Dylan looked up and down the hallway, then opened the door, ushered her inside and shut it behind him.

  Scarlett surveyed the room. The walls were lined with rows upon rows of books and files.

  “Where do we begin?” she asked.

  “You take that wall, I’ll try this one,” Dylan instructed as they both took their masks off.

  “Yes, sir,” she replied. Cor, he sure was bossy today.

  “Sorry, Scarlett. I’m just trying to focus.”

  She smiled to show him it was OK, then started scanning the shelves for anything that seemed relevant, but it all just seemed to be information about employees and old reference books. Then she spotted an open filing cabinet at the back of the room.

  Scarlett pulled open the top drawer and noticed a file poking out. The front was stamped “Project Force” and as she pulled it out of the drawer, a photograph fell to the floor. She picked it up – it was a picture of Lucy and what she assumed were her parents and brother.

  “Dylan, look at this,” she whispered, carrying the file and picture over to him.

  “That’s Lucy’s family,” he said.