by Lee Strauss
I took a seat at one of the round tables in the back while Sage stood in line. I watched as she heaped on a plate full of food, looked like roast, potatoes and gravy, and my stomach growled again. I normally ate something every couple hours. All I’d eaten all day was that sub Sage had picked up for me earlier.
She returned and handed me a fork and knife. She moved a teacup off of a saucer and pushed a little of the food onto it before handing me the plate.
“Is that enough for you?” I asked.
“Yeah. I’m not really that hungry.”
I was starved and gobbled up my pile in the same amount of time it took Sage to nibble her little portion.
“That’s Jake over there,” she said.
I recognized him from our short run-in in my realm. Cockiness oozed off both versions of him. “Who’s the guy with him?”
“That’s Chet. I don’t know much about him, but Teagan didn’t like him.”
“Really? Teagan seems like the kind of girl who likes everyone.”
“She is, but I dragged her out for drinks one night, and Chet threw a peanut at her, giving her a small welt on her forehead.”
“Why would he do that?”
“I don’t know. He probably likes her.”
“Too far away to punch her in the arm?”
She grinned. “Juvenile, I know.” Then she added, “Jake liked her at that time, too.”
My head shot up in surprised. “He did?”
“Yeah, he asked her out the next day. For coffee.”
The attraction leached over on both realms but for some reason, in this one, he chose Nora over Teagan.
Sage continued, “That was the night the first victim was raped. Teagan said the girl, Vanessa, had knocked over a display. Jake helped her clean it up. She left, and Jake left soon afterward.”
“Coincidence?”
“I thought so, but Teagan wasn’t so sure.”
“What makes you say that?” I asked.
“The whole thing was really upsetting, and especially for someone like Teagan. She’s very sensitive. She never watched the news and one of the reasons she wanted to come here was because of DU’s reputation for safety.”
Wow, this really was an alternate world.
Sage’s gaze cast downward. “She suspected you as well.”
“What?” I dropped my fork. “Why?”
“When you warned her about the rape in your realm, it hadn’t happened in ours yet. So when it did, she thought maybe you were telling her in advance about something you were planning to do.”
I sighed. “Ah, man.”
Sage’s gaze returned to Jake and Chet.
“Should we go talk to them?” I asked.
“They might recognize you,” she said. “Not the Mars you, but, you know.”
I pushed up on my specs, not sure what to say about that.
“The Marlow from here doesn’t wear glasses,” she continued. She tilted her head and examined my face, an innocent move that sent shivers down my spine. “He’s clean-shaven; you’re looking pretty scruffy.”
“I haven’t had a chance to shave.” I pulled on my hood and rubbed my prickly face. “I’ll hang back.”
I didn’t like Jake Wentworth when I met him in my realm, and I didn’t like him in this one. He personified self-confidence and arrogance. Even though he did manage to look Sage in the eye once or twice, I was effectively invisible. Which I wanted to be, but man, he didn’t need to make it so easy.
“Hey Jake,” Sage said. “Have you seen Teagan?”
He shoved a fried potato slice into his mouth and answered mid-chew. “Nope. Why?”
“She didn’t come home last night. I’m worried.”
“Oh.” Jake had the decency to look concerned. “I’m sure she’s just out getting lucky.”
Sage smirked. “You obviously don’t know Teagan.”
“Actually, I kind of do.” He cocked a dark sleazy brow. “Which is why I’m with Nora now.”
If he didn’t outweigh me by at least fifty pounds, I would’ve socked him in the mouth.
Sage looked put off. “What about you, Chet?”
“Me?” Chet swept a swath of oily hair off his face. “I only met the chick once.”
I took a step forward and asked, “Where were you guys last night?”
Jake shifted back in his chair, thick legs sprawled out, and scowled up at me. “Who are you?”
Damn. I should’ve kept my mouth shut and let Sage do the talking.
“This is Mars,” Sage said. “We’re just trying to establish Teagan’s whereabouts. Maybe you saw her last night and just don’t remember. So, where were you?”
“We were at the same party as you, Sage.”
“But after that,” she pressed. “After I left.”
Jake’s eyes glazed over like he was bored, but I figured he was pissed off and trying not to show it. “I don’t remember. You can ask Nora. I was with her. Now if you don’t mind, we’d like to finish eating.”
Sage pulled on my arm and led me out of earshot. “That didn’t go so well.”
“I guess you could call this Nora chick, see if his story holds.”
Sage nodded and thumbed a message into her phone. “I told her I’m looking for Teagan and asked if she was with Jake after the party and if they saw her.”
Moments later, Sage got a message back. “Nora says she didn’t see Teagan and Jake was with her all night.
“That doesn’t explain Chet, though,” I said.
“Yeah, he’s a bit of a black horse.”
“Jake’s henchman?”
Sage’s gaze cut to mine. “What do you mean by that?”
“Maybe he does Jake’s dirty work for pay. Or prestige. Or protection.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. Maybe. I think we need to keep looking around.”
“What classes does Teagan take?” I asked. “Maybe one of her profs knows something. Maybe she was working on a secret project?”
“Good idea. She had philosophy with Professor Madsen.”
We headed outdoors and I followed Sage to the liberal arts wing of the campus. “What do you think the police are doing right now?” Sage asked.
“Probably scouring the Believe in Beans.” I imagined them there with a dog, sniffing her scent from the shirt Detective Simpson took.
“I hope so. I really want this nightmare to be over.”
“Me too.”
I wondered if it would ever be over. Even if we found Teagan, I had no idea how I was going to get home, back to my realm. Was I stuck here? Would I forever be dodging the “legitimate” Marlow Henry? How would I live? I’d have to get a new ID.
Sage punched me in the arm. “Are you okay? You look kind of freaked out.”
“I’m fine.” Get a hold of yourself, Henry!
We trod through the thick fallen leaves that carpeted the walkway, leaving a yellow and purple wake behind us.
There were several cement steps to the impressive wooden doors of the ornate brick building. I tugged on the handle and waited until Sage passed through.
Students filed out of the lecture hall. I glanced at Sage in question. She frowned.
“Evening midterm,” she said. “Teagan was supposed to be here for it.”
The hall was on the large side and had theatre seating. The scent of nervous sweat lingered, and I was glad the fresh air followed us in.
Professor Madsen was packing up his satchel as we approached. He stifled a yawn with his forearm and then stood straight when he spotted us.
“Professor Madsen,” Sage said as we neared. “I’m Sage Farrell a friend of Teagan Lake.” Sage didn’t bother to introduce me and I thought it for the best. I was there as an observer. Sage continued, “She seems to be missing, and I wondered if you’ve seen her recently?”
The professor was young, with dirty-blond hair and dark eyes. He looked like he could use more sleep. He folded into his chair at the news. “Missing? I wondered why she
didn’t show for the exam.”
“When was the last time you saw her?” Sage asked. “We’re just trying to create a timeline.”
“I don’t know. Must’ve been the last class of mine that’s she’s in. Honestly, so many students come through those doors, I don’t always notice who’s here and who’s not.”
I wanted to believe him, but it all seemed too convenient. And why wasn’t he sleeping at night? Violent kidnappings had a way of interrupting your rest.
I spouted off. “Where were you last night?”
Sage flashed me a look.
“I was here until late, marking papers. And then I went home.” He eyed me like he knew he didn’t have to answer to me. “Who are you, anyway?”
“A friend.”
Professor Madsen got to his feet. “I’m sorry to hear about Teagan. I’m assuming you’ve called the police?”
“Yes,” Sage answered.
“Then I suggest you leave the investigation to them.” He left the hall without saying good-bye.
“Interesting character,” I said.
Sage nodded then asked, “Now what?”
“We keep digging.”
A lone student with dark hair and an open laptop remained in the room. He was in a short desk tucked in the shadows behind Professor Madsen’s, which was why we didn’t notice him at first.
We were about to leave when he called out, “I saw Teagan Lake last night.”
34

The roommate and her skinny, hooded accomplice were asking questions. He had to admire their audacity. As if they could track him down. Here he was, sitting one table over, listening in as they badgered a jock. He’d be insulted if it weren’t so amusing.
He stuffed a bun and an apple in his coat pockets to feed the Lake girl something when he got back to the cabin. He’d bring soap too. Her vomit had gotten in her hair and the smell was a real turnoff.
He found he didn’t mind waiting for her. Instant gratification wasn’t everything. The anticipation and buildup to the event aroused him as well. And it gave him time to be creative. Maybe he’d produce a video and send it to his old man. He could just picture the bastard coming to the rescue of his whore’s daughter.
Then he’d kill them both. First the girl with his dad watching, then him. He’d have to think of a way to make his father suffer, make the pain and suffering drag on. Pay back for the years of bruising and innumerable broken ribs he’d endured.
He smiled with contained amusement as the jock blew the roommate off. He waited thirty seconds after the girl and her thin companion left, then followed them. He was curious as to where their little “investigation” would take them. He laughed into his hand when he watched the two of them head to Madsen’s lecture hall.
Amateur imbeciles. He checked the time. It was dark. He felt a buzz in his nerves, worried suddenly that he’d been gone too long. The girl might die if he didn’t get back to the cabin soon and then all his plans would be ruined.
35

Sage
I took Marlow to the pub for a drink. If ever there was a time when a person could use a drink it was when their best friend went missing and a killer was on the loose.
“Can I buy you a beer?” I asked Marlow, knowing that he didn’t have any money.
“Won’t they card you?”
“I’m nineteen.”
“Don’t you have to be twenty-one?”
I shook my head.
He shrugged. “Okay, then. Sure.”
I ordered at the bar and we took two seats by the window. The room was much warmer than outside and I shook off my jacket and hung it on the back of my chair. I scratched at my arms and jiggled my knees. I couldn’t stop thinking about Teagan and how she was out there somewhere, scared to death.
Oh, God. Bad choice of words. Teagan couldn’t be dead. She just couldn’t be.
The server brought us two foamy glasses, and I took a swig, wiping the foam mustache off my face with my sleeve.
Marlow eyed me with concern. “Are you okay?”
“No. Do you expect me to be okay?”
“I didn’t mean that. I just meant, well, you look a little pale.”
“I’m not going to faint or anything if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“I’m not worried.”
I closed my eyes and took a long breath through my nose. Then I looked at Marlow, still hidden away in the hood of the hoodie. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to take it out on you. I’m just scared. And I hate not knowing what’s going on.”
“I understand. I’m freaked out too.”
“I imagine you are. Tell me about your home.” If it weren’t for Teagan I’d have been all over Marlow about this apparent parallel universe thing. “I mean, I still can’t comprehend it. My brain is going off in all directions right now.” I emphasize this by pointing all ten of my fingers at my head. “Is it much different?”
“It’s bluer.”
“Bluer?”
“Yeah.” Marlow wiped condensation off the side of his glass. “The sky is bluer. The general hue is lighter. It’s kind of green here.”
“That’s weird. Why is that I wonder?”
“Your sun must be cooler than ours. Oranger. The colors refract differently, making the sky look green rather than blue like ours.”
“Our sun is orange,” I said. “Yours isn’t?”
“Nope. It’s yellow.” He flashed me a charming crooked smile. “That’s what we’re taught in school, anyway. It’s actually a prism of colors, which I expect is similar to yours, only somewhat hotter.”
I hummed. “Interesting.”
“The economy here seems to be a lot better,” Marlow added. “We’re in a recession in my world. Detroit was hit hard, especially the auto industry. Most of the factories are shut down.”
I wrinkled my nose at him. “Sounds like a dystopian novel.”
He laughed. “Yeah, it is.”
“And no universal health care?”
Marlow shook his head and adjusted his glasses to reiterate. “Nope.”
“If I were you,” I said, “I’d be tempted to stay here.”
We locked gazes and his eyes softened, like he was looking deep into my soul. I swallowed nervously. I hoped he wasn’t developing a crush or something. I wasn’t interested in him that way. I averted my eyes, casting my gaze to my hands.
“There’s already a Marlow Henry here,” he finally said. “One is enough, I should think. Though, to be honest, I’m not sure how to get back. I don’t know if I’m missing in my realm or if I’ll return to the same moment as when I left. That’s assuming I get back somehow. I don’t really know anything.”
We drank in silence for the next few moments, each of us trying to process everything. I know I certainly was having a hard time of it.
A TV screen hung in the corner and a new report came on. A ticker ran along the bottom. SEARCH FOR MISSING GIRL IS ON. ANOTHER DETROIT UNIVERSITY VICTIM?
I pointed, “Mars, look!”
On the screen we could see the police with dogs scouring the wooded area by Believe in Beans. Detectives Kilroy and Simpson stood solemnly by police cars that had their blue and red lights flashing.
A reporter thrust a microphone in Detective Kilroy’s face. “Is this the DU rapist’s third victim?”
“At the moment Miss Lake is considered a missing person,” Detective Kilroy replied. “We’ve yet to find evidence that foul play was involved or that her disappearance is linked to the other crimes.”
“Is that why you have the search dogs out in the park? You have reason to believe she was here?”
“We have reason to believe she was in this vicinity. We have yet to conclude where exactly. But be assured, we are doing everything in our power to bring Miss Lake home safely.”
The story cut back to the basketball game that had been playing.
I cupped my face with my hands. “This can’t be happening.”
> I heard a chair scoot over and felt Marlow’s arm drape awkwardly over my shoulders. He didn’t say anything but just his presence brought me some peace. The warmth of another human touch. I leaned into him and buried my face into his chest. I stifled a major sob that threatened to erupt. Marlow stroked my hair.
A part of my brain detached itself from my current situation, the horror and the mystery, and only acknowledged Marlow. His comfort. His inner strength. I found myself reconsidering my earlier judgment. Maybe Marlow Henry was my type after all and I just didn’t know it.
Marlow tensed suddenly and pulled away, tugging on his hood.
“What’s the matter?”
“I know those guys.”
I twisted around and spotted the two guys who’d sauntered in with all the coolness and confidence money and good genes could buy.
“Paul Meadows and Steve Dubeki?” I asked. Paul was shorter and stockier and was a hockey star whereas Steve’s taller athletic build made him all-star basketball material. They both had pretty eyes and dark curly hair. Neither had ever given me the time of day. They pulled up chairs and sat on them backward, leaning casually over the back wooden frames. The girls they had joined giggled flirtatiously.
“They’re dorm mates of mine,” Marlow said. “And definitely not as cool in my world.”
“So, there are doubles of everyone?”
“Seems like it.”
I tilted my head. “Even me?”
“I haven’t met the other you, but I imagine so.”
“The same but different?”
Marlow shrugged. “That’s what I don’t get. Some people seem to be the same, like those Jake and Chet guys. They’re douches in both realms. The other me is more metrosexual than I am, but Zed looked and acted exactly the way he does in my realm.”
“Interesting.”
