by West, Shay
“Something to do with a nurse, that’s all we know,” Jenn said as she scanned the notebook.
“Yeah, let me just use that little bit of zero information to solve the case and save the world.”
“It’s all we have to go on unless you see the woman again and can figure out what time period she lives in.” Jenn bit her lip. “Sean and Gavin said not to use the mirror to find the evil Traveler but they never said anything about not using it to find out who the nurse is.”
“I’m so frazzled, I don’t think I could make it change even if I wanted to. Maybe tomorrow would be better.”
“The longer you wait, the worse it will be. If your uncle or that guy figures out what’s going on, you will be in danger really soon.”
“Really not helping, Jenn.”
“What do you want me to do? Sit by and tell you what you want to hear? Well excuse me for wanting to keep you alive a little longer.”
Alex was shocked at the thick emotion in Jenn’s voice. They had never really discussed deep subjects like dying. It made Alex a little uncomfortable discussing the possibility of her death. She didn’t want to die. Like really didn’t want to die. At least the nightmare would be over.
Get a grip, Alex!
The voice had the desired effect. She would never give up. She didn’t ask for this duty but she would do it to the best of her ability. The thought of her mom or her friends’ lives being altered or maybe snuffed out prematurely made her angry. And if there was one thing she had learned about herself in all of this was that she could be a pretty formidable force when she was good and pissed off.
“Sorry for all the drama from me, it’s just that this is a little rough, ya know? Of all the things I expected, seeing my uncle wasn’t one of them. And knowing I may have put his life in danger just makes me sick to my stomach. And knowing the Traveler could be on his way here now makes me want to run away to Scotland or something.”
Jenn sat up straight and grabbed Alex’s arm. “Alex, that’s it! You need to leave, go somewhere he’ll never think to look for you. And what better place than with a fellow Traveler and his Master?”
Alex snorted. “Oh sure, just pack up and leave school, work, my mom. I can just stow away on a plane and live out the rest of my days in the highlands.”
“I’m serious, Alex.” Jenn crossed her arms.
“I’m sure you are but leaving is out of the question. I can’t just pack up and leave in the middle of my junior year. What do you think mom would say to that?”
“She may agree to it and maybe even pay for it if you tell her the truth. She’d have to believe you if you traveled and came back with a wound you didn’t have before you left, wouldn’t she?”
“Or she might think I’m possessed by the devil and perform an exorcism.”
Alex giggled and couldn’t stop. She put her hands over her mouth and snorted laughter until tears fell down her cheeks. That’s just what I need.
“You have lost your mind,” Jenn said with a shake of her head.
“You know what they say: laughter is the best medicine.”
That sent her off into another fit of giggles that lasted so long she feared ever being able to breathe again.
“Yeah, well, whoever said that lame phrase obviously never dealt with someone in complete hysterics.”
Alex got her giggle fit under control and laid back against the headboard of her bed, body suddenly exhausted from the terror of her trip to find the evil Traveler, not to mention the crying and now the laughter. She felt like she’d been run over by a truck. Or this is how she imagined someone would feel.
“Got it under control?” Jenn asked.
“I think so.”
“I guess you better reply back to Gavin and tell him about your little slip up. They need to know everything if he’s going to be able to help you.”
Alex grabbed her computer and hurriedly typed a reply, blushing as she typed out the details of how she blurted out the words “Uncle Mark” and how the evil Traveler has been standing right there when she said it. She imagined Gavin pinching the bridge of his nose and shaking his head in disappointment. I bet Sean never screwed up this bad. Guilt made her hesitate to hit the send button but she knew she had to confess everything she’d done if any of them had a chance of helping her out of the enormous blunder she found herself in.
She hit send and put her hands over her eyes as though that would somehow block out the reply she was sure would come swiftly. She didn’t know Gavin or Sean that well, but she didn’t want to disappoint either one of them.
Her hands shook and she felt her face flush as her computer chimed that she had a new message waiting for her. Alex took a deep breath and clicked on the link, hoping the reaming would be kept to a minimum.
“So what did Gavin say?” Jenn asked, bouncing on the bed beside Alex.
“He’s more scared than mad,” Alex said, sighing in relief. “He says I may have to switch places with the girl again to find out how badly I screwed up.”
“I don’t like the sound of that, Alex.”
“What else do you suggest? Hang around until the guy comes to kill me?”
“You have to leave. And that means telling your mom the truth.”
“I don’t know if I can do that. She’ll never believe me.”
“We’ll have to find some way to prove it to her, Alex. You have to leave and the only way to do that is to ‘fess up to your mom.” Jenn bolted up on her knees and grabbed Alex’s arm in a death grip. “Alex, if the evil Traveler tracks you here that means your mom will be in danger too.”
Alex put her head in her hands and cried softly. It was one thing knowing that her own life was in danger but it was another knowing that her mom’s life was at risk because of her outburst at the Marine base.
The girls chatted and rehashed their options until Alex was so exhausted she feared her eyes closing mid-sentence. And yet they were no nearer a solution than they were hours ago
Her mom’s voice echoed down the hallway.
“Alex! Phone!”
“Just take a message, okay?” Alex knew she couldn’t leave her room in her current state without having to answer questions she wasn’t ready to face.
“It’s your uncle calling long distance!”
CHAPTER 17
ALEX COULDN’T BREATHE. Her chest and throat locked tight, unable to draw in much-needed oxygen.
A knock on her door unfroze her muscles.
“Did you hear what I said? I said your uncle—” Her mom’s voice cut short when she walked into Alex’s room. “What is going on in here? Have you been crying?”
“It’s nothing, Ms. D. Just Drake being rude online,” Jenn said.
“I see. Well can you pull yourself away from your computer long enough to see what your uncle wants? If he’s calling it must be important.” Patricia held the phone, one hand covering the receiver.
Alex hated the tone in her mom’s voice, the one that said she thought her daughter was being immature and self-absorbed.
“Thanks for bringing me the phone.” She hated that her voice was so shaky.
“Are you sure you’re alright, Lexi?”
The concern that replaced the annoyance almost sent Alex into another bout of crying. She told her mom she was fine and put the phone up to her ear, hoping her mom would get the hint and leave the room. Alex stomach turned when she thought about the reason for the phone call. She glanced at Jenn and swallowed hard at the look of terror on her friend’s face.
“Hello?” Alex cleared her throat as the word she meant to say sounded garbled and barely audible. “Hello?” Her voice was stronger this time.
“Alex?” Her uncle’s voice sounded strained.
“What’s up?” Alex tried to sound nonchalant but just forcing the words out was harder than she thought.
“Oh, not much. Just had something weird happen this morning on base.”
Alex glanced up at Jenn. She wanted to hang up the phone and throw
it against the wall, anything to stop the conversation occurring between herself and her uncle. Her lower lip and jaw quivered and her eyes filled with tears. She swallowed hard to push down the lump in her throat.
“What does that have to do with me?” She tried not to sound accusatory but she feared it came out that way anyway.
“One of my junior officers called me ‘Uncle Mark’ and yet claims she doesn’t remember doing it. You’re the only one who calls me that. Is this some sort of prank or joke you’re playing with Lance Corporal Jensen?”
Oh, God, what do I say?
The silence stretched on for what seemed like ever. Alex was surprised to find that her mind had gone completely and totally blank. There was not one coherent thought flitting through her mind at that moment. She felt as though she were sitting outside her body and was merely an observer of the conversation. Jenn sat to her left with the time travel notebook held tightly against her chest.
“You still there, Alex?”
“I gotta go.” Alex hurriedly hung up the phone and tossed it down to the foot of her bed. She jumped up and paced her room, raking her hands through her dirty blonde hair.
“Alex, what’s wrong with you? I can’t believe you just hung up on him!”
She waved her hands to ward off any more questions. A decision had to be made and it had to be made immediately. Alex grabbed her computer and sent off another email to Gavin explaining about the phone call and asking for his advice. She paced again, unable to sit still to wait his reply. Her breath came in gasps and as she walked she felt lightheaded. Her vision darkened at the periphery and she felt as though she was moving through a tunnel. She stopped and swayed on her feet.
“Oh my God, Alex!”
Alex felt Jenn grab her before she hit the floor but the other girl wasn’t strong enough to keep her on her feet. The pair slumped to the ground in a heap of tangled arms and legs. Her stomach lurched and she turned her face to the carpet so she didn’t puke all over Jenn.
“Gross, Alex. You stay here. I’ll grab a towel or something.”
Alex heard Jenn rummaging around in her bathroom. She lay her cheek against the rough carpet, trying to reclaim control of her body. Her heart still hammered in her chest but she didn’t feel like she was going to faint anymore.
Hard to faint when you’re already on the floor.
“You owe me big time for this.”
She glanced over and saw Jenn wiping up her vomit with a bathroom towel. Alex wondered absently if Jenn planned on throwing the towel away or if she would throw it in the hamper with the rest of Alex’s dirty clothes.
Her computer dinged, bringing her out of her stupor. Alex tried to stand but as soon as she got half-way up, she felt woozy and faint again. She stayed on her knees and scooted to the edge of the bed where her laptop still sat. She turned the screen to face her and clicked on the reply from Gavin.
Dearest Alex,
I am horribly afraid at this latest news. It’s clear that your outburst did not go unnoticed. If your uncle was able to put things together, then my guess is the evil Traveler has too. It’s only a matter of time before he comes for you.
I wish I had the answers for you. If you think you can trust your uncle, perhaps it is time to bring him into your confidence. He can keep an eye on the Traveler and tell you if he leaves the base. At least military personnel can’t just leave whenever they choose. That makes it a little easier to avoid him. I could advise you to leave home but I know that isn’t a decision to be made lightly. Perhaps if you did tell your uncle the truth he could help you figure out what to do next.
I have forwarded on these correspondences to Sean. Maybe he will have some idea that eludes me. Please keep me informed as to your decision of whether or not to confide in your uncle and what comes of it.
You will be in my thoughts and prayers,
Gavin
“Alex, he’s totally right! He will take a lot less convincing than your mom. Not to mention the fact that he’s a Marine.”
“You really think so?” Alex felt the terror and anxiety lessening at the thought of telling her uncle her secret.
“Think about it. He’s with the Traveler and can keep an eye on him. And he’s got awesome weapons in case the guy tries anything.”
“That’s true.” Alex chewed her lip, battling between wanting to keep her secret and needing someone else’s help.
“Absolutely. Look, Alex, the time has come to get some adult help here. And who better than a bad-ass Marine?”
She wanted to argue but there was no flaw in the logic. If Gavin thinks it’s a good idea, who am I to argue? “So how should I break the news? Call him? Send him an email?”
“Can you even call someone on base?”
Alex shrugged. “I don’t know. He called me, didn’t he?”
“Yeah, but that’s different. I’m not so sure it’s as easy to call someone on a base as it is for them to dial out. Maybe you could ask your mom? Pretend like you guys got cut off or something?” Jenn suggested.
“I don’t know. She may want to know what he was calling about and I don’t have a good story worked out yet. I still feel weak and sick and I don’t know...” Alex lay back against her pile of pillows.
“Maybe you need something in your stomach. It’s been awhile since breakfast.”
“I need to tell Mark before I even think about food. I won’t be able to relax until I finally do it.”
“Maybe just send him an email and tell him to call you as soon as he can.”
Alex glanced at the hand mirror sitting on her bed. “Or I could do something even more convincing.”
***
Alex gasped and grabbed the edge of the sink. She was in a bathroom, a different one this time. Just a single toilet and sink. She glanced at the now-familiar face of Lance Corporal AJ Jensen in the mirror. The woman was wearing a hospital gown and her eyes looked haunted and scared. Alex lifted her arm and winced at the slight pinching pain. She looked down and saw a piece of white gauze stretched around the crook of her arm.
There was a full urine sample cup sitting on the edge of the sink. Alex read the girl’s thoughts and knew she was supposed to bring it out to the lady at the desk just outside the door. Alex took a deep breath and exited the bathroom.
“Just set that down on that shelf and have a seat there.” The woman tilted her head to the left, indicating a row of pale blue chairs against a pristine white wall.
She placed the urine cup carefully on the metal shelf next to a half dozen other samples and sat in one of the chairs. Her skin pebbled in goose pimples as her flesh touched the cold plastic seat.
After only a few minutes, a nurse called her into a small room.
“The doctor didn’t find anything unusual during his exam but he is going to run a few more tests just to rule out anything serious. For now, he’s ordering you back to barracks. You are to resume your regular duties the day after tomorrow. He’s already informed your superior officers.”
Alex nodded at the young woman who looked barely old enough to be out of high school let alone old enough to be a nurse in the military. The woman closed the medical chart and left the room. Alex glanced around and found her clothing in a neatly folded pile on a chair against the wall. She dressed, wondering what her next plan of action should be. Jenn was under strict orders to wake Alex only if her mom came into the room. They had locked her door to give them some time in case her mom tried to walk in unannounced.
If the doctor ordered her to barracks, she had no choice but to do directly there. If he caught her out and about, AJ would be in big trouble. Alex didn’t want the poor girl suffering any more than she already had. Guilt made her face flush when she realized that AJ could be discharged if her superiors thought she had mental issues.
Uncle Mark will fix everything.
Alex walked to the barracks, hoping the answer would come to her as she made her way across the base. Part of her hoped her uncle would be walking along just like
he had that morning, but Alex didn’t hold out too much hope. And she damn sure didn’t want to run into the evil Traveler.
Her senses were on high alert and she was a little distracted looking for Mark and the Traveler but she saluted when she was supposed to and didn’t think her manner was in any way suspicious. Alex wondered if the barracks had a phone book. If she couldn’t wander around the base the next best thing would be to try to get a hold of her uncle some other way.
The barracks were blessedly empty. That didn’t happen often and Alex knew she had better take advantage of it. She retrieved AJ’s laptop from the woman’s footlocker and got into the Outlook program. By using AJ’s memories, Alex knew the best way to get her uncle’s number was to use the directory associated with Outlook. She had wanted to simply email her uncle rather than call but the military would have access to any emails. Alex couldn’t take that risk so a phone call was the only option.
She found her uncle’s private number and dialed before she lost her nerve. Her heart raced so fast she feared she would faint. When ring after ring met her ears she feared he wouldn’t answer. And part of her feared he would.
A computerized voice announced that the person she was trying to reach was not available.
Oh, God! What do I do now?
Her mind raced as she tried to decide whether to hang up or leave a message. Jenn could be waking her up at any moment and she needed to tell her uncle the truth. But she didn’t know what to say. Should she leave a message as AJ or as herself? Which would he be most likely to believe or respond to? Would he come alone or with a squad of military police to arrest AJ for being crazy?
Get a grip, Alex!
The beep shattered through her rambling thoughts. She took a deep breath and spoke into the receiver, “This is Lance Corporal Jensen and I think we need to talk about what happened earlier. I remember what happened and it’s urgent that you come to my barracks as soon as you get this. Come alone.”
