Chapter Five

Traveler

“Oh shit,” I stammer, as her slender frame collides directly with mine. I can feel the energy trying to escape my fingertips, and I’m completely taken off guard. My control is usually impeccable, and the last thing I want to do is lose it and shift with this girl in my arms.

I came back through the store after she and the other girl left the hallway. I didn’t want her screaming the second she saw me, so this was the safest place to confront her, or so I thought. She’s obviously terrified of me. What the hell is going on here?

Twisting the knob to her office door, I use the toe of my boot to kick it open. I pull her inside before she can make a scene, her hands still clutching the fabric of my black jacket. I smell the hint of grapefruit that is in her hair as I cradle her head.

“Hey, fuck, okay…you’re okay,” I mumble to her and myself, but she seems completely freaked out, and I’m regretting this decision. And as if a lightbulb goes off in her mind, she violently pulls away from me, and limps behind her desk clutching her side.

“Whoa. It’s okay. I just came to return this.” When she grasps the receiver of a desk phone in her hand, I toss the wallet. It slides on the smooth wood, thumping against her laptop. She stares at it, and then back at me. I’m gazing right back at her, waiting for some kind of reaction.

“You took that from me.” She stabs her finger toward me.

“No. I found that for you, and I’m here to return it. You ran away from me the other day.” I hold both hands up to her as a sign that I am not a threat.

“You chased me! And I saw you, you were…,” she trails off, pointedly glancing at my hands. “What were you doing out there?” She turns to the side, a little embarrassed at the line of questioning. She’s still unsure of what she saw and she’s eyeing me for an explanation. This is going to be easier than I thought. I’ll be back at the Division before sunrise.

“I chased you? I looked up and there you were, tracking me in the woods like some hunter, and you’re saying I chased you?” I search her big brown eyes and see a flash of guilt. I’ve got her.

“No! I wasn’t…you stole my wallet, and I wanted it back.” She glances off to the side, folding her arms across her chest.

“Well, here I am. I called for you to wait, and you took off. I didn’t steal anything from you. I found it with every intention of returning it. If you were crazy enough to stalk a stranger into the woods, then why did you take off like that?” I ask her quite convincingly, watching her work through my words, seeing if they fit with her memory.

“It was getting dark, and I was tired and hungry. But the light?” she questions, her eyes once again darting to my hands.

She saw the light escaping my hands, which is going to be much harder to explain. It’s the main issue in disguising who we are to people living in the past. While my chamber is responsible for sending my particles to any location that can be calibrated into the machine, it’s the shifter’s responsibility to at least find a private location for the return. We’ve been seen before; however, we can easily explain it away. Like I’ve said, the inhabitants of the past like to live in a bubble, and anyone who thinks outside of the bubble is considered a lunatic.

A shifter’s time is always limited during an assignment. The glowing numbers under my wrist, currently hidden by a thin leather bracelet, are a constant reminder. The “stopwatch” infused to my skin is there for a shifter’s safety. It can’t be forgotten if it’s a part of your body. And making sure that a shifter is somewhere private and secure prior to shifting back is high priority for the Division. It has happened previously that someone has been rushed to return, the clock winding down before they were ready, and the person ended up being seen with his particle light breaking through. I’m sure those guys died in the prison.

After a certain point, the temporary changes in a shifter’s particles start to reverse themselves. Weakening. Once the clock has run down, it inevitably sends them back through time to manifest once again in his chamber. Ready or not.

This is how my talent was first realized. My clock never runs down. I’m not dependent upon it to tell me when I need to return. If I want to come back to my chamber, I can make the particles in my body do it. If I need more time on assignment, I take that, too.

As intrigued as Arden was about why my particles never reversed themselves, he was more concerned for me. It requires a lot of training and discipline to be a shifter. The stopwatch is a continuous reminder to never stray too far. It’s also the Division’s insurance that a shifter can never be left behind. They know the machine will snatch you back eventually. Arden knows that if the division discovered my “gift,” I would be eliminated from the program. And he would face imprisonment for keeping it hidden. It’s a fleeting power that doesn’t last outside of shifting, but it’s a comfort knowing I have a safety net.

“Light?” I cock my head to the side and wait to hear what thoughts she has already conjured up.

“Your…flashlight?”

“Oh. Yeah? What about it?” I wait, slow and even breaths flowing through my lungs.

“Nothing. I’ve just never seen light so blazingly blue. The shadows spooked me,” she confesses. She pauses, working past her thoughts, trying to see if her own excuse still makes sense to her. Her lashes flutter as she looks down. I’ve traveled across centuries, and I’ve never experienced eyes as stunning as hers. Finally, I discern resolve in her expression. I win.

“Now I feel silly. I’m sorry. I didn’t catch your name.” She peers up at me.

“Traveler.” I swallow. Get your shit together, man.

She stares me directly in the face, and it’s unnerving. I shove my hands in my pockets, not trusting them or the energy they harness right now. Get out of here.

“I’m Johanna. Which I’m guessing you already know since you’re standing here in my store. Thank you.” She taps the wallet with her fingertips. “I was mistaken.”

“It’s really no problem.” Offering a smile, I start toward the door.

“Traveler?” There’s something about the way my name sounds coming off her pouty lips that causes the power in my body to spark. I’m having to work entirely too hard at keeping my control.

“Hmmm?” I reply, not looking back at her.

“About the flashlight. Can you tell me where you purchased it? I could really use a product like that in my store. That light in your hands could have cut through anything. I would have the hikers flocking here to take them off the shelves.” There’s an edge to her voice.

“It was a gift.” Finally, I turn to meet her stare.

“Oh. Do you have the flashlight with you? I could look the product codes up and locate it.” I swear she sees right through me when her eyes are on my face.

“No, I left it behind.” I need to keep this short and get back.

“That’s too bad. I do appreciate you returning my wallet,” she says, extending her hand for me to shake. Cautiously, I wrap my fingers around her small hand as a tiny static charge escapes and shocks us both. She jerks her arm back, and in doing so, places it on her side, in obvious discomfort.

“Are you okay? You didn’t bump into me that hard.”

“Ouch. No. This was all me. I passed out last night and got up close and personal with a slab of concrete.” She laughs at herself. Her smile is infectious, and she catches me staring at her mouth. I look away too late.

There are three light taps on her office door seconds before it swings open. A petite blonde with a belly the size of a basketball enters the room. She looks to me and then Johanna, her forehead wrinkling, letting the silence stretch between the three of us.

“Hey, MB. Everything okay?” She knows the girl, and this puts me at a little bit of a disadvantage. Odd man out.

“Oh, sorry Jo, I didn’t know you had someone in here with you.” There’s an airy quality to the twang in her voice, causing my lips to twitch.

“It’s okay, what’s up?”

“You left your cell phone at home again. I was on my way to the store and thought I would bring it by for you. In case of any more emergencies.” She places her hand on her stomach, giggling. It’s an obvious joke between the two, one that I’m not privileged to be a part of.

“Speaking of, Mary-Beth, this is Traveler. My wallet thief here to return my ‘stolen’ property. Traveler, this is my sister-in-law, Mary-Beth.” She motions between the two of us. Again, Johanna says my name, and I’m hiding the effects with a nod toward the other woman.

“So, you’re the criminal terrorizing our neighborhoods,” she asks, raising her eyebrow at me. “Nice to meet you.”

“Or just a passerby who saw a girl drop a wallet,” I say, offering a wink.

“I see. It was a kind gesture to return this to Johanna. I’m sure she’s thanked you.” She pats my shoulder, and then jerks her hand to her stomach. “Whoa, buddy, easy on my spleen. Gah, that was a good one.” She gives a slight shake of her head and clears her throat as she rubs small circles over her abdomen.

“Strengthening those hamstrings for a run with Auntie,” Johanna says, more to her visitor’s stomach than to anyone else.

“Well, I’m off to the store. Andrew mentioned Poncho’s for dinner tonight?”

“An olive branch.” Johanna shrugs her shoulders, bringing a knowing smile to her sister-in-law’s lips.

“Traveler, where are you visiting our town from?” She glances at me, stalling at the office door.

“Colorado,” I quickly blurt out. I wasn’t expecting to have to answer this line of questioning, but I’m prepared nonetheless.

“You live in Colorado? Wow. Johanna was there last year, participating in an endurance trail challenge. What part are you from?” She’s asks, clearly on a newfound mission. Johanna has picked up on this as well and is doing a poor job of hiding her bafflement. It’s cute.

“Right outside of Boulder. Endurance challenge? I never stood a chance of finding you in those woods, did I?” I look at Johanna, allowing amusement to play across my face.

“Probably not.”

“Well, how about that. What brings you here?” Mary-Beth pushes a little harder.

“I’m somewhat of a runner myself. I’m passing by on my way to the Appalachian Mountains.” Even I’m impressed with the easiness of the lie.

Mary-Beth stands a little taller, squaring her shoulders. “Traveler, you must understand. As a southern woman, it’s my duty to thank you for returning my sister’s wallet. I am insisting you join us for dinner tonight. Right, Johanna?” Mary-Beth is already halfway out the door. “Johanna will give you directions to the restaurant. We will see you at five thirty.” And with that, she closes the door to the conversation and the office.

“Wait, what?” Johanna holds her hands out beside her. “Good Lord. I’m sorry. She’s pregnant and she thinks it allows her to get her own way. Which it does. But don’t feel obligated to indulge her, Traveler. I really do appreciate what you’ve done, but I’m sure you have other plans?” And it’s the inflection of her voice and the hopeful question at the end that grabs my attention. Refusing to let go. I’m staring at her face, and for some reason I can’t make the word ‘no’ come out of my mouth.

“Poncho’s, huh?” I ask, letting her decide how she feels about it.

“Mexican food. Fantastic, exceptional, delicious Mexican food. And margaritas that will give you a hangover for a week if you aren’t careful.” Her smile meets her eyes before she throws me a wink.

“Does anyone say no to that woman?” I ask her, gesturing toward the door her sister-in-law just walked out of.

“Few have tried, and none have succeeded.” She allows the smile to linger on her lips. Checkmate. And with that I’ve lost the battle.

“Poncho’s it is then. See ya at five thirty, Johanna.”

“Okay, Traveler,” I hear her say, as I close the door.

****

I’ve been stomping through the woods for about thirty minutes now. “Damn it!” My voice bounces back to me off the trees. I check my clock, one p.m. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know what I was thinking, agreeing to this narrative her sister-in-law has put me in. That woman has to be some sort of witch. And then add Johanna, who I never expected to be so damn enchanting and mesmerizing. For the life of me, I couldn’t tell her ‘no’ when I sensed she wanted me to meet her for dinner.

I’m already looking for a loophole. I don’t have to do this, I’ve decided. She believed my story. Period. She had practically fed me every line of the lie she told herself, and all I had to do was play along. Now that I’m not standing face to face with her seductive eyes studying my every move, I can see things more clearly.

There’s no way I’m coming back. Standing in the meadow, I’m completely alert. I refuse to ever be in this situation again, so I double-check every tree and bush for someone watching. I’m free and clear. I probably could have stayed in 2365 and left well enough alone, to begin with. I’m relieved that this covert assignment is almost over. I’m done with this town.

I sense the particles gathering, strengthening, using what it needs from me to intensify. The light is free-flowing from my body. And in my mind, I imagine the shifting room. And just as quickly as I shut my eyes, I am opening them up again in my dim chamber.

Holy Shit. The room is dark and empty, and I frantically pat the length of my body. Forget my 12.6 second shifting record. That was instantaneous. And I can’t tell a soul about it. Whatever. As long as this bullshit is over, I’ll keep this personal best to myself.

I reach around to unlatch the chamber locking mechanism. Crouching down low to floor, I practically crawl to the door. Again, looking around to make sure I’m alone. I can’t believe how well this worked out in my favor.

Easing myself out into the hallway, I slip off my boots to hide my heavy footsteps. I make a beeline through the building courtyards to my room. I shed every piece of clothing, and pile it up for the incineration vault. Draping a towel around my waist, I make my way to the showers. Sharing a bathroom with Eero and Torrin has yet to be an issue, but I’m disappointed to see that it’s one third occupied.

“Hey slick, late night?” Eero calls from the next stall.

I roll my eyes, not wanting to chat, and certainly not wanting any company. “Couldn’t sleep. The assignment was a drag, and I’m fucking restless,” I say, telling a half truth.

“Couldn’t be as bad as Cerre’s assignment. It took her over three hours to shift. Arden was concerned all of her wouldn’t make it back after being in limbo that long. She’s been in the Health Division since last night for checks and scans. Might not make it to graduation after that fuck-up.” This explains the lack of bodies around the division this afternoon. “I’m headed down to see her after lunch if you want to get out of those four walls you stare at all day,” Eero shouts through the steam and pelting water.

“Can’t. I’m headed to the gym facility. Might catch up with you later.” Not a half-truth this time. Just a lie.

“I hear you. Probably hit the gym myself later on.”

I rinse the suds from my body and grab my towel from the hanger, pulling it across my dark skin. Shaking my head back and forth, water is sent flying. I wipe the steam from the mirror, looking at myself as Eero sings in the shower, some shit song he’s picked up from his assignment. Purple half-moons line my eyelids. Fuck I need a nap.

****

Back in my room I throw on a white T-shirt and a pair of dark jeans. Clothing hasn’t changed much in the past three hundred years. I blame this on the nonexistent advancement of civilization during the years after The Occurrence. Falling back on my bed, my bare feet dangle off the side.

And as I close my eyes, her face flashes behind my lids. Her alluring eyes are looking at mine, and her lips are mouthing my name. “Nope,” I say to no one in particular. Abruptly standing, I pinch the bridge of my nose between my fingers, kicking the edge of the bed. “I will not go back,” I say aloud again.

I don’t need to go back. Sure, she will wonder where I am. She might look around the restaurant, wondering what it was that kept me from showing up. And that’s when it happens. I’m picturing her gaze scanning the faces of people like she did in the store today, looking for me. And I’m imagining myself standing there when she finds me, and those lips with my name on them, spreading into a smile. “Fuck it.” I throw open my wardrobe, searching for something that easily blends into 2016, knowing it’s a joke because in the presence of a girl like that, nothing blends easily. It fucking radiates.

Sliding my arms into a red and black flannel shirt, I roll the sleeves up and attach the leather bracelet over my wrist to disguise the glowing numbers. I throw on a pair of boots, and realize I’ve decided to risk it all again. This is why my ass is always in trouble. But somehow it doesn’t matter. Yep. She’s definitely a witch.

The hallways to the living quarters are livelier than before. People are used to my introverted nature when it comes to socializing, so no one thinks much about my lack of friendly banter along the way.

I pass Eero and Torrin at the door to the outside. Eero is short in height, but he makes up for it in width. His muscles are popping out, begging for relief from the confinement of his tight T-shirt, and Torrin has to stand a good two feet behind him to fit down the hallway. Torrin’s bright yellow hair and glasses reflect the sunlight peeking in through the cracked door, and I squint, covering my eyes. “Hey, Traveler,” Torrin says, and I nod in his direction.

“How is Cerre?” I ask Torrin, who is obviously distraught over his lover’s condition.

“Her scans are good. Her physician cleared her about an hour ago. She’s in a meeting with Arden now. Authority next.” The ground is like a magnet for his eyes.

“The seven spots are occupied for this semester. She’s put in two years of work. Maybe she will be out with a strike one.” I try to comfort him, and he seems as taken off guard by this as I am.

“Yeah. Maybe. Not many Observers get those strikes you’re talking about, though.” There’s a hint of accusation in his tone that has me raising an eyebrow at him. He quickly relents. “I’m just upset. I didn’t mean anything by it.” Torrin shifts his weight from one foot to the other, picking at a loose fingernail on his thumb.

“Understandable,” I say, as I push open the doors and try to exit before I let my temper get the best of me.

I take a short outdoor walk to the Shifting Division. I’ve made it through without being noticed, and if Arden is with Cerre, then I can expect them to be nowhere near the shifting chambers. Authority will be occupied with her after that, so I have enough time to crawl back into my chamber while everyone is busy. Cerre has unintentionally provided me with cover.

This makes the second time my machine has been calibrated to shift back to its previous location. I pause with both hands resting on my hips, staring at the machine that is about to send me back to Johanna Martin. This time it isn’t for the good of our civilization. This time it isn’t necessary. I can’t pinpoint the reason I feel a longing and a need to get back to her. I only know that I want to. And for some reason it feels like enough.