Safe Travels

by Alex Dafney

  Safe Travels: Book One of the Shifting Through Time Duet

  Copyright 2019 Alex Dafney ©

  Published by Alex Dafney

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your personal use only, then you should return it to the seller and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the authors work.

  Published: Alex Dafney 2019

  ISBN: 978-1-7332661-5-4

  Safe Travels

  Book One of the Shifting Through Time Duet

  Alex Dafney

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  About the Author

  Other Books by Alex Dafney

  Chapter 1

  Thursday morning arrives more quickly than I’d like. When will I learn not to stay up into the wee hours of the night, reading? Groaning, I swing my legs over the edge of bed and walk into the bathroom. A quick shower, makeup, messy bun, pair of jeans and a T-shirt and I’m ready for the day. Only two weeks left, and I’ll be a high school graduate.

  I toss my backpack on the kitchen floor next to the bar and pull the cereal out of the pantry. Mom walks in the kitchen just as I sit down with my bowl in front of me at the kitchen island. She kisses the top of my head as she walks by and opens the fridge before leaning back against the counter with a cup of yogurt in hand, wearing a serious expression. “Have you made your decision yet, Ophelia? Only two more days and I’ll need an answer for the counsel.”

  I push my bowl of cereal across the counter, losing my appetite at the mention of my impending eighteenth birthday. “No, Mom. I haven’t decided yet.” I say with annoyance in my voice. She lets out a long sigh as she tosses the yogurt container in the trash can. “You better get to deciding then. With your dear ole mom being on the counsel, they’re going to want an answer soon.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes at her as I stand and grab my backpack from the floor, tossing it over my shoulder.

  Snatching my keys off the counter I turn and walk to the front door. The last thing I want to do is have this conversation, again. Just as my hand settles on the doorknob, Mom materializes next to me. I take a deep breath and close my eyes. “I’ll give you a decision by Saturday.” Opening my eyes, I turn to look at her. She has her arms folded across her chest with her forehead furrowed. “I’m just as tired of having this conversation as you are. Just let me know your decision and we’ll be done.” I don’t resist this time and roll my eyes as I walk out the door.

  I pull into the parking lot of the high school and turn the car off. Leaning my head against the headrest as I watch all my friends and classmates walk in the building. A heavy sigh escapes me as I watch them laughing and smiling. Some holding their boyfriends’ hand, others laughing and chatting carefree. I’m sure the conversations leaning toward everyone’s plans after graduation. Unfortunately, I don’t get to be that girl. I get to be the girl who has a life lasting decision to make in two days time.

  The passenger door swings open and Callie pops her head in. “We going in, or we riding out?” I give her a grin as I sit up, turning the key in the ignition. She swings her backpack in the backseat as she gets in. “Hell yeah!” I laugh as I pull the car out of the parking lot. Callie’s been my best friend since second grade. I used to wear gloves every day. My Mom had my teachers and myself convinced that I had some sort of dermatological issue that required me to wear gloves at all times.

  Kids can be cruel, so I was always picked on and left out. Until Callie moved here during the middle of the school year in second grade. We met in the lunchroom when she pushed Lilly Carpenter on her ass in front of everyone because she was making fun of me. I chuckle as I recall the memory. “What are you laughing about?” She gives me a slight grin as I shake my head. “Just thinking about when you pushed Lilly on her ass.” Callie nods as a huge grin creeps up her face. “She still hates me for that, you know.” We both laugh as we pull into my driveway.

  We get out of the car and walk up to the front door. “At least you don’t have to wear those damn gloves anymore.” Callie mumbles as I unlock the front door, swinging it open. We head straight to my room, her stepping in my closet as I lock my bedroom door behind us. She emerges with the wooden box and sits in the middle of the floor, criss cross applesauce style, as I follow suit across from her.

  She flicks the lid off and runs her hand through the box. Most people would think it’s a box of junk, but most people don’t have my ability. Holding up a button between her thumb and index finger, she gives me a grin. It came off a jacket we found in a thrift store a few years back. I raise an eyebrow at her with a smirk. “Needing a little peace and music?” She chuckles as she places the button in my palm, the familiar tingling starting as soon as it touches my skin.

  I grab her hand and close my eyes, concentrating on the button. Within seconds we’re transported through time. When I first started traveling through time, I would end up in a garbage can or on my ass in the middle of a field, now though, I can control my ability like nobody’s business. I find a group of tents with no one around, gently placing us behind them, on our feet, not our asses.

  Callie flips her curly red hair behind her shoulder as she grins at me. “This will never get old.” I smile at her as we step out from behind the tents and make our way toward the stage. This isn’t our first time to Woodstock. 1969 that is. It’s one of our favorites to visit from my box of travel objects.

  We find a group of people in the back of the crowd, swaying to the music of Jimi Hendrix. Most of the time I think my ability is a curse, especially when it comes to my eighteenth birthday, but when you’re standing in a field watching one of the greatest guitarists of all times, it has its perks. Most people can’t say they’ve seen the great Jimi Hendrix live, especially an eighteen-year-old in 2018!

  Callie bumps my arm with hers, holding out a joint to me. I shrug as I take it in my hand, taking a small hit. I don’t normally partake in drugs or drinking while we’re in time, but, you know, Woodstock. I pass it to the guy next to me and lean into Callie. “If we end up on the roof, it’s on you.” She throws her head back laughing as the two girls of the group grab our hands, lifting them above our heads and swaying in a circle.

  The set ends and I look at my watch, tilting my head to the tents we arrived at to Callie. She nods and brushes her hand over the guys arm that she’s been flirting with. “We have to go but look me up if you’re ever in Alabama.” I roll my eyes. Dude is at least seventy in present time. She steps over to me and hooks her arm through mine. “Bye Flower and Rain!” The guy yells as we walk across the field.

  We end up in hysterics
at the mention of our fake names Callie gave us. Although fitting for the time, nonetheless ridiculous. We step behind the tent and I reach for the button in my pocket, palming it and recalling the last place it was. My bedroom at home in the present. My hand begins to tingle as I reach for Callie’s hand, pulling us through the decades.

  We land with a thud on my twin size bed, both of us laughing wildly. “Ophelia Orene Oakes! What in the hell do you think you’re doing?!” We both jump to our feet at Mom’s voice. She stands in my bedroom doorway with a shocked expression. I clench my hands in front of me and look down at the floor. I know this is bad.

  She takes a step in the room and looks between Callie and I with an angry scowl. “Do you know what the Societies punishment is for taking a non-shifter through time?” She hisses at me quietly as I nod my head, unable to look at her. I glance up and see the horror written all over her face. She knows Callie is my best friend, but she didn’t know I’ve been through time with her, or that I’d told her about my gift.

  I take in a shaky breath as I meet her eyes. “I know, Mom. Punishable by death.” Callie snaps her head toward me. “Seriously O? Why in the fuck would you let me go then?” She looks back at Mom with an impish look. “Sorry, Ms. Oakes.” Mom looks her square in the eyes. “I hope you understand the seriousness of this situation. If you were to ever tell-.” She raises both of her hands in front of her, shaking her head wildly. “I would never, Ms. Oakes. I had no idea it was a crime.”

  Mom takes a deep breath and pinches the bridge of her nose, squeezing her eyes shut. “Callie, I need you to leave, so I can speak with my daughter privately.” She nods and starts to step around Mom before turning around. “Oh, uh, I don’t have my car.” Mom lets out an aggravated sigh. “Just take Ophelia’s. You can pick her up in the morning before school.” Callie nods and catches my eyes as she stands behind Mom. “Holy shit!” She mouths before walking out of my room.

  I hear the front door to the house close and I look at Mom. She looks like she could skin me alive. “I’m sorry Mom, I just needed to clear my head, and-.” She holds up one hand in front of her and I stop talking. “You know the rules, Ophelia! If the counsel ever finds out about this-.” She shakes her head and places her hands behind her back, pacing the room. “How many times have you taken Callie with you?”

  I shrug as I look down at the floor. “A few.” A few my ass. We’ve been everywhere in my box of goodies at least a dozen times each. Mom stops pacing and looks at me with an angry glare. “Never again.” I nod as she walks out of my room, slamming the door on her way out. I sit back on the bed, placing my hands over my face and falling to my back. “Crap on a cracker.” I murmur to my empty bedroom.

  Around two in the morning I’ve had enough tossing, turning, and no sleep. I get out of bed and walk to my closet, grabbing the wooden box that holds my travel objects. Sitting in the middle of my bed, I flip the lid open, grabbing a little rubber ducky. My palm tingles as I hold it. Closing my eyes, I transport myself back to the day I won it at the arcade.

  I hang in the shadows of the day. Shadows meaning, I don’t materialize, just watch. Ten-year-old me is sitting in my bed, the same twin bed I still have, holding the small rubber duck in gloved hands. There’s a knock at the door and Mom peeks her head in, a cautious smile on her face.

  She steps in as I sit up and swing my legs off the bed, dangling in front of me. Mom sits down next to me and pats my knee. She fiddles with a piece of paper in her hands as she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. “I have something to tell you Ophelia. Something big.” I watch the ten-year-old me as her eyes widen. I remember what I was thinking in that moment. Thinking something had happened to Gamma, thinking we were going to move.

  Mom looks at me with a sad smile. “Take the gloves off Ophelia.” I pull my hands to my chest protectively. “But, my dermatological skin!” Mom gives a strained chuckle. “There’s nothing wrong with your hands. I just told you that until I thought you’d be ready to learn about your gift.”

  I pinch my eyebrows together. “What gift? It’s not my birthday, or Christmas.” Mom shakes her head lightly as she grabs my hands, pulling my gloves off. She stands and pulls a little horse figurine out of her pocket, holding it out to me. I hesitantly reach for the horse. When my fingers brush it, I feel tingles shoot through my hand, jerking my hand back and clutching it against my chest.

  Mom widens her eyes. “You felt it then?” I nod. “What’s wrong with that horse?” I ask angrily as I pinch my eyebrows together. Mom laughs as she sits down next to me on the bed. “There’s nothing wrong with the horse.” She flips it over in her hand, trailing her finger along its mane. “It was mine when I was a little girl. About your age.”

  She turns so she’s facing me, lifting one of my hands and placing it in her lap. “You’re a past shifter, Ophelia.” I wait for her to continue. She holds the horse between her thumb and forefinger between us. “Take this in your hand and focus on it. It will transport you back to the day I got it.” I eyeball the horse, not moving my hands.

  Mom lets out a deep breath. “When you’re ready to come back, focus on the last time you saw this horse. Right here, in your bedroom.” I look from Mom to the horse and back, like she’s lost all her marbles. She chuckles as she grabs my hand and pulls my fingers back from my clenched fist, dropping the horse in my palm.

  My hand tingles and my eyes close, thrusting me back in time to see my Mom around the same age as myself, curled up in her bed. I land in a heap in the floor as she bolts up in bed. “Who are you?” She asks as I pull myself from the floor. “I’m uh, I’m Ophelia.” She flings her legs off the bed and stands, a few inches taller than me, looking me up and down. “You’re a shifter too?” I nod as I squeeze the horse in my hand.

  She points to my hand. “What do you have?” I open my hand and show her the tiny horse. Her eyes widen before she spins around to her bed, producing the same horse in her palm. “You’re from the future, aren’t you? Mom told me all about travelers.” I nod as I look down at the ground. “I’m your, your daughter.” She gives a little laugh as she shakes her head. “Please tell me I’m married to Donnie from New kids on the block!” I give her a shoulder shrug. “I don’t know who that is, but you’re not married.” She sighs as she sits on the bed. “Darn. I really hoped I’d end up with Donnie.” I rub my finger along the horse as she looks over at me. “You should get going. I have school in the morning.” I nod as I clench my hand around the horse, focusing on Mom giving it to me in my bedroom.

  I land ungracefully in the middle of the floor of my bedroom, Mom smiling at me from my bed. “How’d it go?” I stand up and brush my hands over my jammies. I hand her the horse as I sit on the bed next to her. “Who is Donnie? And who is the new kid on the block?” Mom throws her head back laughing as she pulls me against her side.

  “Don’t worry about that, dear.” She pulls away, keeping her arm around my shoulder, her face getting serious. “You can’t ever tell anyone about this gift, Ophelia. There are rules for those who shift through time.” I nod as she slips the piece of paper in my hands.

  I begin reading it. “The society expects an answer of commitment on the eighteenth birthday of said shifter. The society will provide protection to those within our realm and none other.” I read the words in front of me and pause as I read, “A shifter shall never tell a normal of their ability. Violation of this law shall end in the death of said shifter.”

  Chapter 2

  The alarm on my cell phone goes off the next morning and I barely open my eyes, utterly exhausted. The whole two hours of sleep I managed to get last night isn’t near enough. Turning the alarm off I roll over, clutching the pillow over my head. My bedroom door opens, and I groan as I roll over and face Mom. She still looks pissed off. My eyes drift to my box in the middle of the floor. I could shift somewhere and sleep for a few hours. “Don’t. Even. Think about it.” Mom glares at me with a hand on her hip. I growl as I swing my legs off the bed and st
omp to the bathroom.

  I try to make myself as presentable as possible. A lost cause since I’ve had all of six hours of sleep in the last two days. Grabbing my backpack from my bedroom floor I head toward the kitchen, dropping my bag next to the barstool and taking a seat. Mom has her back to me, facing the stove. She looks over her shoulder at me briefly before continuing to cook. “I’m really disappointed in you, Ophelia.”

  I close my eyes and drop my head to the counter on my arms. I knew taking Callie with me on my travels was a bad idea, but after the first time, the scariness of getting caught subsided. I got complacent. “I know, Mom. I really am sorry.” I mumble to the countertop. I look up when something touches my arm, seeing a plate of eggs and bacon. She gives me a half smile before turning back to the stove and fixing her own plate.

  She brings her plate over and sits next to me while I push the eggs around on my plate, not really hungry. Mom bumps her shoulder into mine, giving me a soft grin. “You’re not the only one to ever take a non-shifter through time.” I raise an eyebrow at her as she chuckles before taking a bite of bacon. “There was a boy.” She gives me a look then rolls her eyes. “I thought he was the love of my life. “Other than Donnie Wahlberg.” I snicker as I take a bite of eggs. “We had been dating a few weeks when I was fifteen, so I shifted him to Paris for Valentines. When we got back your Gamma was waiting for us in my bedroom.”

  She shakes her head and sighs before looking at me. “That’s how we ended up in Alabama. Your Gamma moved us across the country, so I wouldn’t be found out.” She looks down at her plate. “Do you think Callie would ever say anything?” I shake my head vigorously as I sip my orange juice. “No. She will never say a word.” Mom nods, finishing her breakfast in silence.

  The doorbell rings and I slide off the bar stool, walking to the front door. Callie stands with a hesitant smile. “Let me grab my bag.” I turn to walk back to the kitchen for my backpack as Mom steps up beside me. “Callie, why don’t you come in for a moment so we can chat.” She looks from Mom to me with a deer in the headlights look before stepping inside and closing the door behind her.