Paradox (Travelers Series Book 2)

by Lefeve, Claudia

  “I knew you’d like them. Let’s just say I got us a great deal,” she giggled.

  For as long as Etta has known Jenny, both the one standing right in front of her and the alternate Jenny she’s had the unfortunate pleasure of knowing, she didn’t exactly take her word for it. There was almost always something up her sleeve.

  “Is this somehow going to come back and bite us in the you-know-what?” Depending on how Jenny scored the Rover’s, they could be in for some deep crapola, Etta thought. The punishment for stealing in their reality was death. In other realities, you had to show proof of insurance when stopped by authorities. Here, one had to prove their purchase was legal. Aside from Thornberry’s troops, only the neutrals had the means in which to secure a vehicle.

  “Oh, come on, Etta! You’re always such a worry-wart. No one’s going to come looking for these bad boys,” she swore.

  And bad boys they were. The entire area was filled with what looked like black and white shiny Storm Troopers. Etta remembered the day Cooper arrived into her old life several realities back with his pristine white Land Rover. She’d thought it came straight out of Star Wars. Now she knew where it came from.

  “What’d you do?” Etta said, arching eyebrows as she spoke. She was still wary of Jenny’s offering.

  Jenny gasped. “What? You think I’d put us and the mission in jeopardy? Whatever.” She continued to admire her recent acquisition. “But if you must know, I found out about this abandoned dealership not too far from here. I bribed one of the neutrals for access to the lot and had them all delivered here. His business pretty much tanked after Thornberry took over, so he had all these trucks just begging to be rescued.”

  The neutrals were those who were able to afford to stay, well neutral, in this reality. They did not wish to side with Thornberry and for a hefty tax—or bribe—they were pretty much left alone. They neither sided with the regime that had established its stronghold, nor did they wish to fight for their independence. Only the wealthy could afford to remain unaligned, so it made sense that the individual who sold Jenny the SUV’s would have the ability to bargain.

  “Oh, Jenny! That must have cost you a fortune!” She knew her friend had the necessary funds to purchase the whole fleet, but it was still a grand gesture, nonetheless.

  For a split second, her friend looked serious. Jenny couldn’t stand for people to see just how vulnerable and caring she could actually be. But Etta knew better and was grateful for the spoiled characteristic of her friend and the generosity in which she shared her wealth. Money in their reality didn’t equate to the fortunes found in other realities, but there were still people in their reality who still dealt in cold hard cash. The neutrals were no exception.

  “I have a fortune,” Jenny replied. “But it didn’t cost me a dime. Let’s just say the guy responsible for this generous donation was very happy to have been able to speak to his mother one last time.”

  “You didn’t,” Etta said, stunned. Even though they used their powers to defend their cause, there was an unspoken agreement between them that they would not betray their abilities to those who could take advantage of it.

  “Why not? I can speak to the dead, Etta. It’s not like I asked for this gift, you know. But, if you’ve got it, flaunt it,” Jenny smirked. “Besides, it was kind of nice to be able to do that for him. It seemed like a fair trade.”

  Etta resisted the urge to hug her friend. She knew Jenny would only shrug it off, so instead, she said, “Well, I’m just glad you didn’t pay full sticker price.”

  Jenny hooted with laughter. “Sometimes, I forget you actually have a sense of humor.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  ¡Bienvenidos!

  We arrive at the airport and I’m shocked at the sheer number of people hustling about. I guess I never really considered how big Mexico City actually is. On the flight down, Cooper explained that the Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México Benito Juárez, or Benito Juárez International Airport, is the main hub for the entire country.

  “Come on, darlin’,” Cooper says, taking my arm. “Let’s go rent ourselves a car.”

  It seems like every few seconds, I’m being bumped and pushed. Everyone seems to be in a rush to get to their destination. At the customs area, we’re immediately met with what looks like a traffic light. At the push of a button, the light turns green and we are free to continue down the terminal without being searched. I’m glad I didn’t get the red button. It’d be a real pain to have to be inspected by the guards.

  With Cooper’s keen sense of direction, we’re able to navigate out of the main terminal and towards the rental car section of the airport. Thirty minutes later, we’re all set and head into mid-day traffic in our rented VW Jetta Clásico. If Jaime were here, she’d have found it amusing to hear the rental car agent explain it’s the most popular car in the country. Jaime had a Jetta, which she liked just fine, but hated it in comparison to my MINI.

  As my mind wanders back and forth, from admiring the busy city to Jaime’s whereabouts, Cooper brings me back to where we are and why we’re here: to find and convince Jenny to join our group. I glance out the passenger side window to see the city bustling with activity. There are folks hanging out, dogs playing freely in the streets, local vendors selling everything from jewelry to juice, while the kids sell Chiclets and tourist trinkets. With all this action going on, it’s a wonder no one got hit by the fast moving vehicles that didn’t seem to be following any of the traffic laws.

  Cooper is successfully able to maneuver the Jetta around the city and quickly rounds a corner. “We’re approaching the jump, darlin’. Buckle up,” he advises.

  I’ve only experienced one reality jump and that was when Cooper brought me to my real reality. It really wasn’t an unpleasant experience as one would expect. In fact, after we jumped, I didn’t even realize we had even traveled to parallel universe. So, I don’t know why he’s being overly cautious this time around.

  “It’s just an expression,” he says, noting my rolling eyes.

  “Ah.” I fasten my seatbelt anyway, just for good measure.

  Physically, the jump happens so fast, I still can’t tell the difference between the world we just left and the one we’ve just arrived in. Visually, though, it’s quite the opposite. No longer are the roads jammed with sedans or overcrowded busses, nor are the milling crowds of pedestrians getting to wherever they need to be. I notice a few cars here and there, but the streets are primarily dominated by military trucks. Instead of children selling novelty souvenirs and gum, there are men standing guard with automatic weaponry. No wonder the Jenny of this reality holes herself up at the Four Seasons. I just hope those carrying the heavy artillery don’t decide to stop us on our way to meet her.

  “Wow,” I breathe. “So, this is Mexico, huh?”

  “It is in this reality. The drug cartels have taken over,” he explains. “You see those military trucks around the corner?”

  He didn’t need to specify which truck. They’re everywhere. “Yeah.”

  “It’s not the really the Mexican military. It’s most likely cartel henchmen.”

  What in the world did Cooper get me into? Okay, it was my idea to come with him, but just the same, if Aunt Maggie, or even my father knew where he’d actually taken me, they’d have nixed the idea of me coming here altogether. I’ve already been abducted once and that was less than a week ago.

  “Do you even know where we’re going?” I really don’t want to be kidnapped by some drug dealer hoping to score a ransom. What if I don’t have a family here in this reality to pay it? I don’t even give Cooper time to answer, before I get another idea. “Hey, Coop, how well do you know this reality?”

  “I know what you’re thinking and no way, darlin’. You can’t look for your mom. I know how much you want to meet your mother, but it’s just not possible.” He keeps his eyes on the road ahead of him, so I can’t really see his expression, but I can tell he’s serious.

  “
Why not?”

  “For starters, we don’t know whether or not she’s alive in this reality and two, you cannot, under any circumstances, be put in a position where you could bump into yourself.”

  “Again, why not?”

  “It could create a rift in the timeline,” he explains, “or create a paradox.”

  “What’s that?” There is still a whole lot I have to learn about traveling between alternate dimensions. I guess there are a lot more rules than just learning how to jump.

  “Simply put, a paradox is a contradiction that defies logic. What if I take you to meet your mother and you accidentally bump into yourself? So, let’s just leave it at you not interfering with your family in this reality, okay?”

  “Oh, I get it. Like in Back to the Future when Marty goes back in time and screws up the meeting between his parents so he has to fix it before he’s permanently erased.”

  “Never saw it, but yes, that’s what happens when a paradox presents itself.”

  “Fine,” I agree somewhat reluctantly. There’s got to be a way we can get around messing things up, but Cooper has a leg up on all this alternate reality stuff, so I let it go for now.

  “And to answer you’re previous question, yes, I know exactly where I’m going.”

  “Good, ’cuz this place is really beginning to freak me out.”

  “You better get used to it. The other reality, where you lead the council, is much worse than this I’m afraid. But, yeah, I’m not exactly comfortable driving around here myself. The faster we can get to Jenny, the faster we can get out of here.”

  I feel a little better knowing Cooper is a little apprehensive about this place too. Which means he’ll only be more cautious given the surroundings. “Finally, something we both can agree on.”

  As we drive around the city, I get even more solemn. I’m sure other versions of Mexico City are beautiful, but in this world, it resembles Beruit. But after a few more minutes, Cooper manages to pull the car into one of the nicer structures in the city, The Four Seasons. I guess in any universe the ritzy hotel chain remains unscathed, including war-torn Mexico.

  The valet takes our rental, hands Cooper the ticket, and we walk directly over to the front desk. The receptionist seems pleased to see us.

  “Bienvenidos, do you have a reservation?” Her English is pretty good. I can detect a strong Spanish accent, but she seems comfortable speaking a language other than her native one. Makes me wish I paid more attention in French class, not that it’ll help here.

  “Uh, no. Actually we’re looking for a guest of the hotel. Miss Jenny Prado,” Cooper says.

  The nice receptionist frowns for the first time since greeting us. “Miss Prado, yes. She is not expecting guests.” She isn’t asking if Jenny is expecting us. It was more along the lines of, Jenny doesn’t expect guests.

  “Does she ever?” I ask. I don’t mean to sound snippy towards the otherwise nice receptionist, it just comes out that way. My nerves are still jumpy from the crowded airport and the armed goons we saw during our scenic tour of the city.

  “Miss Prado?” She vehemently shakes her head. “No. No guests.”

  “I see.” I tap my fingers lightly on the counter, indicating my frustration.

  Cooper takes a more subtle approach. “Do you happen to have a bar here in the resort?” He asks as if it’s no big deal whether we can see Jenny or not. This seems to calm the receptionist down.

  “No room?”

  “Not today, thank you. The bar?”

  “Sí…yes. El Bar is located near the courtyard, down that way.” She points in the direction of the main lobby.

  “Gracias,” I offer, pleased to be able to say something in her native tongue and it’s my way of apologizing for my curt attitude. I don’t want her lasting impression to be that Americans don’t have manners.

  I allow Cooper to lead the way, heading in the direction of the lobby. I don’t know why he wants to stick around if we don’t know what room Jenny is staying in. And a bar? Since when does he drink? I’ve never heard him ask for anything other than tea or coffee when asked over for dinner.

  “Why are we going to the hotel bar? Do you think Jenny makes a habit of getting plastered?” This doesn’t sound like Jenny either. At least, not the two versions I know of. She likes to party, sure, but to drink and lose control is not exactly Jenny’s style, even if her family wealth comes from the sale and distribution of beer.

  “It’s just an excuse to roam around the place, darlin’. This way, we don’t raise suspicion.” He seems to know where he’s going and makes a left turn down another corridor. There, we pass the courtyard, where the lounge is located, and I’m surprised to find out it’s actually called El Bar. I thought the front desk lady was simply referring to it in generic terms.

  As we pass the bar, I’m still chuckling over the name. “So, where do you think we’ll actually find her?”

  “The spa,” he says.

  Of course!That’s exactly the type of place she’d be found hanging out. Much more logical than a bar. “Lead the way, señor.”

  Locating the health spa is pretty easy. We follow the signs leading us a bit further down the hallway. We reach the front desk and the spa attendant doesn’t seem as pleasant as the front desk receptionist, so I don’t know how we expect to get any information from the guy.

  Cooper stands directly in front of the counter, looking right at the attendant. “Yes, my sister and I were here yesterday. There was a woman who lost her sunglasses on the deck, only she left before we found them. We came by to return them to her in person.”

  I could kick Cooper for saying that. His sister? Really?

  “Your name, sir?” The attendant doesn’t flinch a facial muscle, nor does he seem to be too impressed we’re guests of the hotel. Aren’t they supposed to ask for your hotel key or something? This guy is just taking it on Cooper’s word that we belong here.

  “Oh, we won’t be in your books. We’re guests of a friend who’s staying here. We’re kind of in a hurry though and we’d really like to return the sunglasses to the young woman staying here.”

  Thankfully, the attendant appears to be buying Cooper’s story. He obviously isn’t as protective of the guests as the young lady at the reception desk, despite his demeanor. I mistook his stern expression for one of boredom.

  “Do you know her name?” The attendant asks.

  “No, actually. I was hoping you could help us. She’s young, about seventeen, maybe eighteen, with long blonde hair.” Cooper is trying a different tactic with the spa attendant than the receptionist. By not knowing Jenny’s name, it gives our story more credibility somehow. Suspicion usually arises when you are looking for someone specifically.

  “Ah, Señorita Prado, sí.” It’s so obvious he has a crush on Jenny. His face immediately perks up at the mention of her.

  “Yes, that’s it. She was really nice and I’d hate for her to think she’d lost her sunglasses,” I say. This time, I’m not as rude as I was with the hotel clerk.

  “Of course. You come at a good time. You can find her at the pool.” He points in the direction of the doors I assume lead out to the pool deck. He continues to smile as he directs us to where Jenny is.

  “Thank you. We know where it is.” I smile back. I’m glad we noticed the pool entrance before we spoke to the guy. If we stick to our storyline, we were supposed to have been here yesterday. If we have to ask, it’d blow our cover.

  We walk through the double doors that lead us directly to the pool area. “Really, Coop? Your sister? You didn’t have to say anything regarding our relationship. The guy was so indifferent, he wouldn’t have cared if you said we were aliens from another planet.”

  He laughs. “I know, I just like messing with you. You look so cute when you get mad.”

  I shoot him a cold glare and walk in front of him as I go in search of the telltale ash blonde shade I know belonging to Jenny. How I handle our first encounter will dictate the rest of our relations
hip, so I decide to take the lead on this. If I allow Cooper to handle it, she’ll never regard me as an equal.

  We find her sunbathing in a tiny white, barely there bikini. Just what I need, Cooper getting an eyeful of what goods Jenny has to offer.

  “Don’t worry, darlin’. Trust me, I’ve seen better,” he assures me with a wink.

  Still mad at the sister crack, I pretend not to hear him and walk directly in front of Jenny. I cast a shadow over half of her body, as I step over her and say, “Hola, Jenny.”

  Her eyelashes flutter and she shoots me an annoyed look. “You’re blocking my sun.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” I say, as I make room for myself on the lounge chair, pushing her legs aside. “Is this better?”

  “Etta.” Be nice, Cooper mouths.

  I move ever so slightly from my position on the chair, giving Jenny a chance to see Cooper for the first time. “And who are you?” There’s a twinkle in her eyes as she addresses him.

  He takes a step in our direction. “I’m Cooper,” he introduces himself. “And this is Etta. We came a pretty far distance to speak with you.”

  Her attitude changes in an instant. “You’re Americans,” she says, eyeing us with suspicion. “What do you possibly have to say to me?”

  I breathe a heavy sigh. “Same ol’ Jenny. Always too self-absorbed to bother with other people’s problems.”

  Jenny’s body stiffens as her upper body rises up from her relaxed position. Her eyes squint as she stares directly into mine. “Do I know you?”

  What I want to say is, Yeah, you’ve made my life miserable the last four years. But I know this Jenny doesn’t deserve that—yet. Instead, I opt for, “No, you don’t.”

  “Then why are you here?” She begins to relax back into the chair, as if any business we have to discuss is insignificant and not worthy of her time. Typical Jenny. Is Cooper sure this is the right one? I can’t imagine being friends with this alternate version of Jenny either. I think he made a mistake.

  Cooper steps in before she and I get into it and end up getting kicked out of the resort. “Jenny, do you remember a man by the name of Oliver Thornberry?” He asks her.