Paradigm (Travelers Series Book 3)

by Claudia Lefeve

  “That’s kind of the point. Being within spitting distance from the nation’s capital has its advantages when you’re trying to take over the world. Washington was always in his sights, but he preferred to watch from the sidelines.”

  “What about the rest of the world? How did he manage to take control?”

  “With a very dedicated army, exclusively developed by him.”

  “Developed?” That’s right. I forgot he said something about a genetically engineered army moments ago. I wonder if this anything to do with the paperwork my dad had hidden away. Papers that explained not only my powers, but files that detailed others like me.

  “Thornberry managed to duplicate the serum that can manifest powers such as yours.”

  “You mean my telekinesis?” This time, I’m not afraid to talk about my abilities. It’s like there’s something about Moose that makes me feel safe. He has a calming effect. Like he knows how I feel and knows how to pace the information he’s giving me. “I’m not sure I follow.”

  “At some point in time, Thornberry was able to extract your blood. In short, he used it to develop a serum to create a super military force.”

  “By just using my blood.”

  “Unfortunately, it wasn’t just yours I’m afraid. The testing’s for the super-flu I spoke about earlier? Well, that was just a smokescreen for Thornberry to test others with similar abilities.”

  “I wasn’t aware there were others with powers aside from those that were involved in my father’s research study. I found my father’s research papers that implied he and Thornberry experimented on us as children and that I was the catalyst.” I now recall seeing Moose’s name among the names of those that were involved.

  “For a long time, that’s what we thought. Your father was in charge of a project designed to manifest abilities in children. The further we dug into your father’s research, we discovered that they weren’t only to create manufactured psionic abilities in others, they were trying to replicate it. At first, they assumed you were the only one born with this type of ability… ” He lets the sentence run off so I can absorb what he’s telling me.

  “You all were born with abilities too,” I finish for him.

  “You, me, Cooper, Jenny, the twins… all of us. We were all brought together so that your father and research team could isolate the source of our abilities. When Thornberry came up with the idea to use it to his advantage, your father ended the program. Only the Prometheus Project didn’t end with your father. This future is now our responsibility.”

  “I don’t understand. From what Cooper and Maggie have told me, my father was a physicist. How would he even be interested in something like genetics?”

  “You father was a pretty brilliant scientist. Yes, he was a physicist, but when he realized you could travel not only through time, but dimensions as well, his research moved towards another direction. He still saw the project as a means to travel to other alternate universes. He combined what knowledge he had of chemistry and genetics to further his research.”

  This doesn’t make much sense either. “Dumb question, but I don’t see the connection between time-travel and genetics. Or even why Thornberry did all this for that matter. ”

  “It was your abilities that gave your father the big breakthrough he’d been searching for. As for Thornberry, well, there’s never any logic or reason for madness.”

  “Through me? How is it possible for me to travel? I’ve never done it before.” I know I’m capable of doing something. I can make things move with my mind whenever I get upset, but time traveling? Going to other dimensions?

  “When you were a little girl, your father used to take you on his travels. He realized that by simply being with you, you could transport to other timelines.”

  As he continues to talk about my childhood, one that I myself don’t remember, I get sidetracked once again by the empty street in front of us. The lack of people around makes me nervous. It struck me that perhaps we could be in danger. “How are we able to just sit out here out in the open? Aren’t we in danger just hanging out like this?”

  Moose shakes his head. “Not really. I mean, there’s a risk, but I can sense emotions. Anyone that comes within a few feet from us, I’ll know it. Besides, I wanted you to see what happens to the world.”

  I nod in understanding. “Now what?”

  He stands up and offers me his hand. “Do you trust me enough to show you something?” He pauses for a second before my hand reaches his. “Better yet, can I trust you?”

  I nod. “You can trust me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The Two Faces of Jaime

  Present Reality

  Moose’s revelations are completely mind blowing. If there was ever any doubt about what I have to do, he just pushed me further into their corner. I’m still not entirely convinced that I have to go back with Cooper, but Moose certainly helped put things in perspective.

  He drops me off about a block away from work. We were gone much longer than I anticipated, but I head straight to the office, expecting the worse. Is it even worth going in at this point? Maybe I can still call in sick. Or Audrey might still be in court and won’t even notice I’ve been missing.

  But I walk into a ticking time bomb instead.

  “You’re late,” she accuses, sitting at my desk. “It so late, in fact, you might as well have played hooky.”

  Audrey doesn’t look at all pleased that I’ve basically taken the whole day off going off with Moose and I can’t say I blame her. I had my cell on me, the least I could have done was lie and call in sick. Too late now.

  “I’m sorry, Audrey. I guess I wasn’t feeling so well.” After what I just went through, it’s an honest admission. I’ve never called in sick before, so perhaps she’ll buy it.

  “That’s no excuse, Etta. You’ve always been an exemplary employee. Is there something going on? Something you want to talk to me about?” Her words sound caring, but I can tell by her underlying tone that she really doesn’t care if something’s troubling me, so there’s no point in explaining.

  It’s not like Audrey to be so cold and uncaring. She’s sounds like she’s concerned about me, though only on a superficial level. In all the years I’ve worked for her, she’s always treated me like a sister, not an uptight micro-managing boss. Sure, she’s a demanding boss, but she’s always been great to work for. I slip up this one time and she’s all wound up about it. She must really be pissed about me coming in late.

  “No, nothing going on. I just overslept and since I’d already filed all your motions yesterday, I figured you wouldn’t miss me.”

  Audrey’s determined to make a point out of my lateness. “Our voice mail was full with clients calling. Not to mention the fact that no one was here to greet anyone. What’s wrong with you? You know I was in court all day.”

  Yeah, that’s why I figured you wouldn’t notice. “I’m sorry, Audrey, really. Am I fired?”

  A sigh escapes Audrey. “No. Although maybe I should fire you. But, I do need to keep an eye on you, so for now, you get to keep your job.”

  Keep an eye on me? What is she, my mother? Okay, that’s not being entirely fair to Audrey. It’s my job to show up on time and be here, not go galavanting with guys from an alternate universe.

  And of course, at the most inopportune moment, my best friend just happens to walk into the office. Great. Now Audrey will think I entertain my friends while on the job. This is just what I need right after being chastised not two seconds ago.

  “Etta! I—” Jaime notices Audrey sitting at my desk, glaring at the two of us and stops. “Oh, hi, Audrey.”

  “Jaime. How nice of you to stop by,” Audrey says, in a not so welcoming way. “Please, come in, sit. I’m sure you have much to talk about with you friend here. I’ll leave you two alone.”

  Audrey doesn’t have to be all sarcastic about it, which makes me feel worse about the whole situation. Why couldn’t I tell Moose I’d go to the future with him
tomorrow on my day off? God, just the idea sounds even more ridiculous in my head.

  “What’s up with her?” Jaime asks.

  “Oh, not much. Got busted coming in late today. Like really late. Like three hours late.”

  “Jeez, Etta. What were you doing? More importantly, who were you with? I got a phone call from Alex. He told me you two are splitsville.”

  “Is that why you came storming in here? To lecture me about my relationships?” What the hell is going on with her? I certainly don’t have to defend by behavior to her.

  “I asked you first. Who were you with, Etta? Was it Cooper?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but no. I was with a friend. Which is more than I can say about you at the moment.”

  “That’s not fair. You have no idea what I’ve gone through in order to be your friend.”

  “Yeah, about that. You keep saying how you’re supposed to watch over me and now you’re implying that it’s been hard being my friend. What the hell?”

  Of course, Audrey chooses this time to pop back into the main office, just as I’ve put Jaime in a corner. To my surprise, she doesn’t say anything about our argument, nor our raised voices.

  “I’m off to run some errands. I trust you two will work whatever is you two are fighting about before I get back. Oh, and if a client walks in, please try to keep it civilized.”

  Call me crazy, but something about the way Audrey strolls out and nods to Jaime as she walks out the door doesn’t sit well with me. I watch as Audrey leaves and I turn my attention back to Jaime. In the last twenty minutes, they’ve both indicated that they’ve kept watch over me, and that coupled with their obviously phony contempt for one another is enough for me to question what’s really going on.

  “Why do I have the feeling you know something?” My internal instincts have never steered me wrong. Not only can I feel something’s wrong, but I can see it written all over Jaime’s face—she’s hiding something. My eyes follow her every twitch and jitter as I wait for her to answer. “I’m going to find out, so you might as well spill it.”

  I also know that if I push her, she’ll cave. If only I’d known she was keeping something from me, I would have done this sooner. Jaime tries to act tough, but I’ve always known it was an act. In reality, she makes up for what I think is a low self-esteem. I’ve always forgiven and admired her over-the-top dramatics, but not now, not today.

  “My father,” she stammers. “It was all his idea.”

  “What about your father? You’re an orphan just like me.”

  “Remember when you we were fostered by the Thornberry’s?”

  That’s how we knew each other. At one point, we had been fostered by the same family, and when I became a political liability—my foster dad was running for office—they dumped me and kept Jaime. After a few years, and a lost bid, they abandoned her as well, allowing for us to be reunited at Dominion House for Girls.

  “You still think of them as your parents? Come on, Jaime. They ditched you faster than you can say exit polls. Don’t you remember how quickly you were forgotten right after Thornberry lost his election bid?” I vaguely remember my short stint with Oliver and his self-absorbed wife. Secretly, I was glad I didn’t stay with the family very long. There was always something creepy about that man. Even at fourteen years old, I knew something was off when it came to Oliver Thornberry.

  That’s when another piece of the puzzle falls into place. The Thornberry’s. Oliver Thornberry. The man that is responsible for destroying the future I just visited. The partner of my father who used my abilities to his advantage in my real reality. The foster parent who sheltered me here in this one. Another piece of the puzzle falls into place.

  “They adopted me,” she says, almost biting back the words, as if she doesn’t want to admit it.

  “What do you mean they adopted you? You ended up at Dominion just like I did.” Soon after the Thornberry’s sent her back to the state, she ended up at the foster home with me. That was when we rekindled our childhood friendship and became inseparable ever since.

  Jaime shakes her head vehemently. “That’s what you were supposed to believe. I ended up here in this reality, not just the home.”

  Seriously, what the hell? How does Jaime know anything about alternate worlds? Is everyone in on this but me? “How do you know about that? Why didn’t Cooper tell me you knew?” I knew she was hiding something from me, I just didn’t think it was this.

  Jaime shoots straight up. “I know from my father. And Cooper doesn’t know anything about it. But he’s the reason I’m stuck here.”

  “He –” I start. “You were the one that tried to keep me away from him in high school. What aren’t you telling me?” What does she know about him anyway, other than thinking he was some kind of stalker all those years ago? If anything, if it weren’t for her putting ideas in my head that he was dangerous, I probably would have gone with him in the first place.

  “That’s what I’m trying really hard to tell you, Etta. My father set all this up.”

  “Again with your father. You don’t have one,” I insist.

  “Yes I do! And he left me in this godforsaken universe to keep you away from Cooper.”

  As Jaime finishes her little outburst, I stand there stunned. I back away from Jaime. “You’re out of your mind.” I mean, she has to be, right? “Is this some kind of a joke?”

  “No, it’s not. In my real world, the Thornberry’s adopt me. Then one day, my father takes me to this government facility and tells me he’s going to send me to another reality. He told me you were in danger from this guy Cooper and I was to do everything in my power to keep you away from him.”

  “And you believed him? Since when is Thornberry a model father?” I don’t doubt for a second he was any different than the man that briefly fostered me in this reality.

  “And when do you start believing strangers like Cooper? Huh? To believe someone more than your best friend.”

  “My pseudo best friend you mean. And yeah, I believe Cooper. He’s never given me any reason to doubt him. Unlike you. I can’t even trust you anymore, Jaime. Doesn’t that tell you something?”

  “You trusted him then and you trust him now. Just what is it exactly about him that you run to him whenever he appears? It’s like you’re possessed and can’t see clearly. You know what? Maybe my dad was right to keep you away from him. Cooper’s done nothing but brainwash you.”

  Jaime’s grasping at straws at this point, so I soften my tone. “You don’t think that’s what Thornberry did to you? I trust Cooper because it’s what I dream about. For years, I’ve had dreams of other worlds and I believe it’s part of my future. I have abilities and powers you can’t even being to understand. So, yeah, I’m going to go with my foolish visions of the future, versus your father’s warped-up plan to take it over.”

  Then I remember what set the chain of events off in the first place. Jaime. She was the missing link. She’s the one who interfered with the timeline. It was staring at me in the face and I neglected to see the signs. It was she who interrupted my conversation with Cooper all those years ago. It was Jaime who put the thoughts in my head that Cooper was a danger to me.

  “It was you, wasn’t it? What the hell did you do?” My insides are seething at this point. I stare at Jaime as if she’s some kind of a stranger to me. How could she withhold a secret like this from me? It’s like I don’t even know her. “Were you ever going to tell me?” From the look on her face, I knew she never had any intention of telling me what she’d done.

  “I want –” Jaime hesitates. “I wanted to tell you a thousand times. Really, I did. Then the days turned into months, then years, and well, since you never brought Cooper up, I just figured it was for the best, I’m so sorry, Etta.” She begins to cry and while I want to comfort her, I don’t. “I just wanted to protect you from him.”

  “Do you realize what you’ve done?” My voice is barely above a whisper. At this point, I’m not
really addressing Jaime anymore, but confronting the truth I’ve tried so desperately to avoid all week. Everything Cooper and the others have tried to tell me was the truth and I tried to dismiss it. “I’ve seen the the destruction of the future by your father’s hand and I can tell from the look on your face that you have no idea what his plans really are. You got your fancy trust fund and did his bidding with absolutely no concern over your actions.”

  Jaime just stands there, her tears subsiding as her sniffles became louder. I think I hear her hiccup, she’s crying so hard. “I swear I didn’t know what I was agreeing to when my father sent me here,” she finally says, the tears falling down her cheeks again. “Don’t you think this has cost me, too? I was supposed go back home! He told me that once I kept you away from him, he would bring me back; he never did. I’ve been living a lie for the last four years and the only person I could turn to talk about it is the one person I couldn’t tell.”

  I’ve gotten pretty good at controlling my emotions, but I can’t ever truly suppress them. The more I hear about Jaime and her plan to change the course of my future, the angrier I become. The lined bookcases begin to shift and a huge book—I think it was this year’s edition of the Virginia Code—plops itself right next to Jaime’s foot. The look on her face is priceless when she realizes that it’s not a small earthquake, but me.

  “And Audrey?” I ask again. I now realize that she’s involved somehow. “She’s involved in this somehow, I know. Don’t tell me I was imagining things when you two exchanged looks earlier.”

  Another book flies off the shelf, making Jaime jump back.

  “Her real name is April. She works with, or rather for, my father.”

  “So it was all a set up. Introducing us so that she’d hire me. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer,” I say, stunned by her admission. “I guess that includes you, too.”

  My former best friend just stands there, not even trying to defend herself against me or the books that keep dropping off the shelves.