“I thought so.” Mrs. Burns said as she grabbed her keys and purse. She led Sasha back through the halls and towards the parking lot.
As Sasha reached her house, she left the passenger seat of Mrs. Burns’ car and waved goodbye, slinging the backpack over her shoulder carelessly. She didn’t mind if her mom yelled at her. She didn’t even mind if her dad yelled at her. To see his face one more time — to hear his voice one more time, it was all she could ask or hope for.
As she reached the entryway, about to press the bell, not realizing she had a key in her backpack, her mother swung the door wide open, exclaiming, “There you are!”
“Hi Mom.” Sasha said softly, waiting to hear her mother raise her voice.
“Your father and I are going to have a talk with you. Detention? Really?” she asked, disappointed in her daughter. Sasha was surprised that in general, her mother was being very gentle about the whole situation. Then again, it was her first detention.
“You don’t understand. You wouldn’t understand.” Sasha replied, knowing full well she wouldn’t be able to explain the situation regarding the real reason why she was not in class.
“Oh, I’ve skipped class plenty in my time, but never in sixth grade. Also, just because I did it, does not make it right. You hear me?” Sasha’s mom said. Sasha took a deep breath. Her mom was cranking up.
“I didn’t...” Sasha started, and then stopped herself, reminding her of her discussion with Mandy and how it didn’t go over well. At all.
“Don’t argue with me. Your father is in the garage. I’m going to get him. Go sit down on the couch. I’ll be right back.”
Sasha waited patiently, exactly where her mother told her. “Oh boy. How am I going to get out of this one? I didn’t even do anything wrong. I can’t defend myself. I can’t explain myself.” she said under breath. She then heard a door close and two sets of feet, walking along the floor from the garage.
“What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?” Sasha heard and her heart leapt as she turned and stared into the face of her father. He looked so young and dashing. His hair was slicked back and he was dressed down in a pair of dark blue jeans and an opened plaid shirt with a white undershirt peeking through.
“I’m sorry.” she said through gritted teeth, trying to fight back the tears that wanted to fall from the years of grief she’d been holding back and the moments that she wished she could see him again, just one more time.
“That’s all?” he wondered, raising an eyebrow. Did she even have any remorse?
“I shouldn’t have done it and I’m sorry.” Sasha said, giving into the lie. It was easier than telling the truth, which they definitely wouldn’t have believed. At least with Mandy, she was a child. Things of this nature and one’s imagination didn’t have too much separation. “Mrs. Burns said I don’t have to go back to detention.”
“She hasn’t called me otherwise.” Sasha’s mom said, glancing over to the wall unit hanging up in the kitchen. Just then the phone began to ring, as if on cue. “I’ll get it.”
“I bet that’s her.” Sasha stated as her mom waved her off.
“It’s so nice to hear from you again as well, Mrs. Burns.” Sasha could hear her mom say. “Really? Okay, I’ll tell him. He’ll want to know. Yes, she told me. Thanks.”
“Well?” Sasha asked as her mother put down the phone on the receiver.
“Yes, that was Mrs. Burns telling me that detention would be a waste of time for you. I don’t know what you’re doing, but well...keep it up.” Sasha’s mom said and Sasha beamed happily.
“Just don’t skip class again.” her dad said with a sigh.
“I won’t.” Sasha said, pausing in thought. What if this happened in the future, if she wasn’t able to get back to the right time? She added, “Try anyway” in a hushed whisper.
“I’ll be in the kitchen making dinner.” Sasha’s mom called out. Sasha turned to her dad, who was still standing behind her.
“Can I call Mandy?” she asked. Her mother had heard her and replied before she could say anything.
“I think you lost that privilege today.”
“Okay.” Sasha said, and got up from the sofa. She could hear the pots and pans rattling from the kitchen. Her mom was actually making dinner...not ordering out. Sasha remembered what it was like, to sit down at the table together as a family, enjoying a home-cooked meal. She closed her eyes and recollected, the corners of her mouth turning up into a smile. She opened her eyes, although still not wanting the moment to end, and turned back to her dad.
“Dad, can I talk to you?” she asked him.
“Not now, I’m working on the car.” he told her. He had been pulled away when it was time for discipline, but now he was ready to finish his work.
“I need to. Can I go in there and watch you?” she asked.
“If you want. You’ve never taken an interest before. I thought it was a girl thing. You not wanting to get dirty or something.” he told her.
“I have a new appreciation.” she commented, holding back a giggle.
“Big words.” her dad smirked.
“I’ve been reading.” Sasha said, almost boastfully.
“Uh huh. Why don’t you meet me there? I’m going to grab a beer.” he said, walking towards the kitchen.
“Okay.” Sasha said as he opened the door of the fridge, surveying which one he’d partake of today. The Midleton adults enjoyed sampling microbrews and often took brewery tours, especially when they went on adult-only vacations, leaving Sasha behind with a babysitter (which she luckily had grown out of). They collected bottles along their way and liked trying them in different intervals.
“By the way, the light switch on the outside of the door just shorted out so you’ll need to go turn on the one inside.” he shouted to her as she started to head towards the garage.
She retorted, “I’m not scared of the dark.”
“I just don’t want you to miss the step. I’ll be there in a minute.”
As Sasha came up to the door she opened it and walked in, leaving it open a crack so she would at least get some ambient light, and it was still fairly dark. She tried to comb the wall with her fingers, but wasn’t having any luck. “Okay, so where’s the light switch? I’m feeling around and I can’t find it.” Just then, the door to the garage closed.
CHAPTER 14
“Damn door.” Sasha said, wringing her arms in frustration.
“Shh Sasha. You’re gonna attract attention.” she heard from next to her. She recognized the voice, but just barely. It didn’t help it was said in a whisper. Simon.
“What are you doing in my dad’s garage?” she asked, also hushed.
“Garage?” Simon asked, surprised. “You mean warehouse. What are you on?”
“Wait a minute.” Sasha’s mind was racing. She knew she wasn’t back in her sixth grade body. Simon’s voice was too deep. How could she find out when she was? “How old are you?”
“Thirty-seven.” he replied. “Really? You were just at my birthday dinner last week. You should get checked out... as soon as you’re safe anyway. Maybe it’s your hormones. Mandy’s taken off work in case there is an accident.”
“Great.” Sasha said, although to herself she thought, The future.
“What was that?” Simon asked.
“I was just thinking about my dad.” she said, quietly. She never got to tell him she loved him, or to not drive that day. Now she had more regrets.
“Yea, I know it’s been a while since he’s been dead. It’s gotta be hard. Especially now with your mom gone.” he said to her, and she realized she could feel a hand on her back, cradling her.
“What?!” she exclaimed, as quiet as she could. If he was being so quiet there was a good reason for it. It would be best to follow suit.
“Seriously Sasha, what has gotten into you? Ever since you told the police about the attic and they should board it up, you’ve been sidetracked. Your mind is all over the place.”
“Wait.” she said, cutting him off before he could continue. “I came back?”
“Yea. It just took a couple weeks. Your mom freaked out. Remember? You went to the police station and then your house and that’s when you found she had just committed suicide.” Simon said, bringing his arm up higher, rubbing her back. It brought shivers to her spine. Why is he getting so familiar with me?
“Oh.” Sasha whispered numbly. If she wasn’t already on the floor, she would have crumpled. It was just too much to take in at once and she edged away from his gentle touch.
“Did you...just...phase here?” Simon wondered as he retraced his arm.
“Phase?”
“You told me about visiting your past and you went into your past body. Did you just do that now? Your future body?” he asked her. Suddenly she wished she could see what he looked like.
“I guess so.” she said after a moment of thought.
“The police did an inquiry and then the FBI got involved.” Simon explained. “When the top secret classification on their documents expired, a rogue political party found out and now you’ve got this group of radicals that want to take you into some sort of experimental quarantine and check you out. Time travel is something we are just now tapping into. You’ve done it and they want to know how. It’s more than that, really. They want to harness it so they can reshape the whole country. They are calling themselves The New Illuminati. There is no way I’m letting them take you.” He brought her closer, and Sasha couldn’t tell how close they were. Were their faces inches away?
“So I’m running away from them?” Sasha asked.
“We all are. Mandy too. Of course, she’s got her baby so she can’t do too much. She doesn’t want to jeopardize him. I don’t want to lose our child over this either.” Simon said to her.
“We’ve got you surrounded.” Sasha heard, echoing through the warehouse. Simon urged Sasha down to the ground.
“Like hell.” Simon said in an angry whisper, spitting out the words. Sasha didn’t notice him. She was thinking about what he had just said prior.
“Wait a minute.” she said to him, brushing off his hand. “Our child? What, you and Mandy are together?”
“Felt your belly lately?” Simon asked humorously. Sasha took a shaky breath and hesitantly put her hand down. It rested on a lump. A lump could only mean one thing.
“What?!”
“Shh!” Simon reprimanded. “They’ll hear you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me from the beginning I was pregnant?” Sasha demanded.
“I didn’t want you to be doing exactly what you are now. Keep quiet or they’ll find us.” Simon said to her.
“Sorry.” Sasha muttered, although Simon already dismissed her as just being hormonal.
“We are going to have to be discreet about this. There is an underground tunnel system in this warehouse. If we time it right, we can make it to Newcombe’s Tavern before they even know we’ve gone. That’s where we’ve been meeting. In the basement of course.” Simon said to her. He wanted to say a lot more. He wanted to reach out and touch her face. He wanted to grab her towards himself and tell her he loved her and wouldn’t ever leave her side. It wouldn’t have gone over well. Their relationship now wasn’t what it was minutes ago.
“What are we waiting for?” Sasha asked.
“Okay, give me your hand and follow me.” Simon instructed. Sasha did so, not even flinching, as if her older self encouraged her to trust him. Perhaps it was just a pang of self-preservation. Nonetheless, she followed. They took delicate steps until Simon stopped and Sasha heard a grate moving nearby. He pulled her close and told her to head down the metal stairs.
“This is your last warning! You have thirty seconds.” the radical echoed through the stale air.
“At least I know they won’t kill me.” Sasha commented.
“Yet. Come on, get going.” Simon said to her as he followed her down. Simon just started to close the grate above his head when the lights powered on.
“Where’d they go?” the man wondered as he scoped out the floor of the warehouse, all abandoned and empty, except for a few towering shelving units.
CHAPTER 15
Sasha entered the basement of Newcombe’s. She heard the clanging of glasses and chatter from above. Simon had his hand on the small of her back, guiding her into the room. It was dark and musty, but it was safe. She breathed a sigh of relief, but she felt horrible.
“My back hurts.” she told him. She could make out Simon nodding in the dim light.
“You’re about due. I would expect it to hurt.”
“Remind me when I’m younger not to have kids.” she said sarcastically. Simon took her seriously, however.
“Backwards doesn’t work for me.” he told her, referencing her travels through time.
“Oh right. I’ll remind myself if I ever find my way.” she said with a light and nervous giggle. She heard movement and walking down steps.
“Sasha?” a voice sounded from the stairs.
“Mandy?” Sasha asked tentatively. The voice did sound very much like her school friend, although a bit more mature and full-bodied.
“I’m so glad you’re safe!” Mandy said, running towards Sasha to give her a hug. It was an awkward hug and Sasha noticed why. Mandy had a baby on one arm, resting on her hip.
“Me too.” Sasha said with a warm smile.
“I came as quickly as I could. Whenever something happens we all meet here. Do you want to hold the baby?” Mandy asked. Sasha retracted.
“I’m not really into babies.” she admitted.
“But you’re having one.” Mandy responded with a giggle. It was true, but Sasha knew her viewpoints might have changed. She never felt weird when it came to babies from family members. Perhaps her own would be the same. Others though, she felt like she would damage them.
“An hour ago I was twelve.” Sasha said, eyebrow raised.
“You phased?” Mandy asked excitedly.
“The damned garage door in my house.” Sasha said angrily, with a frustrated air in her tone. “I saw my dad. I was going to talk to him. I would going to tell him how much I loved him and missed him and how —.” Sasha started to get choked up at the thought of it and could barely speak any longer. Mandy rested a comforting hand on her shoulder and responded softly.
“You can’t change time.”
“Why not?” Sasha asked, tears beginning to flood her eyes as she tried hard to push them back. Maybe it was the hormones.
“You told me yourself it wouldn’t work. You told me not to let you go into the attic and I let you. I didn’t understand. Your dad would still have died. If you told him not to drive I’m betting he still would have. That other driver would have still killed him.”
“How can you be so sure?” Sasha asked.
“Sasha.” Mandy stated firmly. “You can’t beat yourself up over it. You aren’t to blame.”
“Why do I feel so responsible?” Sasha asked, her voice downtrodden.
“Maybe because you just phased? It’s fresh.”
“Maybe because I’m pregnant.” Sasha said sarcastically, placing her hand over her swollen belly.
“Are you sure you don’t want to hold the baby?” Many offered again.
“Yes.” Sasha said. Then she looked around the room. It was pretty empty save for a few barrels, a makeshift table, and a couple chairs. “Have any mirrors? I want to know what I look like.” Perhaps her imperfections had worked themselves out by the time she was this age.
“In my diaper bag.” Mandy answered, pointing to a small designer-style bag where she could see a bottle in a slot and a cell phone in another.
“I’ll get it for you.” Simon said, not allowing Mandy to be inconvenienced with a child on her arm.
“Are you and I?” Sasha asked, wondering about their relationship. Was it further than just boyfriend/girlfriend?
“Look at your hand.” Simon said, adding, “If you can see it.”
“Oh.” S
asha said, twirling her wrist around and flashing her fingers in front of her face. She had a beautiful diamond ring on her next-to-pinky finger. There was a large center stone encircled by a string of other stones. She couldn’t tell, but supposed they were diamonds too. There was a white-gold band underneath it. “Heh.”
Simon gathered up the diaper bag and rummaged through it. Shifting through the baby products and then some makeup that was hastily flung in there, he spotted a small mirror. “Here it is.” he said, handing it over to Sasha.
“Thanks.” she responded, grasping it with both hands. She took a look at herself, squinting and moving the mirror around so she could get a full mental picture. It was hard in the dim light, but her features made her gasp. “Wow. I look hot.”
“I know.” responded Simon, slyly.
“No really. Have I ever done modeling?” she wondered softly, placing a hand over the lines of her face, tracing the contours with a finger.
“Let’s leave that up to fate. Now get over yourself and sit down. We all need to talk.” Simon said seriously.
“What ever happened to Kendra?” Sasha wondered, but Simon dragged a chair out and pointed to it.
“Sit.” he said to her coldly. She gave him a worried look, but obeyed. Once she was seated he responded. “Kendra’s dead, Sasha.”
“Dead?” Sasha asked dumfounded. Her mind flooded with possible scenarios that could have caused her death.
“She was caught by The New Illuminati. They tortured her for information, but she never gave in. She didn’t survive it. They didn’t care.” Simon said softly to his wife.
“Why would they do that to her?” Sasha wondered, thinking about the liveliness of her makeshift friend and how her life could be snubbed out in an instant. Even though she had the brains of rocks when she knew her, there had to have been plenty of untapped potential.
“I don’t know.” Simon answered, pacing in the room. “Perhaps they thought they could get to me and then get to you. Kendra’s always been a bit obsessive over me. I never developed feelings for her because she was shallow. At least — not until she did that. I developed a new-found respect for her. She was strong, Sasha. She just...” He paused, his voice strained. “She just wasn’t strong enough.”
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