Time Drifters

The door flew open before I’d even been able to turn the key.

“She called!” Dad said, beaming. I was speechless and he gave me a big hug.

“She’s alive?”

“She’s fine, Liam,” he said, his brow furrowing. “She’s trapped, for the moment. In Paris.”

“What?” I said, wondering who had abducted her and carried her off so far.

“It’s a long story, but it’s alright,” he said, sitting in the chair in the front hall. I could see that he was still trying to piece it together.

“She’s safe,” he said, looking absently at the front door, as though he were willing her to walk through it.

“But why Paris?” I asked. “What happened?”

“The borders are closed, with no air travel allowed,” he said. “She looked into boat crossings but it doesn’t seem worth it. Friends… she has a friend there, apparently. She was in the south at a cabin… a villa. I don’t know everything, but she was finally able to get through and she says she’s coming back just as soon as she can. The earliest, they say, will probably be in two weeks.”

We got pizza delivered and watched an old movie together while we ate it. I didn’t care that it was in black and white. It was good to have something to keep our minds off of the mess of the world. Dad kept sighing deeply, and I knew that he was zoning out. I understood his relief.

It bothered me that Mom hadn’t called sooner, but I supposed that maybe the phones were out, or busy. Amazing how we were in a world that had so much technology and yet it was like we’d taken a step backwards. The news reported that since people couldn’t fly across the country, the train stations were crammed with more people than there had been in decades.

And if everything was going backwards, did that mean this was a Splinter?

It was Marijka who told me. Walking in the forest on the way down to Tarrytown. It was a secret, she said. Something that I couldn’t ever tell anyone that she’d revealed. If I did, it could get us both in trouble. I’d promised not so say anything. She figured it was important for me to know why Drifting made a difference, even to my own life in my own time.

And now I’d broken my promise. I wondered if it mattered. And I decided that I’d better keep my promise to continue Drifting, just to make sure everything was all right. If it didn’t work—if the crystals didn’t let me Drift—then I’d have confirmation. I’d let it be decided for me.

I was still kind of angry at Mr. Danby, and kind of embarrassed for saying he was “stupid.” I thought of going by to let him know that I’d be there on the 22^nd.

I had my excuse lined up for Dad. It was simple enough. I was going to meet Harris to go to a movie. The timing worked.

When Saturday came, I had a big lunch and then lay down for a nap that afternoon, wanting to be rested. Mr. Danby would be pleased to hear that I’d taken it all seriously. I was sure that we could smooth things over.

I was dreaming about the Drift. I heard the sound of the shimmer arcs booming around me… over and over. But something wasn’t right.

A crack of thunder woke me and I bolted straight up in bed. My clock said, 6:42pm.

I freaked out.

I threw on my clothes and tripped on the steps, catching myself at the very last second.

Dad was gone. It was pouring rain outside. There was a note on the counter.

Hope you have a good time. Gone to office. Back by 11pm. Love, Dad.

I thought of calling Mr. Danby, but I didn’t have his phone number. I thought of getting a cab, but I didn’t have enough time to wait. I was late, and the only thing to do was pray that I’d make it in time.