CHAPTER SEVEN

Day 4 Pt. 2

"Do you know how risky it was for the four of you to sneak off like that?" Professor Z demanded, the heads of the accused hanging low. "Douglas and Finley was enough, but Katrina and Nathaniel?"

"She made me do it!" Nathaniel exclaimed, his head shooting up as he pointed to Katrina, who punched him in the arm.

"We got information, though," Katrina countered, looking to Z.

"And you were caught. Anyone can connect you to the downfall of their computers," Z said. "That is something, by the way, that I definitely do not approve of."

"They were stealing from Pearadyne. We stole back, and burned then while we were at it," Katrina countered.

"Why do you always tell it as 'we'?" Nathaniel inquired.

"They were bound to have cameras around," Z continued, ignoring the outbursts.

"Yea, but the cameras would also be affected by the virus I planted," Katrina countered.

"You said they were pulling from certain energy points in the wormhole. What if your virus affects the times where the wormhole connected? History could be changed," Z countered.

"We missed something, didn't we?" Jovee asked uncertainly as she and Josie stepped into the classroom.

"Obviously. What's going on, guys?" Josie asked.

"Douglas and Finley were asked to try and learn as much from Microne as they could while we were there. Katrina and Nathaniel took it into their hands to go off on their own, steal files from Microne, set a virus on the system, and pretend to be lab assistants. Not to mention they started a fire in one of the rooms," Z explained.

"Wait a minute," Jovee said. "You didn't set up the whole field trip just so you could spy on Microne, did you?"

"Well …" Z said, some anger dissipating from his face while Katrina just gave her a 'duh' look.

"I cannot believe you!" Jovee exclaimed.

"Whoa, back up," Josie said. "Fire? What fire?"

At this point Nathaniel bent lower, hiding his head.

"Right when we needed a distraction to get back to the tour group a whole wall burst into flames," Katrina said.

"You started a fire!" Jovee gasped.

"Of course not," Douglas snapped, rolling his eyes. "It was a pure coincidence."

"Yeah, weird coincidence," Finley said, looking at Nathaniel. "Funny how the wall burst in flames when Nathaniel decided to point at it."

Katrina spun back to look at Nathaniel, and soon all eyes were on him. "Nathaniel?" Z began. "Is there something you want to share with the rest of us?"

"Pure coincidence," Nathaniel nervously chuckled. "Just like Douglas said."

"Wait a minute," Finley said, turning back to look at Douglas. "Doesn't this seem a little familiar?"

"Coincidence?" Jovee asked with confusion. "Or the breaking into Microne Labs?"

"Neither," Douglas said. "He's talking about the time Nathaniel became pyrokinetic."

"Where was I when this happened?" Jovee asked.

"Yeah, me too," Said Katrina. The girls exchanged a confused look.

"When Katrina's Mom took you two away for a weekend at her house," Z explained.

"And you never told us?" Jovee demanded.

"Why I ought to -."

"Now Katrina, let's not let our temper's flare," Finley said, swallowing hard. "I think there are more trying issues at hand here."

"Yeah, like how I can fit all of you onto a skewer," Jovee said.

"Violent," Nathaniel murmured.

"Let's try and stay on track here," Josie interrupted. "We'll deal with Nathaniel's problem in a minute. I want to here more about this trip to Microne. Who is Microne, anyways?"

"We sort of didn't want to mention it to you, Josie," Katrina said, looking at her. "But Microne Industries is a company that has been stealing stuff from Pearadyne for over a year. They sort of have control over the wormhole."

"What?" Josie demanded.

"They were probably doing tests with this new project they're working on," Katrina rushed on. "No doubt they opened the wormhole that brought you here."

"Well the wormhole will still open on its own, right?" Josie demanded.

"Oops," Katrina said suddenly, covering her hand over her mouth.

"Oops?" Finley repeated with confusion.

"The virus," Nathaniel said. Everyone looked at him with confusion. He quickly moved to the front of the room. "Katrina planted a virus in the computers at Microne Industries. From what we gathered Microne bases all its work with the wormhole from computers. If they're not functioning properly how will the wormhole be opened to send Josie back to her time period?"

"Nathaniel," Douglas said slowly, looking the boy in the eye. "Please tell me that you aren't serious."

"Sorry, Douglas," Nathaniel replied.

Katrina licked her lips. "I'm sure I could find a way to reverse the damage."

"It would be too difficult to sneak back into Microne and reverse it," Z replied. "It was dangerous enough suggesting it the first time." He shook his head.

"Well I'll just have to find another way home," Josie said. "We still have an estimate of … three days left. Right now I want to hear what they found out."

"Finally, someone who's not upset," Katrina said. She pulled the disk off of Z's desk and loading it in the computer. "I didn't look through all of it, but I took every file concerned with Pearadyne and the wormhole."

"That's not all," Douglas interrupted. "Microne's up to something dangerous."

"The woman we were talking to mentioned people could get hurt," Nathaniel noted.

"I'm beginning to wish I went on this field trip," Jovee mumbled, only Josie hearing her. She simply grinned.

"More dangerous than that," Finley said. "The lower-level crews are the ones focused on the main part of the project. The above levels – where you were – just receive bits to work with."

"Meaning what?" Jovee asked, taking a seat with everyone else. Z sighed, but allowed the group to continue. He never was good at discipline.

"Got it," Katrina said. She quickly pulled up several of the files, looking through them. "So far it's just a bunch of science mumbo-jumbo."

"Just listen for a minute," Finley said sharply. "This is serious. Collin Bush is planning an expedition to the past. He's copied the space machine that has been dormant in Pearadyne for almost twenty-three years."

"The one with the wormhole connected to it?" Josie asked with confusion.

Douglas nodded his head. "Mr. Pearson, err, Victor, shut it down back then. We're not exactly sure why, though," He explained.

"I'm sure Z knows, right?" Josie asked, looking back at him. The older man shook his head.

"I'm afraid not. His reasoning would only be known to Vaughn and the others involved in the project," Z replied. "By then it wasn't any of my business."

Josie shook her head. "I can't believe all this! Pearadyne really is, or, was, working for a good cause? And now there is some other company bent on using Victor Pearson's machine to do damage." She looked increasingly interested.

Douglas sighed. "If Collin Bush succeeds in his expedition, people are going to get hurt. He'll be messing with the space time continuum."

"We'll also found out that Collin has a contact in the past," Finley said. "They didn't say who, but whoever it is, it's someone who was somehow involved in Pearadyne."

"That could be anyone," Jovee said, looking nervous.

"I know," Finley said, glancing at Douglas. "The good news is that with Katrina's virus they won't be able to go ahead with their plans. This will give us more time to gather the rest of the facts … hopefully help in shutting them down for good. The only problem is Josie being stuck in the past."

"Microne has also been conducting experiments on humans using the energy from the wormhole," Katrina said softly.

"What?" Everyone demanded.

"Yep. Here are some of the results. They want to see if they can make humans with the ability to travel through time. The conductors are wired through the computers to push the energy through. Often times the people come out brain damaged. Apparently they've begun to have success, so they're considering taking people in. That's not all. They've had three that have actually succeeded."

"The janitor?" Josie said, looking uncertain.

"It doesn't say who," Katrina said with a frown. "This is way bigger than us, guys. It's not a game." She turned to look at everyone else, biting her lip.

"Maybe we should contact Corrine or Marshall. Even Vaughn," Josie suggested.

"Mom and Dad are on vacation," Finley said. "I'm not even supposed to call them until tomorrow. Have to check in on them. They need the break … I couldn't stress them with this."

"And Dad's just worried about stopping Microne from stealing files from Pearadyne. Besides, what could he do? We'd only get chastised for playing just as bad as they are," Jovee finished.

"Meaning we're stuck," Josie finished. She looked uncertain, and then went ahead anyways. "We could tell my older self. I'm sure she'd be willing to help. Besides, Katrina said she was still around," Josie said.

"Did she now?" Douglas asked; pursing his lips and looking back at Katrina, who simply stuck her tongue out at him.

"Even so, you can have no contact with your counterpart. It could carry unforeseen side effects, understood?"

"Why can't you contact me?" Josie asked.

"She, err, you, has enough stress right now. Besides, it might be best for her not to get involved. She participated years ago."

"But in theory she already lived this, so she would know the outcome," Josie countered.

"And in theory, fingerprints were individual to each person. Martina Savens proved that wrong eleven years ago," Finley said.

"In theory the universe revolved around earth," Said Douglas.

"In theory, Michael Jackson had forty nose jobs," Nathaniel added.

Katrina frowned. "Who's he?"

"Never mind old music stars," Z said, looking pointedly at Nathaniel. "The fact of the matter is that Josie can't get involved."

"Then I am stuck," Josie said.

"We'll find some way to sort all this out," Z said, rubbing his jaw. "We just need time to think it over. I suppose you should go on with the rest of your days, then. And try not to be troubled by this."

"Z?" Nathaniel asked. "What about this Pyrokinesis thing?"

"Eh, right. Try … soaking your hands in ice."

Jovee, Josie, and Katrina all stared at him dubiously. Z frowned. "It worked last time," He pointed out.

"This school is so weird," Josie said before the group turned to leave.

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"I can't believe soaking your hands in ice water actually stopped you from starting fires," Josie said to Nathaniel, shaking her head.

He simply grinned. "It worked, didn't it?"

"Shockingly enough," Jovee said, shaking her head.

"Where are Finley and Douglas?" Katrina asked, stepping into the room.

"Over at Douglas'," Nathaniel filled in. Then he glanced at his watch. "I should probably be heading over there."

"What are you three up to?" Katrina asked.

"Guy stuff," Nathaniel said with a shrug as he stood. "We'll be back before lights out."

"Can I come?" Josie asked. "I wouldn't mind seeing Douglas' house."

"I don't think that's a good idea," Nathaniel said.

"Why not?" Josie asked, crossing her arms over her chest and raising her eyebrows.

"Because I don't think it's a good idea," Nathaniel replied. He pulled on his jacket and quickly left the room.

"I don't see why I can't go," Josie said. Jovee and Katrina exchanged a quick glance, and then Katrina shrugged.

"Douglas' mom's weird. She's not too fond of strange girls coming to the house. Don't think anything of it, though. Come on, let's play cards," She said.

Josie glanced back at the door. "Yeah, in a minute. I have to go to the bathroom, first." She got up and quickly left the room.

Jovee looked at Katrina, who was busy shuffling cards. "You don't think …?" She started. Katrina looked up and met her eye.

"Nah."

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It only took two knocks for Douglas to come to the door, opening it wider for Nathaniel to enter. "Hey, he greeted," The two giving a secret handshake. "Finley's upstairs. Grab some chips are something and be sure to keep it quiet, okay? Mom's taking a nap in the living room, and she'll be PO'd if she finds out anyone's over after nine."

"…Still hasn't gone back?"

"Nope." The two started to walk up the stairs. As soon as they disappeared, Josie opened the door and snuck in, shaking her head at how Douglas didn't bother to lock the door. Then she started looking around, stopping when she came to the living room. The form of a sleeping body lying on the couch and covered in blankets stopped her from going in. What Katrina had told her about Douglas' mom rang in her head, so she turned and instead marched up the stairs where the boys had gone.

"I'm serious, man, your Mom is -."

"Will you cut it," Josie heard Douglas snap from behind a door.

"Yea, Nathaniel. No one wants to hear about how you have a crush on anyone older than you. It's just … wrong."

"Could you imagine our wedding?" Nathaniel asked.

"Finley, please tie his mouth shut or something," Douglas grumbled.

"Give me some candy and I'll be quiet," Nathaniel said.

"Give him some candy, Finn," Douglas said.

"So this is what boys do when they're alone," Josie said, pushing open the door. All three who were spread out along the room with video game controllers in their hands jumped up and started screaming. After a few seconds Douglas stopped, and hit Finley and Nathaniel to stop too.

"Wha – wha – what are you doing here, Josie?" Douglas stammered.

"I followed Nathaniel. I just wanted to see what your house looked like," Josie explained.

"She followed him," Douglas said, looking to Finley, who looked to Nathaniel.

"I thought Saturday's was 'no-girls' night," He said with a frown.

"I didn't bring her here!" Nathaniel protested.

"It doesn't matter at the moment, Douglas said quickly, ushering Josie into the hall. Finley and Nathaniel followed behind him. "You've seen the house, now you should head back to the school."

"What are you guys doing in there, anyways?" Josie asked. "A 'no-girls' night? Doesn't that sound a little kiddish?"

"Ha!" Nathaniel exclaimed. "Douglas, that's exactly what -."

"Shut up, Nathaniel," Douglas grumbled. "You need to go back, Josie. I'm not even supposed to have anyone over."

"Douglas!" A voice called from down the stairs. It was then that he could actually hear the approaching footsteps.

"That's your mom!" Nathaniel exclaimed in a worried voice.

"Really?" Josie asked, starting towards the stairs.

"No, no!" Douglas stated, grabbing Josie's hand and pulling her over to the closet in the hall. "You've gotta hide! My Mom can't see you. You can't see my Mom! This is so messed up. Everybody in!"

Nathaniel and Finley had no trouble clambering into the stuffy closet, but Josie hung out, her arms over her chest. "Why do we have to hide?" She asked.

"I'm not supposed to have anyone in the house, Josie. If my Mom knows you're here she's going to freak. Get … in!" Douglas hissed through clenched teeth.

"Alright, alright," Josie murmured, quickly going into the closet. Douglas slammed the door shut just as his Mom reached the stairwell. She stopped for a minute, taking in the suspicious scene before her. Douglas was leaning against the door as if forcing it stay shut, panting nervously. She continued up, narrowing her eyes at him.

"I thought I heard voices," She said.

"Just role playing," Douglas said quickly.

"Uh huh," Adult Josie, or Mrs. Randall, crossed her arms over her chest, raising an eyebrow. "Tell me another one. Didn't I tell you no visitors after nine? You have to start caring about your school work."

"I don't have any visitors, Mom," Douglas said quickly, sporting a grin. "I was just role playing. For drama. Watch." He cleared his throat nervously. "Oh Clarette, you're hair suns like a thousand -, oh dang, that's not it."

Josie snorted, glancing at Finley out of the corner of her eye. "What's he trying to do?"

"Romeo and Juliet," Nathaniel murmured. "Shh."

Mrs. Randall narrowed her eyes at her son. "Now why would my son who has no talent at drama at all bother to stand out in the hallway, at night, reciting lines that aren't even correct?"

"The bedroom stinks," Douglas said quickly.

"So does your lying," Mrs. Randall retorted. She glanced at the closet door again. "Hello Finley, Nathaniel."

Douglas held his breath at the long pause, before, "Hey Mrs. Randall," Came murmured in double voices from the closet. Douglas rolled his eyes. Those two …

His mother looked back it him. Again with the evil eye, Douglas thought nervously. She just grinned. "Who else is in there?"

"There's no one else," Douglas said quickly.

"No one, huh? Well I'm sure it's not Jovee. Katrina? No, it's not Katrina." Mrs. Randall rubbed her chin thoughtfully. She seemed thoughtful, a memory pulling at the back of her mind. Then she simply shrugged. "Either way, you know you're not supposed to have people over. Next time make sure they head home before nine. Got that guys?"

"Yes Mrs. Randall," Finley and Nathaniel said gloomily.

"I'm going to head off to bed. The boys should head back to school."

"Mom, its Saturday. Can't we just hang out?" Douglas whined.

Mrs. Randall smirked at Douglas without a reply before moving down the hall, stopping in front of the door. She seemed thoughtful for a long moment, and then simply said, "See you around, Josie." As she moved quickly down the hall, Douglas called after her, "You could be seriously messing with the space-time continuum!"

Mrs. Randall made a 'Pfft' noise before turning the corner. Meanwhile Josie had resorted to throwing herself at the door.

"She knows who I am?" She asked, trying to at least jiggle the handle a bit.

"Apparently," Finley said nervously. Douglas pulled the door open, causing the other three to fall out on top of him.

"Oof," Nathaniel grumbled.

Josie jumped up and looked Douglas square in the eye. "How does your Mom know I was in there, and why did Finley and Nathaniel call her Mrs. Randall?"

"Because I'm actually Douglas Randall, not Douglas Ripley. It's just that … my last name was so much like … Lucas', that I didn't want anyone to think we were related. As for my Mom … she's sort of weird like that."

"Are you related to Lucas?" Josie asked.

"Eh … no. Well, sort of," Douglas added quickly after Finley and Nathaniel's look. "My Dad and his Dad are cousins," Douglas lied.

"Oh," Josie said, frowning. "I suppose I should head back to the school, then."

"Yeah, we'll come with you. Don't want Mrs. Randall flipping out too much," Nathaniel said.

"Why did you lie to her?" Finley whispered to Douglas as Nathaniel and Josie moved quickly up ahead.

"She already knows my Dad left us. I just don't think it's a good idea for her to know Lucas' fate," Douglas said.

"You could have saved him, though," Finley said. "Back in the past, I mean. Why didn't you?"

Douglas shrugged. "The consequences, I guess. Plus I don't think he needed to worry about something. I wanted Mom and Dad to be happy while they were young, before Dad went through the wormhole, and before Microne. I didn't want to take that away from them. This is just the way life is, and I'm going to have to learn to live with it," He said softly.

There was a silence between the two friends before Finley patted Douglas on the back. "Maybe you're growing up, Douglas. It takes a lot of responsibility to do what you did."

"Yeah," Douglas said, looking back up the stairs. "But people are still getting hurt by it."