And now we're getting to the good stuff! Ooohhh, I've been waiting for forever to write this! Anyway, this chapter's pretty short only because there's so much awesomeness in the next one that it makes up for it. XD

8: Better Find a Place to Hide


"There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it." –Alfred Hitchcock


"It's late, why aren't you asleep?"

"It's always late here. It's always dark. Why should I sleep?"

"'Cause…well, geez, you know I really don't have a reason."

"Hmph." He doesn't look away from the endless sweep of buildings stretched out before him.

"What's that look on your face?"

"What look?"

"You're mad at him, aren't you? You don't want him to do it."

"Of course I do! I just…don't think he's going about it the right way."

"Pessimist."

"You shouldn't be talking."

Kaz had not slept very well that night. His sleep was haunted by the remnants of his nightmare from the science fair. He'd woken up three times in the middle of the night and two of the times had run to the bathroom across the hall to splash cold water on his face and make sure he really was awake.

Tom had slept no better. Unlike Kaz, though, he had not been plagued by nightmares. Rather, his mind had refused to settle down. Thoughts continued to churn through his head and just when he was about to fall asleep, another dark deliberation would jolt him awake. Most of it was about what exactly was going on with the Wormhole Generator and Khaos Corporation as a whole.

So when the two met up outside the Glass Bridge the next morning, they took one look at each other and laughed.

"You got freaked by the Generator too!" Kaz chuckled, pointing an accusing finger at his best friend as they headed for the Cafeteria again.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Tom waved his hand through the air like he could get rid of Kaz's teasing words, "But I'm less likely to faint the next time it explodes!"

"Hey!" Kaz stopped in his tacks just outside the Cafeteria doors, "That's not funny! As much as I hate my parents treating me like a disabled five year old, I hate it even more when you make fun of my fainting spells!"

"Don't act like you're mad at me when you're not!" Tom laughed, brushing past Kaz to walk into the Cafeteria.

"I am so mad at you!" Kaz protested quickly catching up and shoving Tom with his shoulder.

"Are not!" Tom shoved back, digging his elbow into Kaz's side and making the other boy cringe away.

"Are to!"

"Are not!"

"Are to!"

"Are not!"

"Are—!"

He ran full tilt into the room, tugging his arm through his sleeve, and nearly barreled over the group standing just inside the door. Icey white light was pouring from the opening as it spun faster and faster, gaining form as it went.

"No! You'll break past Perim!" He shouted, trying to shove his way past them but one of them grabbed his arm and hauled him backwards, "You'll get into their world!"

"Don't be stupid!" Growled the mocking voice of the one holding him back, "We're being careful, no one's going to get hur—."

There was an almighty CRACK and all their carefully laid plans fell apart.

A tremor that started from the bowels of the building and trembled its way all the way up to the top caused everyone in the Cafeteria to look around in wonder. Tom and Kaz shared a terrified look; that shake felt very similar to what they had experienced by the Wormhole Generator…on a much bigger scale. Kaz took off, bolting out of the Cafeteria and heading for the stairs. Tom caught up with him and grabbed his best friend's arm, effectively stopping him.

"Tom, what're you doing!?"

"Are you crazy!? Going back there!?" Tom's blue eyes were rimmed in white, "Do you want to get thrown over the stairwell again!?"

"Coward by nature I may be," Kaz snapped, yanking his arm away, "But curiosity is virtue!" He took off again.

"Yeah!? Well curiosity also killed the cat!" Tom tackled Kaz to the floor and two boys got into a tussle.

Tom pinned Kaz to the floor but Kaz wasn't the push over he'd been since middle school. He arched his back and rolled over, throwing Tom to the floor. But as the spiky haired boy leapt up again, Tom's hand closed around his ankle and sent him crashing to the floor. Kaz pulled but Tom latched on with his other hand and pulled back with much more effect. Kaz was dragged a quarter of the way down the hall on his stomach before another tremor knocked Tom over again.

Kaz took the opportunity to yank his leg away and sprint for the stairwell. Tom was back on his feet and after him in an instant. An instant too late. Kaz had too much of a head start.

Dread made Tom's mouth dry out.
Kaz was headstrong, sure, but like he'd said himself…he was a coward.

If worst came to worst, Kaz could have an attack.

And that was not something Tom ever wanted to see again.

"Close it! Quickly!" The dark-skinned man with the golden eyes ordered, "Close it now!"

"It's too late!" He shouted back, "They're already heading straight towards it!"

Those ferocious golden eyes narrowed as they bored into his own neon blue ones, "Then head them off."

There was no one to stop the two teenaged boys that were racing down the stairs.

There was no guard at the door to check for a pass.

There was no Willy there to halt them in their tracks.

Everyone, it seemed, had left.

Tom and Kaz paused for breath outside the door to the Wormhole Generator as another vibration rocked the building even more.

"You…are…an…idiot…!" Tom gasped, wiping sweat from his forehead and gulping air at the same time, "I can't believe you!? What happened to…to "going out there and fainting", huh?"

Kaz shrugged, still trying to get enough breath back to fill his lungs.

Something like the sound of tearing metal came from beyond the door. Tom yanked the door open and they both ducked inside.

Pandemonium reigned.

Engineers were everywhere in blurs of color, ringing shouts sounded even over the thrum of power from the Wormhole Generator. Kaz pushed his way through the crowd and stuck his head out the door. His eyes widened as what he saw took away the breath he'd just gotten back.

In the middle of the dais, connected to the hanging sphere by ropes of dark violet electricity, was what could only be described as a rip. It was as though someone had grabbed the fabric of the universe in their hands and forcibly ripped it apart, leaving jagged, burning edges behind. This…this "tear" showed only a sliver of black beyond its red and violet borders that appeared to be on fire.

Another shudder of the building threw Kaz and Tom down the stairs and to the floor. Tom was on his feet first and helped Kaz find his balance again. The two made their way over to the hypnotizing rip on the dais, shaking with fear but driven by the curiosity only a teen could have.

Tony stepped in their way just as they approached the dais.

"What do you think you're doing!?" He screamed, his eyes burning with rage, fear, and confusion, "Get out of here! This is too dangerous! I knew Tobias shouldn't have let you brats stay here but noooooo! He had to go and play the he—!"

The sword the suddenly sprouted from his chest cut off his words.

I'm just throwing cliffhangers around like candy at a parade, aren't I? Well, geez, I'm nasty. Anyway, thank you guys for reviewing and please keep doing so! I like to hear from the readers! Feedback is AWESOME!