Diametric Dimensions

Chapter One

ERIKA

It's last period on a Friday. I sit in my desk half-listening to Mrs. Kelly lecturing us about using condoms. I think some of the girls in my health class already learned this, the hard way.

I look at the analogue clock on the wall. 2:03, still another twenty-two minutes to our freedom. All the clocks in our school are connected, so whenever one reaches 2:25 the rest of them do simultaneously. And 2:25 is when we get to leave prison.

I willed the longer hand to move another two inches, I know I can't move it with my mind but-

The bell rings from the P.A. system. The clock now says 2:25 I check my phone, it says 2:08. Mrs. Kelly puts her visual aid (a banana) back in her lunch bag.

"Time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it? Class dismissed."

I scoop up my bag and head out into the hall. Did I do that? No, one of the clocks must be broken.

"Happy belated sixteenth birthday, Erika!" My best friend, Meghan flings her arms around my neck from behind me.

"Thanks."

"Why weren't you in school yesterday?" She asks. We reach our lockers in the hall and I turn to look at her.

"I wasn't feeling that great, I was vomiting and I was dizzy every time I stood up." I say as I grab my homework.

"Are you pregnant?" Meaghan follows me outside the school.

"Of course not! I don't even have a boyfriend!" I punch her shoulder.

She shrugs as if saying it was just an idea, you don't have to punch me for it. Once onto the road she gives me a wave and heads in the opposite direction towards her house.

I walk in silence all the way to the public library. I drop my book in the return bin and wander amongst the shelves, looking for the sequel. I see it on a top shelf. Even on tip-toes I can't reach it, I'm 5' 4'' and these shelves aren't even tall compared to the ones on the older libraries. There's a step ladder, but I'm really too lazy to get it. Trying one more time, I reach up with one arm and the book falls into my outstretched hand. It's just a coincidence I tell myself. There is no way I'm dong this, right?

All the walk home I think about what was happening. Twice in one day something moved without an explanation. I take a short-cut on a dirt path through the forest. It's mostly used by old people or mountain bikers, but it also cuts my walking distance by two minutes.

I stop by an old well. If I'm really doing this I should be able to do it again. I stare at an old brick on the ground (why it's there, I don't know). I concentrated on moving it. At first nothing happens, but suddenly the brick flies off the ground and whacks me in the center of my forehead.