The Old Mine

25: Into Gambler Mine

                  Cal woke up to the smell of bacon, eggs, and fresh baked bread. She popped up and smiled, forgetting for a moment when in time she was. She climbed out of bed and surprised herself with the shower, that's when she caught up and remembered when she was. Her shoulder ached "I miss Recke," She leaned against the wall of the shower and thought of him. He was on a mission without her, she wasn't there to protect him. The fear... the possibility of him not coming back made her tremble with heart pounding anxiety. As Cal tried to get herself together Irene came in "You completely awake, or just going through the motions?" Irene slid down the bathroom door and sat. "You mind if I go to training with you?"

                     "No," her voice was shaking "That would be wonderful." Cal took a few breaths and started to soap off. "Do I smell bacon and eggs?"

                      "Yes, your mom made a feast for dozens...I thought there was too much and then I saw your dad eat and... your brother Bret" Irene laughed "Damn. They are wonderful..." Irene got a little teary "Your mom said I am her sister now, that I am not allowed to argue. I love her, she is the best gossip friend." Irene giggled.

                      "This should feel awkward shouldn't it." Cal rinsed off and climbed out "I mean, things shouldn't be so relaxed between us." Cal thought of Recke and how he connected to Midnight and Tahk. "Could we have connected?" Cal finished her with her hygiene routine, slipped on her bra and panty set and switched to her facial routine. "Am I a moron for getting all primped and" Cal sighed "I'm not putting on makeup but."

                       "Cal people are watching you right now, you are being smart take your time we are way early. Besides, they will probably we very gentle with us right now... or put us on book schooling" She paused to think of how to answer the other question "I don't have any connects, I was told I can't because of a rare whatever... I actually tuned them out after a certain point and just stopped listening."

                       "But what if I have the same rare whatever, or something close to it that might..." Cal frowned "Do you remember anything more about the rare whatever?"

                       "No, the bishops were giving a lengthy explanation, why."

                       "Because a connection is formed because of the jump itself. It is actually a side effect of the jump; it happens when you aren't thinking about it... when you just relax and don't worry. They probably told you that to keep you from connecting. I wonder if the rare whatever is timekeeper." Cal laughed "I had to have gotten that from someone."

                        "You are a timekeeper?" Irene sat up and smiled "That makes sense, that may be why I was a threat... but why are you out of their reach."

                       "My concern is the mine and finding the rest of the jumpers that the bishops have cast off into time somewhere." Cal finished with her routines and knocked lightly on the door before opening it "Why would they do that?" She headed to her dresser and grabbed her clothes.

                       Irene was suddenly uneasy "I don't know..." She decided to change the subject "Easton and I will be going with you to the mine, Zen has agreed to help by distracting the bishops while we look into everything." Irene stood up "I'm helping, I want to know why these asses have targeted me."

                      "Okay, clearly I get my shift in emotion and distaste for abusive assholes from you." Irene smiled and relaxed "First up is training with Zen..." Cal smiled "Then we go explore gamblers mine." Irene giggled, wrapped her arm around Cal and led her to the kitchen. "Morning mom," Cal kissed her mom then sat down to eat. "You and Irene made friends I hear."