Time Walker

Chapter One - Action Plan

The horror still consumes me as I sit in class, knowing it’ll be my last one. I stare straight ahead at the teacher, Mr Hutches. He’s wearing a corduroy jacket in a disgusting mustard shade that shows his sweat patches to perfection, as he drones on in his usual tedious way and I feel like I should listen to him for once, but considering he doesn’t know he’ll not be teaching again, I don’t really see the point. Across the classroom, Ruby, a pretty brunette who I’ve known since reception and can never seem to get along with, shoots me a vicious glare and in my bubble of fear I can’t even remember why. I think I might miss her...

She might survive, my subconscious reminds me,

 But I push the thought down quickly. I can’t let myself hope. It’ll only bring me more pain in the long run; I’ll be better off assuming the worst. The bell rings and I quickly collect my things and leave. It’s time, I need to put my plan into action, but not yet, I need to see Lily first.

On my way to the benches where me and my friends meet for lunch I make a swift detour to my locker where I pack away my schoolbag, removing my lunch first, then take out my small rucksack filled with supplies. Even with my visit to the lockers I’m the first one there, but I don’t have to wait long for Lily to arrive.

“hey, you okay,” she asks me kindly, placing her hand on my shoulder.

“Yeah, course,” I reply, forcing my lips into what I hope is a natural looking grin.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I dunno; you just look sorta rattled,” she replies.

“But, if you’re fine that’s okay. We’ve got some serious planning to do,”

“Oh, yeah?” I say and my voice cracks slightly,

She can’t know can she. How can she be so light hearted about it?

“Oh, yeah. My parents are going out next weekend, which means me and Trev have the house to ourselves, and you know what that means… Party!”

As she squeals the last word, her voice fizzling with barely contained excitement, another wave of misery slaps me in the face. Knowing she can never have this party crushes my heart and makes me forget to jump up and act excited too. I almost envy her blissful ignorance. That expression she has now, so enthusiastic and full of glee, that’s how I’ll remember her.

“What’s this,” Ash says as she takes a seat beside Lily,

“I thought I heard the word party,”

“You sure did,” Lily grins and is just about to dive into the plan, when she looks at me again, concern evident in her brown eyes.

“Are you sure you’re alright,” she asks just as her brother, who is also my boyfriend, approaches.

“Hey Trev, I need to talk to you a sec,” I ask and Lily looks a little hurt that I would confide in him, but not her. ‘I’m  sorry’ I try to tell her with my eyes, ‘this is something I just can’t tell you’ I give her a weak smile and I think she’s assumed it’s a boyfriend girlfriend trouble because she smiles back. I grab Trevor’s arm and lead him away from the wooden gym, towards an area of the school were I don’t think we’ll get trapped.

This is the last time I’ll see her

She might survive if you just try to help her,

NO! I scald myself, I only saw two people emerge from those flames, one of them was me and the other was a guy, there is no saving her. The thought causes an intense burning inside my chest that sears through the resolve I’ve built up.

“No,” I whisper.

“What?” Trevor asks, one golden eyebrow raised.

“Nothing,” I tremor,

“Just thinking aloud,” My voice is unstable and unusually quiet. Trevor doesn’t seem convinced so I distract him with a kiss. Things are going to change now; forever, I try to tell him with the kiss.

“Your watch is timed to the radio, right,” I ask,

“Yeah,” he says, then takes a deep breath,

“Why?”

“No reason,” I say and grab his wrist as he pulls me back for another kiss.

Crap, 20 seconds. My pulse races and panic bubbles to the surface. I take a deep breath,

I need to stay calm. we will make it.

This is it.