Parallel

3. The Reveal

I was still lying on the floor in fear when I heard giggling. It was Tristan's little brother. The lights turned back on and I filled up with anger.

"What is wrong with you guys? You think that was funny? I'm going home," I said with fury.

"No please Stephanie wait it was just a joke," he begged. "What can I do to make it up to you?"

"Leave me alone," I walked out of his room and out the front door. Why did I fall for that, and why can't he be serious for once.

I walked home grumpily, thinking about how much he pisses me off. But he's still one of my best friends. Why? I have no idea. I just need to be alone, and I know exactly where to go to do that.

I went through my routine of sneaking into the garage, digging under the pool table, and climbing down into the hole.

I feel like a failure. I'm just sitting here alone trying to figure this out. I don't even know what this machine is supposed to do! What if my whole life was just meaningless, and all the effort I've put into this was pointless? My dad even said it was just a game, but why was everyone from his work so eager to take his research? I need answers.

Just then I heard a noise coming from behind the control panel. I wasn't alone I could feel it.

"Hello?" I was sweating and my heart was beating fast. This is my secret no one can know about this!

Then I saw a shadow, and he stepped out from behind the machine.

"Tristan?! What the hell are you doing here?!"

"I followed you home to talk to you," he said. "What is this place it's so weird," he was touching the machines and looking at my papers.

"Stop! Don't touch anything! Just get out of here okay let's go!" I yelled and pushed him toward the ladder.

"Come on get going!" I kept forcing him back up. Once we were back outside, I started yelling.

"So why did you follow me? That was supposed to be a secret you know. Now what do I do?"

"I won't tell anyone just please explain what even was that?"

I sighed heavily. "Let's go inside and talk," we walked inside sat down, and I started telling him my story.

***

"So your dad was doing some weird science stuff, showed it to you, he died, now you gotta do what?" Tristan said with attitude.

"I don't exactly know yet. I have to figure out how to read the documents, then get this thing to work like it did when my dad was alive," I explained.

"Okay... So I can't tell anyone?"

"Right,"

"Got it," Tristan agreed. "Your secret's safe with me," but hearing him say that gave me a bad feeling. I've heard those words before. He'd better take me seriously.

Later that night, Trevor came back from work. He only had about an hour with me but he still came. As soon as he got in the door, I knew something was wrong.