Dimension Travelers

Chapter 1

Part One:

Before this all started...

I was sitting in class, bored to death like always. We were taking a test over dimensions. I had already finished it and was waiting for everyone else. Our teacher, Mr. Web, was sitting at his desk, most likely texting his girlfriend. I sighed. Just another boring day in the life of Seth Thomas...

I fiddled with my pencil and stared at the board. There is nothing written on it. There never is, really. It's just for show. We always use the hologrids on our desks. We never use paper either. Well, except for tests and official stuff. But other than that, everything is digital.

I wanted school to be over--done with forever. That way, Chloe and I could Travel all we wanted. My parents were well-known, well Traveled DTs. They used to tell both of us stories about their adventures in other dimensions. I had always dreamed of Traveling. From then on, I strived to be a Dimension Traveler. I didn't care what the Rules said.

Chloe was the same way. We were best friends. We are alike in so many ways. But we are also different. For instance, I have long red hair and hazel eyes. Chloe has brown hair and blue eyes. I have a temper but she's patient. We are both fascinated with Dimension Traveling. She's a whiz at math and I'm not. (I could go on, but for time's sake, I won't.)

As I sat there, I looked around the room. About ¾ of the people there just took this class to get it over with and out of the way. But Chloe and I, and a few others, took it because we were truly interested in learning about different dimensions. There are so many different kinds--things you never even imagine were real, are at your fingertips. Well, if They allow it. "They" means the government officials. They enforce the Rules that keep us "safe" and "under control." But that does not always work. There is a way around everything. Chloe and I always break at least ten different Rules when we Travel unsupervised--mostly at night. That's "forbidden" and "should never be done unless you have a special form." No one listens to Them anymore.

For everything you do, buy, listen to, or whatever, you need to fill out some stupid form to verify that you did this or that; or to say you have permission to do something. It's pointless really. Those things are so easy to forge. I can't count how many I have had to fill out in the past nine or so years.

Anyways, as I sat there, my leg started to vibrate. I looked down to see that I had a new text:

Chloe: We still gonna go tomorrow night?

Now, that seemed like an ordinary question. But it was code for: are we still going to Travel tomorrow night? I replied:

Me: You bet. I can't wait!

Chloe: Haha I know right? I won't be able to sleep tonight.

Me: Neither will I. How's life for ya?

Chloe: Boooooooorrring. I hate school! I just...It drive me nuts!

Me: Chill. They could be watchin our convo right now.

Chloe: Yeah I know. I can't help it.

Me: It's ok. I know how you feel.

Chloe: Thanks. Oh gotta go text ya later

Me: k bye

As soon as I put up my phone, I spotted this kid. I had had my eye on him all school year--he always seemed to be watching us. He was tall, had jet-black hair, gray eyes, and hardly ever talked. The teachers never called on him. I had seen him talk only a handful of times. I had noticed that he seemed to watch Chloe a bit too closely.

Every boy in our grade knew not to mess with me. I had gotten into fights before; not over Chloe or anything, they just ticked me off. However, I did make sure that the guys never messed with her. Chloe always said that I was over protective, but it was for her own good and she knew it. I was like her brother, and I had no idea why.

This kid's name was Rick. I knew little about him at the time. I just knew him as the quiet kid. He was not bad, but there was something about him that sent a little red flag up in my head. I was probably paranoid. Ever since I can remember I had always been like that.

Rick was more of a lone wolf at the time. He was not Goth, emo, a druggie, jock, nerd, or anything. He was just there; a person without a label. Well, that I knew of. I was not exactly information central, if you know what I mean.

I saw that he was drawing something. I had noticed that he drew a lot. He was only two desks away from me, so I watched him. He was really good--I was impressed. But something just did not feel right. I felt like I was going to see more of him than I would care to. Again, I was probably paranoid, but it was just a feeling that I got.

Finally, the last test was turned in.

"Ok, class," Mr. Web said, "now that everyone's turned in their tests, you may visit quietly." He took up the tests and went to grade them.

Chloe was not in this class with me, so I just sat there and watched people talk. Some people's conversations were quite interesting to listen to. I liked to listen to what people said. My dad would tell me, "You'd be surprised how much you can learn by listening." He was right.

After this class, we had study hall, or as we students liked to call it, free time. Both Chloe and I have the same study hall. That was where most of our plans to go Traveling would take place. We have Traveled more than half of the kids our age. Maybe even more than that. The Rules said that you can Travel "officially" at age 18 if you wanted. Well, that's three years too many. Chloe and I Travel as much as we want. In other dimensions, time doesn't pass the same way. We could be gone a year in dimension time, but only a few minutes would have past in the real world. (Pretty sweet right?)

That, to me, is the best part. No one could tell how long you were really gone. It didn't usually matter how long you were gone because most dimensions have the same time-fabric, meaning how time passes. Chloe and I went Traveling almost every night. It was easy to sneak outside and make a portal. But there are also machines that do the same thing. But Chloe and I, we like to be original.

Time flew so fast that, before I knew it, it was time for study hall. Everyone, including myself, rushed out and made their way to the "study hall room." But really, it was just an extra room that they didn't normally use. As I was walking, Chloe ran up behind me and slapped me on the back. That scared me so bad. But I just turned to her and sarcastically said,

"Thanks. Love you too."

She laughed. "Tough love. Tough love."

"So are you ready for tomorrow?" I asked her.

"You bet. Haven't you asked me that already?"

"I don't know."

She laughed. "Do you know where we're gonna go this time?"

"I had an idea...but I wanted your opinion."

"Oh really? Is that a good thing?"

"Maybe. We'll see."

We reached the room we were supposed to be in. We sat down at a table away from everyone else. We were not anti-social; we just didn't want anyone to eavesdrop. I set my stuff down and said,

"I was thinking a water dimension this time. Like the ocean or something."

"Sounds interesting enough." Chloe said.