See You Yesterday

Chapter 31: Mac

'Your life does not get better by chance. It gets better by change.'- Jim Rohn.
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Smack.

A man is standing in front of us, peering down at us over his glasses as we writhe around in discomfort from the impact of the landing.

"I had a feeling I'd be seeing you, Leonardo," he says, sighing and hauling Leo up while leaving the rest of us on the ground.

"I'm not the slightest bit surprised, Professor," Leo replies.

I look at the man more carefully and gasp at how much younger Professor Avery looks.

"What are you doing here?" He asks Leo, ignoring me, Rydian and Jay.

"Has anyone passed through here by any chance? Any children? Any children that look out of the ordinary?"

Avery sighs. "Not that I'm aware of. You ought to be asking Zanna. She was ever so upset that you had your powers taken off you on this very day."

Avery and Leo stare at each other for a few seconds, while I wait for the Professor to realise.

"Wait a second!" Avery yells, realisation spreading over his face as I knew it would. "How are you here?! I'm aware you're from the future, I'm not an idiot... But how?! Do you get your powers back in the future? Are you forgiven?"

Leo snorts. "Me? Forgiven by the simul? Hardly," he laughs.

"What then?" Avery snaps, turning to us for answers now.

I am about to reply when Leo gives a small shake of his head, so I keep my mouth shut.

Avery sighs, and then his eyes linger over Jay for a second. "You," he says.

Jay looks shocked to have even been spoken to. "Me?"

"I've seen you in a vision. Whatever this business is... Get yourself out of it now before it's too late."

"What are you talking about?" Rydian asks the Professor.

Avery ignores him and points a shaky finger at Jay's chest; right where his heart is. "There is good in you," he whispers. "Good in here," he says, prodding his chest gently. "Don't let it go to waste."

Jay nods and I move to stand in front of the Professor. "What about me?"

He raises an eyebrow. "What about you?"

"Have you seen me in a vision before?" I press.

"I have," he replies.

"And?" I ask.

"And what?" He says.

"What did you see?!" I snap.

"Nothing that I think I ought to tell you other than... Choose wisely," he replies.

Rydian steps forward this time and the Professor just stares at him. He pushes his glasses up and takes a step toward Rydian, their faces inches away from each other. "Good boys don't play with fire."

Rydian rolls his eyes and I grab his hand and pull him back next to me.

Professor Avery turns on Leo again. "What are you doing, Leonardo? Why would you endanger these children?"

"These children are the only reason I am here, Sir," Leonardo replies.

"You're treading on a dangerous path, Leonardo. If they catch you here..." Avery tells him. "I just don't want to see you get hurt," he adds.

"Thank you for your help, Professor," Leo says.

The four of us walk out of the building, careful not to be seen until...

"Aren't you meant to be locked up?"

A small boy is standing in front of us, pointing at Leo.

"You've got the wrong person, I don't know what you're talking about," Leo answers slowly.

"I'm not dumb, Mr," the boy tells him, crossing his arms.

"If I was whoever you're talking about, then why aren't guards rushing towards me to seize me right now?" Leo asks the boy smugly.

"Hmm..." Says the boy, and he walks away, arms still crossed.

"Your present simul leader, I believe?" Leo turns to us.

"What?" Rydian returns. "That was Alexander Kingsley?" He asks, laughing.

I raise an eyebrow at Leonardo. "Not very popular, are you?"

He grins. "What can I say? I'm a traitor, after all."

"So they're not here?" Jay sighs.

"I'm afraid not," Leo replies. "Come on then."

And we get ready to travel again.