The Prodigies [First Draft]

Thirty Four

Einstein wasn't quite sure what had just happened. Even though Mr. Old as Time and Hawking were long gone, he continued to hold his breath as he crouched in the cramped closet. He felt as though his whole body was tingling, and there was an odd pressure on his face that made him nauseous. The only thing he could think was, What did Hawking just do?

A few minutes later, another question came to mind: What the hell is the side pocket? Einstein knew Hawking had been purposefully cryptic, for Mr. Old as Time was listening, but he wouldn't have minded a bit more information on the definition and whereabouts of this "side pocket."

Perhaps it had something to do with the PHC. Maybe "side pocket" was computer lingo for "security cameras" or something of that sort. Or maybe the closet was a side pocket of the room Einstein was currently inside of. The boy turned around and surveyed the closet, cursing when he couldn't find anything of interest. He shrugged his backpack off and opened the closet door to get a better look at the room.

"The side pocket," Einstein muttered to himself. He stood from his crouched position, deciding to get a closer look at the items around the room. To facilitate mobility, he took his coat from around his waist and shoved it into his backpack.

It was at that moment that he saw the index cards on the side of his bag.

"The side pocket," he repeated. "You could have just said 'the backpack' or pointed to your back, mute. Though I can't call you mute anymore, can I? In fact, I could never call you mute in the first place, could I?"

Einstein pulled the pack of cards from the side pocket of his backpack and sat back down. He was still shocked at the fact that Hawking had spoken to him. To him, of all people. She nearly had a panic attack when she realized Einstein had been listening to her log into the PHC. Why would she then physically say something to him, even though it obviously made her anxious? What was she sacrificing her comfort for? Him?

"Probably Clay," Einstein murmured in an attempt to stop contemplating Hawking's reasons for speaking to him. She'd barely said three words, anyway. It wasn't a very big deal, he told himself to calm his racing thoughts. He had other matters to focus on at that moment.

He turned his attention to the cards in his hands, and it was suddenly as though those three words Hawking had spoken (and the one she'd mouthed) were nonexistent.

If you're reading this, Einstein, I've probably been taken by Mr. Old as Time into the Nursery, the first card read. I knew I'd be found, as it happened in my dream.

"That would have been nice to know," the boy snapped as he moved to the second card. "All you had to do was tell me!"

Shut up and keep going.

Einstein ripped the index card in two. He discarded of the remains and continued.

You can either wait in the girls' locker rooms for me until I find Clay and join you, or you can leave now. I'd prefer it if you found a place off campus to wait, but it's your decision.

Einstein was silent. He couldn't form an obnoxious or snide response to spit out.

In case the scanners still work, use my ID card to get into the locker rooms, the next card read. You should be able to use tools in the gym closet to create something to scale the fence. Godspeed.

Einstein shook his head. He couldn't leave Hawking to find Clay without any help. She had helped him get into the Nursery and shut down the school's security. He couldn't simply watch as she risked her life for another one of her friends. He would repay her for what she'd done for him.