Restored (The Missing: Book 9) [Formerly Titled Rescued]

Chapter Twenty

"Okay, don't panic," Jonah said as they floated through time. The three of them formed a circle as Jonah held onto Dr. Jephson's right hand with his left hand, while Jordan was still clutching Dr. Jephson's left arm and Jonah's right hand. "My name is Jonah Skidmore, and this is my brother-"

"Jordan Skidmore. Yes, I'm familiar with you two," Dr. Jephson said calmly with a sigh. "I just never thought I'd get caught up in some time disaster. I assume that's why you're here, correct?"

"Yep, you got us," Jordan replied.

"Sorry," Jonah added, trying to be sincere, but it came out sounding like an afterthought. Dr. Jephson didn't acknowledge his attempt at an apology. 

"Exactly how do I fit into this? I don't have any relevant experience with time travel."

Jonah was pleasantly surprised by how well the doctor was taking this. "We'll explain everything later, but what you need to know right now is that we're on our way to a time hollow and we need you with us because one of our friends is hurt."

"Okay," Dr. Jephson said, then paused to consider the situation. "What happened to your friend?"

"Ever heard of a Time Slap?" Jordan chimed in.

"It's called a Time Skip, Jordan," Jonah corrected, pausing to glare at Jordan before addressing Dr. Jephson again. "Will you help him?"

"Do I have an option?" Dr. Jephson asked with a certain intensity that made both twins shrink back.

If they were not weightless, Jonah could imagine him staring down at them with crossed arms. Suddenly, Jonah was thrown back into kindergarten, when Mrs. Jones had caught him trying to sneak into the kitchen to grab an extra brownie. Her posture and countenance were almost identical to Dr. Jephson's tight frown, scrunched eyebrows, and sharp tone. Jonah's face fell as worry crept into his mind. What if he doesn't want to help us?

Noticing the change in Jonah's expression, Dr. Jephson sighed and his face relaxed. "I can't just ignore an injured person who's standing right in front of me, now, can I? Since I'm not familiar with the term 'Time Skip' I can't promise I'll be any real help because I don't know what condition your friend is in, but I will do what I can."

"Thank you!" Jordan exclaimed as Jonah let out a breath.

"I just have one condition. I want you to send me home as soon as I'm finished."

Is that a promise we can keep? Artie is the only person with a working Elucidator, and who knows what he's planning, Jonah wondered as he glanced over at his brother, who also remained silent. He and Jordan were saved from answering by the end of their trip.

Jonah opened his eyes and sat up promptly. Jordan and Dr. Jephson were also getting up beside him, but the first thing Jonah saw were papers scattered everywhere. Jonah peeled one off of his forearm as he stood up, letting it flutter back onto the ground. JB and Katherine were on one side of the room watching a scene and talking. Running projections, maybe? On the other side of the room, Al seemed to be dictating something to Alexander, who was writing it down with a quill pen.

"I think it's time to bring the boys back!" JB's brother said, holding his Elucidator up in the air.

"Really, Artie?" Katherine asked with a guarded expression, glancing over at the artist to whom she had apparently assigned the nickname. That's when she spotted them. "Oh, they're already back! And they got the doctor!"

"Of course!" Artie replied. "My plans never fail."

Jonah could practically feel JB stiffen from across the room at that comment, but when he made eye contact with Jonah, JB smiled and visibly relaxed.