JACKIE:

“This sucks.” I tugged at the tight dress Jeffrey from wardrobe persuaded me to wear. It was Beatrice’s style, which looked nice, but turns out, is incredibly uncomfortable.

I couldn’t wait to get back into my sweatpants — and the slipstream. That’s where I felt at home.

I always wanted to attend a party like this one, with the cocktails flowing, passed appetizers, and important people mixing and mingling, but as soon as I walked into the room, I felt incredibly awkward in my own skin. I grabbed a drink from a server’s tray and slunk to the back corner to hide.

“Is that who I think it is?” a familiar voice called out to me.

I flinched at the sight of my roommate, Gabby. It was like seeing a ghost. I hadn’t thought about my old life since this whole adventure kicked off. I left for work one day and hadn’t come home since.

“Jackie, where the hell have you and Baxter been? The house went into foreclosure, and we all had to move out.”

I ignored her question and asked sarcastically, “How’d someone like you get invited to a party like this?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Gabby retorted. “Anyway, my ViewMe channel has forty million subscribers now. My coverage of th Life Rite pill sent me to the stratosphere.”

She pointed to the press badge hanging around her neck.

I pretended not to be impressed. I honestly didn’t know what to say. I pulled at my tight dress and ran my fingers through my hair, wondering what Gabby thought of my new look.

“So are you gonna tell me what happened or what?” Gabby asked.

“Huh?”

“I had to see it for myself after reading it in the news. You? A Claudi? I wouldn’t have believed it, but that red streak in your hear is unmistakable. They used a terrible picture of you…”

I started sweating, unsure how to answer. If I told Gabby even half the truth, she would call bullshit. Or she’d try to slap my face all over her ViewMe channel.

“Are you some bastard love child or something?” she asked.

I shuffled my feet. My toes ached in those stupid high heeled shoes. I heard Beatrice’s fake laugh nearby. Thankfully, she saved me from answering.

“Jackie!” Beatrice called. “Come here and meet Mr. Wilson.”

I threw Gabby a smug glance as I walked over to Beatrice. It felt good to be summoned by the most important person in the room. I would have held my head higher if I was better at walking in heels.

I plastered on a fake smile and joined Beatrice and a man in a tailored three-piece suit.

“Hi Jackie, pleasure to meet you. I’m from the Global Gazette. I have to say, your philanthropic pursuits on this island are commendable.”

“Oh?” I didn’t know he was talking about.

“The way you and Miss Claudi saved the locals from the volcanic eruption. They would have died if you didn’t put out the fires.”

“We couldn’t stand idle while those poor people suffered,” Beatrice said.

Boy, she was a piece of work! I shot Beatrice a confused look, and she winked at me. This conversation wasn’t going any better than the last one.

Mr. Wilson added, “Jackie, I have to ask… You’ve done so much for humanity. Saving the islanders, curing the PX virus and muscular dystrophy. It’s incredible.”

“Thanks,” I said hesitantly. “What’s your question?”

“How do you do all that and look so fabulous?”

Beatrice and Mr. Wilson laughed. What was I supposed to say to something so ridiculous? It killed me to wade in such shallow waters. Beatrice came to my rescue yet again.

“Like I said, Lee. We do it for the people. Let me know if you need anything else for your article. In the meantime, go mingle. Grab another drink and enjoy yourself, okay?”

“Sounds great,” Mr. Wilson said as he clinked his champagne glass against Beatrice’s.

As we walked away, she added, “Don’t forget to grab a swag bag!”

Beatrice grabbed my arm and took me aside. “Come on, at least pretend you’re enjoying the party, Jackie.”

“You told them we saved the islanders from a volcanic eruption?”

“Yes, I did. I also told the world that we’re mother and daughter. This is your coming out party, dear.”

I snorted. “Mother and daughter? How old are you?”

“A wise woman never tells. I don’t look a day over thirty, so even being your mother is a stretch. Hmmm, maybe I should have said aunt or sister. It’s hard to be immortally gorgeous, always keeping up with appearances.”

Beatrice grabbed my hands and looked me in the eye. “Besides, you’re like the daughter I always wanted. I’m so glad we’re doing this together.”

I was speechless. Her compliments were hard to get used to. I desperately wanted a relationship with my real mother, but perhaps this was the next best thing.

I managed to say, “Me too.”

Beatrice smiled.

An older Indian gentleman joined us.

“Excuse me. I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said.

“Not at all. Jackie, I’d like you to meet Mr. Tal.”

I gave him a quick, limp handshake. He immediately turned his attention back to Beatrice.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

“I need to talk to you about my son, Feraz. He’s terribly sorry for all the trouble he’s caused. He has promised me it won’t happen again if he’s given access to more treatments.”

I thought back to that fateful day in the lab when Feraz rebirthed in front of me. I tried to make eye contact with Beatrice, but she locked in on Mr. Tal.

“I’m sorry, but Feraz is in breach of contract. He’s lucky I didn’t get my lawyers involved.”

“When he was a child, he suffered a brain injury in a boating accident. Despite receiving the best care, he still has… shortcomings.”

“Bummer.”

Mr. Tal ignored my comment. “My son has a lot to learn. There’s no argument about that.”

Beatrice nodded. “Then we agree. He cannot have any more treatments.”

I was glad to hear her say that.

“Yes, but he has promised…”

Beatrice cut Mr. Tal off.

“I’m sure you can understand the liability of resuming treatment after a breach of contract. It would set a dangerous precedent.”

“Of course. Perhaps I buy out that contract in full, so we could begin anew. Please don’t answer right away. Think about it.”

“I’m listening,” Beatrice replied.

I couldn’t believe I was privy to such a conversation. Feraz’s rich dad was going to pay who knows how much to clean up his careless mistakes. I was curious to see how Beatrice would play this.

“It may also interest you to know that I'm interested in investing in the Life Rite Institute.”

“Wonderful,” Beatrice said. “As it happens, I’m still looking for additional partners for the Institute. It’s not profitable yet, but we’re learning more about the Grid every day. I could certainly use another set of eyes on the matter.”

“I’m sure there’s money to be made from the endeavor eventually.”

“You’re very wise, Mr. Tal,” Beatrice replied with a smile. “When we solve life’s greatest mysteries, we put ourselves at the forefront of innovation.”

“Has the Institute made any conclusive findings?” Mr. Tal asked. “You’ve been poking around the Grid for sometime now.”

“I would personally love to tell you.” Beatrice put her hand on her chest. “But that is extremely confidential.”

“Of course. Regardless of any significant discoveries, I am interested in investing.”

“I’ll have my team send you the prospectus.”

Mr. Tal smiled. “Fabulous.”

Was this a covert way to say he was going to invest in the Life Rite Institute in exchange for the Life Rite serum?! I don’t speak rich people, but I thought that’s what was happening. What was the Institute, and what were they doing with the Grid? Did Beatrice know why it was there and what it was made of?

Beatrice said, “Have Feraz call my office. I’ll arrange an interview. Everyone deserves a second chance.”

“Excellent,” Mr. Tal said. “That’s all I ask.”

The idea of having somebody like Feraz get access to the slipstream made my blood boil.

I clumsily said without thinking, “Life Rite is only for people who are going to use it to better society. That’s our new mission statement. Isn’t that right, Mom?”

Beatrice threw me some side-eye. “That’s right, Jackie.”

“Of course,” Mr. Tal agreed.

“No, like, for real,” I retorted. “Not just pretend.”

Mr. Tal looked at Beatrice, perplexed.

“Did you hear about how we saved the locals on this island from a lava eruption, Mr. Tal?”

“Yes, how noble of you, Mrs. Claudi.”

When Beatrice changed the subject, it enraged me. Sure, she stopped making mutants, and no longer created uncontrolled fire portals, but she was still pedaling her immortality serum to the highest bidder. Feraz would get more serum over my dead body.

I knew I’d get further on that topic with Beatrice alone, but I still wanted to assert myself over Mr. Tal. What could I say? Not coming up with anything, I pretended to sneeze instead, so I could spill my drink all over his expensive suit.

“Geez, this is Armani!” Mr. Tal blushed with anger as he wiped red wine off his jacket.

Not a significant move, but it was something. I cupped my hands over my mouth to catch my laughter.

“Hey, you,” Mr. Tal called to a nearby server. “Go get some napkins to clean up this disaster.”

It took the server a second to realize Mr. Tal was speaking to him, so he hesitated.

“Are you stupid? Move it!” Mr. Tal snapped.

He yelled at the server because he couldn’t scream at me in front of Beatrice. But boy, did he want to. I had a bit of immunity as her new sidekick, but I wasn’t sure she’d listen to me for general business decisions like who could and couldn’t have access to the immortality serum and slipstream.

The server returned with a pile of napkins and wiped Mr. Tal’s chest.

He snatched the napkins out of the server’s hands and yelled for him to leave. “You’ve made it worse, you imbecile!”

It was incredibly rude. The server shrunk within himself and slinked away.

Not long ago, I was a thankless server to be used and abused however they liked, too.

Beatrice apologized for the server’s delayed reply and insisted that he would be reprimanded. “I assure you, Mr. Tal, it won’t happen again.”

Her response outraged me.

“Reprimanded?” I asked. “For what?”

“That’s enough, Jackie,” Beatrice whispered.

“Whatever.”

After Mr. Tal excused himself to the bathroom, Beatrice scolded me. “What the heck was that? I know you did that on purpose. You’re too obvious.”

“His son can’t have more serum, okay? And what the heck is the Life Rite Institute? What dirty little secrets is that branch keeping?”

Beatrice stared me down. “Keep your voice down.”

“If we’re partners in all of this, you need to let me in on stuff.”

“Of course, Jackie, but now is not the time with all the press swarming around. It’s a top secret operation. Only an elite few know about the Institute, my little side project.”

“You’re investigating the Grid?” I asked. “Why?”

“Use your brain, Jackie. An intricate pattern of red lasers covers our sky. What is the Grid made of? Why is it there? This type of information could be incredibly valuable.”

I shrugged. “That’s like asking why grass is green. It just is.”

Beatrice looked around to make sure no one was listening. She whispered, “Grace expressed interest in the Grid at an early age, so Mark looked into it. There are accounts of people who remember a time before the Grid. I have reason to believe there’s more to the story, okay?”

I snorted with laughter. “Wow, since when did you chase urban legends?”

Beatrice leaned in closer and spoke in a hushed tone. “Since I came back from the dead… Now keep your voice down or I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

“Fine. Whatever.”

I huffed out of the party. I didn’t belong there. No one cared what I said or thought. They only put up with me because I was Beatrice’s “daughter.” I couldn’t face Gabby either. She wanted a salacious story for her ViewMe Channel, because a rare come-up like mine had to be ripe with scandal. How ridiculous it all was!

I went down the hall to the Kiln Room. First, I looked around to make sure no one was watching me. Then I entered with my Universal DNA Identifier and closed the door behind me.

I started a large fire with the click of a button. The fire portal Beatrice’s tech team created was pretty cool. It was like a fireplace times a thousand. Sure, it was smaller than a field of fire, but it was more than enough to get me into the slipstream.

I sat on the couch and pulled out my notebook from the small designer clutch purse that matched perfectly with my dress, but was annoying to carry. I threw off my heels and rubbed my sore feet. Finally relaxed, I stared into the fire.

“I can’t believe Beatrice would give Feraz more treatments.”

It took me a while to concentrate because I couldn’t stop thinking about that jerk, Mr. Tal, and how he treated the server. Beatrice let him get away with it, too. And his idiot son, Feraz, who jumped from a five-story railing to get into the slipstream, screaming that he was a god… I had to shake the heaviness out of my mind in order to focus on the flames.

“It’s no use. Where will I even go next?”

I opened my notebook and looked at the detailed map of the slipstream I’d been working on.

“Where are you, Firestorm?”

I traced arrow after arrow, notes I left myself to remember where in the slipstream I had been and where to go next. If someone else saw it, they would think it was musings from a mad woman, and they would probably be right.

“Aren’t my ancestors supposed to guide me?”

I had no idea where to look next. In all my recent attempts, there had been no sign of Firestorm, but I refused to give up. I had to check on him to see the outcome of his plan. Maybe he gave up when I didn’t support him, but maybe he was off in some distant portal, torturing Beatrice in a cage for fun. That didn’t seem like a healthy choice for him, and I desperately wanted him to find happiness like I had.

Hadn’t I?

I exhaled grief and anxiety and let the flickering fire wash over me. My body relaxed, and my eyelids drooped. Beatrice taught me how to take my physical body with me, but I hadn’t mastered the technique, so I basically gave up trying. It was too advanced for me, like everything else in life. Instead of worrying about aging, I released all thought and let myself go ethereally into the slipstream. Would I find Firestorm? Was the right decision made or did he make a better reality without me?