JACKIE:

“I’m so much more than an unfertilized egg. I am a phoenix gene carrier,” I whispered. “Unlimited potential lives within me, and it’s time to unleash my power.”

With a deafening whoosh, the slipstream blurred around me. I became atomic soup all over again and flew through the strangest infinity tunnel. Countless versions of myself laughed like a house of mirrors. The red streak in my hair waved like a flag of honor.

“I’m ready for the next battle. I can and will change this probability for the better! Time to heal the timeline.”

Five sheaths enveloped me as I rebirthed into this strange new reality. First, a hunger pang ripped through my belly.

“Hope the food is good where I’m going.”

Thirst dried my throat. Flames coiled into strands of DNA to create the spine of my new existence. A gust of wind fanned the flames. An orgasmic wave of bliss rippled from my newly formed body, thrust into an alternate dimension.

“Into a new version of my family’s torrid past.” I regained consciousness lying naked on the floor of a classroom.

My arm hairs stood at attention. A biting chill sent a shiver down my spine.

“Ah!” I covered my chest with my hands, ashamed by the sudden awareness of my physical body. I wasn’t a fertilized egg or even a baby. I still had my post-pubescent, eighteen-year-old thin, but healthy frame.

“Wow, I pulled it off! I’m mastering the slipstream! Now the question is, where am I?”

My eyes darted like a cornered animal. Luckily, the classroom was empty.

“When am I?”

I stood, but my weak legs buckled. I slammed to the ground and took a desk down with me.

“Clumsy is clearly part of my DNA in every probability. Should have brought my training wheels…”

My feet vibrated with pins and needles.

“Firestorm? Where are you?”

No answer.

“Beatrice, are you there?”

No answer.

“Grace?”

Nothing.

On my own for now, I grabbed another desk and regained my footing.

“Anything to cover up with?” I looked around the room, hoping for a flag or something, but no luck.

Once stable on my feet, I tiptoed to the door.

“Next thing to master is taking my clothes.” I covered my bits, unsure what I’d find on the other side of that door.

“Here goes nothing.”

I found an empty hallway, so I made a run for it. My bare feet shuffled against the cold tile.

Trophies and medals filled a glass case. Pictures of prestigious sports teams stared at my nakedness from the walls. The vaulted ceiling and elaborate lighting fixtures gave the place an air of importance.

I hit a crossroad in the distinguished hall.

“Where to go next?”

As I surveyed my options, vertigo hit me. I leaned against the cold wall for support. Disoriented barely describes the feeling. Nauseous and naked don’t cover it either.

A bell rang, and students piled out of classrooms.

“Eek!” I gathered my strength, covered my privates, and raced to the nearest doorway to hide.

“Great, I’m going to be arrested for indecent exposure. Time to comply.”

I lunged for a door handle as teenagers came near. I had to escape their prying eyes.

The door was marked ‘Janitor’ and luckily, it was unlocked. I crept inside before giving anyone a peek at my backside.

“The perfect escape.”

The janitor’s modest living quarters had a cot, table, sink, and fridge. It was simple but well kept.

A clean jumpsuit hung from a hook in the wall. I snatched it and got dressed.

“Score!”

As I closed the zipper, the door opened. I raced to put on a pair of men’s shoes that were two sizes too big.

A male janitor pushed his cart inside the room. My stomach dropped when I saw his face.

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“Baxter?” I gave my Pops a bear hug. “It’s so good to see you. I need a friend right about now.”

He looked so much younger than the last time I saw him. No grey hairs hugging his round, jovial face. He looked fresher, healthier, like he had a good life still ahead of him.

Baxter took a step back and pushed me away. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

“Good one, Pops. So this is where you live and work in this reality? Not too shabby. No roommates eating your last can of corn.”

I opened the fridge. It was nicely stocked.

“Living the high life.” I took out a pint of strawberries and melted at the taste. My stomach grumbled with gratitude. “These must have cost you a fortune.”

“Ma’am, you need to leave.” Baxter grabbed my arm and led me toward the door.

“Pops, it’s me. Jackie.”

“I don’t know you, and I’m not your pop. If you don’t leave, I’ll call campus security.”

He grabbed a phone and dialed.

“Whoa, where did you get that antique?”

He dialed on the archaic device.

“Yes, campus security?” Baxter said into the old school phone.

The reality of the situation clicked in my foggy brain. This alternate timeline was in the past, before I was born. Of course Baxter wouldn’t remember me. I didn’t technically exist. But did he still know my mom?

“Wait! Hang up the phone. This is a big misunderstanding. I can explain.”

Baxter looked dubious.

“Listen, I’m looking for Grace Claudi. Do you know her?”

“Never mind, Joe. I’m good for now.”

He hung up the phone and sized me up. “Are you part of Miss Claudi’s little science group?”

“Yes, exactly. Where did you say I can find Grace?”

“I didn’t.” Baxter looked at me, deadpan. This version of him was not yet on my team. I loved him still, with all my heart.

I surveyed his young features, then noticed the Use By Date on the pint of strawberries. I was twenty-five years in the past from the reality I came from last, seven years before my birth date.

“Whoa. This is crazy…” I paced frantically, hyperventilating. Leaned against the table, lightheaded and unsteady. I wasn’t supposed to be there.

“That’s it, I’m calling security again. Won’t take long for them to get here.”

“No, no. I’m leaving. Sorry to barge in here and take your strawberries.” I popped another in my mouth to feed my anxiety.

“You took my berries and my jumpsuit. Give my uniform back.”

“I’m kinda naked under this…” I gave Baxter a quick hug and left before he could call the cops on me. I couldn’t afford another noncompliance situation like the one that got us shot in other lifetimes.

“Please don’t call security on me. Thanks, Baxter.”

As always, I missed Pops dearly. But now wasn’t the time for a heartfelt reunion with a version of Baxter that didn’t remember me. I had to stay focused on the task at hand. Get a grip and find my mom.

“Okay, Baxter knew of Grace. She must be close. But where?” I booked it down the hall, full of lingering students in matching preppy uniforms of camel-colored tweed with red and black plaid trimmings.

“Baxter mentioned Grace was in a science club.” I followed that clue through the school, but got lost in a sea of rich kids.

Their social status was obvious from their impeccable clothes, demeanor, even their smell. I ran my fingers through the red streak in my hair, self-conscious in my janitor jumpsuit. At least I wasn’t naked anymore.

“Excuse me, can you tell me where the science wing is?” I asked a group of giggling girls. They ignored me and snickered at my expense, so I awkwardly shuffled away.

“Let’s go grab lunch. You coming?” A group of boys gathered.

I slunk behind and followed them outside. Fresh air and food sounded nice.

The sun hit my face and bathed me in a red glow from the Grid. It was mid-day, so teenagers lounged across the beautiful campus grounds mingling and enjoying their lunch break.

I walked across the street to get some perspective.

“Firestorm, can you hear me?”

Still no response from my partner in crime.

“Could really use your help, Firestorm. I hope you made it into the stream…”

From outside, the school looked impressive; red brick facade, manicured gardens, the postcard of higher education. But even the rich kids of Hampshire University couldn’t escape the Grid. Its omnipresence made everything feel tarnished and oppressed.

A group of guys threw a football around while several girls cheered. Others read books under trees and laughed with their friends.

I scanned the crowd for a familiar face.

“Where’s my mom? She has to be around here somewhere…”

I bit my nails and paced, eager to figure out this probability before it booted me out.

A boy with thick black hair called out, “Yo, Grace! I don’t have all day!”

I looked over and watched my mom walk toward this guy. He looked like an adonis; fit, handsome, and, of course, rich. I recognized him and his blinged-out watch. It was Feraz Tal, the biggest spoiled brat on the planet. In previous probabilities, he was a wealthy Life Rite client who abused the treatment to explore the slipstream. How was he connected to Grace in this timeline?

My mom walked toward him. She looked so young in her Hampshire University uniform and black head band in her shiny blonde hair.

I inched closer and hid behind a tree to eavesdrop without being obvious.

“Hey Feraz.” Grace gave him a peck on the cheek.

“What took so long? Can’t you ever be on time? I’ve got important things to do.” Feraz berated Grace, and she shrunk within herself. Dark circles hugged her eyes. Her fair skin was more pale than usual. She looked tired, sick even.

Firestorm’s voice reverberated in my skull. “That’s him. That’s the guy.”

“Woah Firestorm, where are you?”

“Nearby. Don’t want to blow your cover. I’m glad you made it.”

“Me too. It was a bumpy ride.”

“You’ll become a slipstream master yet.”

I appreciated the compliment, but couldn’t see or hear Feraz and Grace’s conversation. I peeked around the tree to get a better look.

Feraz told Grace, “I don’t care if you’re not feeling well. Stay on top of it. I’ve got a lot riding on this. Is everything sorted with the spring break itinerary?”

My mom mumbled something unintelligible back to him. I strained to hear.

“Who is this joker?” Firestorm asked.

“Feraz is a filthy rich punk. I didn’t realize Grace knew him.”

Firestorm replied, “He has access to the Life Rite serum in this probability stream.”

“How do you know?”

“I saw him rebirth. Flipped his car over a cliff on purpose.”

“Really? Geez. In the last timeline, he jumped from the fifth floor of the Life Rite lab. The ego on this guy is unbelievable.”

Feraz handed a book to Grace. His gestures made it look like a shady drug deal.

“Thanks, dear.” She went in for a kiss, but he snubbed her and left without saying goodbye.

“Great. See you later, Feraz.” Grace walked back into the school building, hugging the book tight to her chest.

“Don’t lose her!” Firestorm demanded.

I followed his direction and raced to catch up with Grace.

“He’s a snake.” Firestorm’s voice was laced with rage and jealousy.

“He has great hair, though. She’s clearly into him…”

“Never mind that. Jackie, you have to get Grace on our side in this timeline.”

“How am I supposed to do that?”

“You’ll figure it out. We need someone on the inside to help enact change.”

“How long can we stay in this probability?”

“Couple of days? Depends on the strength of your mind, so move fast.”

“With my conviction, I’ll be kicked out by dinner.”

“Remember, you’re a slipstream master in the making.” Firestorm made a good cheerleader.

When I stepped inside, the school halls emptied again. Rich kids scattered on their way to their next class.

“Where’d she go? Aw man, I lost Grace already!"