Timesurfers Read online

  “He doesn’t have any quantum indicators yet. He’s from this time, 2014.”

  Mortez motioned to Zach. “Come here.”

  The colour drained from Zach’s face.

  “Don’t make me come and get you,” Mortez said.

  Jonah pulled Zach from the chair and shoved him toward Mortez, who blew on her fingers and rubbed her hands together. Zach’s eyes crossed as she pressed her index fingers against his nose.

  “The midnight reset shows someone used a popularity charm on Zach. It must be a powerful wizard, because they didn’t have much to work with.” Mortez removed her fingers from Zach’s repaired nose. “I assume the fact that Cate broke your nose, again, is a testimony to your abysmal performance to set things right. You should still be dating Cate, not some perky cheerleader called Brittany. I’m not sure why that’s a big deal. I would have thought it was impossible for Cate to not be better off without you. Regardless, I trust that no matter how unfathomable I find it, my future self has her reasons for wanting to amend the situation.”

  “How do you know I’m not meant to be dating Brittany?”

  Mortez gave Zach a look which should have made him drop dead on the spot. “History resets at midnight each night. I see the manipulated time lines. A wizard is using magic to mess with you and Cate. You, I don’t care about. Cate, I do.”

  “Oh, please! I’m pretty sure I would know if some lame wizard cast a spell on me.”

  Mortez silenced Zach with a raised eyebrow and ferocious glare. “I don’t have the time, or inclination to provide you with a Timesurfing 101 lesson. Question something I say again and I’ll kill you.”

  Zach shrank back into his chair. “I’m not the one who nearly blew up your precious Cate at the bus stop.”

  Mortez stared at Jonah who shifted uncomfortably.

  “I’m sure my future self dealt with that sufficiently. It was only an issue because you dumped Cate for Brittany, Zach. That’s what caused the alternate time line. I trust there’s a plan to right this situation?” Mortez turned on her heel.

  Jonah shivered, remembering how her heel smashed into his face. “You know the magic won’t let me answer that.”

  “I know the only person I would trust to ensure the realignment, correction or protection of Cate’s path is you, Jonah.” Mortez looked over her shoulder and arched an eyebrow at him. “I understand you can’t tell me why you’re here and what outcome you hope to achieve. I need Cate. We need her. She can’t under any circumstances, in any time, choose to work with Naitanui, or anyone else except me.”

  “I’ll protect Cate at all costs.” Jonah held Mortez’s eyes. No small feat when Mortez instilled more fear with one raised eyebrow than an out of control group of flesh eating zombies converging on you, knife and fork in hand.

  “She’s been carefully hidden these past years. I won’t have my plan derailed at this late stage. Don’t fail me and don’t play me. I guarantee the consequences of either will be severe.”

  He stared at the now empty doorway. Cate was his friend, his only true friend. Well, she would be. To remain loyal to her could mean going against Mortez’s orders. Not an enviable choice to have to make.

  “Phew.” Zach rubbed his newly fixed nose. “How freaky is it that Mortez can heal things? I always knew there was something badass about her. How is she able to look like two completely different people?”

  “It’s a glamour.”

  “I have no idea what that is. That was the now Mortez, right? We didn’t teleport to the future again or anything?”

  “Yes that’s the Mortez in the year 2014. You’d know if we’d done any Timesurfing. You fainted on the way to the future and on the way back last time.”

  “I closed my eyes,” Zach protested.

  “Yeah, after you screamed like a banshee. I need some air.”

  “I’ll come with.”

  “Give me strength.” Jonah dragged his hands down his face.

  The moon and stars played hide and seek behind the rich violet clouds. The moon slide out, and after a quick rethink, disappeared. Zach kicked a squashed can, which clattered like thunder across the road through the nighttime silence. “I can’t focus on anything. I’m too worried I’m going to run into myself—like in Back to the Future.”

  Jonah threw his head back. The stars glinted with malevolent glee at his predicament. “That’s impossible. The future you can’t travel to 2014. The magic makes it impossible to run into yourself. Impossible.”

  “I’m not convinced.”

  “The magic won’t let a Timesurfer travel through time if there’s a risk they could run into themselves. Timesurfers can only visit a specific location and moment in time once. It’s called an aura clash. If you attempt it, you’ll be flung off course, most likely into a parallel time dimension, and they’re hard to come back from. Even if you do manage to stay in this dimension, you’ll be battered and bruised to within an inch of your life.”

  “I’m still not convinced.”

  “Trust me. You can’t run into yourself. We need to get this time line back on track before you cross over.”

  Zach’s walk became more of a swagger. “I’m going to cross over, very cool.” He froze. “That’s not dying is it?”

  Jonah resisted the temptation to mess with Zach. “No, you’ll still be alive after you’ve crossed over.”

  Relief flooded through Zach’s face as he scratched his head. “So why the hurry to get this done before that happens?”

  If Jonah told him the real reason the game would really be up. “After you cross over the magic creates a false memory explaining your disappearance to everyone and they see a complete stranger when they look at you.”

  “So like a magical witness protection program?”

  “Yes.” Jonah might use that analogy next time. “Your first quantum indicator appears on your arm to signify you’re ready to cross over. You get an additional quantum indicator every year. These show each year I’ve been a Timesurfer.” Jonah pointed to the numbers in blue ink on his arm. “It’s how to check you’re talking to the correct person and not one sent from a different time. I’m from 2017 so mine finish at 2017. While your powers are developing, you’re in limbo, no longer an innocent but not yet a Timesurfer.”

  “I’ll have powers?” Zach’s face lit up, like all his Christmases had come at once.

  “Yes, Timesurfers have powers. Mortez healed your broken nose. She has a healing power.” Newbies were always so excited about their powers.

  “This is freaking wild.” Zach jumped and punched the air. “I’m like a superhero!”

  He would be a dead superhero soon if all went well.

  “So what lame wizard do you think put a spell on me?”

  Zach better not let any wizards hear him calling them lame. They were scarce and kept well hidden, but like a hibernating bear, they were cantankerous if disturbed. “I’m not sure. That lame wizard magic is responsible for your overnight popularity.”

  “Sweet.” Zach’s shoes scuffed against the concrete. “I would like to take a shot at that Rose chick with my newfound attractiveness. She’s illegal! Could you set that up?”

  Jonah’s knuckles strained white as he grabbed Zach’s T-shirt and yanked him into the air so his sneakers dangled above the ground. “Rose is off limits. If you disrespect her again, Mortez won’t need to kill you. I will.” He hurled Zach along the cracked pavement onto the mossy grass. Maybe he should let Zach try his luck with Rose. Watching her chew him up and spit him out would be hilarious.

  “Dude, you’re wound way too tight.” Zach brushed his jeans, staring at the grass stain down one leg of them. “Mum says she can never get grass stains out. I’m taking my superhero self to see Brittany. Don’t wait up.”

  Jonah sat on the curb as Zach ambled down the road. The moon slid out from behind the clouds. Its bold glow made a mockery of his grim situation. How could such a normal kid do something so horrendous?

  Chapter 6

>   Extreme Makeover

  Cate sauntered into the kitchen and came to a screeching halt.

  “Morning,” her mum chirped.

  “Umm...” This wasn’t the same kitchen Cate had breakfast in yesterday.

  “I’ve made pancakes. There’s honey in the fridge.”

  With a sideways glance at her mum, she opened the door of a stainless steel fridge. Their retro yellow fridge had vanished overnight.

  She closed the door, poking at the new cork floor with her toe. Eating her pancakes, she tapped the granite bench tops with her fingernails. This was an entirely new kitchen. Her stomach churned at a frenetic pace, and her mouth felt packed with cotton wool.

  “Hurry with your breakfast. The girls will be here to pick you up in four minutes.”

  She leaned back and watched her mum walk to the living room. What the...? Her arms flailed as she grabbed the bench to avoid overbalancing.

  Their cottage style living room was now silver, grey, and black. A glittering chandelier hung from the ceiling. That wasn’t there yesterday. Curious, she went into the living room. She sat on the heavily embossed couch, and hugged a black cushion with shiny silver stripes smothered with crystals.

  Why could her mother not see these humungous differences in their house from yesterday? Cate buried her head in the very sparkly and sharp cushion. “Mum.” Three sharp blasts of a car horn made her jump.

  “The girls are here. Get a wriggle on.”

  “But, Mum.”

  “Not now—it’s impolite to keep people waiting. Your lateness is a bad reflection on you and on me as a principal.”

  For the millionth time she said a silent thank you her mother wasn’t the principal at Socrates Private School. Queasiness wriggled in her stomach as she traipsed into the kitchen to grab her school backpack. Maybe some fresh air would be good. She yanked the door open, and a metallic, red convertible Jag stood where her mum’s black Range Rover normally sat. The students at her mum’s detention centre would be able to strip that during their lunch break.

  A car horn blared in one continuous blast. Polka Dot, the neighbourhood stray cat, bolted across the driveway and under the house. She stalked past the sports car into the front yard, and her jaw dropped. A pink Jeep stood in the driveway. Eve waved from the backseat. Her white-blonde hair was in a sleek, low ponytail fixed with one demure green ribbon. Very unlike Eve. Brittany sat in the driver’s seat.

  “Catester, come on,” Brittany hollered.

  Catester? She was going nowhere with that whore.

  “Hey, Catie,” said an unknown girl in the passenger seat.

  “Hey yourself.” She scratched her head. “I think I’ve fallen into a parallel universe.”

  “Cate, we’ll be late. Come on!” Eve yelled.

  Maybe Eve could clear this up. Cate clambered into the backseat and nudged her friend. “What’s the story?”

  Eve gave her a quizzical look. “Huh?”

  Cate spread her arms wide and pointed at Brittany and the girl in the front seat.

  “Are you pretending to be an air hostess?” Eve asked.

  “What?”

  Eve mimicked her. “You know, the exits are here and here.”

  “No. Why are we riding to school with Brittany?” Cate growled through her teeth.

  “She always drives.”

  “She’s a boyfriend stealing tart.” Why was Eve looking at her like she was insane?

  “Brittany’s dating Zach, and has been for months. She didn’t steal him from anyone.”

  Cate slumped back and watched the carefully maintained houses and lawns fly past. Eve focused on texting.

  Who was she texting with Cate sitting next to her? They had no other friends. The sun glinted on metal badges fixed to Eve’s school blazer, and Cate grabbed her lapel. “Since when have you been head girl, debating captain, and all those other things?”

  “Since all year. What is going on with you today?”

  “Stop the car,” Cate yelled. “STOP...THE...CAR.”

  Brittany pulled over, and Cate scrambled onto the pavement.

  “Are you all right?” Eve’s forehead crinkled with concern.

  I could ask you the same question, Cate thought. “I’m going to walk the last bit. My head feels funky.”

  Eve scooted over the leather seat. “I’ll come with.”

  “No!”

  Eve looked taken aback.

  “No,” Cate repeated more calmly. “There was a bit of a thing at my house this morning. I need a few minutes.”

  Brittany’s Jeep disappeared around the corner, and Cate crumpled onto the pavement. Tears prickled behind her eyes. “Blubbering won’t help you,” she mumbled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. Her shoulders shook as stray tears trickled down her cheeks. The tears escalated to gigantic, body wrenching sobs.

  “Cate?” Zach lumbered toward her, concern on his round face. She slapped away the hand he offered to help her up. Could her day get any worse?

  “Cate,” a second voice called.

  Yes, it could.

  Austin jogged across the road with the ease and grace of a supremely fit athlete. “Come on.” His dimples showed, and his grey eyes sparkled as he helped her up.

  She took deep breaths and attempted to control her sobs, envious of the high-energy vibe Austin exuded. He clearly loved his life.

  Zach grabbed Austin’s arm. “Hands off.”

  His fingers firm on Cate’s hand, Austin gave Zach a withering glare. “Step away, Newbie, this is one fight you don’t want to pick.”

  Zach hovered, undecided. He stepped back. “If you hurt her...”

  Cate wiped her nose with the heel of her hand. Austin held out a perfectly folded linen handkerchief to her. She wiped her face and blew her nose. Very attractive.

  “Shoo!” Austin motioned Zach away.

  “Cate?” Zach asked.

  “Go, Zach. We’re done. HEY!” She grabbed his arm. “Your nose. It’s...normal,” she spluttered.

  “That’s a matter for debate.” Austin peered at Zach.

  “I broke his nose last night.” She stabbed an index finger toward Zach. “Now it’s all...not broken.”

  Austin’s eyes narrowed. “Hmm. Come on.” He moved Cate toward school. “Zach, if I turn and see any part of you following us, I’ll snap it off.”

  Zach slunk away.

  Cate shook off Austin’s hand. She was done waiting for answers. “I think someone followed me home yesterday. What do you know about that?”

  “Well spotted. We all followed you home yesterday.”

  Her spider sense had been on the mark. “Why the hell would you do that? Who are you? What do you want?”

  “I’m Austin. I’m nineteen and a Leo. I like long walks on the beach and—”

  “Cut the crap. If you followed me home, you saw me whack Zach. Don’t tempt me to slug you too. Who are you?”

  Austin’s eyes hardened. He went from relaxed to warrior in an instant. “Everyone saw you punch Zach because your porch light was on. We’ll have to agree to disagree on the idea you could hurt me.”

  “Really?” Her pent up frustration begged for release.

  “I’d wipe the floor with you.” He raised his chin, full of confidence.

  Cate shrugged. “You had fair warning.” She gave a knife-hand strike to Austin’s neck.

  He smiled as he swatted her hand away. “You want to go there? Seriously?”

  She used the same move with the other hand.

  He slid away from her, as fluid and graceful as water. “Let’s not.”

  An idea sprang to mind to wipe the cocky grin from his face. With a shrug, she stepped closer, hands held in front of her. “You’re way too fast for me.” As Austin relaxed, she flashed forward. She grabbed his shoulders and smashed her knee into his groin. He doubled over, his face contorted in pain.

  He attempted to stand as she came at him again, but there was no coming back from the pain of a hit that low. He l
anded on the ground, and she pressed a foot against his throat. “Let’s try this again.” She leaned and dug her thumb into his shoulder joint.

  Austin’s face contorted as the new pain set in. She marvelled at how such a small spot could be so excruciating, every time and to everyone. “Do you know why Zach’s nose was irritatingly perfect just now?”

  “Yes. That was low. Dirty, cheap, and...low,” he panted. The sparkle was back in his eyes though.

  She released the pressure for a second. “Don’t make me show you all the pressure points I know.”

  “Knock yourself out. You can’t make me tell you anything I don’t want to.” Austin gritted his teeth and growled under his breath as she pressed harder. “You know how you think Rafe reads minds and compels people?”

  She nodded.

  “Zach has some new acquaintances and one of them has a healing power and fixed his nose. Now let go before I hurt you.”

  The cut that disappeared on her foot and Eve’s disappearing graze made slightly more sense. “Is a healing power common?”

  “No. This time you were warned.” His finger and thumb grabbed at her arm. Too late she realised his plan. He pressed hard on her lower arm.

  She winced and involuntarily released her hold on him. Her elbows smacked against the pavement as he dumped her on her butt.

  “Let’s try and be a bit civilised, shall we? Either that or let’s really have at it. A half-hearted fight is plain unsatisfying.” The intense look on his face made it clear he wasn’t kidding around.

  Even she couldn’t believe her next words. “Could I have a healing power?”

  “If you’re who I think you are, technically it’s not a healing power you have.”

  She threw her hands in the air and kicked the ground with her heels. “I woke up to an entirely redecorated house and a life filled with friends I didn’t have yesterday. I’m going insane.”

  “You aren’t going insane.” Austin smiled.

  How many good girls had turned bad for that smile? “Your sexy little smile isn’t going to work with me.”

  “And neither is your little temper tantrum on the floor. It’s the same world as yesterday. It’s just been tweaked. You better hurry. Do you want your mum getting a call to say you aren’t in class?”