Saving Yesterday (TimeShifters Book 1) by Jessica Keller, Jess Evander Page B
Authors: Jessica Keller, Jess Evander
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where in time we shift, but we choose what we do in that moment. Say I shift to one of the World Wars and I’m supposed to save someone named Grant. I can choose to save him, or I can do nothing and let him die. It’s completely up to me. Now, I’d go ahead and save the guy, but I don’t have to.”
Eugene scrubs the back of his hand across his mouth. “Lark’s right. Our choice is the thing that holds the most impact on the future. If you want my opinion, that amount of responsibility on us feels overwhelming. It’s our choice of action or inaction that matters in the end. I sometimes think it’d be easier—safer, to be a robot.”
My fork clatters to the table. “How soon do you think I’ll have to go back out there?” Translation: is there an opt-out clause?
Michael rests his elbows on the table. “Don’t worry. You always shift with your Trainer the first time. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”
Gathering my tray and his, Darnell rises from the table. “You’ll be fine, even if you fail or choose not to complete your mission. Nicholas always watches over us. Just stay clear of those Shades and you’ll be fine.”
Eugene rubs his hands together. “Yeah, and whatever you do, don’t ever let a Shade touch you.”
Nibbling the side of my cheek, I glance at Michael. He’s looking down, tracing his fingers over a purple stain on the table. Clearly, he overlooked telling everyone about our run-in with the Shades. I should respect his silence on the subject. He has to have his reasons. But Eugene’s statement turns to ice in my veins, halting rational thought.
Words spill from my mouth. “They already did.”
Lark gasps and drops her spoon faster than if it bit her.
Eugene takes off his glasses and cleans them with a napkin. “Are you certain it was a Shade?” He narrows his eyes at Michael.
Just the thought of them causes my hand to tremble as I set down my empty orange juice carton. “Um, truly creepy-looking people who hobble around—their faces look like they’re melting.”
Brows furrowing, Eugene turns back toward me. “Melting. You could see that?”
“Of course, can’t you?”
He shakes his head. “Only when their image is captured in a photograph. But when I see one in person, their skin looks normal.”
“Same here,” Lark pipes in.
I meet Michael’s soft gaze. His sad smile. “I don’t see them melting, either.”
My heart pounds like a kick drum. “What’s wrong with me? How come I can see that and you guys can’t?”
Lark and Michael seem more than happy to let Eugene do all the talking. He leans forward. “Think about it. Being able to see them like that helps you. It’s a gift, really. You’ll always be able to notice them right away, whereas sometimes it takes half our mission before we spot them. But you said one of them touched you. Let’s go back to that—what happened?”
I tell them about when I first shifted and ran away from Michael. Relive the horde of Shades converging on me in the woods. Their sharp nails. Feel their cold breath. Hear the antiquated lilt in their speech.
“Did they speak to you?” Eugene butts in.
I play with my napkin. “They said, ‘Welcome home.’” It’s a whisper, but they all hear it. The three at the table exchange horrified looks. Their actions confirm my worst suspicions. I’m weird. An oddity who can’t fit in during my own time, or this time. Any time. Michael bows his head, raking his hand through his hair a few times.
With fierceness I didn’t know the spindly guy could possess, Eugene reaches across the table and seizes my hand. “They will try to persuade you to go with them. Don’t, Gabby, don’t ever give in. You’re better than that. Don’t ever take anything from them. No drinks. Hear me? If they offer you anything or try to take you away, you do everything in your power to get away.”
“Of course.” I wince because of his hold. I want to pull away from him, but the message
Eugene scrubs the back of his hand across his mouth. “Lark’s right. Our choice is the thing that holds the most impact on the future. If you want my opinion, that amount of responsibility on us feels overwhelming. It’s our choice of action or inaction that matters in the end. I sometimes think it’d be easier—safer, to be a robot.”
My fork clatters to the table. “How soon do you think I’ll have to go back out there?” Translation: is there an opt-out clause?
Michael rests his elbows on the table. “Don’t worry. You always shift with your Trainer the first time. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”
Gathering my tray and his, Darnell rises from the table. “You’ll be fine, even if you fail or choose not to complete your mission. Nicholas always watches over us. Just stay clear of those Shades and you’ll be fine.”
Eugene rubs his hands together. “Yeah, and whatever you do, don’t ever let a Shade touch you.”
Nibbling the side of my cheek, I glance at Michael. He’s looking down, tracing his fingers over a purple stain on the table. Clearly, he overlooked telling everyone about our run-in with the Shades. I should respect his silence on the subject. He has to have his reasons. But Eugene’s statement turns to ice in my veins, halting rational thought.
Words spill from my mouth. “They already did.”
Lark gasps and drops her spoon faster than if it bit her.
Eugene takes off his glasses and cleans them with a napkin. “Are you certain it was a Shade?” He narrows his eyes at Michael.
Just the thought of them causes my hand to tremble as I set down my empty orange juice carton. “Um, truly creepy-looking people who hobble around—their faces look like they’re melting.”
Brows furrowing, Eugene turns back toward me. “Melting. You could see that?”
“Of course, can’t you?”
He shakes his head. “Only when their image is captured in a photograph. But when I see one in person, their skin looks normal.”
“Same here,” Lark pipes in.
I meet Michael’s soft gaze. His sad smile. “I don’t see them melting, either.”
My heart pounds like a kick drum. “What’s wrong with me? How come I can see that and you guys can’t?”
Lark and Michael seem more than happy to let Eugene do all the talking. He leans forward. “Think about it. Being able to see them like that helps you. It’s a gift, really. You’ll always be able to notice them right away, whereas sometimes it takes half our mission before we spot them. But you said one of them touched you. Let’s go back to that—what happened?”
I tell them about when I first shifted and ran away from Michael. Relive the horde of Shades converging on me in the woods. Their sharp nails. Feel their cold breath. Hear the antiquated lilt in their speech.
“Did they speak to you?” Eugene butts in.
I play with my napkin. “They said, ‘Welcome home.’” It’s a whisper, but they all hear it. The three at the table exchange horrified looks. Their actions confirm my worst suspicions. I’m weird. An oddity who can’t fit in during my own time, or this time. Any time. Michael bows his head, raking his hand through his hair a few times.
With fierceness I didn’t know the spindly guy could possess, Eugene reaches across the table and seizes my hand. “They will try to persuade you to go with them. Don’t, Gabby, don’t ever give in. You’re better than that. Don’t ever take anything from them. No drinks. Hear me? If they offer you anything or try to take you away, you do everything in your power to get away.”
“Of course.” I wince because of his hold. I want to pull away from him, but the message
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