The Children Who Time Lost by Marvin Amazon Page A

minutes.
    “I assume you remember everything you’ve been told?” Porsche said.
    “Yes. Don’t talk about anything I’ve seen here.”
    “Correct. You must adhere to these rules or you will be in violation of the Worldwide Lotto’s regulations. You may share the joy and ecstasy you are feeling and that you’ve felt throughout your visit to this time, but that is it.”
    “I get it,” I said. “I’m not a child. You don’t have to keep repeating everything.”
    She scowled at me and walked toward the wall. She placed her palm against it. “After I open this door, the portal shall await you and Dylan. This is the first day of the rest of your lives. Enjoy everything that he is, and always be grateful of the opportunity we’ve given you.”
    I nodded but wanted to tell her to just get on with it already. I couldn’t take any more of her voice. She frowned at me before pushing her palms farther. Oops, she must have heard me again.
    The vibrations were much more violent this time. It felt like the entire corridor would crumble, sending Dylan and me into some sort of black hole. It lasted for another minute before the wall rose. I could see the same bright light through the slow-opening gap until it was all I could see. Clear as cellophane, the portal spun viciously, a sphere shape like last time. Then the gale-force winds arrived, almost blowing me from where I stood.
    I held on tightly to Dylan. His cheeks started turning red, but I didn’t see tears. I noticed Porsche stepping into the room but didn’t know what she was doing. As she walked back out, the wind subsided and then ceased. I stared at my baby. He looked frightened but still hadn’t cried once, which was a bit odd, but I didn’t dwell on it. I was nitpicking already. And what was wrong with a baby who didn’t cry all the time? I tugged at his silver suitcase as if to ensure it was still in my hand.
    Porsche stood beside me and gestured toward the rapidly spinning sphere. “Your transportation to the past is ready.”
    I swallowed and took a step forward. I stopped to gaze at Dylan. He flung his arms up and down but seemed fine. I nodded at Porsche and stepped into the room. No one else was there this time. I stopped a few yards from the portal and just stared at it.
    “What are you waiting for?” Porsche shouted. “You must go now. The more time you waste—”
    I stepped in and everything went dark.

Part Two: Dylan

Chapter Ten

    Chapter Ten

    I felt someone tug at my right wrist, softly at first but it soon became painful. Then I heard Dylan crying and panicked. I swung my hands until my right fist hit what must have been someone’s cheek. A woman screamed in pain.
    “Calm down, Rachel,” I heard.
    I closed my eyes and everything went silent for a moment. I heard Dylan crying once more and forced them open. I saw Angela staring at me. She rubbed a damp cloth over her red right cheek. I sat up and kept blinking. I stopped when I was sure I wasn’t dreaming. “I’m so sorry.”
    She laughed and waved the apology away. “It’s no big deal.”
    I could still hear Dylan crying but couldn’t see him anywhere. “Where’s Dylan?”
    “He’s fine,” Angela said. “He’s just in the standardization chamber. We have to make sure he’s ready to step into our time.”
    I studied the room I sat in. It had a low ceiling, and screens were mounted all around it as well as to the walls. The sofa I sat on felt quite hard. There were numerous floating tables around me. Angela sat on a small floating black stool.
    “Am I back in—?”
    “Yes, you’re home,” Angela said. “2043.”
    I sighed—in relief, I think. “Where are we?”
    “The Valencia facility.”
    My eyes widened. “And the others?”
    “Don’t worry about them. Amelia went home a while ago, and Monique’s having her interview right now.” She pushed her right thumb against a glass control panel on one of the floating stools. A TV on the wall directly opposite me