Flux

By Lucas Pederson

Bullied teenager Addy Decker has had enough of her miserable life. One night, just as she’s about to end it all, a beautiful boy appears in her bathroom, saving her life. At once intrigued and a little scared, she touches the boy and he opens her eyes to a whole different way of life. Addy finds herself in the presence of the Jaunters, a group of people on a mission to magically time travel to the past and save people at risk, as every life saved brings new life to the dead world of the future.

Addy is still wrapping her head around it all when her mom is attacked by a Hell Hound. Alongside her new companions, Addy jaunts to save her, but one of them disappears with Addy’s mom to an unknown destination. Now it’s a race against time, in every dimension, to find the rogue Hell Hound, and Addy’s mom, before a plague is unleashed that will infect the fabric of history itself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Teen
• Release date: Sep 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781773394091

Book preview

Published by Evernight Teen ® at Smashwords

www.evernightteen.com

Copyright© 2017 Lucas Pederson

ISBN: 978-1-77339-409-1

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: JC Chute

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To my strong, amazing mother. Sometimes the monsters we fight are the ones within and no matter how tough the battle, we can win. And to my four amazing children: Mary, Hannah, Emma, and Noah. Dreams are forever, and magic is real…

FLUX

Jaunter Chronicles, 1

Lucas Pederson

Copyright © 2017

Part One: Dead World

Chapter One

Addy put down the pen, smoothed out the sheet of paper on her pillow, and picked up the steak knife. She stared at the poem. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she read it over and over, until the alarm clock went off at 7:15. Mom had left for work over a half an hour ago.

Imagine a life

Where darkness haunts you

All condemn you

No one sees the truth

Because it’s only you

Imagine a life

That’s no life at all

A constant fall

My life is this

An empty kiss

The only thing she hated more than life was the infernal buzzy braying of the alarm clock. She just hoped her mom would understand.

Addy stood, and gave all the rock and metal band posters tacked to her walls a glance. Bands like Korn, Halestorm, and In This Moment, tucked between posters of Metallica, Rob Zombie, and Marilyn Manson.

She fixed her gaze across the room at the life-sized poster of Lzzy Hale near the window. It didn't blink, nor change. Anyone could be anyone they wanted. Some people had better luck than others, that’s all. One of those vicious cycle things, or whatever.

Mom let her have the room with the adjoining bathroom. The master bedroom. Just gave it to her, without question. Of course, Addy knew it was because of her dad. Like Mom was trying to make up for everything, even though she hadn’t done anything wrong. None of it had been Mom’s fault, nor had it been Addy’s, but…

A sensation like ragged fingernails scuttled along the nape of her neck. She glanced around her room, and tugged the sleeves of her long-sleeved T-shirt down, covering the pink scars laddering up her left arm. Mostly out of habit. But also, because suddenly, she didn't feel alone. She looked around her bedroom. No one was there. Just her stuff—

The image of Lzzy Hale suddenly blinked back at her from the life-sized poster near the window.

She gasped. Frowning, she stepped closer to the image of her idol. Something was wrong with the poster. Lzzy’s jaw looked too angular, her cheekbones too high, and her nose too broad. Addy moved closer still, squinting. Lzzy’s skin appeared darker than it should, her eyes changed from hazel to a glacial blue. Then she blinked, and it was just Lzzy again.

And I’m seeing shit now, Addy thought as she walked into her bathroom, and shut the door. She ran a bath, water as hot as she could stand it. She read somewhere that hot water helped. The tub didn’t take long to fill.

She slipped her clothes off and got into the tub. Her right hand clutched the steak knife she’d grabbed from the kitchen. The water soothed her, and for a second or two she forgot why she was taking a bath in the first place. The agony of the past year or so stretched out like an ugly, tattered rug, festering with slimy, black mold.

Her lower lip quivered, the corners of her mouth downturned. Tears blurred her vision as she lifted the steak knife and placed the blade on her left wrist, ignoring the scars laddering up the inside of her forearm. No shallow cuts this time. No short release.

Be quick, she thought. Down the tracks, not across the road. Along the length of the arm, not across the wrist. Do it right.

Addy pressed the blade down harder, barely noticing the tiny breeze that wisped through the bathroom.

She closed her eyes, drew in a breath, and—

Pity, a guy’s voice said.

Addy blinked. Through the tears, she made out a dark shape sitting on the hamper near the foot of the tub. The steak knife tumbled out of her hand, and splashed into the water.

The figure didn’t look at her as it said, You’re too beautiful to do that. It’d be a shame, really.

A breath caught in her throat, her vision cleared enough now to see the boy. He was cast in the sunlight filtering through the small window.

She crossed her arms over her chest. Water splashed in every direction onto the floor.

"What—who are you? What are you doing in my bathroom?"

The boy chuckled. Stop. I’m not going to hurt you.

He stood, holding up what looked like a stone. It pulsed bright, white light for a few seconds like a miniature strobe light. Soon enough, the bright pulses stopped. He nodded and pocketed the stone, or whatever it was.

Okay, that was way weird.

Yet she felt different now. Like, a little better. Not so down.

The boy was tall, maybe sixteen or seventeen years old, with very short dark hair. His eyes were like chips of glacier ice set in a dark, angular face. When he smiled, his teeth were very white, but uneven. Yet, what should have taken beauty away actually seemed to enhance it.

That’s when she recognized the face. Addy’s eyes widened even further. Her heart practically stopped in her chest. Her lungs expelled a gush of air. The exact same face from the Lzzy Hale poster.

You, she managed, glowing stone mostly forgotten.

His chest and shoulders were broad, arms like slabs of chiseled stone roped in muscle.

Addy flinched as he moved closer. He knelt, propped his arms on the edge of the tub, all casual, and rested his chin on his forearms. As if they were the closest of friends, even more so than Gavin and she.

He smiled. Why? he asked, leaning forward.

Addy recoiled, splashing water onto him. He didn’t seem to notice when it drenched his forearms.

"W-Why what, for shit sake? You’re in my bathroom."

The corners of his mouth twitched upward in an attempted smile, though those glacial eyes drifted over her shoulder more than once. Like something was behind her. He said, Why are you in the bathtub with a knife?

"Why am I—who are you? I saw you. In the poster."

She wanted to scream. Felt as though she just might. There was a stranger in her bathroom. Plus, she was naked. And it was a bit on the creepy side … his face appearing in a poster notwithstanding. Yet, something about the boy stopped the scream. Something in those glacial eyes and that casual smile. Not to mention, the curiosity of how he just appeared, just like that, out of nowhere. That was the biggest thing keeping her from totally freaking out. She needed to know.

Who are you?

He shrugged, winked. Just someone wondering why you’re taking a bath, and why you have that steak knife. He nodded to where it fell into the water. I’d be careful moving around too much.

Addy glanced at the water, then back at him. His gaze shifted from something over her shoulder to her again.

So you’re just some weirdo who snuck into my bathroom, wondering why I’m taking a bath? Really? Could you… um… back up a little? I am sort of naked here. I think you should get out before I scream for my mom. She’s just in the other room. A lie, but he didn't know that. Or did he? A second later she asked, Are you the face I saw in the poster?

The boy grinned. He didn’t answer.

Oh. Yeah. Sorry. He leaned back some, but didn’t move any farther away, nor did he leave. So, what’s with the knife? Planning on carving a turkey in the tub? I hear the bird is moister that way, but… He shrugged, grinning.

It took her a couple of seconds to realize he was joking. She didn’t laugh. Didn’t smile.

When he saw this, he cleared his throat. My bad. I understand this all might seem a little creepy—

"A little?"

But like I said, I mean you no harm.

Who are you, then? I mean, really, this is crazy.

I can’t answer that.

Oh? Why not?

For a brief moment, he appeared uncomfortable. His smile faltered. And he once again glanced over her shoulder. What the hell was he looking at, anyway?

Look, he said. I don’t know why you brought a knife with you into the tub. Tell me why.

Addy glared at him, wishing he’d get the hell out but at the same time, wishing he’d stay. The contrasts were astounding and she had a difficult time focusing on just one.

Are you serious? She said. Why else would I do it?

Do you always answer a question with a question?

I don’t know, Addy said. Do you?

He rolled his eyes, then shook his head, chuckling.

Okay, he said. Let’s try this… what made you bring the knife to the bath in the first place? What's going on?

She searched his face to see if he was joking, found he wasn’t, and let go a slow breath, lowering her head.

I can’t believe I’m talking to some strange guy that just happened to materialize in my bathroom. She lifted her head, turning a little towards him. Am I dreaming?

Smile gone completely, he raised the glowing stone or whatever it was, high again. It shot blasts of bright white for another few seconds. It was cold on her wet skin, the light from the stone. She shivered and wrapped her arms around her in a self-hug. What the—? Addy began as the boy again pocketed the weird-ass stone.

His smile returned. No. You’re not dreaming. I’m very real. Tell me about today. Tell me why you have that knife. Please.

Already beginning to forget about the glowing stone, she dipped a hand in the water—which was getting cold—and found the knife, brought it out, making sure her other arm covered her upper nakedness. The wet blade glinted in the soft glow of sunlight. She spoke slowly, as if she was actually in a dream. Told him about Jacob and Amy at school. And how since the start of their freshman year they’d been horrible to her, all stemming from what her dad had done. Addy told him about how no one cared. How they said she was ugly and a freak every day. How they called her a ‘psycho’ because of her dad.

She made herself stop before she told him too much about her dad… and the scars.

The knife, she said finally, turning it so the light glittered off the blade, is to cut my wrists.

His voice was soft, gentle. Because killing yourself would prove how much you hurt.

After a moment, she nodded, eyes lowered. Yeah.

Addy, he whispered.

She didn’t move. Didn’t look at him.

Addy. His voice was a bit louder this time.

She lifted her gaze to the guy.

H-How do you know my name?

Shaking his head, he said, That doesn’t matter. What matters now is that killing yourself won’t do anything but hurt the only person on this earth who loves you.

Mom?

He nodded, his eyes never straying. "How do you think it’d be for her? To find you dead in the bathtub? Her only daughter. Her only child. Sure, they might believe you then. You might even get on the news. But, do you really think those jerks will get what they deserve? Do you think they’ll be punished? No. Why? Because you’re not there to make sure they do. The one person you’ll hurt in all this is your mother."

Fresh tears stung her eyes. She tried to fight them away but... nope. How do you know all of this? How can you be so sure?

I know. That’s all that matters. The smile resurfaced on his face.

Why do you keep avoiding my questions?

He pointed at the knife in her hand. Careful of that.

Addy huffed out an aggravated breath. Threw the knife. It skittered across the floor to the door. Wasn’t going to do it anyway.

The corners of his mouth twitched. Sure about that? Looked pretty determined to me.

She faced him fully, as if seeing him for the first time as he stood. Are you… I dunno… an angel or something? It just tumbled out of her mouth.

Once more, that infuriating shrug. That odd smile. Addy Decker. You have so much to live for. You are full of strength and kindness. And don’t tell me you aren’t, because I know. Ignore all those who try to ruin life for you. Ignore those who don’t believe. Carry on and don’t look back. Your future is golden and happy. You’ll see. He turned away, walking back towards the hamper.

Wait, Addy said, arms still crossed tightly over her chest. Water sloshed over the side of the tub. What’s your name?

He paused, and shot a killer smile at her over his shoulder. Ross.

Ross, she repeated, as if savoring the name.

Yes?

She blinked. Where are you going?

Close your eyes, Addy.

Close my eyes? What for?

Just close them. You’ll see.

But—

Shh, close your eyes.

With a breath that was more like a growl than a sigh, Addy closed her eyes. A subtle breeze lifted, chilling her wet skin. A shiver tickled through her. Still, she did not open her eyes.

She waited. Nothing.

The water was getting cold, to the point of being uncomfortable.

Ross?

No answer.

Addy opened her eyes, and glanced around the bathroom. And then. And then…

Chapter Two

…He was gone, Addy finished, and took a sip of water. She watched Gavin’s reaction over the brim of her glass change from bemused to concerned.

Adds, he said after a moment or two, then placed his can of Pepsi on the table and turned fully to her on the couch. "Are you sure you weren’t dreaming?"

Of course I wasn’t dreaming. Why would I lie?

I’m not saying you’re lying. It just seems so… I don’t know. Dreamy, I guess. A handsome dude appears in your bathroom while you’re taking a bath. It’s like one of those steamy romance books my mom reads.

I wasn’t dreaming, she repeated.

Gavin nodded. Okay. It’s just out there and weird. Even for you.

That garnered him a jab to the shoulder, which they both laughed off.

Silence fell between them. Addy wondered if she should have told him. He was the only one who knew about the scars on her left arm and why they were there, after all.

Her thoughts drifted to Ross. Those glacial eyes… and that weird-ass glowing stone.

The stone. She’d almost forgotten about it. He’d raised it twice. And the last time, his eyes kept shifting over her shoulder. As if something was behind her she couldn’t see. But what—?

Addy, Gavin said, tugging her out of her thoughts. Why'd you stay home from school today?

She looked at him, maybe for a second too long because his eyes widened. Addy quickly waved a hand.

All the stress, I guess. Was trying to relax a little. Don’t worry, she patted her left arm. "I didn’t start that back up again."

Stress, Gavin said, and eyed her arm.

Yeah. Stress. From all the shit at school.

It took him a while, his eyes scanning over her, as though searching for anything out of the ordinary. She yanked down the sleeves of her shirt.

Stop. I didn’t do anything.

He nodded. Right. It’s chill. Gavin turned back to the drawing program on TV.

Rolling her eyes, Addy said, "Why can’t we watch something good for a change? I mean, Mom won't be home for another hour … we need to go a little crazy here."

Without looking at her, a ghost of a smile on his lips, he said, "This is good."

"Yeah, okay. If you have nothing better to watch. Bet Pawn Stars is on…"

He waved a hand at her, dismissing her comment and the subject of why she stayed home and took a bath. At least for now. Gavin liked to bring stuff up days later. Usually, by then, Addy was calm enough to talk about whatever plagued her mind. Not this time, though. This time she would keep that part to herself.

They watched some guy shade in the shadows of a tree. Addy released a long breath and said, So, how was school today?

Gavin shrugged. Amy still hates you.

Yeah. She rolled her eyes. She can go play with black mambas too.

"Meh. They'd probably die from her bite."

Probably, she said.

You know it. He grinned.

The guy on TV—switching from the outdoors to the kitchen--was now sketching the faint outline of a butcher knife laying on a cutting block to illustrate the play of lighting on a steel blade. Addy's mind pictured the steak knife instead of the butcher knife. Saw it pressing down harder and harder on her wrist, creasing the skin, before Ross’s calm, smiling face replaced it.

She shook her head, trying to obliterate the image, but it wouldn’t go away.

As if from some other dimension, Gavin asked, Adds? You okay?

Addy couldn’t be sure if she answered him or not. The images in her head held her inside. Keeping her there like a prisoner as they shuffled from the knife to Ross’s angular face and cool blue eyes. His warm, inviting smile. The boy, even in her head, was beautiful. The perfect guy, but not just in looks. The way he talked to her. The way he listened to her. But there was also an off-ness about him. Not bad, just something about him that was different. Like, big bold words screaming Not Available, different.

Ross…

Someone was shaking her.

Addy blinked.

…wrong?

Hmm? Her vision cleared.

Gavin bent in front of her, face tattooed with concern.

I said, what’s wrong? You went all weird on me.

"I’m… I’m fine.