The Individuality Gene: A Time Travel Adventure

By G. Sauvé

Will screwed up. Big time.

The past was altered, and it’s all his fault. Catapulted five hundred years into the future, Will and his companions must bear witness to the devastation they unwittingly caused.

Humanity has fallen. Forced into slavery by a race of powerful aliens, they toil away in misery and filth. Sentinels—vicious, deadly robots—rule over the humans with an iron fist, forcing them to mine crystals for their alien overlords. Those who resist are cloned and used for food.

Will, Jonn, and Kara are determined to make up for their mistake, but Avalon assures them fixing the timeline is impossible. To make things worse, Will uncovers a shocking truth about Kara that may well put an end to their friendship.

Can Will and his companions do the impossible and restore history to its intended course? Will Kara’s lies lead to the dissolution of the team?

Find out in this edge-of-your-seat third installment in the Will Save series, a brand-new YA series about courage, love, and destiny.

Don’t waste any time! Buy this book today before the altered timeline annihilates us.

• Language: English
• Publisher: G. Sauvé
• Release date: Dec 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463389645

G. Sauvé

G. Sauvé had an unusual childhood. He grew up in a straw bale house. He was homeschooled. And he didn't have a TV until he was a teenager. No wonder he fell in love with the written word at such a young age. He wrote his first book at fifteen (it sucked), and he now resides in Montréal, where he spends his days writing (much improved) novels and making puns.Pronunciation: G. So-veyWant a FREE book? Visit GSauve.ca.

Book preview

Dedication

To my grandmother, who passed away during the writing of this book. I will always remember you.

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Fractured

Will Save Jr. stared at the memory organizer with bated breath. His heart hammered against his ribcage, and his hands shook uncontrollably. No matter how hard he tried, there was no denying the reality of the situation.

The memory chip was broken.

No, he groaned. This can’t be happening.

Panic rose within him. What if the chip was irreversibly damaged? How would he know what had happened to his father? Was he dead or alive? Why had they never met? There were so many unanswered questions.

The urge to smash the memory organizer was great, but Will Jr. could not afford to make a bad situation worse. There was still a chance the memory chip could be repaired. But how? And by who?

Kara. She was no expert, but she would know who to contact.

Will Jr. leapt off his bed and rushed downstairs in search of his mother. He found her in the living room, reading a book.

It’s broken, he said, skidding to a stop in front of her and showing her the damaged disc.

Lowering her book, Kara took the silver disc and studied it.

What happened?

Will Jr. shrugged. Can it be fixed?

I don’t know. You should ask the man who created it.

Who is he?

Kara smiled.

Kidd.

Will Jr. gulped.

Kidd was known by all but respected by few. His brilliance was uncontested, but his insanity was equally recognized. Trapped in the body of a child, the man was rumoured to be over ten thousand years old. Will Jr.’s best friend claimed they were related, but he refused to believe it. He had only met him twice, and both instances were now distant memories.

Are you sure he can fix it?

Kidd can fix anything.

Will Jr. was conflicted. Part of him was relieved. Another was terrified. What if the rumours were true? What if Kidd was a robot? What if he was a demon? What if—

Kidd is no different than you and me, said Kara, sensing her son’s agitation. He may be a little odd, but he was a close friend of your father’s.

Kara was right, and Will Sr.’s memories proved it.

Where does he live? asked Will Jr.

In the Glowing Forest.

He gulped again. The Glowing Forest was said to be haunted. Will Jr. was not the type to believe in such things, but a lot had happened in the past week, and the existence of ghosts no longer seemed so ridiculous.

Is there a way to contact him?

Kara shook her head. What’s wrong? she asked. Are you afraid?

Will Jr. knew his mother was teasing, but he chose to take her words as a challenge.

Of course not. He snatched the memory chip from his mother’s hand, slid it into his pocket, and hurried to the front door. One quick press was all it took to force it to retreat into the wall. Moments later, he was on his way.

The Glowing Forest

Sanctuary. The last human city. Unlike the towns of old, it was discovered, not constructed. The survivors of the Great Cataclysm stumbled upon it nearly fifteen years ago when they fled to the center of the Earth. According to Will Jr.’s teacher, it was built by aliens hundreds of millions of years ago. Once upon a time, he had doubted the claim. Not anymore.

Will Jr. studied his surroundings with a new eye. The glossy, charcoal-coloured buildings once seemed mundane, but now that he had something to compare them to, he realized the dwellings were centuries beyond what his father had known. Will Sr. grew up in a time where metal, concrete, and glass reigned supreme. Will Jr. lived in a world where materials were irrelevant. Dwellings were chosen, not built. Grass stood where asphalts once would have existed. Trees were scattered throughout Sanctuary. Some glowed. Others did not. Vehicles no longer existed, nor were they required. People walked. It kept them healthy and grounded.

Electricity was also antiquated. Crystal technology served as the only source of energy. Not only was it far more potent than electricity, but it could be used as a direct source of light.

Will Jr.’s gaze wandered beyond Sanctuary. The curved nature of the landscape tricked the brain into thinking objects stood higher the farther they were located, but the truth was far simpler. The center of the Earth was a sphere. This, combined with the inverted gravity that governed it, meant objects and people alike were drawn outward. All one had to do to see the far side of the sphere was look up. A small sun hovered at the centre of the sphere. Beyond it stood a lush landscape. Scattered buildings could be spotted here and there, but most structures had been swallowed by the flora. Only the human city remained free.

Will Jr. loved Sanctuary—it was the only home he had ever known—but reliving his father’s memories had ignited within him a deep wanderlust. He craved adventure. He wanted to feel the wind caress his skin. He dreamed of sunsets and starry nights. He longed for the feel of snowflakes melting on his tongue. But deep down he knew it was wishful thinking.

Will Jr. was no hero. The closest he would ever come to going on an adventure involved entering the Glowing Forest in search of Kidd. Forgetting about his surroundings, he quickened the pace. With a little luck, he would reach the forest before the day came to a close and the sun’s glow decreased, bathing the centre of the Earth in shadows.

He almost made it, but a familiar voice reached his ears moments before he left the city.

Will!

The teenager scanned his surroundings and quickly spotted the young man running toward him.

It was JJ. His full name was Jonn Junior, but no one ever called him that. He was Will Jr.’s best friend. And his uncle, which was odd because he was nearly a full year younger than him. But Will Jr. had never let that get in the way of their friendship. They were best friends. They were family.

Where are you going? asked JJ as he skidded to a stop. He was shorter than Will Jr. and rather scrawny, but he made up for it with great acumen.

Will Jr. cringed. He prided himself on being honest, but he had promised not to share his father’s adventures with anyone. As much as it pained him, he could not disclose his true destination without having to reveal the existence of the memory organizer.

Nowhere, he lied. I’m just taking a walk.

Want company?

Of course! Thought Will Jr., but the words he spoke aloud were far different. Thanks, but I’m not in the mood to hang out.

Oh, okay. Enjoy your walk.

Thanks.

The parkourball semi-finals are tonight, said JJ as he walked off. Don’t forget.

I won’t, promised Will Jr., but his friend was already gone.

Feeling disheartened, he continued his journey. A short walk was all that stood between him and his destination, yet the sun was fully dimmed by the time he reached it.

The Glowing Forest shone with a ghostly brilliance. The trees swayed in an inexistent breeze, their glowing leaves rustling eerily. Branches creaked, simulating the wails of lost souls. House-sized trunks told of the trees’ ancientness. According to legend, the forest grew atop an ancient graveyard. It was said that, on dark nights like these, the souls rose from their graves and possessed the trees, using their powerful branches to punish all who dared venture into their territory. Will Jr. never believed such stories, but the sight of the swaying, groaning trees left him feeling uncertain.

Why would anyone choose to live in a place like this? he wondered. He slipped a hand into his pocket and fingered the damaged memory chip, hoping it would give him the necessary courage to enter the forest.

It did not.

Willing his legs to move also failed. It was not until he asked himself what his father would do in this situation that he finally found the strength to advance.

One step. His heart raced.

Two steps. His hands shook.

Three steps. The eerie glow of the forest swallowed him whole.

Will Jr. stopped and waited for something to happen. The trees continued swaying, unbothered by his presence. Assuming the legend was untrue, he ventured deeper into the woods. Every so often an eerie groan or a creepy rustling reached his ears, but that was the extent of his punishment. Still, Will Jr. sensed powerful presences all around him. They were not angry. Nor did they take physical form. They merely hung around, curiously observing his progress.

Will Jr. wandered through the forest, unsure where to go. Every so often, a spooky noise caused him to readjust his course, but the teenager never felt threatened. He kept going until a dark shape appeared between the trees.

It was a house.

The dwelling was ancient. It was made from the same black material as the rest of the alien buildings, yet it was unnervingly different. It took the teenager a moment to realize why. The home was being overrun by plants. There were vines and shrubs; grass and flowers; and trees of all sizes. But the strangest part of all was the fact that not a single door or window was obscured. It was as though the owner had made a deal with the flora. In exchange for letting them invade his home, they agreed to let the sun shine into the dwelling.

The residence looked abandoned, but one of the windows on the second floor was illuminated.

I hope it’s Kidd, thought Will Jr. as he made his way toward the house. The farther he got from the forest, the darker his surroundings became. By the time he reached the dwelling’s porch, he could barely see. The sense of safety that had accompanied him throughout his journey was gone. He now felt nervous and jumpy.

He came to a stop before the front door. After a moment of hesitation, he pressed his hand to it.

Nothing happened.

He hesitated for a moment longer before knocking.

Still nothing.

He waited nearly a full minute before accepting the fact that the door would not open. He would have to find another way into the residence. He started down the stairs but only made it halfway before a hissing sound reached his ears. He came to a stop and turned around.

The door was open.

There was no sign of whoever opened it, but Will Jr. refused to let that stop him.

Hello? Is anybody there?

No response.

He crept closer and peered in. The house was pitch black.

Kidd? he called.

No reply.

Will Jr. groaned. The last thing he wanted was to venture into a creepy house, but he had come too far to turn back. Squeezing the memory chip for courage, he took a deep breath and entered the residence. Moments later, the door slid shut.

Will Jr. was trapped.

Kidd

Will Jr. was trapped in total obscurity. He tried to pierce the veil of darkness, but ended up losing track of which direction he was facing. He tried using his hands to locate the exit, but failed once more. He was about to panic when a crystal flickered to life above him.

Will Jr. breathed a sigh of relief, but the exclamation soon turned to one of stunned disbelief.

The inside of the dwelling was a hoarder’s paradise. Stacks of various objects covered nearly every centimetre of the floor. There were piles of clothes, towers of pots and pans that seemed about to collapse, mountains of dusty clothes, as well as a wide assortment of unrecognizable items. Will Jr. had never seen so much stuff gathered in one place.

The first thing he did was try to open the door. When that failed, he scanned his surroundings once more, but most of the objects remained unidentifiable. It was not until his third pass that he finally spotted it.

A path.

Barely wide enough for a human to navigate, the trail led deep into the messy dwelling. Determining its exact length was impossible, which left Will Jr. with only one option.

Squeezing the memory chip for good luck, he ventured forward. He quickly reached the perimeter of the lit area, but a second crystal flickered to life moments after he stepped into the darkness. This happened over and over again as Will Jr. followed the meandering path. After what felt like hours, the path came to an end at the foot of a narrow staircase. Unwilling to give up, he began the slow ascent.

The second floor was less cluttered than the first, yet piles of junk were scattered throughout the hallway that stretched before him. Half a dozen doors lined the walls, but only one was open. It stood at the far end of the corridor, the yellow light that escaped it producing just enough light for Will Jr. to navigate the cluttered corridor.

It took a while, but he finally reached the illuminated room. Like the rest of the house, it was chaotic, yet there was something different about this mess. It was more ordered, almost as though each object had been purposefully placed rather than discarded or stacked for storage. This, combined with the lack of dust, told Will Jr. he had reached Kidd’s workshop.

Hello? he said. Is anybody there?

A grunt emerged from a nearby stack of coiled tubing. Scraping sounds followed soon after. The mound of tubing shuddered, then a gloved hand shot out and felt around until it found the corner of a nearby work desk. Another grunt was heard as the arm folded itself, forcing the body to which it was attached to appear.

The creature was unlike any Will Jr. had ever seen. Its general appearance was that of a child, but the white lab coat and thick leather gloves shattered the youthful effect. The being’s face was made of metal. The eyes were disproportionately large, and there was no nose or mouth to speak of. The ears were also missing. As was the hair. It was a chilling sight, but Will Jr. refused to give in to the fear that gripped him.

I’m looking for Kidd, he said.

The robot cocked its ugly head and studied the teenager. It took nearly a minute, but the metallic being finally spoke.

Will? Is that you?

There was a moment of stunned silence as Will Jr. struggled to understand how a creature with no mouth could speak. In the end, he chose not to care.

Do I know you? he asked.

The creature chuckled.

Of course you do, said the robot as it grabbed hold of its face and yanked. The metallic mask came loose, revealing the face beneath.

It was Kidd.

It had been ages since Will Jr. had seen him last, yet he instantly recognized him. The child-like features. The small frame. Will Jr. felt stupid for not identifying him sooner.

What are you doing here? asked Kidd. Didn’t I just go visit you and your mother?

Will Jr. chuckled.

I was three the last time you came to see us.

Kidd seemed surprised.

Really? he said, scratching his head. And how old are you now?

Almost fifteen.

Kidd’s eyebrows shot up.

Fifteen? Is that why you’re here? Is it time?

Time for what?

Kidd faltered.

It doesn’t matter. Why are you here?

I need your help, said Will Jr. He retrieved the memory chip from his pocket and showed it to Kidd.

I see Kara finally decided to give you the memory organizer.

Something like that.

So, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be home, reliving your father’s memories?

I can’t, said Will Jr. The third memory chip is broken.

Broken? Let me see. He took the small disc and studied it. You’re right. What happened?

I don’t know. Can you fix it?

Of course.

Will Jr. breathed a sigh of relief as Kidd got to work. The process was slow, but Will Jr. chose to see it as an opportunity.

Can I ask you a question?

Of course.

Why were you so surprised when you learned how old I was?

Kidd hesitated.

I’m immortal. Time means nothing to me, so keeping track of it is difficult. I once spent an entire century sleeping. It felt good, but you wouldn’t believe how sore I was when I woke up.

Had such a statement been uttered by anybody else, Will Jr. would not have believed it, but he had seen enough strange things to know Kidd was telling the truth.

How old are you?

Kidd chuckled.

I’ve lost track, he admitted, but I believe I’m in my eleventh millennium.

Will Jr. was stunned. He had always known Kidd was older than he seemed, but he only now realized how truly ancient he was.

Does it ever get boring?

Sometimes, but I keep myself busy. You wouldn’t believe the satisfaction of seeing a project come to fruition after a century spent working on it.

You’re right, said Will Jr. I can’t.

Kidd chuckled. You remind me of your father.

I do?

You have the same sense of humour. You also look a lot like him.

Will Jr. had only caught glimpses of his father. A reflection here. A dream there. An encounter with an older version of himself. The mental image he carried of him was hazy, but Will Jr. cherished it, and the thought that he looked like him was comforting.

What was he like?

He was a great man and a good friend. It’s unfortunate things had to end the way they did.

Will Jr.’s heart started beating faster. Though he had relived two of his father’s adventures, he still had no clue what had become of him.

What does that mean? What happened?

Kidd stopped working and looked at Will Jr.

I’m sorry, he said. I’m not allowed to tell you.

Not allowed? What does that mean?

I’m sorry, said Kidd as he went back to work. I can’t tell you any more.

There was a moment of silence before the short scientist spoke once more.

Did you know I was the one who created the memory organizer? I designed it for your father so he could store his memories after… well, that’s not important. I used his DNA as a security measure, ensuring only someone directly related to him could access his memories.

Why?

You never know what may happen.

What does that—

It’s fixed, announced Kidd, and handed over the chip.

Will Jr. took the silver disc and inspected it.

Are you sure it will work? he asked, staring at the hairline fracture that adorned it.

Certain.

Will Jr. was impressed. It had been less than an hour since he discovered the disc was damaged and already it was repaired. Kidd truly was a genius.

Thanks, he said. How can I repay you?

Come visit me every once in a while. It gets lonely here.

Will Jr. considered pointing out it would be a lot less lonely if he moved to Sanctuary, but he chose not to.

I promise, he said. Thanks again.

You’re welcome. Say hello to Kara for me.

I will, said Will Jr. as he made his way toward the exit. Bye.

See you soon, said Kidd, but the teenager was already gone.

Will Jr. retraced his step all the way to the front entrance. This time, the door slid open as soon as he touched it. Stepping into the cool evening air, he hurried down the steps and rushed toward the forest. After a short jog among the glowing trees, he emerged from the forest. Not long after, he reached his house.

Hey, Mom, he called as he entered. I’m back.

How did it go? came his mother’s voice from the kitchen. Did Kidd fix the memory chip?

Yeah. Will Jr. rushed past the kitchen on his way to his bedroom. His mother was making dinner, but she was still in the early stages of preparation, which meant he should have time to relive his father’s third set of memories before he was called down for the evening meal.

I’ll be in my room, he said as he rushed up the stairs. Kidd says hello. His mother’s response was too muffled to understand, but he did not bother asking her to repeat it. He continued up the stairs until he reached his bedroom.

He did not notice the young man sitting on his bed until the door was closed and the memory chip had been extracted from his pocket.

JJ! yelped Will Jr. at the sight of his best friend. What are you doing here?

JJ seemed nervous.

I-I forgot s-something the last time I w-was here, he stammered. Jumping to his feet, he hurried past his friend and pressed his hand to the door. By the time Will Jr. could think of something to say, JJ was already gone.

That was weird, he muttered. Under normal circumstances, he would pursue his friend and insist he tell him what was wrong, but he had more important things to worry about. Not to mention the fact that he would see him on the parkourball field in just a few hours. He could investigate his friend’s strange behaviour then. For now, he had a whole new set of memories to relive.

Leaping onto the bed, Will Jr. retrieved the memory organizer from under his pillow and inserted the memory chip into it. The metal barbs folded inward, trapping the disc. Moments later, the triangular flaps followed suit.

Will Jr. waited with breathless anticipation for the device to come to life.

A few seconds ticked by. That was normal. It sometimes took a while for the memory organizer to read the chip. But when nearly a dozen seconds elapsed and nothing happened, the teenager started to worry. What if Kidd was wrong? What if the memory chip was still damaged? What if he never got to—

A dozen metallic legs erupted from the disc’s perimeter. They flailed about for a moment before gaining traction. Flipping onto its stomach, the metallic insect scurried across the young man’s palm and latched onto his wrist. Will Jr. watched as a familiar white light travelled up his arm. Moments later, his father’s memories invaded his mind, and he lost consciousness.

Memory 1

Iawake to confusion and fear. My heart is racing, and my palms are sweaty. The sheets cling to my body like a drowning victim to a life preserver. I feel trapped and panicked. My eyes dart left and right, but my surroundings are too dim to make out.

Where am I? I grunt, still struggling to free myself from the tangle of covers.

Where do you think? comes a sarcastic voice from my right. I think it’s Jonn until I notice the high pitch. Kara would never be so mocking, so that leaves only one option.

Avalon.

Release me! I demand.

The woman chuckles.

Release yourself. It’s not my fault you move in your sleep.

I struggle for a while before recognizing the voice. It’s not Avalon. Nor is it Kara.

It’s Angela, my slumber neighbour from the orphanage.

What is she doing here? I wonder. For that matter, where am I? It’s not until I manage to escape the claws of my twisted bedding that I finally get an answer.

I’m back at the orphanage.

What am I doing here?

I scan my surroundings but find no useful clues. Rows of beds. Matching nightstands. Sleeping orphans. The sight is both comforting and panic-inducing.

Why am I here?

I stumble out of bed, my shaky legs barely able to support me. I bump into Angela’s bed and nearly fall.

What’s wrong with you? she asks.

I don’t know, I mutter, still struggling to comprehend what’s happening.

I scan my surroundings once more but find nothing of use. I’ll need to venture beyond the dormitory to find the answers I seek.

I head off, my legs now stronger.

Where are you going? asks Angela.

Bathroom, I respond. I meant it to be a lie, but the truth is I actually need to use the facilities. In fact, I’m surprised I managed to ignore my overfilled bladder for so long.

I hurry across the dormitory, speeding past row after row of beds. A few orphans stir, but none wake. Not even the boy whose bed is located next to the bathroom. The light blinds me for a moment, but my vision quickly adjusts. I approach the toilet and take care of business.

The next few moments are total bliss. My euphoria wanes when I go to wash my hands and catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I’m so pale I may as well be a vampire. My hair is matted and beads of sweat pepper my brow. I also spot a few budding pimples, but I ignore them. It’s not until I begin washing my hands that my elation returns.

My hourglass symbol is gone.

I stare at my wrist for a full minute before accepting the image my eyes relay to my brain. As impossible as it seems, the mysterious symbol that has plagued my existence for the past few months is gone. So is my mother’s ring, though that means nothing. I could have removed it. Or lost it. The same can’t be said for the symbol that once adorned my wrist.

What the hell is going on? I mutter as I finish washing up. My first thought is that I’m back in the Virtuality Trainer, but that seems unlikely. My second is that this is a trick, designed to manipulate me into doing something I wouldn’t normally do. But what? And why?

I ponder those questions as I unlock the bathroom door. Flicking off the light, I reintegrate the dormitory, my eyes once again requiring a moment to adjust. By the time they grow accustomed to the ambient darkness, it’s too late to halt my momentum, and I slam into the individual standing before me.

A surprised grunt escapes me as I stumble backward. I nearly fall, but a helping hand offers me support. It takes a few seconds, but I regain my balance. By then, my eyes have adjusted to the dim lighting, and I recognize the person standing before me.

It’s Grace.

I haven’t seen her in what feels like years, and the sight of her fills me with joy. Unable to resist the euphoria that fills me, I leap forward and hug her. She remains frozen for a moment before wrapping her arms around me and squeezing.

I missed you so much, I say.

What are you talking about? she asks. It’s only been a few hours since we saw each other.

It has? Clearly, there’s much I still don’t understand, but I refuse to let that keep me from enjoying the magical moment.

What’s up with you? she asks once the hug ends.

What do you mean?

She takes a step back and looks me up and down.

You look exhausted. Did you have a bad dream?

The thought hadn’t occurred to me, but I now realize the past few months feel like just that. A bad dream. The thought of Kara and Jonn being figments of my imagination is ludicrous, but it would explain a lot. Nonetheless, I refuse to believe such a thing until I have concrete proof.

What are you doing here? I ask.

Grace’s frown gives way to a look of giddy excitement.

I have a surprise for you.

You do?

She nods.

Close your eyes.

Why?

Just do it.

I shrug and do as I’m told. Moments later, my friend’s delicate fingers grab hold of my hand and lead me out of the dormitory. I know the orphanage like the back of my hand, but the strangeness of the situation keeps me from identifying our destination. It’s not until I’m allowed to open my eyes that I realize where we are.

The kitchen is deserted, which is normal given the late hour. Nonetheless, the lights are on and a birthday cake stands on the nearby table. A dozen lit candles protrude from the frosty treat.

What’s going on? I ask, now more confused than ever.

What’s wrong? asks Grace. You didn’t think I’d forget your birthday, did you?

The revelation hits me like a slap to the face.

It’s my birthday?

She nods.

How old am I?

Grace frowns.

You’re kidding, right?

I shake my head.

You’re fifteen.

I wince. That’s exactly what I was afraid of. While I’m relieved the Avalon threat is nothing more than a figment of my imagination, the revelation that Jonn and Kara are, in fact, characters in a made-up dream world is disheartening. I truly loved Kara. As for Jonn, well, I was starting to grow accustomed to him. The thought of never seeing them again saddens me. The only upside is that the missing symbol finally makes sense.

None of the things I believed occurred in the past few months actually happened. It was all a dream, a nightmarish blend of pain, sadness, and unforgettable moments that will remain with me for the rest of my life.

Are you all right? asks Grace. I don’t understand what she means until I notice the tear rolling down my cheek.

I’m fine. I just can’t believe you did all this for me.

Grace gives me a warm, motherly smile. The sight of it reminds me my mother’s note was also a figment of my imagination. That, more than anything else, fills me with sadness. But the future isn’t set in stone. I may yet meet my mother. And my father.

What are you waiting for? asks Grace. Blow out your candles.

I wipe away another tear and approach the cake. The candles are half-melted, and pools of hot wax have appeared on the cake. Staring at them, I inhale and get ready to blow.

Don’t forget to make a wish, says Grace.

I pause and formulate my wish.

I want to meet my parents.

I lean forward and blow.

No sooner have I extinguished the wicks than the lights flicker and die. Darkness engulfs the kitchen for a moment before the power comes back on and the lights return.

That was strange, says Grace.

It was. So strange, in fact, I can’t help wondering if perhaps it had something to do with my wish. I never believed in such things, but given the vividness of my dream and the oddness of the past few minutes, I wouldn’t be surprised if—

The distant sound of a door opening and closing reaches us. I’ve heard that creaking often enough to know someone just entered the orphanage’s front entrance.

That’s odd, mutters Grace. I thought I locked up.

She glances at me, and I shrug.

Stay here, she instructs. I’ll be right back.

She heads off to investigate the noise. I remain seated for a moment before my curiosity gets the better of me. Standing, I step out of the kitchen and creep down the dark corridor. I soon reach the end and peek around the corner.

Grace stands by the front door, talking to a stranger. The newcomer’s face remains hidden in shadows, but her delicate features tell me she’s a woman.

You don’t understand, she says. I’m looking for my son. I was forced to give him up, and now I’ve come to get him. Her voice sounds familiar, but I can’t figure out why.

I’m sorry, says Grace, but I’m not allowed to give out private information about our children.

Please, begs the woman. I just want to see him.

Grace hesitates for a moment before giving in.

Very well, she says. It’s likely your son was adopted, but I can contact the family and arrange a meeting. What’s his name?

Will, says the woman. Will Save.

My heart skips a beat. I remain petrified for a moment before stepping out of cover.

Mom? Is that you?

The woman turns toward me, but her face remains hidden.

Will? she says, stepping forward. She emerges from the shadows, and her identity is finally revealed.

It’s Avalon.

Memory 2

Iawake with a yelp. I’m drenched in cold sweat, and my hands are shaking. My heart hammers against my ribcage, begging to be set free. Still disoriented, I scan my surroundings, desperate for a clue. It’s dark, but I catch glimpses of familiar objects.

A nightstand with a half-empty glass of water and a worn-out letter. A chair stands in the corner of the room. The walls glow ever so softly. The brightness is negligible, but it’s enough to shed light on my current whereabouts.

I’m in Atlantis.

I sit, and the walls glow with increased brilliance. I have yet to understand how they know when to glow and when to dim, but at the moment, I couldn’t care less. I glance at my wrist and find a familiar symbol staring back at me.

I have no idea what the hourglass represents or why it appeared on my skin, but its presence proves my recent encounter with Avalon was but a dream. And it’s wasn’t the first. I’ve had dozens of such nightmares in the three months since the team was disbanded.

A lot has changed since I gave up my mother’s ring. Jonn was demoted and now trains the very team that replaced us. Given the circumstances, he’s taking it well. I expected him to fly into a bitter rage, but he merely spends his free time complaining. At first, it was kind of funny, but now it has become annoying. The fact that he started calling me Won’t again doesn’t help. But what can I say? That’s just the type of relationship Jonn and I have.

Speaking of relationships, Kara and I are now a couple. I professed my love shortly after the team was disbanded. While she never actually uttered the words I love you, she makes her feelings for me known each and every time she kisses me. And let me just say she’s far more affectionate than I ever would have imagined.

I never thought I would say this, but my life is as close to perfect as it has ever been. I still have no clue who my parents are or if I’ll ever meet them. The hourglass symbol on my wrist also remains a complete mystery. As for Avalon, she’s still on the loose. But none of that matters as long as Kara and I are together.

Thinking of my life helps dispel the anxiety caused by my nightmare. Before long, I’m wide awake and ready to begin the day. Sliding out of bed, I down the glass of water, glance at my mother’s letter, and get dressed.

Today is a big day. It’s been three months since Kara and I became a couple. To celebrate, we’re going out to Atlantis’s swankiest restaurant, the Atlantis Supreme. It’s almost impossible to get a reservation, but Kidd knows the chef, so we’re getting the most romantic, most private booth to ourselves for the entire afternoon.

I exit my room and catch sight of Jonn slipping out the front door. That means it’s still early. I consider waking Kara, but I’ve always been a loner, and the prospect of spending a little time alone excites me.

I go for a walk. My mind drifts as I wander the sleeping city, and I ponder things I haven’t thought of in weeks. One of them is Avalon. While I’m glad taking her down is no longer my responsibility, part of me feels guilty. My older self claimed I’m the only one who can stop her. Was he trying to motivate me, or did he mean I’m literally the only person capable of ending her tyranny? Not that it matters. The team was disbanded, and I was forced to give up my mother’s time travel ring. Kidd is still trying to figure out why I’m trapped in the past, but I’ve made my peace with the fact that I will never return to my time.

Kara is awake by the time I return. After a light breakfast, we head out for a romantic stroll. We pause to watch the aquatic wildlife beneath our feet. We sit on park benches and watch the people go about their day. We find isolated spots and share a few tender kisses. It’s a magical morning that comes to an end when Kara and I reach the Atlantis Supreme.

We’re early, but the maître d’hôtel guides us to our booth as soon as we arrive. Unlike the other restaurants I’ve frequented, the Atlantis Supreme is an underwater establishment. The kitchen and main reception area are above ground, but the booths are sunken, allowing diners to observe the vastness of the ocean as they enjoy their meal. Within minutes of arriving, a school of rainbow-coloured fish surround our booth. No sooner have they retreated than a pod of dolphins swims by. Kara waves at them, but the grey mammals drift by, oblivious. I suspect many more aquatic creatures venture past our booth, but I’m too busy staring deep into Kara’s eyes to notice.

I love you, I whisper.

She smiles and kisses me. I welcome her lips, but can’t help noticing the fact that she failed to reciprocate my loving statement. It’s not that I doubt her level of commitment, but I would give anything to hear her speak the words I love you. I consider mentioning it but now doesn’t feel like the right time. This is the most romantic moment of our entire relationship, and I refuse to let anything ruin it. Of course, no sooner have I decided this than the sound of a commotion reaches our