Future Shock

10

“Forget it,” I say, opening the door. “Just forget I said anything.”

I return to my exam room. As I wait, I replay the scientists’ conversation in my head a dozen times, trying to understand it. My only guess is there was another group of people who went to the future before us and something bad happened to them. Now the scientists are worried the same thing might happen to us. But that doesn’t explain why they need teenagers or kids even younger than us.

I’m tempted to run away from this place as fast as I can. But if I do, I’ll be exactly where I was before Lynne recruited me, looking for jobs and trying to figure out how I’ll survive once I turn eighteen. And I’ll miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—the chance to see the future.

No, I can’t back out now.

Lynne collects the five of us and takes us down to the basement level of the building. In the elevator, the tension in the air is almost tangible. Zoe chews on her black nails. Trent leans against the wall with his eyes closed. Chris glares at everyone. Adam keeps staring at me, opening and closing his mouth like he wants to say something. I avoid looking at him and hope he gets the hint.

The elevator doors open to a vast concrete room filled with computer panels and scientists in lab coats. In the center stands a domed enclosure covered in thick metal tubes that hug the machine, wrapping around it and leaving only one gap for a small door. This must be the accelerator.

“What, no TARDIS?” Adam asks. “I was hoping for a DeLorean, personally.”

I stare at him, wondering how he can make a joke at a time like this, especially after everything I told him. But he just grins at me and follows after Lynne.

She herds us through the room, a mother hen smiling at everyone we pass. Dr. Kapur and Dr. Walters bend over a computer, talking about something on the screen. Four other scientists type on keyboards or work on different parts of the accelerator, but they stop to take a good look at us as we walk by.

Soon we’ll be stepping inside that thing, facing whatever fate awaits us. After the conversation I overheard, I suspect it might be something dangerous. I know it’s a long shot, but I have to do something. I have to talk to Lynne about my concerns. The trick will be making sure I don’t reveal what I know.

“I have some questions,” I say to Lynne, keeping my voice low.

“Yes?”

“Are we really the first ones to go to the future?”

She hesitates for the briefest moment. I almost miss it. “You are. Isn’t it exciting? You’ll be the first people to see the world ten years from now.”

“But how do you know it’s safe? Shouldn’t you have someone else go first before sending in five teenagers? Why not send scientists or people who work for your company?”

“Don’t worry, Elena. We’ve tested it thoroughly. You don’t have anything to worry about.” She gives me another of those big smiles she likes to throw around. “Now please excuse me. We’re about to get started.”

Well, that was no help at all. If anything, I’m even more suspicious now.

She leaves me at a table with five large backpacks, each labeled with one of our names. Chris grabs his, purposefully slamming into Adam’s side as he walks past. Trent follows at his heels, snickering. Zoe snatches her backpack and clings to it, glancing at the elevator like she might bolt at any second.

I grab mine and sit in a chair against the wall, while the scientists work on the accelerator. Lynne steps aside with Dr. Walters, but they speak too low for me to hear them. What are they discussing? Is Lynne telling him about our conversation? Or am I just being paranoid?

Adam sits beside me. The last person I want to talk to. “I spoke with Dr. Walters, and he said everything is fine.”

“You talked to him?” I whisper, looking around to make sure no one else is listening. “What I told you was private!”

“I didn’t tell him what you heard. I just asked him some questions. They’ve used the accelerator before with different objects and animals. They’ve done lots of tests. It’s totally safe.”

“Yeah, well, I asked Lynne some questions too, and I’m pretty sure she wasn’t telling me everything.”

He studies me for a long moment. “Are you going to back out?”

“No.” I sigh. “I need this.”

“Me too. But it’s going to be okay, really.” He lightly places his hand on my forearm, but I flinch before I can stop myself. He looks surprised by my reaction. “Sorry, I didn’t mean—”

“It’s fine. I’m just nervous.” It’s not a complete lie.

He gives me a lopsided grin. “Hey, whatever happens in the future, I’ll be there to protect you.”

“My hero.” I roll my eyes. More like I’ll be the one protecting him.

But the strange thing is, a small part of me does feel better knowing he’s on my side. There’s something about Adam I can’t help but like. Or maybe he’s just a better option than the other people on our team.

Lynne finishes conferring with Dr. Walters, and she claps her hands to get our attention. “We’re just about ready to begin.”

The five of us—in identical clothes, with heavy backpacks and coats that are much too warm for this time of year—shuffle toward the dome. The metal tubes that encase it begin to hum, and the floor under us starts to vibrate. My breath hitches. Is it too late to back out?

“We have one final thing to go over before you enter the accelerator,” Lynne says. “When you’re in the future, it’s very important that you do not look up any information about yourself.”