Future Threat

24

There’s only one place Zahra could have gone, and that’s through the back door that says Employees Only. I scout the place anyway, making sure I haven’t missed anything, and get a notification from Adam flashing in the corner of my vision. When I focus on it, something similar to a text message or a chat window pops up. It’s sent to both me and Chris.

I’m at Future-Paige’s house. Paige was here, and she walked in on her husband in bed with one of his interns. She took off about thirty minutes before I got here, but I’m not sure where she went.

I focus on replying, and the words write themselves into a box at the bottom as I think them. Does her husband have any idea where she could be? I mentally hit Send, and the message pops up below his.

Not really. He’s freaking out. Thinks some stalker is pretending to be a younger version of his wife. Needless to say, he’s not being very helpful.

A message from Chris pops up next. Dead end for me too. I’m at Future-Jeremy’s apartment, but there’s no one here.

Sounds like we’re all having a great time, I message back. I followed Zahra to a flower shop in Glendale, and I’m about to corner her.

Good luck, Chris says.

Thanks. Hopefully I’ll be able to convince her to go with me without having to use the neutralizer, which is tucked in my pants pocket. If not, I have no problem using it on her.

I push open the door into the back area, and the musty smell grows stronger. Dim fluorescent lights buzz overhead, and crates and boxes are stacked along the walls next to bags of soil. I hear muffled voices, but can’t tell from where.

Another door with a computerized lock is hanging open. Zahra must have hacked it somehow. I head through it and down a narrow flight of concrete stairs. The air grows darker and colder with each step, like I’m heading down into a crypt. I make as little noise as possible, moving slowly and keeping every sense alert. The voices grow louder, as does the unease in my gut.

I reach the bottom of the stairs and find myself in a dimly lit underground tunnel made entirely of concrete. Other tunnels lead off from it, and there’s an open door up ahead. There’s no sign of Zahra.

I approach the door silently and peer inside. Two guys with black hair and tan skin play cards at a table, while smoking cigarettes and chugging beer. They’re speaking in a language I don’t understand—Russian maybe? They both have guns strapped to their chests, and another rests on the table within reach.

I jerk back before they can see me. What has Zahra gotten herself into?

02:15

I back away from the door, my heart racing. I start a message to Chris and Adam, but then change my mind and send it to Chris alone. Adam will only freak out.

I’ve got a problem.

What’s up? Chris asks.

I think I’m in some sort of criminal hideout. Two guys. Lots of guns. I hold my breath and check the room again, memorizing it with the briefest look, and then retreat to the stairs. Both guys have their backs to me and seem to be distracted by smoking, drinking, and playing cards, but I need to be ready to get out with a second’s notice. Especially since I saw some plastic-wrapped bricks of white powder piled next to them. Maybe drugs or something too. I don’t know. It’s bad.

Shit. Sounds like a gang of some sort. Where’s the girl?

I don’t know. For the first time ever, I miss the gun I had in the other timeline. Now all I have is this puny lipstick-size neutralizer that can knock someone out if I manage to press it against their skin, along with my kickboxing skills. I don’t like my odds against two guys with guns. And probably even more behind other doors.

But Zahra must be in here somewhere. I can’t leave without her. Dammit.

You should get out of there, Chris says. I don’t like this.

Me either. But I need to at least try to find her. If I can sneak past the open door, I can scope out the rest of the place. One quick look, and then I’m out of here. I don’t even know this girl. I’m not getting shot because she decided to break into a place like this.

I’m not far. I can be there in five or ten.

No, I quickly send back. I won’t risk anyone else’s life, especially not Chris’s, not with Shawnda and his unborn kid waiting for him.

I’ve got this covered. You find Ken.

Fine, but check in as soon as you’re safe, or I’m coming to get you.

Will do.

I minimize our chat and try to psych myself up enough to face possible death. Go in five, I tell myself. But five comes and goes, and I’m still standing there on the steps. The two guys inside are laughing over something, and although I have no clue what they’re saying, they sound drunk.

I creep to the door and peer inside. Both men are focused on their game, staring at their cards with intense expressions. I sneak past them with silent footsteps, praying neither of them glances my way. I keep expecting a shout or a gunshot, but nothing comes.

Only when I’m all the way down the tunnel do I take a much-needed breath. I made it.

I flee around the corner and down the next tunnel as quietly as I can, but I feel like a rabbit about to be caught in a trap. At any moment, one of the other doors could burst open and men could rush out with guns. Being here is such a bad idea, and I have no clue where Zahra is. If I don’t find her in the next minute or two, I’m out.