We halted outside the open doorway, huddling close to the wall, straining to listen.
“Mr. James,” a man’s voice mocked, thick with sarcasm, “what have you been smoking?”
Laughter erupted.
“My research is sound,” came the calm but strained reply—a voice I’d know anywhere.John James.“During a solar eclipse, there’s a moment of complete darkness. If a child is born in that precise instant, the child is born with a dagger—an ancient artifact. That dagger allows time travel.”
“Oh, really, dude?” another man jeered. “Darkness? Daggers? You’ve been watching too much sci-fi, bro!”
The audience roared.
“It’s him,” I whispered, gripping Lee’s sleeve. “That’s Jack James. Ithasto be.”
Lee slipped from my grasp and muttered, “Great. So, what now?Storm in and introduce yourself as a time traveler? Ask him to hand over the legendary blades while you’re at it?”
I shot him a glare. “Oh sure, that won’t raiseanyred flags.”
“Iwasbeing sarcastic,” he deadpanned.
Jack James pressed on inside, mentioning physics and ancient theory, but the crowd wasn’t listening. Neither was I. I was too busy trying to form a plan.
Boos and mocking laughter swelled again.
I glanced at Lee. “I almost feel sorry for him.”
Lee arched an eyebrow. “You? Feeling sorry? Highly unlikely.”
“He’s a nerd,” I insisted, snapping my fingers. “That’s the word. Nerds are brilliant, misunderstood. He’s being mocked for his mind. I know what that’s like.”
Lee snorted. “You’ve never been mocked for your intellect. Maybe yourenthusiasm for evil,though.”
I grinned despite myself.
Then the classroom door burst open.
A young man stormed out, shoulders tense, face flushed. My instincts kicked in.
“That’s him!” I gasped. “Let’s go!”
My boots pounded against the tile as I sprinted after him, weaving through students in the hallway. With a final lunge, I caught his arm.
He whirled, startled, eyes wide with fear.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I said gently, trying to steady my breath and energy. “There’s no need to be scared.”
His chest rose and fell with fast, shallow breaths.
“What’s your name?” I asked, voice soft, searching his face.
His lips curled in visible revulsion. “Everyone here knows my name. Jack James—the weirdo obsessed with time travel.”
I straightened, schooling my features into a look that was both fearless and just a little seductive. With a secretive smile, I lowered my eyelids slightly, letting mystery drip from my tone. “I don’t think you’re weird. I think you’re… fascinating.”
He squinted at me, suspicion flaring in his eyes. “You’re messing with me.”
“I’m not. Truly,” I said, brushing my fingers lightly against his arm. “I’m new here. Just got to campus. I’m interested in archaeology.Maybe you could help me figure out what courses to take? Since it sounds like we share the same fascinations.”
Jack tilted his head, studying me as if trying to peel back my layers with a single look. “How do you know what I’m fascinated with?”
