When it comes right down to it, was my mistake any different than what I accused Spader of? I let my emotions control me, just as Spader did. As I’m writing this journal, I’m admitting that I have very real doubts about myself as a Traveler. Saint Dane put me at that rocket to prove a point. He knew I wouldn’t be able to let theHindenburgcrash, which means he knew how to control me.
I can’t let that happen again. The stakes are way too high. I know that, now more than ever. If there’s anything good that came from my failure on First Earth, it’s that I have now totally given myself over to being a Traveler.
One way or another, I’m in it to the end.
As I’ve written so many times before, I hope you guys are reading this. I have no idea when I’ll be able to write again, or from what territory. All I can say is, check the safe-deposit box at the bank every so often to see if there are any new deliveries. I won’t stop writing. I can’t. Writing these journals has kept me sane. It makes me feel as if you guys are here with me. So until the next time, have fun, be safe, and think about me every once in a while.
Your friend,
Bobby
END OF JOURNAL #12
…Your friend, Bobby.
Courtney lowered the final journal and looked at Mark. They had been taking turns reading aloud to each other for the last five hours in Courtney’s father’s basement workshop. They ate turkey sandwiches and chips and carrots. Mark drank Dew, Courtney stuck with water. They only took breaks for the bathroom. It had been a marathon, and now it was over.
Courtney slammed the journal down on the table in front of them. “I’m totally freaked out,” she announced.
“Yeah, m-me too,” Mark said, relieved that Courtney admitted it first. “If Gunny hadn’t let theHindenburgblow up-“
“We wouldn’t be talking about it,” Courtney concluded.
“Exactly,” Mark said. “No New York, no Stony Brook, no… us.”
“I’m afraid to look outside,” Courtney said. “What if the world has changed?”
“It hasn’t,” Mark said with authority. “The Travelers made sure of that.”
“This is getting serious, Mark” Courtney said with rising panic. “I mean, this is too close to home.” The two stared at the closed journals, letting the thought hang there. Finally Mark said, “Maybe not.”
“What do you mean?” Courtney shot back with surprise. “You’re the one who said Saint Dane was going to show up here sooner or later, right?”
“Yeah, I did,” Mark answered. “I’ve been worried the battle was going to land on Second Earth from the very beginning.”
“And it almost did!” Courtney exclaimed.
“But you know,” Mark continued thoughtfully. “After reading this last journal, I’m thinking there’s a chance we might be off the hook.”
“Seriously?”
“Think about it. If Saint Dane’s plan with theHindenburgwould have destroyed all three Earth territories, maybe he won’t come here after all. I mean, maybe he already took his shot.”
Courtney gave a hopeful look to Mark. “You’re thinking there might not be a turning point here on Second Earth?” she asked.
“No,” he replied. “I’m thinking the turning point for Second and Third Earth might have been the destruction of theHindenburg. Kind of like three-for-one. There’s a chance we may have dodged a pretty huge bullet.”
Courtney thought about this for a moment, then said, “That would be incredible! But, how will we know for sure?”
Mark answered, “That’s the thing. We won’t.”
The two let this hang for a moment. Courtney studied Mark for a second and then said, “You seem kind of disappointed.”
“Me? No, what are you kidding? I’m totally relieved. I just hope I’m right.”
Mark put the journals into his backpack. “I think we should keep all the journals in the safe-deposit box at the bank from now on. It’s way safer than the desk in my attic.” ”Cool,” Courtney said. “I’ll come by your house tomorrow morning. Eight o’clock. We’ll take all the journals in together.”
When he got home Mark went to his bedroom and reread some of Bobby’s adventure. He was looking for clues that might prove his theory about Second Earth. The more he read, the more he felt certain that Second Earth was safe.
And it bothered him.
Courtney had read Mark right. Hewasdisappointed. It wasn’t that he wanted there to be trouble on Second Earth; it was more that he was feeling left out. Bobby had a new life now. It didn’t help when Bobby referred to Spader as his best friend. That stung. He and Bobby had been inseparable since they were toddlers. Now they were growing about as far apart as possible.
Though he never admitted it to Courtney, Mark had fantasized about the day when Saint Dane would make his move on Second Earth. It meant Bobby would come home, and they could all work together to outwit the demon. Now it looked like that chance would never come. If Saint Dane didn’t target Second Earth, Bobby would have no reason to come home.
Mark went to sleep that night feeling as if his one shot at adventure had passed him by.
First thing the next morning Courtney arrived at Mark’s house, and they loaded all twelve of Bobby’s journals into his backpack. It made them nervous to move them, but they felt sure it was worth it. The vault at the National Bank of Stony Brook was way safer than the wooden desk in Mark’s attic.
As they walked to the bank Mark made a decision. He had to tell Courtney how he felt. The two had made a pact to tell each other everything about anything that had to do with Bobby and the journals. When Mark lied to her about Andy Mitchell discovering them, it had led to a total mess. After that Mark promised that he would share everything.
So on the way to the bank, Mark admitted to Courtney that he hoped Saint Dane would still come to Second Earth, so they could join forces with Bobby and battle the evil demon together.
He knew she’d understand.
“Are you crazy?” she shouted back at him.
She didn’t understand. Not even a little bit.
“This isn’t a game, Mark. It’s easy to read those journals while we’re eating carrots all comfy on the couch, but getting involved is a whole ‘nother ballgame.”
“I know that-” Mark said.
“It’s like watching reality shows on TV,” Courtney went on. “People do crazy stuff like jumping across buildings or living on an island with no food or eating bugs, and it doesn’t seem all that hard. But that’s because we can turn off the TV, and go to bed, and know breakfast will be on the table in the morning. If Saint Dane shows up here, we can’t turn off the TV and go to bed.”
“I understand-“
“Do you?” Courtney was getting worked up. “Really? I’ll tell you what I think. I think you sound like Spader.”
“How’s th-that?” Mark shot back, tweaked by the comment.
“Spader is more worried about Spader than about protecting Halla,” Courtney reasoned. “That’s why Bobby told him to go home. If you’re hoping Saint Dane shows up here so you can have an adventure with Bobby, then you’re thinking more about you than you are about Second Earth.”
“Jeez, all right,” Mark shot back. “I get it. It’s not like I can do anything about it, anyway. I’m not gonna call Saint Dane up and invite him over for lunch.”
The two looked at each other, and laughed. The image of Mark calling up Saint Dane was pretty ridiculous. ”Sorry, Mark,” Courtney said with a smile. “I didn’t mean to go up on you like that. I’m just scared, is all.”
“I am too,” Mark said. “But I wanted to let you know how I felt. We promised to do that, right?”
