The world they knew shattered into light, and shimmering ribbons of silver and gold washed the channel. The howling wind reverberated around them as they freefell, Brokk’s heart lodging in his throat. A thousand voices echoed around them, their words muffled as Brokk and Memphis fell. Brokk felt the connection, the web, and he followed it, drawing closer to Emory.
It could have been centuries or seconds that passed, but in another explosion of light, they slammed down into grass. Brokk let go of Memphis and threw up in one motion. Acid pricked tears in his eyes, and staggering, disoriented, the sounds and scenery slowly came into focus.
They were in a strange forest made of tall trees and a grey cement path twisted through it, opening to a field. Beyond, a small stream bubbled over the many rockfaces. The noise was another matter completely. There was a constant beehive of activity, peoples’ voices the crescendo throughout it all.
Memphis shook his head, eyes instantly narrowing. The sticky heat of summer clung to his dark military clothes, his Commander’s shirt looking incandescent. Turning slowly, he registered what Memphis was staring at. A young woman in overly flashy clothing had stopped on the path wide-eyed and frozen at the sight of them.
Before Memphis could start battering about Emory, Brokk asked in a smooth voice, “Excuse me, but could you tell us where the nearest town is located?”
She squinted at him in suspicion, saying, “You’re in it. The nearest street is King Edward.”
Waving a hand to her left, Brokk dipped his head in thanks, towing Memphis with him.
Seething, Memphis asked under his breath, “Why didn’t you ask her if she knew about Emory? Are we even in the right place?”
Brokk snapped tensely, “Of course. Once I travel a channel, it’s set in my system. I wouldn’t have been brought anywhere else. But look around you. Look at us. I don’t think anyone would tell us even if I had asked. We’re a bit rough around the edges in comparison to this world.”
This world that wasn’t ravaged by Adair or magic. Brokk could feel his ability draining with every step—they didn’t have long before their abilities would deplete in this world with no magic. They had to move fast.
Around them was a maze of cement and roaring metal machines. Wires were strewn from pole to pole as they followed the grey path. Casting their eyes down from the stares of passersby, it was unlike anything they had seen before. Chemical smells mixed with the stale air assaulted them.
Memphis whispered, “Well, this is overwhelming. I can trace through people’s consciousness to track her. I just need time.”
Brokk nodded his head, trying to choke down his fear. They should have stayed in the forest away from prying eyes. Heading back to the cover of the trees, he motioned to Memphis. “C’mon. We’re drawing too much attention to ourselves.”
For the first time in his life, Memphis didn’t argue, and they made their way back to the woods.
***
Dark clouds rolled in the afternoon sky while they stalked down the grey path once more. The forest had provided them with a couple of hours to gain their bearings. Both men had felt it, their abilities being stretched too thin in this world.
Brokk wrung his hands, asking for the hundredth time, “Are you sure?”
Memphis curtly replied, “For the hundredth time, yes.”
When it came down to it, it had only taken Memphis a couple of hours to find the thread of Emory’s actions and trace her back to where she lived, which was a small three-story building, thankfully, not too far from their primary location.
Jealously pierced through him. This safe world was only fleeting. Brokk wondered what Emory’s life was like and how they were about to change it.
Thunder rolled from above them, and the clouds took on a green hue as lightning flashed in the distance.
“We have to hurry,” Brokk said.
They ran, twisting and curving around buildings and people. The humidity was suffocating, sweat rolled down Brokk’s body, and Memphis motioned to his right.
“Over there,” he said.
Crossing over to a bigger grey path where blaring screams echoed around them, they dodged the speeding machines.
Pushing forward, they swept toward an older man walking toward the brick building, and Memphis whispered, “Watch this.”
The man stopped, clearly confused, and slowly reached for his pocket, withdrawing a key. They caught up to him, and his eyes took on a milky quality as Memphis whispered, “Walk. Unlock the door. You didn’t see us here.”
It was as easy as that. Brokk sprinted, Memphis following behind him.
Emory. Emory. Emory. Emory.
Heart surging, his feet carried him faster as they spiraled up the staircase.
Memphis said, “I got the door!”
Stepping into the building, the hallway was darkly lit, the staircase in front of them old and worn. Ominously, Brokk and Memphis lithely moved up the stairs. Reaching the third floor, Memphis stopped in front of a door that read one hundred and seven and grabbed Brokk’s arm, stopping him.
Suddenly, the light source cut, plunging them in complete darkness. Brokk heard the lock springing free, the door creaking open under Memphis’s command.
Raising his eyebrow, Brokk muttered, “Learned some new tricks?”
Memphis whispered back, “I’ve been practicing.”
Stepping into the room, Brokk froze, his breath slamming out of his chest when he spotted a silhouette at the end of the hallway of the apartment.
The woman stilled; her green eyes luminous as lightning flared in the windows behind her. Long black hair trailed past her shoulders, her petite frame, lean and healthy.
Emotion tightened his throat, and he whispered, “Em.”
Her scream echoed throughout every fiber in his body, and she sprinted to her right, grabbing a small device, the screen lighting up underneath her touch.
“I’m calling the police right now. Who the hell are you?” Emory yelled.
At their non-response, she ran back into the room, and a book flew past his head. Both Brokk and Memphis ducked from
