Fusion (18 page)

“Is that why Dad is here?” I asked.

Bruno didn’t answer my question, but I could tell from his expression that I wasn’t wrong.

But how? What did Dad have to do with this? My mind flew back to the fear that had held me hostage last night: the scratching at my door, the heavy breathing, the house full of guests that Finna told me to stay away from. Sheesh! Was Alfred harboring the killers? Why would he?

“Hey, what’s up? You’ve gone all pale.” Kellan put his arm around me. “You feeling okay? Have you eaten today?”

“No. But that’s not it. Just an insane thought.”

“Share?”

“Later,” I whispered, glancing at Bruno.

“Don’t mind me!” he laughed.

“It’s just that Finna has been acting weird ever since I got here.” I told them about the guests and what had happened last night. “Does this have something to do with it? I mean, if we’re in a mansion full of deranged killers, we ought to know, don’t you think? We should call the police.”

Bruno shook his head. “I have no idea who Alfred’s guests are, but I am sure they have nothing to do with the killings.”

“How can you be sure of that?” Kellan asked.

“Because Alfred is a friend of your father’s and would never be involved in something like that,” Bruno said resolutely. “The only point here is that it’s a dangerous time and—”

“Dad is somehow involved,” I finished for him.

“I am,” Dad confirmed, appearing in the room. I preferred him using the door. These sudden entries freaked me out. “Now, I have spoken to Olivia,” he said, changing the subject, much to my annoyance. “And our priority is, of course, to keep you safe while these killings continue. As Bruno just told you, the problem is even wider than is being reported. At the moment, it seems to be concentrated around the major cities, but—” He threw up his arms.

“So you are helping to stop it?” I asked. “How?”

“It’s not something I can go into right now. I have to get back to work, but I will sit down and answer all your questions when this is finished. Okay?”

I shuddered, the images from the TV suddenly feeling real. “Dad, I’m scared. What are we going to do if any of these terrorists come to Mountain View? You won’t even be there to help us.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, and then said, “I know. And I can’t begin to tell you how that thought rips me apart. The situation is getting worse, and I have no choice but to move you out of here—to a safer place. I have asked Olivia to take you through the Portal.”

D
ad left quickly after his announcement, silencing my questions, telling me that Mom would fill me in on everything I needed to know. Needed and wanted, such different things. I had no doubt that I was going to be left feeling out of the loop once again, even more so than I already was. Bruno transported me back immediately, while Kellan and David had to wait for Sigma-Ws to help them back home.

I couldn’t help but feel excited at the prospect of going through the Portal again. I would finally be in the same dimension as my doppelganger. I had asked Dad why he couldn’t just wander us over, and he’d explained that he didn’t want anyone knowing our whereabouts. I guess that Stan’s breach of his security had thrown him. Even Bruno left after dropping me off in the empty family room at home.

I followed the sounds of running and banging upstairs and found Mom in my room throwing stuff into a suitcase. She’d turned on CNN, which showed Anderson Cooper in the throes of discussing the latest killings in Paris. She turned off the TV as soon as she saw me. “Good! You’re home.” She threw her arms around me. The next second, she was shouting. I stood quietly and let her get it all out. I really didn’t have a defense to present.

“I am sorry, Mom,” was all I said when she finished.

She looked unhappy with my apology but pointed to my bed. My suitcase lay open with a bunch of stuff piled inside. “Finish packing. We’re leaving as soon as we’re all ready.”

“Mom, can Kellan come? I know he’s going to want to stay close to us.”

“Yes, that’s already been taken care of. Larry is getting their stuff together.”

“What about Maria, Ali? And Ariele?” Even though I didn’t know her as well as the others, once we were in the other dimension, she’d be good to have around to help figure out a way to get to New Jersey to visit my doppelganger.

“I know you are worried about your friends, but we can’t take them all. It’s got to be just us for now.”

“But what if something happens to them? What if whoever is doing the city killings comes to Mountain View? Then what?”

She looked sad. “We simply can’t transport everyone out of here. We just have to hope for the best.”

“Mom, I’m ready,” Ella said from the doorway. “Arizona! You’re back! Who was that boy in your room?”

“Just a friend. I better get on with the packing.”

“Yeah? Kellan wasn’t happy when I told him about it.” She grinned cheekily.

“You silly, come help me pack.”

She busied herself in my closet while I checked through what Mom had packed for me. Tallulah trotted in and waited outside the closet for Ella.

“We’re taking her, right?” I asked Mom.

“No. I don’t dare bring her through the Portal after what happened with Gertrude. I am going to ask David to bring her in a few days.”

“Sheesh, Ella’s not going to be happy.”

“Your dad wants us to go over without anyone else’s involvement. He’s concerned about how easy it was for you to just take off like that.”

“Yes, but surely he trusts David?”

“He does. And he also trusts Inez and Morgana. While he doesn’t know the others as well, he assumes their loyalty. However, with everything going on, he wants to be extra careful. Inez and David will make their way to Kevin’s house with Tallulah. We’ll pick her up there in a few days.”

“Where are we going?”

“To stay with an old friend of mine. You don’t know her. Her name is Celia. Her husband is in computers, and they moved to Mountain View from London when he was headhunted for a job with Google.”

“Will we have to stay there long? Do they have any kids?”

“No, it’s just the two of them now. They had a daughter, Sarah, a law student, but she died in a car crash.”

“Wow, that’s rough. What happened?”

Mom shrugged. “I don’t know, and Celia won’t talk about it. Anyhow, I have to go and organize my stuff. Then I need to talk to Larry about the Portal. Stay here please, and keep an eye on Ella. I’ll be in my bedroom.”

I had to find a way for Ariele to come with me. I picked up the phone and called her, stepping into the hallway so Ella couldn’t hear me. She was still busy sorting out my clothes anyway. “Ariele?”

“Hey, what’s up?”

“A lot! We’re going through the Portal, back to your home dimension.”

“Get out! When? I am coming, of course.”

“Soon. We’re packing now.”

“Who’s going? Just you? How did you convince your mom to let you do this? Did you have to tell her about the doppelganger?”

I laughed. “Slow down! Way too many questions. I’ll explain later. First we need to figure out a way for you to join us. I asked my mom if you could come, but she said no. So, have you any ideas on how to convince her?”

“Actually, my mom really wants to go back to our home, our real home, in the other dimension. She talked to my dad about it just last night. She’s going to ask Dr. Darley to send us back.”

“Like you want to go back forever? Not come back here again?”

“Yeah,” she said, her voice breaking.

“Why? Don’t you like it here?”

“It’s just different. I thought I would be okay with it last year, but now with sort of losing my best friend—again—it’s hard. I feel out of place.”

“But I’m sure we’ll be friends. I like you. I didn’t mean to be so standoffish. I was just confused—still am.”

“We would be—will be—friends, I’m sure of it, but I really miss my life and my family and friends.”

“What about your parents? Their jobs?”

“Neither of them expected this, to be suddenly removed from everything they know. Mom loves working with your mom and really wants to continue working on the projects, but she agrees that no job is worth this sacrifice. I’m sure Mom would like some more time to get organized, but if it’s a now or next year deal, she’ll probably jump into action. Why don’t we meet you at Ames? I’ll ask my mom to call yours.”

“Okay. And hopefully, I’ll see you at the Portal.”

It was hard deciding what to pack, especially as Mom had limited us to one carry-on size piece of luggage each. Still, it wasn’t like we were heading to another country, so getting replacement stuff would be easy. I packed a few of my favorites and then lugged my suitcase down the stairs to where Ella’s bag was already ready and waiting. She was feeding Tallulah. I sat down and watched them. She was going to be devastated at leaving the dog behind, even for a few days. I wondered why David couldn’t bring her right away.

I sat in the kitchen and waited for Mom to come down.

“Are you excited about going to Universal Studios?” Ella asked and sat down beside me.

“Um? Is that what we’re doing? Sorry, I haven’t had a chance to catch up yet.”

“Yes, Mom wants us to have a little break after all the stuff that’s been happening with you. I am going to miss Tallulah, though. She’s going to stay with David’s mom until we get back from Universal.”

“Is that so? Well, she’ll be happy there. She loves Mrs. Skoog.”

“Yes, but I’m going to miss her. Have you been to Universal Studios before?”

“Yes, but it was years ago. It’ll be fun to go again. It’s got some cool rides.”

“Okay, girls, are you ready?” Mom said, walking into the kitchen.

“Yes. Did Ariele’s mom call you?” I asked.

Mom glared at me sharply. “I don’t know what is going on with you at the moment. You were told not to tell anyone.”

“Why can’t we tell anyone about going on vacation, Mom?” Ella butted in.

“It’s not about that, Ella. You can tell whoever you want that we’re going on vacation. That’s what I told your school.”

“Why are you mad at Arizona, then?”

“She invited a friend without asking me.”

“Who?”

“Ariele, but—”

“She’s cool. We had an awesome time in New York with her. Please let her come… pleeease.”

“I already said no. We don’t have enough space for more people. Maybe next time. Now, get in the car, and we’ll be on our way.”

“What about Harry?” I asked, failing to come up with any last minute arguments for bringing Ariele. I’d have to figure out how to get her there later or just do Princeton on my own.

“He’s meeting us at Ames with Grandma.”

“I thought Grandma was still in France.”

“Your father arranged for her to come back. Anyhow, let’s go. Time to head off on a fun adventure, as Ella says.”

We piled into the car and dropped Tallulah off with Inez after a lot of doggie smooches, which were a whole lot less wet than Cleo’s.

Mom didn’t say anything on the way to Ames, and I didn’t want to ruffle her feathers by asking her anything that might upset Ella. She’d obviously been fed a story that had her excited about our journey, and I wasn’t going to be responsible for turning that excitement into even a hint of fear. I had no idea what or who to expect as we walked into Mom’s office.

“Ariele!” My jaw dropped. After what Mom had said back at the house, she was the last person I’d expected to see. But there she was, along with her mom and dad.

“Glenda,” my mother said coldly, “I thought we were done with
this
conversation.”

“Olivia, please don’t be angry. You may have been done with this conversation, but I wasn’t. We’d like to come.”

“Please, Mom! It’ll be fun!” Ella ran up to Ariele and gave her a hug.

Poor Mom. She was sort of cornered.

“Glenda, please come with me,” Mom said and ushered her out the door.

I guess she was going to have a final go at talking Ariele’s mom out of it. Ariele’s dad sat down and turned on the TV. I wondered what he did for a living. Ella sat down in front of the TV as well, and he glanced at her and flicked past CNN to the E! channel.

“The battle of the moms,” Ariele whispered to me.

I snickered. My mom was not one to lose a fight, but this once, I hoped she would.

“Did you bring any stuff?” I glanced around the office.

“No, we just rushed out the door to make sure to be here on time.”

“Do your parents have a plan? What are they planning to do once they get back to your home dimension?”

“I think that’s what Mom is discussing with your mom. I guess we’ll just check into a hotel or something.”

“It may not be as easy as that. None of your credit cards will work over there.”

“For real?”

“Yes.”

“We’ll just have to figure it out. We’re all in agreement that we want to go home.”

“Remember that you’ll have to deal with a lot of press.”

“Yeah, we are going to have to get our stories straight. I hope Mom’s got a plan.”

I nodded as our moms walked back in the room followed by Harry, Grandma, Larry, and Kellan. Kellan’s face broke into a wide smile when he saw me, making my lips mirror the shape. I met him halfway, his arms encircling me. I didn’t need to say anything to him, feeling that he already felt my excitement and fear. I looked up into his eyes, which blinked in confirmation. The message was clear—I needed him to just
be
, and he would.