Rome - Quantum Fold Chapter 3/ 1

Adrienne blinked, looking around at the unfamiliar place. Glancing at Kayla “Where are we?”

 

“We’re in an alley in Rome. Are you hungry?” Kayla smiled.

 

"Hungry? I’m starving," Adrienne said, pressing a hand to her stomach. "I haven’t eaten in hours. Rome, Italy??"

 

Kayla smirked. "Seems like I’ve heard that before. My favorite restaurant is just around the corner. Yes, Italy."

 

A loud bang caused both girls to jump and turn to look outside. Nerves commented Kayla.

 

Inside, Kayla scanned the restaurant and requested a booth in the farthest corner, darkened and private. She slid in close to Adrienne, their thighs pressed together as she ordered a bottle of red wine. Leaning close to Adrienne, her voice barely audible. "We need to talk quietly. They’re everywhere. Listening."

 

The waiter approached, bottle in hand, and gave them a knowing glance. Their heads were tilted toward each other, the space between them minimal as he poured their glasses.

 

Adrienne inhaled sharply, scanning the restaurant with growing unease. Then, turning back to Kayla, she whispered, "What exactly just happened back at my place?"

 

Kayla swirled her wine in the glass before taking a slow sip. "It’s more about what didn’t happen. They found us, things went sideways. I jumped, but you got stranded. I jumped back to get you out."

 

Adrienne shook her head slightly, not understanding. "There were two of you?"

 

Kayla leaned in closer, her voice barely audible. "Yes. I jumped back in time—I was there with you. But when I jumped back again, a ‘future me’ appeared. Two timelines converged."

 

Adrienne studied her carefully. "And where is the other you now?"

 

Kayla exhaled softly, fingertips brushing against the stem of her glass. "She jumped when we did. After that, I’m not sure. What I did was risky. It created what’s called a timeline knothole—a loose end. She still exists in the timeline we were in. But by pulling you out, I changed it."

 

Adrienne’s gaze flickered over Kayla’s face, searching for certainty. "If anything happens to her…?"

 

"IF something were to happen, depending on what point in time it happens, , it could affect me in this timeline. It’s dangerous."

 

Adrienne took a breath, her fingers tightening around her glass. Kayla tilted her head, studying her reaction, then offered a sly smile. "I know it’s confusing. Try the wine."

 

They sipped in silence, their shoulders nearly touching. Kayla tore off a piece of bread, then asked, "How did you find the device?"

 

Adrienne sighed. "I was in an antique store…" She hesitated, staring at her glass. "It was like it called to me. I should never have touched it. That’s when the trouble started."

 

Kayla’s expression darkened. "It had belonged to another jumper—they left it out as bait. You heard it because you’re one of us. They weren’t sure but the moment you activated it, even briefly, you were on everyone’s radar."

 

What if I hadn’t activated it?

 

Kayla poured more wine in their glasses. “They would have taken it back and almost certainly would have killed you.”

 

Adrienne swallowed hard. "What happened to the other jumper?"

 

Kayla met her gaze, voice barely above a whisper. "They killed her."

 

Adrienne froze, stunned, just as the waiter placed their plates of pasta in front of them.

 

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You can view Quantum Fold episodes in order from the beginning in her album titled, Quantum Fold:

 

www.flickr.com/photos/199076397@N02/albums/72177720326169...

 

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