Page 94 of The Pansy Paradox
“But—”
“Fairy lights?”
Her expression cleared, the dazzled look leaving her eyes. She drew in a breath and pressed a hand against her chest. “That makes no sense.”
“I know. Do you see them now?”
She turned, gaze canvassing the trees and sky and undergrowth. “Maybe. They’re not as bright.”
He exhaled, heart rate settling into something less panicked. “Good. Can you follow them while staying with me?”
“I think so.” She turned again, this time her focus on him. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure. Tell me again what you remember.”
“I remember thinking that the lights would lead me to my father. All I had to do was follow them.” She closed her eyes. “My mother was so angry when she found me, although I think she was mostly terrified. She was shouting.” Pansy gazed at him now, her expression clearing. “But not at me. Honestly, it feels like a dream. If it weren’t for the rule on her list, I’d doubt that it happened at all.”
“I think I know what’s at the covered bridge.”
“We shouldn’t keep going, should we?”
“Absolutely not.”
“But—?”
He managed a curt laugh. “I also think this is one of those rules we need to break.” He swung his umbrella around and adjusted the settings. “I’m not going to upload anything to the Enclave, but I’d like to collect what data we can. If you’re willing, that is. We’ll go only if you want to.”
She nodded and held out a hand. “I’d go anywhere with you, Agent Darnelle.”
Those words. That smile. They sent his heart racing once again. Henry tried not to read more into the statement than a mere surface flirtation, tried and frankly failed. But he took her hand, and the contact melted the tension gathering at the base of his skull. They were stronger like this, both more grounded. This felt right in a way nothing had in ages.
They pushed forward into the woods, easing their way around and beneath branches. Evergreen needles stroked his cheeks. The scent of pine filled his nose and mouth. The rush of water on rocks grew louder.
The clearing was small and sudden. One moment, they were in the woods, the next at the edge of a steep ravine. At its bottom, a stream tumbled over rocks and pebbles and meandered toward what must be a tributary of the Minnesota River at the heart of town.
Directly across from them was an old-fashioned covered bridge. Or there was until it vanished. Then it reappeared. The bridge flickered in and out of existence. As it did, it went from new construction to decrepitude in a matter of seconds, and not in any particular order.
“Is there a bridge, or isn’t there?” Pansy whispered.
“Yes.”
She gave him a sidelong glance. “I wish I’d paid more attention during physics.”
“I wish I had too.”
The Enclave provided instruction in this sort of thing, although the standard operating procedure was to back away slowly, cordon off the area, and then call for reinforcements. The bridge continued to flicker. That made sense. Then, much to his alarm, Pansy too began to flicker.
That did not.
Light came at them in what he could only describe as waves. It fractured and bent, bathing the small clearing in rainbow colors. The force barreled into him like Screamers, but all was silent. Then, at the center of the covered bridge, an expanse opened, gray and endless.
Except for the man who stood there.
The man was perhaps a decade older than Henry. Dark-haired, lanky, with a lean, hungry look to him. As he stepped closer, the man solidified and stared straight at Pansy.
“I never thought I’d get to see you again.” His eyes were wide with a tenderness that belied the rest of his appearance.
“So it was real.” Her words were so soft that Henry barely heard them.
