Jump Line (Book 1 - Jump Line Series)

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

His words caused a blush to creep up the side of my face. I could feel the subtle burn on my skin.

Theo shook his head. "Esa, I need you to focus on Samuel right now, and how we will free him from his cell."

"Huh?"

"You are Captain Esa James. Seriously, let's go. I don't have time for you to start acting soft. Besides, this is how you wanted it to be."

Theo pulled out his medallion and grabbed my hand. His touch caused a brief shock between our palms. With my hand clasped in his, we walked toward the Jump Line. In seconds, the colors faded to daylight and we were standing near the bridge—the same bridge where I'd first confronted Samuel. The bridge where he'd grabbed me and taken me home.

"Be patient," Theo whispered. However, I heard his breathing quicken as he crouched next to me.

From behind a large tree, we peered through the lush foliage. Droplets of water dripped from some of the leaves onto the ground below. I had forgotten it had rained that day.

"Any moment now."

Theo held me back when Samuel appeared several feet in front of us. He didn't look our way. Instead, he kneeled beside the last plank on the bridge and pulled up the old piece of wood. He left a piece of paper underneath before running off in the opposite direction.

Theo looked at me sternly. "Stay here. Don't move. You're about to arrive, and we can't risk you colliding in this year."

A large lump developed in my throat. Me. I would get to see me. Then something dawned on me. "How do you know I'm about to arrive?" I was curious. It seemed odd that Theo would know exactly when one of us would arrive, unless he was somehow tracking my movements.

Theo paused. "I just know."

"Really? Well, why don't you tell me how you know?"

Theo lowered his head. "I was there. I knew Samuel was up to something. Several days before he found you he started jumping and wouldn't tell any of us why. I finally figured it out."

"Why wouldn't he tell you?" I asked, surprised.

"I guess because we had tried so hard when you first disappeared and he didn't want to get the rest of the team's hopes up. I don't know. All I know is, he didn't tell any of us that he had started to feel your energy again. I had felt new surges as well, but I'd assumed they were from another team member. Since you and Samuel are twins, I guess he could feel you a little bit clearer. Somehow, he knew you were in this year."

"Fine. Go see what Samuel left for us," I whispered glancing toward the bridge.

Theo crept through the trees, toward the spot where Samuel had stood. He crouched and lifted the old board. It made a snapping sound as it came away from the main structure. Theo withdrew the small piece of paper and looked over it. I saw his expression change from curiosity to anger, but before I could make any sort of move, he opened his hand and the paper went up in flames. Theo swung back his arm and the ashes drifted to the ground.

I kept my eyes trained on him, wondering what was happening. Until a noise, somewhere in the distance, caused me to turn.

"What did you see?" I whispered to Theo when he returned to my side.

"I'm not sure," he said. "It looked like a bunch of gibberish. Something is still missing."

"I could have helped you figure out what it meant if you hadn't destroyed the paper."