Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

Chapter 10

Without a second thought, I dive in the water. As my feet leave the ground, time seems like it slows down, almost stopping. Just as suddenly as it slows, it speeds up to triple speed, then back to normal. I feel like I’m being jerked back and forth on a wooden roller coaster. The sensation is disorienting but I can't move to stop it. As the speed of time keeps fluctuating, I realize Kas is instinctively trying to save herself by using her powers, but she’s freaking out so she can't control them.

As Iam stuck in mid-air, another concern comes to mind. When Kas gets too stressed out, she has premonitions. When that happens, she turns catatonic. Sometimes it's for hours at a time. It’s unnerving to watch her go through it. Stuck in her own mind, watching traumatic events that haven't happened yet. If Iam frozen in mid-air and she turns catatonic, she is definitely going to drown and I won’t be able to do anything but watch it happen.

I watch helplessly from above as she slides completely underwater, desperately trying to kick and paddle. As she sinks, time finally stabilizes, and I hit the water. I pull myself down to the bottom of the pool and grab her by the waist. She is still trying to struggle, but barely. I push off the bottom and kick as hard as I can until her head is above the surface. She sucks in as much of a breath as she can while she wraps herself tightly around me. She keeps coughing and gagging on the water, still trying to call out for help. I keep one arm secure around her while I use the other to get us back to the side of the pool.

Besides her violet aura glowing brightly and not being able to control time like she normally can, the surge in her energy is making her hands blistering hot on my back.

As I grip the edge of the pool, Milo reaches out for Kas to help her get out.

“Milo! Be careful! Her hands are burning up,” I warn. He gives me a little nod of understanding.

“I got you, Little Sister,” he reassures her. He reaches out and takes her by the armpits instead of her hands and tries to lift her out of the water, but she won't let go of me. I carefully pry her arms and legs from around me, reassuring her she is safe, as he pulls her up.

dry land, she turns to see Milo is the one holding her. She becomes hysterical all over again and wraps her arms around

touch, but he hugs her back anyway. As he does, I can smell burning flesh. I need to get her off of him before she really

Look, Bronx is right here and Reggie. See? Lenora and Ashley are coming too,” his voice cracks from the pain as he soothes her. In the distance, Lenora, Ashley, and the pack doctor are

sit on my knees. I reach my hand out for her, but I don't know what kind of mental

chest, pushing her hair out of her

scared and shaky. A complicated look comes over her face, as if she doesn’t believe she is actually seeing me. My heart thuds in my chest, worried that she won’t take my hand. That she won’t want to be with me. After what seems like an eternity, she lets go of

tightly around

whisper as I settle her into my lap. My skin is blistering on my ribs under her hands. I close my eyes and concentrate. I

doctor is huffing to catch his breath, looking in disbelief at Kas

here, Kas. Are you hurt?” Reggie leans forward,

she whimpers from under the towel she’s wrapped

look up to see Lenora and Ashley with confused looks on

to examine Kas. I motion to give me

from around her and whisper softly in her ear, “Kas, can the doctor check you