Quantum Coin by E.C. Myers

Author:E.C. Myers [Myers, E.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Published: 2012-10-23T07:00:00+00:00

They arrived in an empty parking lot in front of a closed shopping mall. Nathaniel's giddy laughter echoed around them.

Ephraim was disoriented, but Nathaniel knew where they were and guided them back to the Everett Institute as quickly as he could. Even at night, the streets were practically as bright as noon, lit up like Times Square.

As soon as Nathaniel palmed the door open and they walked into the atrium housing the LCD, Zoe ran out of the control room to the side.

“Ephraim! Nathaniel!” Zoe said. She hugged Ephraim first, knocking him back half a foot and nearly unbalancing them both.

“Zoe,” he said. “Easy there.”

She loosened her grip and looked him in the eyes. They were practically nose to nose. Their warm breath mingled. Then she pulled away, glanced downward, and giggled.

Ephraim was still wearing the slippers from the Kims' house. He wiggled his toes in the cotton footies and sighed. He was going to lose his deposit for his shoe rental at the store.

“What is it with you and shoes?” she asked.

He'd been barefoot when he first met Zoe, after he'd had to make a hasty exit from a universe while wading in the park fountain.

“No hug for me?” Nathaniel asked.

Zoe turned and tackled Nathaniel.

“Thanks for the last-minute save, Z,” Nathaniel said.

“I was so worried! How did you get back here?” she asked.

Nathaniel showed her his controller.

“You built that with 1950s technology?”

He stashed it in his jacket. “I'm flattered you think I could. I'll explain later. How are things here?”

“Weird,” Zoe said.

He glanced at the LCD. The disc was horizontal, the rings around it spinning in opposite directions. He clapped a hand on Zoe's shoulder and went into the control room.

While they waited for Nathaniel to return, Ephraim explained what had happened since Jena and Hugh Everett had left them in 1954.

Nathaniel stalked out of the control room. “Where's Doc?”

“She's been in her office since Jena and Hugh got back. I was worried she'd try to stop me, but I don't think she even noticed what I was up to.”

“Then excuse me. I need to have a word with her.” Nathaniel strode toward the doors and slapped the panel with his hand. He didn't even wait for the door to lift all the way; he ducked under it as it slowly rose. A second later he crouched in the doorway to peer out at them. “You two did great today.”

Ephraim and Zoe waved him off.

“I'm glad you were looking out for us,” Ephraim said, as they followed Nathaniel into the building at a more leisurely pace.

“Always,” Zoe said. “You're okay?”

Ephraim pressed his hand to the panel on the inside, and the door lowered. Dr. Kim had given him the access she'd promised after all. The sound of the machinery outside was muffled enough that they could talk in a normal voice.

“I am now. Do you think we'll get in trouble?” he said.

Zoe scowled. “I did what I had to do. I couldn't leave you there, Eph. Both of you.”

“Was she happy that we found Hugh?” Ephraim asked.

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