“Something like that.” I rub my arms, which have grown cold. “Do you have any idea what they were talking about?”

“No, but it’s probably nothing. I’m sure it doesn’t have anything to do with us.”

“Are you kidding me? They mentioned the five of us. And it sounded like they’d done this before.” I pace back and forth in the small space. “And next they want to use little kids!”

“I highly doubt a company like Aether Corporation would send children to the future.”

“But it all makes sense now. Why else would they use foster kids? They know we won’t be missed if something happens to us!”

“They chose us because of our abilities. And we’re not all foster kids.”

“No, you’re the only one who isn’t.” I stop pacing and stare at him. “So why are you here?”

“I…” He shakes his head and looks down. For a minute there is only silence, and I realize that’s his answer.

I turn away. We may have to work together, but we’re strangers. It was stupid to think I could trust Adam. And he’s right—he’s not one of us.

“Forget it,” I say, opening the door. “Just forget I said anything.”

I return to my exam room. As I wait, I replay the scientists’ conversation in my head a dozen times, trying to understand it. My only guess is there was another group of people who went to the future before us and something bad happened to them. Now the scientists are worried the same thing might happen to us. But that doesn’t explain why they need teenagers or kids even younger than us.

I’m tempted to run away from this place as fast as I can. But if I do, I’ll be exactly where I was before Lynne recruited me, looking for jobs and trying to figure out how I’ll survive once I turn eighteen. And I’ll miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—the chance to see the future.

No, I can’t back out now.

Lynne collects the five of us and takes us down to the basement level of the building. In the elevator, the tension in the air is almost tangible. Zoe chews on her black nails. Trent leans against the wall with his eyes closed. Chris glares at everyone. Adam keeps staring at me, opening and closing his mouth like he wants to say something. I avoid looking at him and hope he gets the hint.

The elevator doors open to a vast concrete room filled with computer panels and scientists in lab coats. In the center stands a domed enclosure covered in thick metal tubes that hug the machine, wrapping around it and leaving only one gap for a small door. This must be the accelerator.

“What, no TARDIS?” Adam asks. “I was hoping for a DeLorean, personally.”