Oliver shook his head, grappling with his dilemma. Its just a big decision to make. I dont even know you. You could be lying about everything.

I can prove it to you, Ralph said. Although, Doctor Ziblatt called me the worst student the School for Seers has ever had. So youll have to bear with me.

He grinned, clearly unfazed by the moniker, then reached down and picked up a crisp leaf from the sidewalk. He placed it in his palm and turned his attention to it. Oliver watched on curiously.

Ralphs gaze became very soft and unfocused, like someone going into a state of hypnosis. For a long time nothing happened. Oliver started to feel even more like this was all some crazy hoax, or something he was imagining. But then, the leaf began to change. Very slowly, its sides began to curl inward. Oliver gasped as he realized it was starting to shrivel and die. Its orange color dulled to brown. Then suddenly it turned to powder in Ralphs palm before blowing away on the gentle breeze.

Olivers mouth fell open. He looked up at Ralph in shock and awe. Hed never seen anything like it. But here was the evidence. It was all real. It really was.

Phew, Ralph said, wiping perspiration from his forehead. I was worried that wasnt going to work.

He smiled, quickly returning to his jovial self, to the kind, green-eyed boy who put Oliver at ease.

So? he asked. Theres still time to change your mind. You dont have to find out about your quest if you dont want to. But take it from me, you wont find any answers back in your old life. His tone took on a gentle cajoling. Come to the School for Seers with me and find out what your destiny really is. Come on.

Oliver stood frozen to the spot. His mind repeated over and over the moment of magic Ralph had shown him, while the boys words echoed in his ears. It was a monumental choice to make.

Except, what choice did he really have? The time machine that had brought him here had blown up. It didnt exist anymore. He was stuck. Either he wandered around aimlessly in the past, or he took a chance and went to the school.

With a gulp, Oliver made up his mind. Okay. Ill do it. Im coming with you.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Ralph and Oliver headed along the street, which was familiar yet unfamiliar at the same time, with shorter buildings and not a single high-rise blotting the horizon. Strange old cars passed them, the men inside wearing fedora hats. Many of the lots werent even developed yet, though in Olivers time there were warehouses or apartments buildings there. They passed a school where children in old-fashioned gray clothing played with wooden hoops. It all felt so strange and eerie to Oliver. He could still not quite believe he was in 1944.