‘Maybe your freaky blood, not mine.’

‘The Hunahpu gene is in your blood, too, shit-for-brains, and I can prove it. I discovered a place, a place in my mind where everything slows down. It’s like a higher dimension.’

‘Shut up.’

‘I’m serious. Our Hunahpu DNA gives us special abilities. By focusing our thoughts inward, we can actually tap into this higher realm.’

‘You’re making this up.’

‘Am not.’

Immanuel is frightened but curious. ‘Okay, tell me what it’s like.’

‘It was weird, but really cool. Everything around me sort of slowed down. But inside my head I felt, I don’t know … it was like I was more in control. I could do things, see in every direction all at once, control my body in different ways. I could slow down my heart, or even follow blood cells as they moved through my veins. It was like having another sense, one that lets you see inside yourself. The only thing is, you can’t stay in too long, or all this lactic acid starts building up in your muscles. I think it’s because your mind’s in the nexus, but your body’s still in the third dimension, and it’s moving extra fast.’

‘The nexus?’

‘That’s what I call it.’

‘Teach me how to do it.’

‘Come on.’

Manny follows Jacob outside to the fifty-meter pool.

‘What are you doing?’

‘Teaching you the way I learned, by holding my breath. Happens best when you’re frightened, when the adrenaline really kicks in.’ Jacob strips down to his shorts. ‘Swim down to the bottom and hold on to the ladder. Then close your eyes and look for a white pinpoint of light. When you see it, focus on it but don’t go in. The light will grow bigger, and then everything will just slow down. You’ll be able to tell ’cause your lungs won’t hurt anymore from holding your breath. Just remember, see the white light but don’t slip inside its warmth.’

‘Why can’t I go inside?’

‘Just don’t.’

‘Why not?’

‘I think it might be a higher dimension.’

‘Have you done it yet?’

‘Not yet, but I will one day.’

‘Are you afraid to do it?’

‘I’ll do it when I’m ready. You just focus on getting in the nexus.’

‘If I make it inside, how do I get out?’

‘Just say to yourself, I want out, and you’re out.’

‘What if I forget and drown?’

‘You won’t drown. Once you begin running out of air, your hands will let go of the ladder, and you’ll float to the surface. That’s what always happens to me. Every time I try to stay under, my body lets go and the nexus tosses me out.’

The dark-haired twin stares at the bottom of the pool. ‘I don’t know.’

‘Come on, Manny, stop being such a baby.’