36 HOURS LATER
Jon and Karyn materialised about two inches above the floor of Zoe's bedroom. They both landed with a loud thud.
"That hurt!" Karyn exclaimed as the soles of her feet tingled with pain.
"You should have bent your knees." Jon told her.
"I haven't had to before."
"It's good practice in case it happens again."
"Why did we appear in mid-air anyway?" She asked. Jon bent down to examine the floor. He wasn't keen on the purple carpet. It was something this Zoe had in common with his own Zoe at least. Her carpet was considerably darker though.
"It appears this floor is several inches lower than in my bedroom." He informed her as he stood up.
"That doesn't make any sense. It's the same room."
"It will be one of the myriad of tiny differences in this world because I don't exist here. You should be prepared for anything." Karyn shook her head.
"We've been here before, you know?"
"We never travelled beyond the street outside and the garden. It's a big world out there." Jon glanced at the DTH then took a look out the window. He had a distant look on his face when he turned back round again. Karyn immediately picked up on it.
"What's wrong?"
"Being this close to the flower petal dimension," Jon paused, "is giving me the heebie-jeebies."
Before Karyn could respond the bedroom door swung open. Zoe stood in the doorway looking at them. "Oh it's you two, I thought a couple of elephants had fell off the bed." She told them sarcastically. Jon pointed to the floor.
"I can't be held responsible for the architectural anomalies of your bedroom." He told her.
"What the hell does that mean? Actually forget it, I don't want to know. Just think yourself lucky mom has taken Mikey to his soccer game or you'd have a lot of explaining to do."
"You should have been here waiting for us anyway." Zoe looked at him at little embarrassed.
"I set the divergence to be created thirty six hours after I wished for it. I forgot to check what time it was when I made the wish." Karyn turned to her.
"You delayed our arrival a day and a half?" Karyn asked her.
"Yes." Zoe admitted. Jon started programming the DTH.
"That doesn't make it urgent then." He pushed some buttons. "We've been brought here under false pretences." He turned to Karyn. "I think we should leave."
"No!" Zoe said. "Please don't go. I had my reasons. At least hear me out." Jon put the DTH down. Karyn also looked at her in anticipation. "I couldn't do anything till tonight. I thought it was pointless bringing you here early, you'd have to find somewhere to stay or hide. I had my own plans to make."
"So why do you need us?" Karyn asked.
"It's Sarah McMillan, she has kidnapped Jon."
