Chapter 5

Thursday, December 18, 2014, 9:35 p.m. Iris urged Younger-Rebecca: “You should see what the other side has to offer, Becs! It’s crazy there, but you can come back any time you want. You might not want to come back, though: Imagine never having to kowtow to—HEY!” Driven sideways by Rebecca’s sudden plunge through the gate, she squealed and half-landed on the bed, Rebecca in her arms.

Jumping frantically out of the way, Younger-Rebecca cried: “Who are you?”

Rebecca groaned loudly and dropped to her knees. “Oh, fuck,” she moaned, clutching her stomach. Leaning against the bed, she took a deep, shuddery breath, and held up her hand. “Give me a second, please.” She belched loudly, bent double over her knees. Iris dropped to a knee beside her.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Not really.” Breathing raggedly through her open mouth, Rebecca tongued back saliva that wanted to leak from the corners. She belched again, wet and loud, and excused herself.

Younger-Rebecca took a half-step toward her ailing visitor and though frustrated, looked concerned. “Who are you?” she questioned again.

“In a minute, okay? Can you help me up, please?” Iris helped her onto the edge of the mattress. Nodding, she said: “I don’t remember you being sick like this when you came through before.” She gazed at Iris, thinking: This is so messed up.

“Who are you?” Younger-Rebecca questioned a 3rd time.

“I’m you, and so is she.” She waved at the dresser mirror. “If you don’t believe me, go stand side-by-side and look at yourselves. She’s kinda beat up, but you’ll recognize yourself, all right.”

Younger-Rebecca stared from one to the other of her intruders. “What?”

Iris said: “What are you doing here? Are you--?”

Rebecca pushed farther onto the bed, feeling somewhat better now. “Leda is lying to us, Iris.”

“Who is Leda?” Younger-Rebecca wanted to know.

“She’s not exactly forthcoming about her origins,” Rebecca answered. Breathing deeply, she pushed onto her feet and took a hesitant step forward. “What did you make of Arma?”

Iris blinked in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“Who’s Arma?” Younger-Rebecca questioned.

“I don’t know. To either question. Leda’s from this timeframe, did you know that?”

Surprised, Iris shook her head.

“Who is Leda?” Younger-Rebecca demanded again, agitated. “And what do you mean; we’re all the same person?”

Rebecca gazed at her in disgust. “Was I really that stupid? Was I, Iris?”

Iris laughed, and then shrugged. “Rebecca needs to go through. If she doesn’t...?” She raised her eyebrows questioningly.