Chapter 56

“Michelle?”

“They should be here now.”

But there wasn’t anything else there.

Maybe she had the wrong angle to actually see anything.

Ignoring Michelle’s warning to stay on the sidewalk, Emma made a wide circle around the portal until she stood directly behind Michelle. The distortion was greater here, and she saw exactly what Michelle did. The other Chicago had a clear sky, the clouds that covered this one tonight absent, and there were cars parked along the curb that were missing from this street.

The rest of the street was deserted, however. No people walking the sidewalk. No Gideon and Jesse racing to meet their destination.

“Did we get the time wrong?”

“No, we did not.” Michelle’s voice was strained, her words running together. Emma glanced over, and in the orange light, she saw deep lines around Michelle’s eyes and mouth. “Thirty more seconds. That’s it.”

Panic rose like bile in her throat. “What do you mean, that’s it? They’re not here!”