An Inconvenient Blink

Sun, 24 May 2009 02:23:23 GMT

"Don't make me blink you into oblivion!" Clarice stared down the two kids who were currently engaged in a glaring contest with each other.

"He started it!"

"And you're both going to end it." Blink said firmly, hands on her hips. "You both know everyone depends on each other. I don't want to hear any insults and I DON'T want to see another fight. If one of you gets hurt we're all in trouble. You know that. Now especially."

The two boys alternated between staring at the ground and casting dark looks at each other.

In the distance a girl waved for them. "Miss Blink!"

Blink nodded and waved back. She turned to the boys. "Work it out by the time I get back." She said before teleporting away.

BLINK

And Clarice was now in front of two girls, the one who had waved earlier and another sickly looking girl lying on a worn blanket.

"Sorry, Dave and Stephen were going at it again. Any better?"

The sickly girl shook her head and leaned forward to rub at a heavily bandaged leg.

"O.K. sweetie, I'll take a look." Blink crouched down to undo the bandages and remove the splint.

Melissa had broken her leg during the last sentinel raid, bad enough that the bone had gone through the skin. Blink had made several trips to a nearby city to "borrow" medical supplies but...

But judging by the look of the leg they weren't working. The infection was spreading.

"All right," Blink reset the splint. "I'm going to make another trip to get more medicine." And maybe kidnap a doctor. "Sit tight."

Clarice blinked again but right away she could tell something was wrong. This felt different. This felt more like her travel between universes as an exile.

Oh no.

At least this time she didn't fall face first in the desert sand. The Timebroker was there to greet her, holding a plate of goodies.

"Muffin?"

"No I don't want a muffin!" Blink snapped. "It's been a year --one year-- since the Exiles died and you bring me here now?"

"You weren't needed until now."

"You know who needs me? Those kids need me! Find someone else unhinged from time to do your dirty work and send me back."

"You spent one year training them. 'Those kids' will be fine.”

"I don't care-"

"Too bad."

BLINK

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An Inconvenient Blink