Twist by Karen Akins Read Free Book Online Page A

hypothetical scenario, of course. Of which no one could prove my guilt. And which was done with the most benevolent of intentions. Hypothetically.”
    I rolled my eyes.
    â€œBut you said Finn’s going to be accused of some crime, not that he’s already committed it.”
    â€œYeah. Retroactive reporting only happens at a certain level of offense. No one at the Office of Chronocrime Investigation’s gonna bother to do that with a little harmless smuggling. Errr … alleged harmless smuggling.”
    â€œSo what? The conviction is inevitable? Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?”
    â€œNo, they can’t legally report back on the trial or the specifics or whatnots. Only the certainty that the crime will be committed and that he’ll be accused.”
    â€œSounds a lot like guilty until proven innocent.”
    Leto shrugged. “Obviously, the laws’d be a bit more lenient if I’d written ’em.”
    â€œSo … Level Five. What does that mean?”
    Finn was the kindest, most loving, least felonious person I knew.
    â€œMeans kidnapping, arson, maybe murder.”
    â€œWhah? There’s no way he—oh my gosh.” I had to get Finn out of here. I had to get him out of my time.
    Leto managed to grab one more bite of popcorn as I turned and raced back into the theater.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” he called after me.
    The chambers had already ascended twenty feet to viewing height as I rushed through the forest of stalk-like bases looking for Finn’s and mine. When I reached our chamber, it lowered, and I climbed in next to Finn.
    I tugged on his sleeve. “I have to tell you something.”
    â€œShh. Movie’s starting.”
    I’d debated between Death Rumpus IV and the Spider-Man re-re-re-re-re-reboot for a while now, but Finn hadn’t been ready to see what had happened to a franchise he loved so much.
    Finn dipped his hand into our popcorn bucket. “I’m still not sure what the point is if he just dies over and ov—” His voice trailed off. Up on the screen, Horatio Melendez had already experienced his first death/revival, and Finn bit his fist because it was such a good one. “Never mind, never mind, never mind!”
    â€œFinn, we need to get you home. Now.”
    â€œHuh?” He reached for a handful of popcorn, and his hand brushed mine. Finn lifted my wrist and mindlessly planted a kiss on my fingertips. It reminded me of the first time he’d done the same thing. On the roof of the Pentagon. I had thought he was in danger then . Ha.
    I rubbed my hand against his cheek, and he pulled me in close, laid a kiss—gentle and satisfying—on my lips. One of those kisses that conveyed so much through so little.
    I had no idea who would accuse Finn of doing something that would classify him as a chronofugitive or why. But if that person knew me at all, they’d know I’d do anything to protect him. And that protection started with getting him out of this century.
    â€œFinn, I’m not kidding. You need to go. I’ll meet up with you later and explain.” I had to find out what he was charged with.
    â€œLet’s finish the movie first,” he whispered and scooted back into his seat.
    Suddenly, the screen changed. It was no longer showing Death Rumpus . It had switched to a stupid romantic comedy that I had specifically told Mimi she would have to make me the world’s sparkliest friendship barrette if she ever wanted me to watch it with her.
    â€œWhat the blark?” No one else in the theater seemed to be bothered by it. But at least Finn might be willing to go now.
    I looked down at the popcorn bucket and realized that it was no longer purple. It was glowing green. Then I felt it, a beeping and whirring.
    â€œDang it. The reverter’s going off.” I didn’t have time for some Richie McRicherson’s whiny what-if right now.
    â€œThe