Part 15
[Jay, it's too much of a risk. The chances of you actually surviving, let alone getting home are miniscule.] John's voice is soft and very regretful. You hesitate for a long, long moment before you bow your head and nod. You don't want to meet anyone's eyes. You don't want them to see the tears in your eyes.
"Well," you say finally, "It looks like this is home now."
John touches your arm and you raise your eyes to meet his.
"Welcome, Jay." He says formally but there is a smile behind those dark eyes. "Welcome to the Tomorrow People."
*****
You return to Earth with John when he goes, determined to get a grip on your new life. At first you spend most of your time in the Lab, getting to know the Tomorrow People you had not met before. Soon enough though you chafe at this restricted life. Wherever you go life seems slow and somehow less than you expect. Your expectations and dreams have been shaped by the bustling 90's not by the dying 70's.
It's just a few weeks after you arrive that you tell John, TIM and the others your decision. You're leaving the Lab. You're going traveling around the world for a few months, perhaps a few years, as long as it takes for you to get some handle on this new world and the complications that go with it. You'll always be open to their calls but you can't deal with the day to day life of a full Tomorrow Person, not yet anyway. You'll work your way around the world doing temperary jobs here and there. You'll look too for the other potential Tomorrow People out there and for any that might have broken out completely independently of John and the others. You know how much of a shock the transition can be and if you can help others through it you will.
John is reluctant to let you go. After all, you are still not quite sixteen years old and have not finished school. The Tomorrow People's biotronic computer, TIM, though is a little more understanding.
"Tomorrow People mature more rapidly than Sap children, John." He says as you tighten the straps on the small holdall which contains your life's total of belongings. "And Jay is unable to reenter the education system in this country, anyway. I'm sure he and I can work out some kind of correspondance course to complete his education."
"Jay, are you sure about this?" Elizabeth asks gently. Even in the short time you've known her you've learnt to appreciate her advice and sensitivity.
"One hundred per cent." You confirm.
"Good Luck, Jay." Young Andrew tells you, shaking your hand formally. Slender and beautiful Hsui Tai just smiles at you.
John sighs and offers his hand too.
"We'll always be here when you need us, Jay. We'll always be here when you call."
*****
You look around one last time before nodding up to TIM. You've asked him to give you a mental image for an initial location that even you don't know. The other Tomorrow People watch you, unhappy but understanding your decision. You smile.
"Let's do this, TIM."
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