As the train pulled into the station,Oliver felt his chest leap with excitement.He'd never traveled before--the Blues never went on vacation--so being in Boston felt very exciting.
He and Esther alighted from the train and headed into the very busy station.It was grand-looking with marble pillars and sculptures dotted about the place.People in business suits whizzed around speaking loudly into their cell phones.It all felt rather overwhelming for Oliver.
"Right,it's two miles to Harvard University from here,"he explained."We need to head due north and cross the river."
"How do you know?"Esther asked."Does your compass give directions too?"
Oliver chuckled and shook his head.He pointed to a large brightly colored map hanging against the station wall.It showed them all the tourists spots,including Harvard University.
"Oh,"Esther said,blushing.
As they left the station,a gentle autumn breeze stirred the fallen leaves on the sidewalk and there was a hint of gold in the sky.
They started to stroll in the direction of Cambridge.
"It looks very different than in my era,"Esther commented.
"Really?"Oliver asked,recalling how Esther came from the 1970s.
"Yes.There's more traffic.More people.But the students all look the same."She smirked."Brown corduroy must be back in fashion."
There were indeed many college students walking along the streets,looking purposeful with their books in their arms.It reminded Oliver of the kids at the School for Seers,who were always rushing some place with serious,studious expressions on their faces.
"How do you think everyone is back at school?"he asked."I miss them."
He thought of Hazel,Walter,and Simon,the friends he'd made at the School for Seers.But most of all he missed Ralph.Ralph Black was the closest he'd come to having a best friend.
"I'm sure they're doing just fine,"Esther replied."They'll be busy with class.Doctor Ziblatt was just starting her astral projection classes when I left."
Oliver's eyes widened."Astral projection? I'm sorry to be missing that."
"Me too."
Oliver heard a hint of melancholy in Esther's voice.He wondered again what had propelled Esther to follow him here.He felt like there must be more to the story,something she wasn't telling him.
They reached the bridge that crossed over the Charles River.It was bustling with college students.In the water below they could see rowboats,canoes,and kayaks.It seemed like a very lively and vibrant place.
They started to walk across the bridge.
"Has your compass changed at all?"Esther asked.
Oliver checked it."No.It's still showing those same four symbols."
Esther held her palm out and Oliver handed it to her.She inspected it with a look of awe."I wonder what it is.Where it came from.I'm surprised Armando didn't know,since he's an inventor."
"I think it's seer technology,"Oliver said."I mean,only the universe knows the timelines and can guide someone along them,so it must be."
Esther handed it back to Oliver,who placed it carefully into his pocket.
"I wonder if Professor Nightingale will know,"she said."You did say he was a seer,didn't you?"
Oliver nodded.He was curious about the compass,and even more curious about meeting Professor Nightingale.
"Do you think he'll know anything about your parents?"Esther asked.
Oliver felt a little lump form in his throat.He swallowed."I don't want to get my hopes up.But all the signs are leading me here.So I'm optimistic."
Esther grinned."That's the spirit."
They reached the end of the bridge and headed along the main road.The traffic was very busy here,so they took one of the many side alleys that ran parallel to it.
They were only halfway along the alley when Oliver noticed a group of boys,a little older in age than him and Esther,lingering together in the shadows.He felt an instant stab of danger.
As he and Esther got closer to the group,the boys suddenly looked up and fixed their eyes on them.They began to nudge each other and whisper,clearly talking about Oliver and Esther.Their mean glares made it obvious they weren't friendly.
"Uh-oh,looks like trouble,"Esther said,clearly having spotted them as well.
Oliver recalled the bullies he'd dealt with back at Campbell Junior High.He didn't feel anywhere near as daunted approaching the kids as he once would have been.But he felt Esther draw closer to him.She seemed intimidated.
"Nice overalls!"one of the boys sneered.
The others began to laugh.
"What are you?"chimed in the next."A chimney sweep or something?"
Oliver kept his eyes averted.He hurried his pace.Beside him,Esther did the same.
"Hey!"the first boy shouted."I'm talking to you!"
Suddenly,the group surrounded them.There were five boys in total,forming a circle around Oliver and Esther.Esther looked extremely stressed by the situation.
"Please,"she whispered to Oliver under her breath."No fighting.I don't think my shield is strong enough for five."
But Oliver was calm.He'd seen Esther's strength.And he had his powers,too.Between the two of them,no one could hurt them.No mortal,anyway.
Oliver kept his chin high."Excuse me,"he said,politely."Please let us through."
The main boy,the tallest of the bunch,folded his arms."Not until you empty your pockets.Come on."He held his palm out."Cell phone.Wallet.Hand it over."
Oliver stood his ground.He spoke in a cool,determined voice."I don't have a cell phone or a wallet.And even if I did,I wouldn't give them to you."
From beside him,Oliver heard Esther's voice,barely above a whisper."Oliver.Don't provoke them."
The main boy barked out a laugh."Oh really? Then I'll just have to get them myself."
He went to lunge for Oliver.
"I wouldn't do that,"Oliver said.
Immediately,Esther cast out one of her shields,providing a barrier around them.The boy slammed into it.He looked confused.He tried again,lunging forward.But the impenetrable barrier stopped him,like bulletproof glass.
"What are you waiting for,Larry?"the third boy goaded."Get him!"
"I can't,"Larry stammered,looking increasingly confused."There's something in the way."
"What are you talking about?"the fourth boy asked.
He,too,launched himself forward.But he slammed into Esther's barrier and let out a grunt of pain.
Oliver looked over at Esther.She was doing brilliantly,but he could see the strain on her face as she tried to hold the barrier in place.He needed to do something to help.
Oliver retreated into his mind,visualizing the wind whipping through the fall leaves,turning them into tornados.Then he pushed the image outward.
At once,the fallen leaves began to swirl.Columns of wind went up into the air,twirling into tornadoes.Oliver conjured five,one for each of the boys.
"What's going on!"Larry yelled,the wind making his hair fly wildly all over the place.
Oliver concentrated.He strengthened the winds with his mind,then pushed outward.
In an instant,the boys were battered by the flurry of leaves.They attempted to bat them away,swatting with their arms as if they were being attacked by a swarm of bees,but it was no use.Oliver's tornadoes were far too strong for them.
They turned and ran for it.The winds were so strong,they tripped more than once.
Oliver grabbed Esther's hand.She was giggling.
"Come on.Let's take a different route."
