Future Shock Read Online Free PDF

laugh, like he does it a lot. “I’m not sure what my talent is. I guess I’m a fast learner.”
    “Don’t be modest, Adam,” Lynne says from behind us, where she’s been watching us eat. She raises her voice so we can all hear. “Adam is a genius. He graduated from high school at fourteen and recently graduated from UCLA with double degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology.”
    Trent snickers, and Chris glares at our table with a deadly look in his eyes. Adam stares at his plate, a frown on his lips. Is Lynne trying to get the guy beat up? And if Adam is so smart, why is he here? What is Aether offering him?
    Lynne smiles at each of us like a proud parent. “I’m sure you’ve all wondered why you were selected for this mission. In our early tests, we discovered that electronic equipment of any kind short-circuits when it goes through the aperture. You can still bring back technology from the future, but we’re also interested in sketches and notes on how it all works, along with your general impressions of the world. With this goal in mind, you were each chosen because of your unique talents. With your help, we’ll be able to glimpse the future and bring about a new era of prosperity and progress.”
    This must be why they picked me, since I’ll remember everything I see in the future perfectly. If Adam is such a genius, it makes sense they’d want him too. My gaze travels from Zoe to Chris and Trent. What are their special skills?
    Once we’ve finished eating, Lynne explains that they have clothes for us to wear in the future so we won’t stand out too much, no matter what the fashion trends are in ten years. I’m sent to the exam room from before to change and given a plain black T-shirt, dark blue jeans, a hooded jacket, and basic walking shoes. There’s also a watch with tiny silver hands and twenty-four hours on it instead of twelve. I put it on my arm above my mother’s watch, which rarely leaves my wrist.
    Now that I’m alone and have a second to think, too many questions race through my head. In a few minutes, we’ll be going to the future. Everything is moving so fast, and they did little to prepare us for whatever we’ll face.
    Lynne’s explanation of why they chose us rings hollow in my ears. I know my perfect memory is rare, but I’m sure they could find someone over eighteen with the same skill. So why are they using foster kids? And what was with all the medical tests? Is the accelerator really safe—or did they pick us because we’re expendable?
    I’m supposed to wait here for Lynne to get me, but I’m too antsy. I pace back and forth, my blood racing along with my brain. It’s about a million degrees, so I remove the jacket they gave me, tossing it on the bed. I examine everything in the room, but there’s nothing of interest, just the same medical supplies you’d find in any doctor’s office.
    After twenty minutes I can’t take it any longer. I need answers, and if no one will tell me anything, I’ll have to find them myself—somehow.
    The hallway is quiet and empty. I head toward the elevator, but I’m not sure where to go after that. Maybe I can find an empty office where I can browse someone’s computer or riffle through their file cabinet. My plan sucks, but I can’t just wait around doing nothing anymore.
    At the end of the hallway, I hear male voices. I jerk to a halt and try to peer around the corner without getting caught. Two men in lab coats stand outside one of the exam rooms. Dr. Kapur and Dr. Walters.
    “How do you know it won’t happen again?” Dr. Walters asks.
    “It won’t. These kids are young enough.”
    “What if they’re not?”
    There’s a pause. I flatten myself against the wall, trying not to breathe. What are they talking about? What are they worried will happen again? And what did they mean by young enough ?
    “Then we’ll have to go younger,” Dr. Kapur says.
    “Younger? It was hard enough getting five eighteen-year-olds. We