Paradigm Rift: Book One of the Back to Normal Series Read Online Free PDF

it’s not just about rules, or about formal agreements governing how we treat each other, or our respective responsibilities. Most of those things will arise naturally, organically anyway.
     
    This relationship…it could change the world, and change it accidentally. We need policies, guiding principles. Especially if our group grows. Then everyone needs to agree to them, to be in accord with them. Like a micro-society within society, we would be a temporal subculture.
     
    I like that word ACCORD. I guess I’ve already made one “rule”: Walk Without Footprints. Should it be called: The First Rule of Phillip? Sounds a bit self-aggrandizing. How about this:
     
    The First Accord: Walk Without Footprints.
     
    Better. There is something comforting and stabilizing about rules, about boundaries. I’m not Moses, and I don’t plan on making anywhere close to TEN of these, but I know there is value and virtue in them.
     
    Oh, and Ken mentioned something the other day: Diseases. There are illnesses and diseases that this time period faces that Ken and I have not been exposed to, at least in a long time. I’m not sure the vaccines we’ve had will prepare our bodies. It’s strange to think that an old disease could kill time Jumpers from the future. Almost like a version of the Old World diseases wiping out the natives of the New World 500 years ago. Not a pleasant thought.
     
    But, if you think about it, Ken and I are diseases. We are foreign bodies injected into a 1946 host. We could poison and harm its natural future. Maybe a disease wiping out a disease would be nature’s way of correcting its own impossible mistakes.
     
    By the way, we are tentatively planning a trip to Vegas. Soon. We need money. I have some big plans.

CHAPTER 7
    Normal? Normal, Illinois? Ain’t nothing about this whole experience I would label as Normal.
    Denver blinked hard and was compelled to squint as his eyes did their best to adjust. The sheer volume of intense daylight aggravated his headache somewhat afresh. As he acclimated, he found himself on a sidewalk in the middle of yesteryear.
    This fake town’s name must’ve been some bureaucrat’s idea of a joke. “Abnormal” would be better.
    The area appeared exactly like a community that time had long-since forgotten; indeed, much like any other Midwest town in the height of the 1950s. Vintage cars, people, clothing, and storefronts filled his vision. He was impressed.
    Whoa, someone has really gone to a lot of trouble for this simulation. Maybe they will give me one of these cars as a consolation prize when it's over.
    The Chief stepped around in front of him, grinning like an over-zealous tour guide. Denver would've almost laughed, if it hadn't been for the sidearm on the Chief's hip and the fact that he didn't have any idea where he really was or how long the powers that be were going to keep him for testing.
    The Chief continued, proud and genial. "A beautiful Friday mornin' here in Normal. They're callin' for an even prettier weekend."
    Denver concentrated on McCloud, wondering if that was even his real name. He studied his face, his demeanor, his costume.
    He's a great actor, I'll give him that. A bit overplayed, but a good actor.
    The Chief made his way toward a familiar squad car parked along the curb. "C'mon, I wanna take you for a tour. Technically your second ride in my car, but you probably don't remember the first one. You can sit in the front this time." The Chief started to get in the driver's seat, but raised his head over the roof. "For the record, you're heavier'n you look." He winked, and then motioned for Denver to hop in.
    A vintage amusement park with rides, how nice, Denver thought. At least I will be a lot closer to his pistol while I’m sitting in the car. That might prove useful later on.
    A well-dressed blonde sporting a summer hat passed Denver. Their eyes met and he nodded. "Hello."
    The Chief tapped his horn. "Quit castin’ an eyeball at that Dolly, lover