“We just came from where he lived in our reality and he doesn’t live there,” Alex said.
“Okay, let’s go to the admission office,” Kenny said. “Oh and when we get there, we need to ask about Benjamin also.”
Doug sighed before saying sarcastically, “Of course we do.”
Minutes later, the group walked into the admissions office. The worker at the desk gave the group a confused look as they stepped up. In an uncertain tone, the worker asked, “May I help you?”
Doug pulled out his student ID before saying, “I’m looking for a fellow student. His name is Randy Miller and I want to know what his dorm number is.”
The worker typed for a second at the computer. When the search showed, ‘No match found’ the worker said, “There is no one at this university by the name of Randy Miller.”
“Are you certain?” Doug quickly asked.
“I’m positive,” the worker said.
“What about Benjamin Bell?” Kenny asked.
The worker typed again on the computer. Again the message, ‘No match found’ came up. “He’s not here either.”
“Thanks,” Alex said. “We’re sorry to trouble you.”
“No problem,” the worker said.
Alex and the group turned and walked away. When they stepped into the hallway Cindy asked, “What now?”
Alex pulled out her cell phone from her purse and said, “I’m going to call Randy’s mom. Perhaps she can tell me where to find him.” Alex then dialed the number. A woman’s voice answered the phone on the third ring. “Hello, Ms. Miller.”
“I’m sorry, but you must’ve called the wrong number,” the woman said.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am, to have bothered you,” Alex said. Alex then put her phone back into her purse. “Well, that number doesn’t belong to Randy’s mom in this reality.”
“So what now?” Cindy asked.
“I think Doug and I should talk to Randy’s mom in person,” Alex said.
“You can’t be serious,” Doug quickly said.
“Randy is the only person who can return us to our reality, so we have to find him,” Alex said.
“Doug, I think Alex is right,” Kenny said. “You and Alex are the only two who know where his mom lives… unless Randy’s mom doesn’t live in the same place.”
“Doug, since I’m a woman in this reality, it might be better if you came with me, but if you don’t want to, I’ll go alone,” Alex said.
“And how are you going to get there?” Doug asked. “Neither one of us can afford a plane trip to St. Louis.”
“Doug, let me check my bank account and make sure I still have the same amount of money in this reality. And if I do, I’ll give you and Alex the money to go to St. Louis,” Brandy said.
“Brandy, are you sure about that?” Alex asked.
“I’m positive,” Brandy said. “If our only chance to correct reality is to find Randy then helping you get to Randy is no problem for me.”
“Okay, thanks,” Alex said before gesturing towards her purse. “So check your bank book.”
“Let’s go to my dorm. I’ll check my bank account from the Internet,” Brandy said. Brandy turned and walked away. Everyone walked along side her.
A few minutes later, Brandy was logging onto her laptop while Alex and the others were standing nearby.
Once Brandy logged onto the Internet, Brandy saw a message from Ben. When a curious expression crept across Brandy’s face, Alex asked, “Brandy, what is it?”
“Ben sent me a message.” While everyone was gathering around Brandy’s laptop, Brandy opened the message and read it aloud, “Brandy, I’m hoping what happened to me has happened to you as well, otherwise you will see this e-mail as a prank. Fifteen minutes ago, I was at Harvard while studying with you, Kenny, Cindy and Alex. I don’t know what happened; I blacked out and when I woke up, I was at a tire and auto shop while wearing the shop’s uniform. According to the people who know me, I didn’t get the scholarship and I took a job here. If you understand what I’m talking about then please respond; otherwise, I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
“Well, we know what happened to Ben,” Kenny said.
“Brandy, reply to Ben first, so he knows that he’s not alone,” Alex suggested.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Brandy said before clicking on the reply icon. She then typed out a message explaining what had happened. After sending her message, she checked her bank account. “Good news. Every cent I had is still there and not a penny more. Now while I’m on the computer, I’ll book you two a flight to St. Louis. When do you two want to leave?”
“The sooner the better,” Alex said.
“Okay, I’ll book you and Doug on the first available flight,” Brandy said before logging onto the site to book a flight. After a short time Brandy was looking over the flight schedules. “And the first available flight to St. Louis is at 3:00 P.M.”
“Book it,” Doug said.
“Okay, I’ll book it and both of your tickets will be waiting at the airport when you get there,” Brandy said before pressing a few buttons.
“Oh, Brandy, our last name in this reality is Larson,” Alex said. “So book the flight using that last name.”
“Okay,” Brandy said.
“Why is your last name Larson?” Cindy asked.
“We haven’t found that out yet, but I am working on knowing why,” Alex said.
Doug pointed to the computer clock while saying, “Alex, we need to get going if we’re going to make it to the airport by three.”
“Brandy, thanks a lot for doing this,” Alex said.
“You can thank me by finding Randy,” Brandy said.
“I’ll do my best,” Alex said. “Oh; before Doug and I leave, I should give you the number to my cell phone.” Brandy got out her cell phone and put in Alex’s number. Brandy then gave everyone her number. “Bye, everyone.”
“Bye,” everyone said.
“And good luck,” Cindy added.
Alex and Doug left Brandy’s dorm.
Minutes later, as Alex and Doug were walking up to Alex’s Jeep liberty, Doug said, “I’ll let you drive this time.”
“Fine,” Alex said. Alex walked up to the driver’s door. “We still need to find your Jeep at some point.”
“As long as we have yours, we should be all right,” Doug said before he and Alex climbed into the Jeep.
Several minutes later, as Alex and Doug waited at the airport for their flight, Alex read more of the diary. Alex was only able to read for a few minutes before she and Doug had to board the plane. After getting comfortable on the plane Alex again pulled out the diary to read.
Chapter Three
Minutes after Alex and Doug’s plane landed they were walking into Lambert Airport. Melissa, Avery’s sister and a worker at the airport saw them and briskly walked towards them.
When Melissa was a short distance away, she called out, “Alex! Doug!”