Always & Forever by: Elsbeth Numbers of the Beast “So tell me about this creature of Entropy.”

Hidden away in an empty freshman classroom in the Université de Paris, a high school student busied herself in front of a chalkboard. She had just completed most of her calculations based upon Friedmann’s equations that covered the expansion of space in homogeneous and isotropic models of the universe. The basis of the equations came from Einstein’s theory of relativity. The mathematician was also hailed as a genius in this world. The calculations were nothing earth shattering of course, but not something one would expect to find a sixteen-year-old girl writing.

Another girl of the same age stood by the entrance into the classroom keeping an eye on the hallway. “Nadine, you’re taking way too long this time.” An odd pair, although they looked almost alike they dressed very differently. Both wore their Raven black hair up in matching hair clips but that is where the similarities ended. The oldest, Maggie by thirty seconds, wore clothes more attuned to the fashions of girls her age. A little more risqué than her mother might approve but nothing distasteful. Her sister Nadine’s outfit came right out of the latest in Parisian fashion. Although quite appropriate for a girl her age, it would be more in fashion for a girl a few years older.

Nadine smiled as she tossed the remains of another piece of chalk into the air. These broken pieces of chalk were like her calling cards. Mostly she complained it was because the University was too cheap to get decent chalk. These little episodes of academic graffiti, called ‘Hunting trips’ by Nadine had been taking place on and off for the last two years since their father was hired as a Professor in International Finance. Maggie noted that her sister always scribbled some sort of mathematical calculations in and around their home though for some reason Nadine insisted that their parents should not know. Maggie understood that it was a compulsion and when she became lost in those calculations, there was a sparkle in her eyes. She never understood why Nadine did it but it was something she would always support. Not saying it wasn’t fun. Confusing parents and teachers was something every teenager enjoyed. Then again, the young teenage girl was bored and really wanted to roam the halls with her sister and check out some of the new University freshman boys.

Before she could yell again, Nadine jumped off the stool brushed her hands off and gave her sister a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, that was fun.” She then gave one of her famous mad scientist laughs, which echoed, about the empty room.

Maggie rolled her eyes. “You have the oddest ideas of fun”

“But you love me anyway.”

“Well of course; that’s a given.”

Later that evening the two sisters, now dressed in silk pajamas, lounged around the living room as they prepared for bed. Their parents were away for the evening attending a first of the year dinner for all Professors. Maggie sat above Nadine brushing her long black hair. Maggie’s eyes were full of concern. Something was troubling her sister. As twins, for the most part they knew each other better than themselves. They did the twin speak and at times their conversations bordered on the psychic, however Nadine had always been able to keep a secret part to herself.

“So what did you think of Christophe? Good looking as always.”

“Who?”

“Christophe Lefebvre, the whole reason why we went looking for new freshman.”

Christophe Lefebvre had as of last year attended their high school, now he was a freshman at the University. As the captain of the football team, he was very popular and Maggie thought he would be happy to see a familiar face mainly her face. The girls were only a couple of years younger than Christophe and somewhat available. Maggie was wrong thinking Christophe would be happy to see her because the stupid boy couldn’t keep his eyes off Nadine. OK, maybe she was jealous but something was going on with her sister and she was beginning to get worried.

“No the whole reason why you wanted to go search through halls, I was too busy hunting.” Nadine motioned her hand in a scribbling fashion. “Anyway I thought you had Marcel.” She said with a sneer.

Maggie had had enough; she turned her sister around and pushed her down on top of the carpeted floor. Sitting on her chest, she yelled. “What is wrong with you, why are you always a bitch around my boyfriends.” She grabbed both of her hands. Maggie could see tears forming in Nadine’s eyes and it wasn’t because she was hurt.

“I’m not.”

“You are; even Mama commented on it. “ Their mother never liked to get in between the two girls but she mentioned it the other day to their Papa. Mother of course used different words to describe her daughter’s actions. ”You’ve been like this since Sebastian.”

“Sebastian, we were in écoles élémentaire, that’s like five years ago.” Nadine rolled her eyes.

“And you were a bitch to him then. So why, what was he was doing that was so bad.”

“He tried to kiss you.” Nadine yelled back.

Maggie sat back stunned. She then leaned forward. “I‘ve done more with Marcel you know. A lot more” Nadine began to squirm. “Remember when you were at your piano recital a couple of weeks ago. I missed it because I was sick; well I was faking it, I had Marcel come over.”

“No you didn’t.” Nadine whispered tears pouring down her face.

“I did and I dragged him up to our bedroom stripped him of all of his clothes and we did, well you know. He has such broad shoulders and such a nice…”

Nadine now had her eyes closed. “Liar.”

“Yes, I know.”

She looked up at her sister puzzled. “Why did you say that then?”

Maggie got off her sister’s chest and sat on the floor. “I want to have a husband someday Nadine. I want to have children.” She reached over and rubbed the tears from her sister’s face. “Please don’t make me decide between you and a family.” The two sat in silence for a moment.

“So what else is going on?” Maggie reached over and poked her sister in the ribs. To most people Nadine could be hard to read, she hid her feelings when she wanted to, really well. Maggie was the only person who could take one look at her sister and know something was troubling her. “Is it our parents?”

“No, nothing’s wrong.”

“Liar, is it school? Can’t be, you make such stupid scary grades.”

“What your grades are as good as mine.”

“Hardly, so is it a boy?”

Nadine made a face.

“Or is it a girl, or tell me Nadine…do you like girls?”

That took Nadine completely off guard. She stared at her sister in astonishment. Standing up she brushed herself off and went into the kitchen returning with two bottles of soda. Giving one to her sister, she plopped herself in their Papa’s chair, opened the bottle and took one long sip. She stared at the bottle for a moment then nodded. “Yes, how did you know?”

“Oh please, the way you and that Josephine girl were looking at one another. You completely ignored poor Christophe” Josephine was a classmate of Andrew that they met in the hall. “I wanted to scream for the two of you to go get a room.”

“You so did not.” Nadine blushed hiding her head behind the bottle of soda.

Maggie squealed and bounced over to her sister crushing her against the arm of the chair. Maggie was so excited her sister was actually acting as if she was interested in someone. She had been worried. Maybe if Nadine found a nice girl she wouldn’t be so alone when Maggie found a husband. Sure, their dating conversations from now on were going to be a little strange but who cares. “Do what did you like about her? She did dress well. She had nice shoes. I bet you weren’t looking at her shoes.”

Nadine looked at her sister straight in the eye. “You don’t find me sickening or weird?”

Maggie shook her head taking a sip of her soda. “Oh no, you’re the weirdest person I know. Sometimes I find it hard to believe we’re twins. But, boy, girl whatever; I don’t care who you like. I won’t love you any less.”

Nadine smiled, tears forming in her eyes. “Cool.”

“Plus, sister of mine, I now don’t have to worry about you stealing any of my boyfriends.” She laughed and grabbed her by the arm. “So who else do you like?”

After the parents came home, the two girls lay in their respective beds. Plans were going to have to be made to tell them about what’s going on with Nadine. Mama was getting a bit concerned. Both girls were very pretty but it was Nadine who the boys fawned over all the time and she just ignored them. She had a reputation for being a bit of an Ice Queen. Maybe that’s why she was so popular, Maggie mused. Her mother didn’t understand why such a cute sixteen-year-old girl wasn’t interested in dating any of them. To Maggie it all now made perfect sense. Nadine wasn’t really an Ice Queen, she just wasn’t the type of person to fake it. If she wasn’t interested she wasn’t interested. Maggie also surmised that this was going to be a difficult time for Nadine but at least she wasn’t going to be alone. It was still going to be a shock, there would probably be a bit of crying but overall their parents would be accepting. Nadine said she didn’t care either way. She wasn’t looking for anyone’s approval. There was only one person that she cared what they thought and that was Maggie.

“Nadine, when I get married and have a bunch of kids what are you going to do?”

“Spoil your children, sugar them up and send them back home.” Nadine then gave one of her very best mad scientist maniacal laughs.

With autumn in full swing, the Augereau family found themselves at one of the many harvest fairs that seemed to pop up around the edge of Paris during this time of year. All kinds of apples, cheese and bottles of Calvados were passed amongst the vendors to their customers. Artists, performers and many other types seemed to flock to the festivals so over all the fairs were pretty interesting.

Nadine always loved these festivals, when she was Jack at this age her parents would never allow him to do something so mundane. Once they found out that he was a genius at math all that was important was studying, practice for this and that, all in the name of excellence. There was no way that her old parents would go and have a simple fun day like the one they had today. She slipped her arm inside Maggie’s. Not that everything was all rainbows and unicorns, but things seemed to be working themselves out. Rainbows and Unicorns, she had to laugh like that thought would have ever entered her head as Jack. A girl in a dark blue gothic Lolita dress brought her to an immediate stop.

Her parents and sister jumped when she squealed. Nadine never squealed and watched in shock as she jumped over a small wall to throw herself on the small blonde girl. Nadine’s mom turned to Maggie. “Do you know that girl?”

“No, I would have remembered someone dressed like that. Where in the world did she get such an outfit? Nadine should be having a fit about that girl’s clothes, she is such a fanatic when it comes to proper dress.”

“That’s your mama’s fault.” Her dad said with a chuckle.

Maggie’s mother ignored her husband’s comment then asked nervously. “Do you think?” They already had the ‘discussion’ with their parents about Nadine’s sexual orientation.

“Mama, do you question the same thing when I walk up to a boy.”

Her mother looked down with a smile on her lips. “Of course I do, I’m just curious. Oh see she is coming back, Nadine is practically dragging the girl, poor thing.”

“Everyone this is my friend….Alice.” The blonde haired girl gave Nadine an amused glance. After the introductions, the family and Nadine’s friend all spent a nice afternoon walking amongst the booths of the faire. Her parents asked the girl the usual things, where did they meet and where did she live. Alice must have told them but if asked no one could remember.

Nadine and Alice walked through the center of the University campus towards one of the les mathématiques buildings. It was late, getting towards midnight; if the darkness bothered either of the girls, they made no sign. “I hadn’t really expected you to see me but looking back I am not surprised.”

“You kind of stick out in that dress, if you like I can give you some pointers in proper attire.”

“I like my outfits, don’t you know?” Alice huffed then the two giggled as they approached one of the side entrances. “We can go anyplace in the universe, any dimension and you want to have this discussion in some abandoned school room?” She reached over and opened the locked door.

“Useful trick, it’s not abandoned, just not used very often. Anyway, I like the chalkboard here. I wish I had my old H92 hand held, but they are still at least a half a century behind technology wise from my old home.”

“Why do you think?” The Spiritual Detective asked as the pair walked down the hallway towards the large empty classroom.

“Lack of two World Wars, there was a huge technology boost at the cost of something like 100 million lives. I’ll take the technology hit over the lives lost. Still Imperial China just put up another satellite into space, which was exciting. I wasn’t born with the first space race and I get to see this one from its infancy, very cool.”

“Other than me calling you Nadine, how are you doing?” The pair entered the large room, Nadine pulling up a chair in front of the large black board.

“I’ve been Nadine for over six years, I am pretty much Nadine now. I don’t really think of myself as Jack anymore. “She made a face. “Well, not true, I began to have real panic attacks when my sister started going out with boys. I felt betrayed.”

“I’m sorry…” Alice began but Nadine waved her hand.

“I realized that my Maggie was not betraying me, and my sister just wanted to go on dates. Really, how selfish am I to make her choose between….” She shook her head.

“Not your Maggie?”

Nadine smiled. “Jack’s wife, who he held until she took her last breath and wished to God at that point he could have joined her. Maggie, my sister is not that woman who Jack buried, she is my sister, my twin and I love her as such. Still I think I am allowed a little jealousy when I see some creepy guy getting too close.”

The Spiritual Detective looked down. “I feel that I have wronged you, Nadine.”

“Not at all, look, Jack died. I have accepted that otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to move on or kept my sanity.” She whispered the last part. “You have given me a second chance, a rebirth. So besides coming to see me, which I am glad as I missed you, lets discuss why are you here.”

“You missed me?”

“Sure, why not? We only met for a little while but I think we made a good team. Plus didn’t you say we were going to have a ‘beautiful’ friendship.”

Alice laughed. “I did say that, I’m surprised you remembered.”

“So tell me about this creature of Entropy.” Nadine pulled out a piece of chalk.

“We don’t know where they come from. Maybe when the multiverse was born perhaps they were created. I’ve never encountered one but one has appeared.” Alice frowned. “They don’t make ripples but tears creating havoc in those dimensions they touch.”

“And sentient beings actually makes pacts with them? What do they get in return?”

The Spiritual Detective smiled, Nadine didn’t say just humans. Humans just played a part in the puzzle. “Power, influence whatever the creature can provide. They are also terribly difficult to kill once they become one with the beast. You can see how certain individuals might be willing to allow themselves to be hosts to such creatures.”

Nadine started to work on the chalkboard; impossible complex calculations covering space and time soon filled the board. She removed part of an equation to fill the board with a new equation that could indeed cancel out the first.

Alice nodded, “Close.” She pulled out her own piece of chalk and the two begin to work in earnest. Hours later with a field of chalk bits at their feet the satisfied pair stepped back. Nadine took one look and turned to her friend. “So it’s reducing the state of order within the section of the multiverse, and it can move from one location to another once it’s absorbed its host.”

“Yes.”

“So the beast does enough damage perhaps not even noticed until enough harm is caused that a system wide catastrophic failure will occur with little effort.” Nadine took a seat. A whole section of the multiverse could vanish in a blink of an eye. Sitting for a few minutes Nadine stood up and wiped part of the equation off the board what she had named the Devourer.

“Second law of thermodynamics.” Nadine said simply. “We need to isolate it, place it in its own system without outside resources.”

“A pocket universe?”

“Perhaps a Mobius loop but yes, not that I believe in pocket universes.” She grinned.

Alice laughed.

“You will need to get it in there somehow. I would suggest a wormhole and then retreat before it could follow. Close the bastard up and seal it away forever.”

“Can you do it, create one?” Alice asked. “Would you know how?”

Nadine flipped the chalkboard over, closed her eyes and reached for a piece of chalk. Alice watched for a moment then closed her hands over Nadine’s. “So, how long?”

“It’s coming to me in bits and pieces now. The larger part of the puzzle is complete. When Jack died, he knew it all but then it scattered. I’m almost but not quite at that point.” Nadine spoke softly. She has been both horrified and overjoyed at the further understanding of how things work. If she concentrated, she could almost see the process with her own eyes.

“So you will not experiment…much without my permission. I wouldn’t want my protégé being harmed.”

“Your protégé?” Nadine smiled. She liked that a lot.

“Come let’s get you home, it’s late and you have school in the morning.”

Nadine laughed and took Alice by the arm. “Here, let me.” And the two vanished as the sixteen-year-old girl folded space.

What the pair forgot were the remains of many other calculations left on the other side of the chalkboard.

Authors Notes: A special thanks to djkauf for a little elvish editing. Thanks to all for reading! - Elsbeth