"Abbie, it's time! Come on, we have to go!"

Abbie shook herself awake. She was more tired than usual, as she had to fit in the trip to ensure the letter was delivered on the right day. She couldn't believe it was now five years since the day of the letter. Well, five years by the calendar, but in actual fact, it had been much longer, possibly even twice as long.

It still amazed her how the things she remembered were gradually changing whenever something different happened in the past. For a brief time, her memories overlapped and she could remember things happening to her but in more than one way. It was a bit like having very real dreams, although if she thought about it too much, she often found her head started to ache.

She could still remember that day as clearly as if it were only yesterday and couldn't believe everything she had been through since receiving that letter. The shock she felt when she first opened it, and then the disbelief when she read what it said. Finally, the grim acceptance of what she had to do. Of course, that day was the day the orb had been entrusted to her also, the one thing that changed her life forever. If it weren't for that letter and the orb, she wouldn't be here now.

"Abbie, come on!"

Abbie looked up at her best friend Laney and scrambled from her cot. The two of them ran into the next room to see if Will and John were ready. As she gazed round at them, she was still amazed that she knew such incredible people and that they were friends of hers.