Echoes of Tomorrow Season One: Episode One (Echoes of Tomorrow: Season One Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

brain mulled it over. Blood pulsed in his swollen temple, sending waves of pain through his head. The day had started on the wrong foot and kept going down the same path. He wished he could travel back in time and start all over again, staying in bed another half hour so he could avoid this mess.
    "Shit," he said, his eyes bolted open as he remembered his appointment with the city building inspector. He was supposed to meet him at nine o'clock for the final walk through. If he wasn't there, he'd have to reschedule which would put him back another day or two. Time he already wasn't willing to spend in Alabama, especially now.
    To his side he heard the mechanical grinding of the double doors sliding open. Tyler turned his head and noticed the woman from earlier, her hair now pulled back in a ponytail and a pair of glasses on her nose.
    "Oh my God, what happened to you?" she asked when she noticed him leaning against the wall.
    "I need a phone."
    "You need a doctor." She offered him a hand and helped him to his feet. Once there, he stood with his back against the wall while his body adjusted to his new position.
    "Someone stole my truck, wallet," he reached into his pockets and pulled them out, showing they were empty, "everything."
    "Come inside, let's get that covered."
    She stepped to his side and stood up, putting his armpit on her shoulder to give him some support. Inside the door, she led him to an empty wheelchair that sat not far from the row of carts.
    "Sit," she said as she turned him around and helped him into the chair.
    He felt embarrassed, finding himself sitting in a wheelchair for something as simple as a knot on his head. Surely someone else needs it more than me. He didn't argue with her about it though, figuring there wasn't anyone around now that might.
    Once he was secure, she pushed him to the back of the store to the isle with medical supplies. She pulled a box of gauze pads, wrap, and a tube of antibiotic ointment and placed them on his lap.
    "I," he hesitated. "I can't pay for this."
    "It's on the house. Good thing about being the manager. I can write stuff off for emergencies." She pulled a bottle of rubbing alcohol off the shelf and poured some on one of the gauze pads then rubbed it on the knot, smiling as he let out a slight groan of pain. "And I believe this is an emergency."
    "Thanks." He opened another gauze pad and handed it to her and put the soiled one she handed him into the empty wrapper.
    "I'd say anytime, but you might make it a habit."
    Tyler grinned and flashed his left hand, emphasizing the ring finger on his hand.
    "Figures. The cute ones are always taken." She finished bandaging his forehead and handed him a bottle of Excedrin to help with his headache.
    "Sorry." He popped two of the pills into his hand and dry swallowed them.
    "Oh, it's fine. I have a habit of speaking before I think." She flashed him a toothy grin. "Fatal flaw."
    Tyler laughed. "Guess it could be worse."
    "Stay here for a moment, I'll throw this stuff away and get you something to drink." The woman walked away, leaving him alone in the medicine aisle. While he was glad his head was taken care of, at least from a first-aid standpoint, he felt bad for putting her in a spot. Manager or not, once someone above her learned what she did, someone would have to pay for it. He hoped it wouldn't cost her job.
    Moments later, Tyler's head jerked to the front of the store when he heard the scream.

 
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
     
     
     
    Hearing the woman scream, Tyler stood up to get to the front of the store as fast as possible, but as soon as he was on his feet, vertigo set in, doubling him over instantly. His head may be bandaged and wrapped, but no amount of gauze would keep the dizziness at bay for long.
    He sat back down in the wheelchair and let the sensation settle for a second before wheeling his way to the front.
    At the front of the store, a shelf crashed to the ground, sending its contents sprawling over the tile