Chapter 42: Threads of Time

The air was thick with unspoken words as Natalie's mind suddenly shifted gears, her thoughts racing to catch up with the conversation she had just overheard. If there was a Clint and an Emma, that meant there were multiple versions of people, existing across different timelines. Her gaze drifted back to Emma, who was watching her with a curious expression. Natalie's eyes began to scan the room, taking in the familiar faces, but her mind was elsewhere. She was trying to piece together the puzzles that had been scattered in front of her. And then, it hit her - the connection that had been hiding in plain sight. "If there's Clint & Natalie..." she trailed off, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes widened as the realization dawned on her. "Then that means..." she paused, her breath catching in her throat. Myra's expression turned cautious, as if she knew where Natalie's thoughts were headed. Doc's eyes, on the other hand, remained calm, but Emma's gaze was filled with a mix of curiosity and concern. Natalie's gasp filled the room. "Claire & Nathan... Nathan's a male version of me!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in excitement. The room fell silent, as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for her to process this new information. Myra's face remained stern, but Doc's eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement. Emma's expression was a mix of surprise and understanding, as if she had known this all along. Natalie's eyes darted around the room, searching for answers. "What does this mean?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of wonder and trepidation. "Are there multiple versions of all of us? And what about the timelines? How do they intersect?" The room remained silent, as if everyone was waiting for someone else to speak. And then, Doc cleared his throat, his voice calm and soothing. "Ah, Natalie, you're getting close to the truth. But there's still so much you don't understand." Myra's expression turned stern, as if warning Doc not to reveal too much. But Emma's eyes locked onto Natalie's, filled with a deep understanding. "We'll tell you everything, Natalie," Emma said, her voice gentle. "But you have to be prepared for the truth. It's not going to be easy to accept." Natalie's heart was racing, her mind reeling with the implications. She was ready to face the truth, no matter how difficult it might be. She nodded, her eyes locked onto Emma's. "I'm ready," she said, her voice firm. "Tell me everything."