In TRAVELER, we meet many versions of Jessa and Finn as we slide in and out of alternate realities. In this scene, Finn is newly arrived at Jessa’s school, and her Creative Writing teacher has set an assignment – make up a story about the new guy.

She puts the marker to the whiteboard and writes Finn’s Story.

“So,” she says. “Finn’s story. Begin!”

I look over at him conspiratorially, wondering just which Finn he’s going to pick to be. He gives me a sly look, and then so I can’t see what he’s doing. I shoot him a mean look in return, and I write.

His name was Finn, and he was known far and wide for his elegant cheese soufflé. He arrived in the small town bearing a whisk and an attitude, and no one knew quite what to make of him. He was as cool as a cucumber under pressure, which seemed at odds with the usual passionate temperament of the average egomaniacal chef. What no one knew was that under that calm exterior was a secret.

Finn was a double agent. Sent by spies from the most famous waffle chain in the south, Finn had a mission: Get that recipe for apple spice pancakes, or die trying.

Good God. That was awful. Let’s try that again.

The stranger found a home in the trunk of a giant oak tree. She didn’t notice him at first, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, since he was barely a foot in height. It wasn’t until she poked her toe at the strange mound of dirt covering the pot of gold behind the tree that she realized who she was dealing with, or rather, what.

“A leprechaun?” Finn hissed, apparently having poked his nosy nose over toward my paper. “You’re making me a leprechaun?”

“You have a problem with the Irish?” I ask, looking innocent.

He shakes his head and rolls his eyes at me simultaneously. “Write whatever you want,” he says in a low voice.

“Thank you,” I whisper sarcastically. “I’ll do that.”

“Just know that there will be repercussions . . .”

With so many Finns and so many Jessas, there are lots of stories to tell. Come along for the adventure in TRAVELER!