Charles couldn’t believe what his eyes were seeing. He was speechless. When he was finally able to talk he asked, “Whoa, what just happened? What is it? Where does it go? Can I try that?”
Carson explained, “This is the Passageway to another dimension that I was telling you about. Through that dimension we are allowed to travel through time. Yes, in time you will be able to do this, but you will have to learn more about the secrets of Sojourning before you do.” Carson reached into the center of the wormhole using his open hand to create a counter clockwise circle bringing the coin to a halt. The wormhole gradually contracted and eventually disappeared.
“Charles, Nana and I believe that you are mature enough to learn the truth. I must caution you that revealing the truth, or speaking to anyone other than Nana or myself, would cause catastrophic and horrific consequences. This secret that I have begun to explain to you has been closely guarded and protected for centuries. Other Sojourners will not allow it to be exposed to the world. Those who have tried to explain it to others did so at their own peril. Not only that, but history has shown that anyone who has tried to enter a Passageway without a specific gene would not survive the journey.”
Charles frowned. “You’re telling me I have a specific gene allowing me to time travel? Isn’t that impossible?” Carson shrugged and pointed to the sculpture.
Charles contemplated Carson’s words and asked, “In our family there are only three of us who can travel through the Passageway?”
“That is correct.”
“How does it work? I mean where does the Passageway take you, and how do you travel through time?”
“Well, it is a little more complicated than what I have just explained to you. I think a journal from the bookshelf would do more justice as an explanation than I could possibly tell you. I suggest you read the journal I just read to you. Then I can answer your questions. The young man who wrote the journal was named James. He eventually became an exceptional author and talented photographer.” Carson walked back to the bookcase to get the journal. He walked over to Charles and offered the journal to him. Charles accepted it.
Carson pointed to the glasses he was wearing and then to the pair Charles was wearing. “These are Sojourner glasses. When you read or work in a journal wear these. When you journey to the Hub you will need the glasses to decode the signs.”
“Where is the Hub and what is it?”
“The Hub is located in the dimension where you cross over to once you step into the Passageway. It is the point in which you begin your journey time traveling.”
Charles nodded as he thought about Carson’s words.
Carson walked to his desk and sat down. He turned around in his chair and dug through a stack of papers. He motioned for Charles to join him at his desk. Charles placed the journal on the chair and walked to the desk. Carson pulled out a newspaper and showed Charles a news headline. It quickly caught his attention, “The Largest Hub Heist in History”. As Charles began reading the article a realistic image of the journalist appeared. The author began describing in more depth what had happened in the Hub.
The journalist reported, “Seven Passageways have been stolen, and twelve people as of this date have come forward claiming their Sojourner crystals have been pilfered by pickpockets. All this happened under the noses of Passageway Authorities. The Passageway Authority Commissioner gave a statement about the event. She suspects the ‘Unknowns’ are responsible for the thefts. She promises to follow every lead and bring those responsible to justice before the Sojourners’ Council.”
Without thinking Charles asked a question. The journalist answered him. Charles scratched his head confused as to how he could be having a conversation with the newspaper journalist. He peered at Carson, over his glasses.
Carson explained, “The journalist has had a partial body scan for his job. It allows journalists to communicate with their audience and answer questions. A full body scan would be as if the person was actually in front of you. A partial scan only lasts for several days. Then the reader is left with only the printed version.”
Charles said under his breath, “Amazing.” Charles listened to the journalist until he finished relating the details of the heist and the victims’ accounting of what had occurred. Charles thanked him. He then removed his glasses and set them, with the newspaper, on the table in between the two chairs.
Carson smiled at him and asked, “Would you like to learn more?”
Charles pointed to the sculpture. “Yes! I’m ready to go there!”
“I’m glad you are eager. That is a very good sign. However before you go through the Passageway you must learn the basics. The rest will come in time.”
“Like what?”
Carson thought for a moment. “It is important you learn precisely what a Sojourner does. You will be given a book of rules that you will have to read and follow. The journals will explain in detail about time travel. You must learn how to operate a Passageway, how to insure your personal safety while traveling and how to avoid leaving a trace of your presence when you time travel. You must also know how to dress and the pertinent items to take with you when you journey. You must learn which coins we need in our collection and how to rate the condition of a coin. I will teach you the process of attending an auction and the documentation involved with obtaining a collection coin. You must learn how to research the coin and about the necessary paperwork to be filled out. You need to know the basics of journal writing, the use of crystals and the manipulation of seemingly normal items that are anything but normal. They are called Sojourner tools. You must eventually read, The Red Book, which explains Passageways and how to move them. You must learn about all of this and more before you can actually begin Sojourning.”
Charles reached down and picked up the journal on the chair. “When may I start?”
“You already have. It is important to read several of the journals so you will have a basic understanding of where you will be traveling and all of the things you will be learning about. It is a lot of information to process. Take your time when reading them. When you are ready we can discuss any questions you have.”
Carson pointed to the journal in Charles’ hand. “This one in particular is very good at explaining a young man’s perspective on what it is like to begin Sojourning. I think you will find that he gives the reader thoughtful insight into the events that he witnessed. All of the journals that we have are exceptional resources, which provide well thought out explanations of almost anything you could ever think to ask about Sojourning. They are invaluable tools. The codes you will see throughout the journals will become more relevant as I teach you about the coins. They are the codes that will correspond with the labels on the vault drawers. Later on I will teach you how to use them as references.”
Charles looked at the journal as he sat down. He opened the book, put on his glasses and began reading. Carson continued to work on his projects. From time to time Charles would sneak a peek at him. Charles noticed Carson unlatch the door to the birdcage. Charles thought: That was odd. He was trying to take everything in. He realized his life had changed forever. He felt as if the whole world had just opened up to him.
Carson opened his desk drawer and took out a blue embroidered ribbon. He brought it over to Charles and handed it to him. “Whenever you are ready to stop reading you can use this as your bookmark.”
Charles thanked him. He looked at the embroidery on the ribbon and noticed that it looked similar to Carson’s. Several hours had gone by and Charles was getting tired.
Carson stood up from the desk and closed the journal that was on his lectern. He walked over and replaced it on the bookshelf. “These bookshelves were designed to protect the journals from being damaged.” He showed Charles a black key in his hand. “All I have to do is put the key in this lock…” Carson walked over to a family picture on the adjacent wall and slid it to the left revealing a lock. He put the key in and turned it. The bookshelves turned completely around. �
�They are now in a fire safe vault.” The original shelving with interesting odds and ends replaced them.
Charles took off his Sojourner glasses and set them on the table. Then he put the blue ribbon in between the pages and closed the journal. He held it in his hand as he walked along the wall looking at the objets d’art on the shelves. This was the way he’d remembered the room.
Carson said, “It’s getting late. Nana is probably ready for us to join her.”
Charles grabbed his glasses. Carson secured the office before turning out the light. They walked along the path to the back door that was open. The porch light was on along with the kitchen light. Charles could hear the June bugs that were pinging off the screen door. They walked inside the kitchen and noticed it smelled like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and coffee. Bev was taking the last batch of cookies out of the oven.
Charles and Carson said, “Mmmm,” at the same time.
Bev said, “Sit down and I’ll get you something to drink.”
They sat down at the table and she brought them both a large glass of milk. Bev joined them. “How did it go?” she asked. Carson smiled as he took a bite of his cookie.
She looked at Charles. “I see you have James’ journal and a pair of Sojourner glasses.”
“Yes. Thank you Nana, for the extraordinary gifts. I’m still trying to take it all in. I’m very excited!”
“You’re welcome. I’m excited for you Charles. We are going to have a lot of fun together.”
Carson drank his milk. Bev asked him, “Did Charles get to meet…?”
Carson shook his head. Bev looked briefly surprised and then changed the subject. Charles wondered whom he was supposed to meet. He wasn’t aware of any visitors they had been expecting. Bev asked how the reading was going. She looked at the journal and glasses on the table.
Charles replied, “I just got started but I am already mesmerized by what he wrote in his journal. I’m sure I will stay up and read a while longer.” When Charles finished the snack, he thanked them again. They said goodnight as he headed up to his room with his things. He got ready for bed and closed the door. He put on his glasses, sat up in bed and read for about an hour.
The window was open and Charles could tell it was beginning to cool off outside. He saw the moon through the sheers that blew in the intermittent breeze. He got out of bed, crossed over to the window and looked out over the backyard. He saw a figure carrying a flashlight walking back to the office. He wished he were walking back to the office with him. As he watched the figure disappear into the office he thought back over his birthday. He could still feel the excitement from earlier when Carson revealed family secrets to him. He looked around the backyard in the moonlight. Charles went over to his nightstand and turned off the table lamp. He went back over to the window and looked at the night sky. After a few minutes the office door opened. He thought he saw something, a vibrant blue color fly out of the door and into the woods that were behind the house. He rubbed his eyes. The thought crossed his mind that he must be more tired than he thought. He crawled back in bed and pulled the soft quilt up to his chin.
CHAPTER 2
Dolores walked into the kitchen carrying two sacks of groceries. She set them on the counter and left the door open as she went back for the remaining sack in her car.
Upon entering the kitchen she noticed a bouquet of iris on the kitchen table and a manila envelope. Her shoulders slumped and she sighed as she kicked the door closed behind her. She set the sack with the others and began putting the groceries away. Dolores passed the table several times before she finally stopped and picked up the large envelope. She sat down at the table and opened it. She turned it upside down letting the letter and plane tickets fall onto the table. She put her elbows on the table and rubbed her temples. Dolores felt a migraine coming on. She briefly closed her eyes, then stood up and went to get aspirin. When she came back into the kitchen she stared at the plane tickets on the table and thought to herself: I wonder if he’s going this time, or is he going to just send me away again? She poured a glass of water and took a sip along with the aspirin.
She sat down at the table and began reflecting on her life. Her family had always been a tight knit bunch. Growing up she enjoyed many privileges, one of which was having a stay-at-home mom. An image of her mom came to mind. Dolores missed her. She was an amazing woman and a loving mother. She had been sick for about a year before she passed away. It was still hard for her to remember she couldn’t just pick up the phone and dial her mother’s number every time she thought of something she needed to say. Now she had another way to communicate with her mother. Her mom promised, while sick, that if Dolores ever needed her, to just whisper what she wanted her to know as if she was whispering in her ear, and she would be heard. Dolores had done that several times when she was alone and it always seemed comforting. Her dad was a well-known and liked senator from the great state of New York. Her parents had been involved in politics all her life. She learned from the best how to run a winning campaign.
It wasn’t a shock to her parents when she was awarded a scholarship to a prestigious university. She accepted the scholarship and chose political science as her major. Her parents were very proud of her. While she was away at college she made many new friends. One of the first things she did was to join a sorority. That took up a lot of her time, but it was very rewarding. She was able to successfully juggle life in the sorority, along with being involved in a young political group and her academics.
While working a campaign for the local congressman she crossed paths with Joseph Grey. Everything was pandemonium that day. It was getting close to the election date and people were scurrying everywhere. She and Joseph had both crossed the room and reached for the same items twice that day.
The second time he grabbed her hand and said, “No you don’t. This one is mine.” She looked up at him as he said, “If I didn’t know better I would think you were trying to get my attention.” She pulled her hand back. In hindsight now she wished she had just walked away.
Back then his arrogant attitude made her blush, which gave him a chance to continue the conversation. “Well, well. I was right then. How about we get together when we finish here and I take you for a soda?” She hesitantly nodded and went about her business.
He stood and watched her for a brief second as she walked away before he grabbed the stapler he was after and went back to work.
Her friend Sally saw the whole thing. Sally whistled and shook her head as she walked over to her. “Dolores, do you know what you’re doing? That guy is a pompous jerk! All the guys were talking about him yesterday…” Dolores avoided eye contact with her. Sally scowled. “Didn’t you hear me? He’s a jerk… Oh come on. You’re going out with him aren’t you?” Sally turned around and looked across the room. “Oh great, he’s looking this way.” Sally whispered in her ear, “Dolores, I sure hope you know what you’re doing. Not only is he a real jerk but he’s a year older as well!”
She shook her head as she walked away mumbling, “What would your parents think…”
Dolores’ random thoughts made her wonder what had happened to her good friend Sally. She thought: I ought to look her up and tell her she was right. That thought momentarily brought a frown to Dolores’ face. If I’d only listened to good advice.
CHAPTER 3
The next morning Charles awoke to the sun coming into his room. He got up and proceeded to get ready. He could smell the honeysuckle on the warm morning breeze. He heard Bev in the garden singing. Charles looked out the window. He called her name and she looked up at him. He couldn’t see her face under the large rim of her gardener’s hat.
She waved at him and said, “Good morning. Come join me.”
He made his bed by pulling the sheets up under the pillows and quickly spreading the quilt across it. He grabbed the journal and glasses from the nightstand and went downstairs to the kitchen. He set the journal and glasses down on the table before he went out the open ba
ck door, letting the screen door slam shut behind him.
Bev stood up. “Good morning Charles. Did you sleep okay?”
“Yes, I did. Thank you. I stayed up and read for a while. I couldn’t put the journal down.”
She smiled and bent down working in the garden picking strawberries. Charles bent down to help. Charles admired her hard work with plants. She had the greenest thumb around. After several minutes Bev said, “Would you please take the basket into the kitchen and set it on the counter for me?”
“Sure.”
“Help yourself to the French toast I kept warm in the oven and the fresh strawberries on the table. Paw Paw is in the office waiting for you.”
Charles picked up the basket and took it inside. After breakfast he took his journal and glasses to the office. He stood outside the door and knocked. He heard Carson say, “Please come in.” Charles walked in and stood inside the doorway waiting for Carson to tell him what he should do.
Carson looked up. “Charles! I’ve been waiting for you. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to keep reading?” Charles responded that he did and went to sit down.
“Do you have any questions so far?”
“I don’t have any question yet. I’m enjoying reading.” Charles looked around the room and noticed the birdcage door was closed. He opened the journal, put on his glasses and resumed reading where he left off.
About an hour later Carson picked up a letter that was on top of his desk. He opened it with a letter opener and asked Charles, “Would you like to take a break and see what came in the mail?”
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 3
