Day 7

The siblings had been gathering stumps from the woods and old chairs being thrown away by the neighbor hood. They had something the constituted for a table and chairs. It was there upon then that the two found their rings. Once they were slipped onto their fingers they forgot about them. Although it wasn’t for long.

Suddenly they blinked out of existence. It was as if they had never been. As if they were written out of history. Then just as suddenly they appeared somewhere else. It was a room full of people. People who seemed to be just as confused as they were.

“Where are we?” Questioned the chubby boy who was glancing around at everyone around him as though they might have the answer.

Another boy grabbed the red door and was about to yank it open. One of the girls collapsed on the ground shouting, “NO!” As though she’d just awakened to her worst nightmare.

“Marian?”

“James? What, what is going on?”

A light above the door shown green. The read door began to vanish back into the wall. A figure of a man stood in the bright light. Once he’d stepped in the room the door returned and it took everyone a moment until their eyes could adjust.

“Teleportation really isn’t that bad. You’ve just experienced it all wrong. Sorry, the time travel makes your eyes tender to the light. Besides the fact that it probably isn’t quite something you will be used to. I suppose I’m getting ahead of myself again.”

The salty air tasted in her mouth. She watched as the waves bounced off the rocky shore line back into the ocean. She was living with her father who was on business the first day of school. Which she didn’t mind so much other than it had thus far been utterly boring. He’d spent all day talking to these three men in and office. Then he had to stop out at this lighthouse for some reason or another. He’d told her to stay in the car but she’d been sitting all day. Besides who wanted to sit in the car when they had the perfect chance like this to breath in some fresh salt water. She watched as a boat pulled into the harbor across the way. It was a big freighter and she wondered what cargo it might be carrying. Did they just make a stop to fuel up or for supplies? Were they going to leave their load at the dock the way the other boat was doing?

Even if she could stand around until they docked she wouldn’t be able to find out what they were doing. The whole process was going to take much longer than she’d ever have time for. Standing outside all night until the next day really wasn’t in her plans

“JoAnna!”

She turned to see her father at the car. He wasn’t happy. Was it because of his meeting or was it because she hadn’t listened to him? Running to the car helped to remove some of the chill that had been taking over her body. Still she was a tad excited to get back in the car and turn the heat on a little.

“I thought I said stay IN the car?”

“Of course Daddy but their was the ocean and the cute boats.”

“You mean boys?”
JoAnna blushed. “No. There weren’t any boys.”

He squeezed her hand. “I know honey I was just picking. I’m thinking some of Phil’s thick potato soup for lunch. What do you say sweetheart?”

“We only get to go see Phil if you're upset about something. It sounds good anyway.” She sat back in her seat.

Phil worked in a restaurant in town. He made the best food she’d ever had. Of course it was most of the food she’d ever had lately. Her mother had died a few years back from something her father didn’t like to talk about. Ever since he’d been pretty sad and had worked even harder than ever.

When the came in the glass door a bell jingled. Phil peeked out around the corner. “Hey! My two favorite people! Mabel will be out for your orders in a moment.”

“Alright we’re sitting in the usual booth.”

They sat down and waited for Mabel. She was the only waitress in the place. It was said that Phil didn’t hire more people because he was picky about the way his food was served. Which could have been true because Phil was pretty particular about the way his dishes were handled. For instance he’d once introduced them to a new recipe he’d created. It was a chocolate, cream cheese, and strawberry dish that had been scrumptious. Although when she’d gone to dip her spoon in he’d corrected her by having her use a fork. Apparently it was better to use the fork for this dish because when the food seeped through the prongs of the fork into your mouth it mixed in a special way. She’d laughed but grew serious in an instant when she saw the offended look on Phil’s face. It didn’t matter how she ate it just that it’d been wonderful. However she suspected that it probably had more to do with he didn’t have the money to hire someone else.

Phil’s place was just a small diner. The great thing about it was he didn’t stick to burgers, pizza, and fries. He was a chef and he like to bring new foods to his regular customers. That was how he kept them regular. Everyone loved his creations. Well, except for this split pea thing he’d made with seaweed or some kind of sea plant. It hadn’t looked half bad but the smell. No one could get past it. Other than that his food had been fantastic.

The dinner was always neat and tidy. Once in awhile a band would come through and Phil would ask if they wanted to play. If they did their food was on the house. He believe music was important. About as important as food. JoAnna’s father had said his belief had to do with a girl he’d meet in school. Someone people said he was still in love with. JoAnna had often wondered what she looked like and if Phil kept in contact with her. She wasn’t curious enough to ask or find out.

“Well Miss Bonner. What will it be today deary?” Mabel was fond of the word deary.

“Two Creamy Potato Soups, a basket of Rolls, and a side of Bacon strips.”

“He still doesn’t add enough bacon does he?”

“No not at all.” They laughed.

“Alright anything to drink?”

“The usual.” She grinned at Mabel’s ‘I know what you're going to say’ look.

“Be back with your order in a jiff.”

“MABEL!”

She giggled. “I’ve been doing that to him all day!” She left to grab their orders.

Phil didn’t like Mabel to act like she worked for a fast food place. He worked hard at his creations and he could always tell when she was making things appear to be faster than they were.

“So I have a lady coming to spend the afternoons with you until I get home from work. That way you can start school tomorrow.”

JoAnna looked up in surprise. “I’m too old for a babysitter.”

“Just hear me through JoAnna. I just want someone to be there when you get home. Someone who can make sure you have a good dinner and see to it that you get help with your homework if you need it .I wish I could be there for you all the time sweetheart but when I took this new job I signed up for longer hours. We agreed that would be the best thing for me to do right?”

“Yeah but I still don’t think I need someone looking over my shoulder all the time. I’m old enough to take care of myself.”

“Can you do this for me? It’d make me feel so much better if she was there to make sure your home from school safe and sound.”

“Alright but that means I get to order dessert.”

He smiled, “At least you didn’t ask for a new dress.”

Mabel brought their order. “Two Potato Soups, Bread basket, and bacon. It took me awhile to make sure that he gave you the bacon. He is still insisting that you're ruining his soup.”

“He’ll get over it won’t he?”

“Lets hope so. And you're usual. That was hazelnut coffee for you Mr. Bonner and you're special Miss Bonner.”

“Thanks Mabel. I get to order dessert later. Do you think Phil will make his Special Chocolate Deluxe?”

“After the bacon... I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks again Mabel.”

JoAnna unwrapped the napkin and took out the silverware. Something dropped out into her lap. She picked it up with her finger and watched as it slipped over her knuckle. It was beautiful! The stone glittered in the diner light. The design around the band was so unique and intricate.

“JoAnna, aren’t you hungry?”

She looked up, “Oh! Well, yeah. I was just.”

She glanced back down for a moment. “I don’t remember.”

Then suddenly she wasn’t there. It was like she had faded out. Everyone at the diner seemed to think she was there but it was only like a portion of her remained behind.

Where JoAnna was it didn’t feel like she was anywhere else but where she was. Which she had no idea. There were all these people. People around her age. People she didn’t know.

Someone dashed for the door and looked about to open it but there wasn’t a knobe. Before he could take notice he went to someone he recognized. At least someone knew something.

“So it happened to you too,” He said.

“Yeah but this is bad. What will my mom say?”

“What will all our parents say?” Asked another boy from the group. His hair was in cute red curls all over. Squared glasses framed his face. If he wasn’t a geek then they didn’t exist.

“Where are we?” JoAnna repeated the other boy’s question. Everyone turned to look at her. Yet there gaze didn’t hold for long as everyone’s attention was drawn to the opening door. It opened like a prison cell. Where was this strange place? Do prison cells have solid doors? Why aren't there any windows? And who was coming through?

JoAnna felt herself step back. What must her father be thinking?

A man stepped through and as their eyes adjusted to the dimming light. The young people could see his long choppy haircut. It seemed to half cover his face. “Oh, I’ve gotten it wrong again haven’t I.” He was beaming from ear to ear. There was a spring to his step and it was like he’d never had a sad day in his life. JoAnna wanted to pinch him and make sure he was real.

“Teleportation really isn’t that bad. You’ve just experienced it all wrong. Sorry, the time travel makes your eyes tender to the light. Besides the fact that it probably isn’t quite something you will be used to. I suppose I’m getting ahead of myself again.”

“Wait time travel,” James asked.

Rodger nodded in assent, “Yeah that was what I thought I heard too. Wasn’t there something about teleportation?”

“Okay, let’s take this one thing at a time. Yes you’ve teleported. Yes you’ve just traveled through time.”

Everyone asked questions all at once.

“So when are we?”

“What about our families?”

“Can we ever get back?”

“Where are we at now?”

“W-w-why are w-w-we h-h-here?”

“Are we...”

The man held up his hands. “One at a time. Just one. I’m here to answer all your questions. Although I’m sure once I get started you’ll each have just as many more. Okay Rodger you first.”

“How does the teleporting, time traveling work?”

“You know we knew you were going to ask us about that and we have decided it would be best not to tell you. See Rodger if we tell you anything about it the information would alter your true future. I’m sorry but you’ll just have to wait and find out in your own times.”

“Rose how about you sweetie.”

“You know all of us don’t you?”

The man laughed, “Sort of. We’ve met before but you won’t know about that because it is in your future.”

“What about our families back home?” JoAnna cut in. It might have been rude but she needed to know what her Dad must be going through when she just disappeared.

“Well Miss Bonner, you needn't worry about your father. He still thinks you are wherever you were. At first time travel was stopping time when the time travelers would travel. We had to fix that because it was messing with the time continuum. We also couldn’t have you just vanish because you still needed to be living in you're times. If you aren’t continuing to live then it messes all kinds of things up. So a fraction of who you are remains. It is very important that it happens just so or things get really hairy. Like once when... Oh nevermind. That is beyond the point. We have it down to a science know so no one gets hurt.”

“John?”

“W-w-why ar-r-re w-w-we h-h-her-re?”

“Well.” The man scratched his head. “Well why don’t I just show you. Come along with me. Watch your eyes you still might be a bit sensitive to it. Goes away faster if you stand in the light for a few moments. They just didn’t want you all to be blinded when you first arrived. Apparently that may still be one of the side effect. Their looking into it.”

He led the twelve teens out into the open air. It did take a moment for their eyes to adjust but what they could see made their jaws drop.

“It is astonishing!” Rose clapped her hands like it was a wondrous art display.

“How do they...”

“Not now Rodger. When you're ready you’ll hear everything.”

“Come along it isn’t that far to the palace.”

“Did you say palace as in castle?” Peter glanced at his sister before jogging up to the side of the strange man.

“Yes I did.”

“Wait? What’s your name?”

“I am Rebarto, the servant of our lord the king.”

“Wait are we in the past?”

“Do you really think they had flying cars in the middle ages, Joshua?”

“Of course not but they have servants in the future?”

“Your way of life is much different to what you're used to. Don’t judge before you come to understand.”

“When are we in the future?”

“From your calendar it is the year 5050. However because of intergalactic trade... Yes their are other living planets. It is a long story you will all hear soon enough.”

“There really are aliens in outer space!”

“Rodger, you do always jump to conclusions. Why don’t you introduce yourselves to one another?”

As they did, they discovered that each of them had a ring. It wasn’t hard to deduce what had brought them here. The bigger question was how were they going to get back.

The group couldn’t help but stare at the huge castle before them. It looked new yet of an old design. They didn’t figure it could have been built that long ago because it didn’t have an old feel to it at all. However the strangest part was that it seemed to be built on clouds. They weren’t quite like that in the sky. The clouds were like blue cotton candy just without all the fibery look. It was the strangest most fascinating thing they has thus far seen. Rodger tried to ask questions but Rebarto just stalled his answers.

Note~ I reached 10,000 words! Now 3,000 plus words tomorrow to completely catch up!