The Time Warden's Son

Chapter 2

I let out a laugh, it sounded strange and not at all pleasant, "You're joking, right!" I laughed harder, but all I felt was numb.

"This isn't a joke, David," Doc's voice sounded calm and stern, but when I glanced up, his eyes betrayed him. Instead of feeling more panicked, I only grew more numb.

I shook my head, unable to accept what was happening, "No, this is all just some practical joke, I don't know how you pulled it off, but the effects were great," but deep down I knew it to be true, no matter how much I tried to reason it away.

The look on Miriam's face only proved the situation's validity further, "This is a time machine. That's why grandpa wouldn't let anyone down here. He was afraid that they would find it if he showed it to anyone, but I guess it did not matter. They found it anyway."

I felt as if the world as I knew it was being pulled out from under me. Something drove me to disprove it as if I were frantically trying to rebuild the foundation of reason that had crumbled beneath me. A time machine? There is no such thing.

"This isn't possible! This doesn't follow any of the scientific laws! It just doesn't make any logical sense!" my voice rose as the initial numbness wore off, as I became more aware that I could not reason this away.

I looked to Miriam, then to Doc, but neither lifted their gaze.

"I am sorry, son," Doc said.

Now anger replaced the numbness, "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Grandpa was afraid they would find it if he told anyone," Miriam whispered.

"So, you don't trust me!"

"David," Dr. Norman's voice came out low and commanding.

"No! I demand an answer! Do you not trust me?"

"It is complicated."

"Complicated!"

"David, please!" this time, it was Miriam who spoke, her voice pleading.

I turned my glare to her, but something in me softened when I saw the tears trickling down her face. I felt a pain in my hands and realized they were balled into fists. Crescent marks dotted my palm. I watched as my hands became red as the blood flowed back into them. I let out something between a sigh and a grunt, determined to push aside my feelings, and reminded myself that they would do nothing to help the situation.

"Ok," I let out a long, steadying breath, "who are they. Who found the time machine?"

Again, Miriam looked to Doc, then dropped her gaze, but it was him who spoke, "It's a long story."

My anger surged again, "We don't have time for long stories! You're hurt and whoever they are might still be around. I'll call 9-1-1," I looked to Miriam, "Stay here while I'm gone and keep an eye on Doc," I turned to leave.

"NO!" Miriam shouted.

"What? Why not? Doc hit his head, and by the looks of it, he hit it hard. He needs to get it checked out. And who knows if those people are still around here. I think it will be best if we get an ambulance and some cops here," I reasoned.

Miriam's face was still full of fear, but it was also full of resolve, "No, no one can know what happened. Please, David, trust me."

Many different worries warred inside of me. I feared what would happen if Doc did not get any professional help. I worried what would happen if they were still here. Miriam's pleading eyes worried me the most. She knew more about this than I did, but that didn't take away my other doubts.