Time Tracks

The Conclusion of Time Tracks Chapter Three, The Intruder

The Conclusion of Chapter 3 - The Intruder

Sophia stared open-mouthed at the empty space where the intruder had been standing just seconds before and shook her head in astonishment. Although she had no idea how the time bandit had seemed to vanish into thin air, she was greatly relieved to see him gone! She was also rattled enough that as she took a shaky step forward she nearly stumbled into T.C. who was still standing in front of her. Thankfully, T.C. turned around and caught hold of her arm in time to steady her before she fell. Neither of them spoke as they walked back to their seats and it was not until they were both once again comfortably seated that T.C. finally broke the silence, "Are you okay Miss Sophia? I do sincerely apologize for the time bandit's intrusion Miss!"

Sophia was still recovering and paused to take a deep breath before answering, "Yes T.C. I am okay! I am actually relieved to have my first meeting with the time bandit over with, although I will say... I have never encountered anyone that scary before!"

T.C. nodded soberly, "I sure can understand that Miss Sophia and for what it is worth... I think you handled yourself exceedingly well!"
Sophia was not sure if it was T.C.'s unexpected compliment or just that her strength was returning, but whatever the reason, she felt a sudden surge of renewed energy and sat up straighter in her seat, "You really think so T.C.? That means a lot to me and I just want to reassure you that I really do understand how important the rift locator is!" As soon as she had mentioned the device Sophia's heart skipped a beat... what if it had somehow fallen out of her jacket? She quickly checked the jacket's front pockets and let out a sigh of relief as her fingers made contact with the antenna edge of the device. Not wanting to take any chances, she retrieved it right away and set it down, as though it were made of spun glass, to rest again on the built-in table between their seats. T.C. glanced fleetingly at the device before answering her,

"Why yes Miss Sophia! There is no doubt in my mind at all that you are the right person to hold onto it!" Sophia's eyes widened as she struggled to fully believe it until finally she decided that if T.C. believed she should be the one in charge of the device, she simply had to trust that it must be so! However, this did not stop her from fervently wishing that the time bandit would never again pay them a surprise visit! Sophia was also eager to ask T.C. if he thought the time bandit might pay them another visit anytime soon, but she hesitated when she saw him pull out his gold watch and look at it intently.

The sight of T.C.'s watch made Sophia smile in spite of herself, she vividly and fondly remembered the gold watch from the first time she had met T.C. and how he had said that his trusty watch never failed him. Sophia became curious as to why T.C. was checking his watch now, especially since there seemed to be a new sense of urgency coming over him. In fact, T.C. was now fully absorbed in making adjustments to the many knobs and levers on the train's control panel. Sophia did not want to disturb his concentration and so she contented herself instead with looking outside the window of the cab, something she had not done since the time bandit had first appeared on the train. What she saw made her catch her breath, the sun was now hanging lower in the sky and casting a yellowish-orange glow on the horizon. As she continued to watch the sunset Sophia had the sudden impulse, just as T.C. had done only a few moments earlier, to check her wristwatch.

She put the watch up to her ear and heard the battery ticking away before checking the time. Satisfied that the watch was working properly, she checked the time which now read exactly six p.m. and although Sophia had learned that time could stop and start in the time portal, she wondered if her watch might somehow now be telling the actual time. Shivering from a sudden chill, Sophia noted that the air in the front cab was growing cooler as nightfall approached. As she pulled her jacket more tightly around her for warmth she could see that it was getting darker outside by the minute and Sophia was much relieved to turn her attention back to the well-lit and comforting view inside the train. Surveying the familiar interior of the front cab, Sophia's gaze fell on the rift locater and as she examined the device closely she was surprised to feel a fierce determination rising up within her to keep it out of the time bandit's hands!

Unfortunately Sophia's newfound resolve was immediately met by a nearly crushing wave of doubt... how could she ever hope to hold her own against such a cruel opponent as the time bandit? Glancing anxiously over at T.C. she noted with relief that he had stopped working at the console and was now looking at her inquisitively as though he were waiting for her to speak. Sophia met his questioning gaze and decided to tackle her doubt head-on, "I do have a question about the rift locater T.C. I thank God that I was able to hide it in time but..." Sophia took a deep breath before working up the courage to continue, "The thing is... I need to know T.C. are you sure that I am really the right person to be in charge of the rift locator? I hate to point out the obvious, but the time bandit could have easily taken it from if he had known where it was!"

As Sophia was waiting for T.C.'s answer, she noticed that his kind grey eyes had started to twinkle as though with a wonderful secret. In fact T.C. looked so inexplicably joyful that Sophia's fear and doubt began to melt away and she soon found herself wondering in awe just how much T.C. as a Time Conductor already knew about her and her future! With eyes still twinkling, T.C. finally spoke in a voice as joyful as his expression, "Yes Miss Sophia! I am quite certain that you will not only use the device properly when the time comes but that you will also act quickly on your feet, just as you did today! I also want to assure you Miss, that I do intend for us to stay ahead of the time bandit from now on!" Sophia's eyes grew wider in surprise at T.C.'s bold statement,

"Please T.C. I do not doubt you at all... but how are we going to stay ahead of the time bandit, especially since he seems to appear and disappear at will?" Just then Sophia vividly recalled the time bandit's chilling announcement of Daniel's capture and she panicked at the gravity of Daniel's situation, "Oh T.C. what will become of Daniel! We just have to help him somehow!"

T.C. looked sober as he nodded in agreement, "Well Miss Sophia, if my intel is correct... Daniel was not exactly kidnapped."

Sophia was confused and swallowed nervously, "Not exactly kidnapped? What do you mean T.C.?"

T.C. continued on gently, "I sure do wish I could spare you this Miss, but I believe Daniel went willingly... at least at first. However, I also believe that he has most likely changed his mind by now and Miss Sophia, if Daniel has changed his mind, he is in sore need of our help!" 

Sophia's heart began pounding loudly in her ears, "Why would Daniel have gone anywhere with the time bandit? It makes no sense!"

T.C. appeared increasingly uncomfortable as he shifted in his seat and cleared his throat, "Well under normal circumstances Miss, I am sure that he would not have, but I believe these circumstances involve a third party who influenced him."

Suddenly the awful truth dawned on her and she shuddered, "This third party... are they the reason that Daniel broke off the engagement?"

T.C. looked downright pained, "I think so Miss and if I am right, the time bandit is probably the one who sent this person to Daniel and most likely, to keep him from assisting us in restoring your timeline."

Sophia struggled to remain calm, the interference in her life and Daniel's life was worse than she had realized, "So... Daniel's new relationship is not even real?" Sophia gasped out loud in frustration, "How could Daniel have fallen for such a deception?" It took great effort on her part but Sophia pushed back the fresh wave of grief now threatening to overtake her, "... however, Daniel is still important to me and the idea that he has been deceived is very disturbing!" Sophia had never known Daniel to be easily manipulated or deceived and this alarmed her greatly. The urgency of Daniel's situation began to weigh heavily on her again and this time she jumped up out of her seat in great distress, "What are we going to do T.C.? We have to help Daniel somehow!"

Sophia noticed that T.C.'s countenance had brightened considerably, "I am so glad to hear you say that Miss Sophia because as it turns out, I have already entered in the coordinates for Old Destiny's next stop and they will be taking us directly to Daniel!'