Time Maze

Naughty Child, Worried Parents

"Alright, I got us rooms in the Green Dragon Tavern," Sybil said upon returning, just as Tyson started suspecting she might have left them behind.

He felt guilty for doubting her, but, in his defense, he didn't even trust his own mind. Time Maze was starting to get to him, and he was more eager than ever to leave it behind before he lost his mind or ceased to exist altogether.

"Wait a minute, did you say Green Dragon Tavern?" Tyson asked with some delay as his mind registered the new information. "Sybil, Marcus is with us. We can't just go to such an important place and pray that he won't do something stupid."

Marcus bristled at the insinuation but didn't say anything, being too curious as he was to learn what was so special about the tavern. Secretly he hoped that it was a tavern known for its delicious food that was just waiting to be eaten by him.

"He is fine," Sybil said, not sounding too convinced. "You will be a good boy, won't you, Marcus?"

The condescending tone of her voice made Marcus even more annoyed. Still, he refused to give her the satisfaction of showing her that. Sybil failed to notice that he was always on his best behavior. Or at least until something distracted him enough to forget all about being good and give free rein to his curiosity and friendliness.

"I don't appreciate the tone, but yes, I know how to behave myself," Marcus said, which was true but not something he invariably did.

"Sybil!" Tyson exclaimed in frustration, remembering every time he hoped Marcus would be fine and he was anything but.

"Listen, Tyson, there is nowhere else to stay. And we need to rest and regroup," Sybil said, back to her practical attitude. "We'll just have to be extra careful not to let Marcus out of sight."

That was easier said than done, but Tyson could see that her words made sense. There was no other way. What's more, they needed some privacy to discuss what they learned and what could potentially be their next step.

When they reached the tavern, they were greeted by a copper dragon mounted on an iron crane, immediately drawing Marcus's attention. His hands moved towards the dragon of their own accord until Tyson slapped them away with a warning look.

"So cool!" Marcus said, pulling back, fascinated by the unusual decoration of the three-story building.

"What floor are we on?" Tyson asked Sybil, trying to keep his head down and make his voice unnoticeable.

"We are on the second floor," Sybil said meaningfully.

"Well, that's at least something. Still, we have to go through the first floor," Tyson said worriedly.

Since Marcus couldn't really understand their concern, he focused on their surroundings, noticing a few dudes that he could hang out with. That was if Tyson and Sybil ever allowed him to do anything fun. He felt like a small child going on a vacation with his dull parents.

Thoughts of sneaking out while Tyson and Sybil slept started clouding his mind, seeming more appealing the more the two discussed the history and how it influenced the present. It was like the most boring lecture done in the coolest of places.

"I am in this room, and your room is just next to mine," Sybil said, pointing at the ragged old door. "You two will have to share a room."

They entered their respective rooms planning to meet up later and discuss some Time Maze theories. However, for the moment, they chose to rest, having in mind they had more comfortable accommodations available than was the case most of the time.

The moment they entered their room Marcus and Tyson sprawled out on their respective beds allowing their minds to process everything they learned about the maze. They also had to consider all the potential dangers that their current place of residence carried with it. It was too much to process, so neither Marcus nor Tyson could fall into a deeper sleep.

That was why Tyson jumped up like Jack-in-the-box, startling Marcus, when he slowly rose from his bed, tip-toeing towards the door,

"Jesus, Tyson!" Marcus screamed out, holding his hand to his wildly beating heart. "You are worse than any zombie coming back to life. You scared me to death!"

"Sorry," Tyson said, not sounding in the least apologetic. "I just wondered where you were going when we agreed to stay out of sight and not do anything that we might regret."

"I was just..." Marcus said, thinking hard about how to justify his little adventure. "Looking for something to eat! That's it!"

He said the last part as if it was an epiphany, making it clear to Tyson that he wasn't telling him the whole truth. Still, knowing Marcus as well as he did, Tyson thought playing along might be better than worrying about Marcus's more rebellious nature.

"Already?" Tyson said suspiciously.

"What can I tell you. I am a growing baby boy," Marcus said, giving him his best reassuring smile.

However, he failed to see how unnaturally the smile clung to his face and how clear it was that it was an artificial construct. Still, Tyson just nodded thoughtfully, getting up from the bed, resigned to his fate of being an eternal babysitter.

"Fine, let's go get you something to eat," Tyson said, hoping he was doing the right thing even though a part of him knew that he was making a mistake. "But maybe we shouldn't bother Sybil. She probably needs rest more than you and I combined."

Even as he said that Tyson wondered if he was actually being a nice guy, allowing Sybil to get some rest. Or if he was selfish in not revealing their plans, knowing that she would consider it a bad idea. However, when Marcus got a crazy idea, you could either play along and minimize the damage, or stop him, thus increasing the potential damage when he inevitably does something stupid.

"What do you want to eat?" Tyson asked as they descended the stairs into the buzzing nest of the busy tavern.

"Wait, this was when there were like Indians and buffalos and things?" Marcus asked with an intense look, making Tyson unsure if he should cry or laugh.

"Marcus, there are Indians. We politely call them Native Americans, even in our time. The same goes for buffaloes," Tyson said.

"Fine, fine, I didn't ask for a history lesson," Marcus said, annoyed that he couldn't explore alone. "I was just wondering if there are some buffalo wings. I sure could use any wings right about now. Well, any type of meat would be fine."

"Alright, let's go see if they have any of that," Tyson said, unwilling to leave Marcus alone for even a second.

"I have a better idea. Why don't you go, and I'll sit here, save us a spot," Marcus said with a triumphant look.

Tyson swallowed hard, calculating in his mind how long it would take him to grab the food and run back to Marcus. Any time Marcus spent alone felt like forever, but Tyson couldn't deny the logic of his idea. Still, he wished he could drag him everywhere he went and thus avoid any trouble.

"Fine, but don't talk with anyone," Tyson said sternly, wondering if, for once, Marcus would listen to him.

"I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die," Marcus said, drawing the cross against his chest with his finger.

As Tyson hurried away far faster than usual, Marcus relaxed, observing his surroundings. He slumped into the chair, extending his legs far out, stretching to the fullest of his height as he enjoyed the bustle and hassle of the unfamiliar place.

A loud crash pulled him out of his new past time far too soon. He turned his head quickly to where the sound was coming from, ready to give the person a piece of his mind, only to realize he was at fault. He was stretched so far that a guy tripped on his long legs and sprawled out under his feet.

"Oops, I am so sorry," Marcus said, getting up quickly and helping the guy up.

"That's alright. I should watch where I am going," the guy said, gathering the papers that fell out of his hand.

"By the way, I am Marcus," Marcus said, his friendly nature taking over.

"Paul Revere," the guy said, shaking the offered hand.