The Historical Comfort Society

Chapter 6

6.

I described my encounter with Evrin to Bess in as much detail as possible, finding my heart racing and my hands growing clammy as I recounted every little detail. Bess was just as shocked as I was that another Pilot was in our midst without our knowledge.

"This certainly has to be a first. I have never heard of such a thing." She whispered in the privacy of her bedroom. We had gotten quite comfortable with one another, the lack of modern amenities forced us to throw modern civilities out of the way. We sat together under the blankets in our nightgowns of her bed trying to stay warm from the cold winter air that permeated the house.

"We should tell Edward and Margaret as soon as possible. This cannot wait." Bess said pushing the blankets off of her and grabbing a shawl to wrap around herself. I followed her suit and grabbed the lit candle on her nightstand before making our way down the hall to the rooms that Edward and Margaret shared. Bess knocked on the door before we heard a faint reply for entry.

Inside the dark room, adorned with rich tapestries, artwork, and wooden furniture, Edward knelt by the fire, still partially dressed from the day, coaxing the flames to release more heat. In the bed, Margaret sat, huddled with several blankets.

"We have something urgent to tell you," Bess said, latching the door closed before moving closer. "Go on Nell." She told me

"I met another Pilot today, his name is Evrin Hartley. He is from the year 2572 and he's here on private geological work. He claimed he knew me, but this was the first time we met." I said with confusion in my voice. Edward stood up and wiped his hands on the front of his shirt.

"That explains the message I received through the TCC controller." He said, going over to a far corner of the room and removing an inconspicuous floorboard. Out of it, he pulled a velvet sack, and from that sack, he pulled out a TCC Controller, which was more of a specialized digital tablet that was tied directly to the TCC that was hidden deep within the cellars of the very house we were in. Edward powered up the tablet, the screen filling the entire space with its blue light, causing me to squint.

"Here, take a look for yourself." He said, handing me the tablet. It had only been a few days since I had last been around an electronic device, yet when I gazed at the screen, my eyes began to water from the light.

APRIL 2457- Message to the HVIII Team

We have received word from future HCS members that citizens in the year 2570 and onward will be able to afford private genealogical research services. With this being the case in the future, be forewarned that your likelihood of meeting pilots from future programs and assignments will increase. Future Pilots and Vanguards will have their own teams and instructions. No need to make any major adjustments.

"So, obviously we don't have anything to worry about," Bess said

"It seems we are in the clear,"

"But he knows me..." I said, handing the tablet back to Edward.

"Time will soon become the most conflicting thing to you, Nell. Don't dwell too much on it. I am sure soon it will all be made clear." Margaret added.

***

Large snowflakes were falling outside and a roaring fire was crackling in the fireplace in the large sitting room I found myself in. It had been several days since I had last been to Whitehall, the snow falling in thick blankets making the roads not favorable to travel by. I instead decided to sit by the fire to journal. I was trying to recount every detail I could remember from my last visit into my report, as well as sketch to the best of my ability.