Timeless {ON HOLD and EDITING}

Chapter 4

Charles' POV:
All of the scientists cheered and welcomed me with open arms. "We're so glad to have you back!" Exclaimed Mr. O' Conner. I smiled and shook everyone's hand. Dr. Klausen was at the very end, and I immediately regretted what I had done. "I am so sorry for leaving like that Dr. Klause-" he spoke up, "Stop right there. I would like you to call me Adalbert. Also, there's nothing to apologize for. I understand that I should've given you time to think about dedicating a large portion of your life to this project." He patted my back and turned me to face him. "Thank you for coming back." I smiled and responded, "Why wouldn't I?"

I surveyed the lab for the last time. On the chalkboard were many equations that I've never seen before. I remembered Klausen telling me how scientists used mathematical equations to test and prove their theories. I'm guessing he used the equations to help design the time-hole-maker. I looked all around us, soil at our feet and above our heads. I'll surely miss these underground tunnels. There were many newly installed wires and generators all around the lab to help power the time machine. How in the world does that even look like? I searched for some big machine that I could walk through, but found no such thing. I walked passed the small office that Klausen and I used for lunch. There was a wooden table with four chairs, and yes, it was plain, but the memories were what made me mournful when looking at it.

As I was almost finished with my tour around the lab, my eyes caught the sight of a letter from the USC. I had easily recognized the organization's insignia: A circle divided into four parts; one had an atom, a double helix DNA model, a model of the earth, and a microscope. The letter was open and left haphazardly on the desk. With curiosity getting the best of me, I decided to read the contents of the letter.

    Dear Dr. Klausen,
Your project has been recognized not only by your regional chapter and national chapter of USC, but also the major international organization. I hope you've received the proper resources you requested, and I'm very happy to say that we're supporting such an advanced project. We will send representatives that are the heads of the departments of science that our group consists of. They will document and observe how your project gets executed, and you will receive an Underground Nobel Prize. All scientists throughout the world will be anticipating Mr. Harrison's journey into the fourth dimension. We will make sure there are scientists ready in every decade to see that he makes it through the portal. The organization has much hope and faith in this project. We all wish you luck!
- Head of the International USC
Dr. Lanarde

I wonder when all the scientists are supposed to arrive. All of the ones here are from the fine underground science tunnels of New York.

As if on cue, the door to Dr. Klausen's lab opened, and about 100 scientists walk in. All of them dressed in suits, except for one. I looked through the crowd, and I thought my eyes laid on a dress. I quickly took a second look, and I saw her. A woman scientist? She must've been from Europe, but I never got a chance to figure out where exactly. As soon as these scientists walked in, everything was a blur. My walk down memory lane was put to a stop, and soon I was being briefed on what was to take place once the time hole was created. Oh, sorry, I mean the "portal."

Adalbert took me aside and put his hand on my shoulder. "Charles, there's a lot of fuss going to be made about you in the moments to come, but this is supposed to be a painless, easy process." I nodded my head, then he continued. "We have made a sort of vacuum, if you will, that will create a portal to the fourth dimension. We had to create power generators and bring in many forms of electrical energy for the machine to have enough power to do this. The way it functions is by enlarging the minuscule time imperfections that already exist. The amount of force and energy it takes by nature will create new wrinkles, or holes. I know I said that it wouldn't be plausible because of our limited resources, but once I got ahold of the international president of the USC, the plan evolved into a combination of our ideas. This project is just as much yours as it is mine Charles!" His face lit up, and it seemed as if his whole face were smiling. I couldn't help but return the expression and joy. "So what do I have to do?"

Klausen told me that I would be going through the enormous hole that the machine would make. I would have to make it snappy if I didn't want the whole room to be swallowed up. Klausen also mentioned that the hole might collapse on itself because of the feedback it'll create. The scientists also teamed up together to make a miniature time machine. It's inside of a pocket watch, so through any time period it'll be fine to wear, and it would be easy-access to time traveling! The pocket watch would work just like the big one, and I'm pretty sure it would make a smaller time warp to travel through since it wouldn't have as much power as the big machine. This doesn't mean that it won't be any less effective, and I'm surprisingly very nervous for this. As Klausen said, no one has done this before, and I don't think it's unreasonable to enter this journey with a bit of trepidation.

Just then, the scientists crowded around the generators to get all the power sources ready. "All you have to do is step or jump into the time warp. After that, it's all up to the fourth dimension. As for what time period you're going to appear in, you'll need to wear a different outfit." Klausen handed me a white collard shirt and a pair of slacks. I headed into the small office to change, and when I came back, everything seemed to be ready. "Okay Charles, I'm convinced that you read the letter, so I don't have to explain to you the whole 'scientist looking out for you' situation, but I want you to know that I'm not 100% sure where you'll wind up. Depending on how far you travel this first time, the changes you see might not be so subtle. Since you are traveling from right here in the labs, your location you land in will be this exact spot. This will remain true no matter where you travel from. Just make sure you tell the scientists of your whereabouts so we can keep you taken care of."

With that, the scientists start flipping switches, and they all get behind a safety room they built to keep themselves from getting sucked up. Once everything was connected and powered, I noticed that a black hole was quickly forming. In about a minute the time warp was ready. I made sure to bring my satchel with me that contained my notebook just in case I wanted to write. I looked back quickly to all the scientists and waved goodbye. I took a step back and headed toward the warp with a running start. I jumped and immediately landed in a black abyss. I took in my surroundings. Not being able to register any sort of light, I closed my eyes.

I was headed to the future.

I'm not sure how long I lasted in the warp, it seemed around an hour. I slept through most of the time in there, and I woke up right when I was about to be tossed to the ground. My satchel landed on my head with a thud, and it then slid to the ground. "Ouch." I rubbed my head and turned on my side.

I open my eyes waiting to be dead and at those white, pearly gates. I look around, and I find the total opposite. There's grungy streets, and I can barely see any stars in the sky. "I must be in Hell," I mutter to myself.

"Close, but no. You're in the city," I hear an unknown voice coming from the shadows. I should be chilled to the bone right now, but I'm not; they told me about this.

I have finally made it to the future.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Heyo!!! I know, long time no see, but I've been busy. I know, it's the same thing I say every time, but it's true! Anyways, in the summer I'll be updating much MUCH more. Just two months by the way... Dang how a year goes by. Back to what this is really about, YOU GUYS!!! Thank you, everyone, who's read this book. It means A WHOLE LOT to me, and every read, vote, and comment makes my day 1,000x better. You may not think you mean anything, but everyone of you do. I will never be able to thank you enough for this. Until next time,
-Purple💜 (or Lyds)