Time Travel Society

chapter one

I gathered my trigonometry books. Heading towards the door, my professor stopped me. “Allen, nice work today, have you ever considered going to a more advanced college like…I don’t know, Harvard or Yale.”

“Yes, sir, every day of my life.”

“Then, why not go?”

“Money problems, folks can’t afford it.”

“Oh,” My Trig. Professor look down, embarrassed. Though I can’t imagine why he could even consider caring about my future. Even though I am brilliant with any Mathematical subject, no one gives a rat’s butt about me. Not even my dear parents.

                I shrugged the thought off, and walked through the door in to the hall way. I began shuffling down the corridor, head down, shoulders hunched, trying to be invisible. I was just passing a classroom door when it opened and two pairs of hands roughly grabbed me. Two hands on my left shoulder and one on my right and over my mouth.

                 I was scared, but mostly confused. I was dragged ungracefully in to the classroom I was just passing. The hands positioned me.

 Facing forward, the hands still on my shoulders, I took in my surroundings. A man in a navy blue suit, sporting square features and gray hair. I felt like I should know him, but couldn’t put my finger on who it was. He seemed like a kind man; however, he was also like mafia leader, with the kidnapping kids and burly black suited men. I studied the man he had green eyes and smile wrinkles, maybe less of a mafia leader. “Mr. Roberts, Mr. Daniels, please release that young man.” Once he spoke I automatically knew who this man was. This man was one of the most famous people in America. Can you guess who? Should I give clues? Why not?

Clue one: this man has body guards with him every moment. Clue two: this man would need to be secretive, otherwise he would be mobbed by supporters, reporters, protesters, and most likely that random guy who sleeps under the bench down town. Clue three: he is the leader of the free world.

If you have not figured out who I am speaking of I recommend going to someone who can help you with that problem.  Anyways for those latter people I spoke of, I will tell you who had just had me kidnapped by two burly men.  It was Mr. President of the United States of America. Yes, the president of the United States. “Hello, Mr. Allen. How are you?” President Bane inquired

“Just Grand, Mr. President” I said brushing myself off and glaring at Roberts and Daniels.

“Would you like to know why I just had these men drag you in here?”

“Yes, I would appreciate it.” I was trying to keep my cool, but inside I was in awe.

“It’s because I respect you,” President Bane pointed at my chest, “You have a brilliant mind, and I would like to recruit you and your brain to help me.”

“For what?” I asked suspiciously.

“We have developed a program. A program that will include other bright minds, such as yours. We are trying to solve one of the sciences greatest mysteries. I’m talking about Time Travel.  I know you think I’m crazy, but believe me this is it. We will achieve greatness, thanks to you and the others. Please help us, Allen. I know you want to go to a better school but you’re worried about your parents’, I guarantee that your parents will receive money to help them and all expenses are paid for you to come. Please Allen, help us.” He looked expectantly at me.

“I’ll think about it. How can I get a hold of you if I need to?” I asked

“Here’s my card; please think about it, that’s all I ask.” Bane handed me a card. I thanked him and squeezed past Roberts and Daniels.

Traveling down the hall I pondered the idea at hand. Do I really want something different than what I already have? Of course I do, my life is boring, depressing and no one cares about what I can do. If I do this my parents will have extra cash and I can be appreciated for what I am able to do.

I was walking to my house now. I passed multiple colored buildings, four red stop signs, and two adults smoking outside a bar.

I should go. I thought. No I shouldn’t.

Yes, I should.

No, I shouldn’t

Yes.

No.

Maybe?

I didn’t know what to do. I came up to my house, a yellow brick structure. Home, sweet, home. I opened the door. My oldest brother, Eli, lounged on the living room couch, watching football and drinking beer. Although all I could see was his hair I knew it was him. I knew this by two reasons. One: he has sandy blonde hair that hung to his shoulders, this is unlike mine. Mine is Black and cut above my ears. The second reason was that as I said he was drinking beer. My parents forbade it, so Eli only drank it when they weren’t home, as they must have been now.

“Hello, Eli.” I said politely, entering and hanging my jacket on the coat rack. It was unusually cold for September.

“Get me another beer, Allen.” He grumbled. I completely ignored him and head to my room. Down the hall, the last door unfortunately under the stairs. I feel like Harry Potter, banished to dwell below the stairs and bullied by his family. I entered my Evil Lab, as my brothers call it, the only reason I didn’t live like Harry Potter is the size of my room. It was about the size of two normal bedrooms put together, complete with bathroom. I was lucky enough to get this room because, no one wanted to be under the stairs, and because I am the youngest I got the room no one picked.

I sat on my bed which was covered in a dark blue bedspread. Pictures hung around my room of Einstein and newton, my two heroes and inspiration. Bookshelves occupied the far corner of my room, full to the brim of science fiction (namely Orson Scott Card’s Ender Quartet). My desk was buried under stacks of worked out problems, but in the center my silver laptop sat, as a king on a throne.

I flopped on to my back and covered my face with a pillow.

I should go. I thought.

Yes.

No.

Yes.

WWED? What would Einstein do? He would probably go. I moaned. Just lying there I pondered what I should do.

WSAD? What should Allen do? What Should Allen Do? What. Should. Allen. Do? I thought as drifted in to a light sleep.

“ALLEN! GET IN HERE! WE’RE EATING,” my mother yelled. I rolled off my bed and in a zombie like daze and lumbered to the dinner table.

Sitting around the table (in this order from left to right) my mother, Sandy hair beginning to be striped in the color of old age; my Father sat next to her, black hair also beginning to age; then my brother who was just a year older than me, Alex, he has Father’s Hair and Mother’s blue eyes; Eaton, Father’s black hair and green eyes; Eli came last he has Mother’s blonde hair of course as I already mentioned but he has Father’s eyes. A chair was between Eli and Mother, I sat there, black hair but I was different. I had silver eyes, startling silver, my eyes scare people at worst and at best it makes them uncomfortable.

“So glad you can join us, AL.” Mother spooned food on to my plate. Unintelligible mumble was made as I shoveled food into my mouth.  

“I have a question, Mother.” I finished swallowing “today I was pulled aside by…..someone…..and asked to join a special program. Do you think it would be in my best interest to become involved?” I played with the peas on my plate.

“Well, Allen, I would need to know more……..” a knock at the door. Father stood and headed for the door, Mother followed.

 “Allen!” Father yelled. I went to the door, the president, Robert and Daniels.

“Oh, hello.” I waved. My parents stared at me.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Benson, I’m President Bane and I’m here to talk to you about your son’s mind.”