Past in the Future by Lisa Krnac

Chapter 11

Everyone ate listening to Ms. McTanver talking about how the pig was made. And how the pigs mother is having more pups. Henry was grabbing seconds and thirds. Nadine ate slowly waiting for Xander to start an explanation. Peter and Dustin ate in silence grabbing more potatoes and pig meat. Finally Nadine couldn't stand the wait and interrupted Ms. McTanver. "I'm sorry Xander, but I just need some questions answered." Peter and Dustin looked up to Nadine and then at Xander. Henry was eating constantly and Mr. McTanver went silent and started to clean up the table. "I guess there is no reason for delay. Please join me in my study there is some books you need to see." They all got up except Henry who just kept eating. Nadine pushed her brother and soon Henry filled his plate and brought the plate with him. They entered the door that Xander first came from. The room was wall to wall in books. A fire place was set on the side. Three cushioned red couches were around the fire and blankets were set across. A hand crafted wooden table was set in the middle and they all sat around it. Nadine and Henry sat across Peter and Dustin, but Xander sat in the soft single chair. The light was dim, but warm and comforting. Nadine stared at Xander waiting for him to start. "I wish to start from the beginning of your life."

"The beginning of my life? How could you possibly know me?" Xander clasps his hands together and began. " Peter can you please grab the book in section C row 65 number 1." Peter got up and scaned the book shelf till he grabbed a big leather cover. Xander continued. "When you were 14 and your brother was 1 your parents became alcoholics and you had to be taken away." Nadine sighed at the memories. Peter brought the book before Xander who placed it in front of Nadine and Henry. The book titled 'Nadine Tetric' "who is Nadine Tetric?" Nadine said looking confused. Xander stared at her and pointed his finger in her direction. "Why it's you."

"But my last name is Nulmond not Tetric."

"Yes now please listen." Xander spoke silently as he flipped through the pages. The book was full of news paper clippings, articles and book pages. The pages where protected by a plastic film that seemed to be the reason why the pages lasted so long. All the pages were about Nadine Tetric. Xander watched her flip through the pages "From the time I was born my father told me the stories of Nadine Tetric.' She was a brave and mighty woman' he had said. My father adored you and wanted the legend to stay alive just like his father and so on. These are all writings about a woman who beat the odds. Who saved thousands of lives and yet in the end destroyed the world." Nadine sat with her mouth open. Henry had stopped eaten and listened closely. Nadine wanted to ask, but Xander continued. "You see here." Xander pointed to the first page and showed a picture of Henry and Nadine together. "Hey we took that picture last year." Henry said. "I mean in my time." They smiled and Xander continued. "Yes, well that is when Nadine was created." Xander sat back in his chair and focused in there eyes worried about what they will think about what he is going to tell them. "While Henry was in foster homes you did all you can to survive." Xander said to Nadine. "You got a job, found a place to live and even going to school for History. Correct?" Nadine nodded and waited for Xander to continue. "In the year 2014 while Nadine and Henry were on a walk together they got lost in the forest. They were lost for two days. When they were found Nadine was holding her brother." Nadine's' jaw dropped. "Henry had died that day by falling off a tree branch." Nadine's mouth was even bigger then before. Henry looked pale and about the throw up. "I died?" Henry finally got out. Xander nodded. "But you initiated Nadine's inner nature." Xander continued. "After Henry's death Nadine quit her studies in history and started politics. She switched her name from Nulmond to her biological mothers name Tetric. For 15 years she went to school studying. Then she became Vice President at the age of 45. Nadine became a peacemaker. She arranged peace all through the world. But her biggest accumplishment was making Africa rich. She convinced the president to take over Africa and save the people in the corrupt world. Through her tactics of war she took over Africa and make a diplomatic system that made Africa the second best place to live. It took 10 years to make everything right in the system." He stopped for Nadine to say something . "I didn't even know my mothers name."

"You found it from some research that you did about your parents." Xander was grinning from ear to ear explaining his passion.

"And so I become Vice president and saved thousands of lives." Nadine became confused. "Xander why are we here? How did we get here?"

"That will be said soon enough, please listen." He kept switching the pages of the book telling the stories of Nadine's great accomplishments. "Then in 2055 when she should have retired Nadine was voted President of the States. She made everything organized and peaceful. No one knew how to beat her knowledge and strength. Peter can you please grab the next volume." As Peter went to get the next book Xander continued. "Then in 2069 Nadine's advisor Char Hempler wanted power. He did the most terrible thing that was ever known to man in that time. Thank you Peter." The book called Nadine Tectric Part 2 was laying before them. Xander opened the book and the first three pages consisted of articles of the '24 hour project'. Nadine looked stunned at the photos of her future self. Her features where old. She had white hair to her shoulders. Black bags under her eyes. She had gained about 50 pounds. Nadine thought she looked like a worn out old woman who didn't get any sleep. In the photo Nadine was standing on a stage surrounded by millions of people. She was dressed in blue pants and formal shirt tucked in. She held out her hands and everyone cheered.

Lisa Krnac