12 Strokes of Midnight

Chapter 12

CopyrightⒸ 2019 by B. R. Bailey All Rights Reserved

9 tolls.

9 warnings.

9 messages telling me...something.

Siting up in bed, I bite my finger, staring up into the cloudy sky outside of my window. Silver glows on the edge of grey clouds, stealing bits of the dark night. The charcoal stick and candle rest on the floor beside me, casting shadows across the floor.

The tolls sound like a clock. Of that much I am certain. If I use a clock as a theory, then I have until 12. 12 strikes and...I'm out?

Does that mean I only get 3 more days to be here, with Archimedes?

Or...

Do I have three days until I'm stuck here forever?

This can only go one of two ways.

Perhaps three ways of the aliens decide to beam me up to the mother ship.

Considering that they dropped me off here, I'd have to say that possibility is highly unlikely.

Who knows what will happen?

As hard as I try, I just can't fall asleep.

Grey, murky sunlight filters through the window when a gentle knock reverberates from the door.

"Morning! Time to get up!"

Reluctantly, I rise, cleaning up with the rag and water basin before changing into a fresh outfit.

In the dining room, I see Archimedes, who I have to remind myself to call Archie, at the end of the table, drinking water. That's all he'll have today. As a philosopher, he strongly believes in the benefits of fasting for mental fortitude and clarity.

As a third day of water fasting, this must be the day.

The day he finally lets me know what all of the extra brain power has been channeled into.

"3...2...1!"

Boom!

Smoke radiates out from the dais in the courtyard, rising up into the still air.

"Darn!"

Disgruntled, Archimedes lifts his head above the windowsill, plopping his right elbow into it as he leans his head in his palm.

"I thought that one would have more kick."

Rising up from my own chair, I hesitantly stick my head around the side of the wood frame.

"Well...it had a large blast radius for the portion utilized.

"No, no. the container will dampen that effect. This should have been BOOM and hissed with sizzling fire!"

A flame that lasts longer...a goal that the Greeks will eventually succeed with. In fact, their flames will not only burn longer and hotter but also under water. Greek Fire...a marvel achieved well after Archimedes time...and nearly forgotten in my own as a fanciful legend.

I read that a professor made it, but he isn't allowed to release the recipe.

To bad...It would be fun to see!

Not that I would want to see it up close. Too close to that stuff and you could die. Nothing I know of was capable of putting Greek Fire out. Certainly not water.

"Bah! There must be more power...I'll try the next mixture."

After another three hours of watching small fires and explosions in the center of the courtyard, I rise, stretching and wincing as my back pops.