Sinking Through Time - Future Past

Chapter 2 - 2151

Lucy was still too stunned to talk. In front of her was a red haired girl with a gun and a device Lucy didn't recognize who had just told her she was in the year 2151. That meant she had sunk 137 years forward through time. Lucy could process how it was possible to go backwards through time; after all, everything had already happened, but how could you possibly go forward through time? It was too much for her brain to process at this moment.

During her journey here she had been torn away from her boyfriend, John, by some strange enigma that presented itself in the form of angelic stars. Lucy wondered once again where John was. Her concern for him made her find her tongue.

"Ah, did anyone else come out of the water or was it just me?" she asked the red haired girl.

"What do you mean? Is there more than one of you?" she replied.

Before Lucy could answer the red haired girl was talking into her device.

"I've secured her but she said there's another one. They came out of the water. Heads up people!"

"What? No, I was asking you if anyone else came out. I wasn't telling you there's anyone else," Lucy corrected her.

"I'll ask you once again and once only. Who are you and what authority do you work for?" the girl asked Lucy for the second time.

Lucy was getting frustrated. She wanted some answers for herself. The red haired girl still had her gun trained on her but she didn't care. She wanted to know what was going on.

"My name is Lucy. Now, you tell me who you are," Lucy demanded.

"Lucy. Well, Lucy where did you come from?" Red asked, looking at the Winnie suit Lucy still wore. Red had never seen anything like it.

"No. I answered a question, now you answer one," Lucy replied boldly.

"That's not the way it works. I'm the one with the gun. You're the captive. You answer the questions. Now tell me, which authority do you work for?" Red insisted.

"I don't know what you're talking about. What do you mean which authority? I'm a school kid. I don't work for anyone!" Lucy snapped back.

This seemed to upset Red greatly. She stood quietly for a minute, gathering her thoughts.

"So Lucy, if you're a student that means you're part of the Studious Authority. How did you get out here? Where are the others?" red asked.

"Studious Authority? What do you mean, Studious Authority?" Lucy asked, totally confused by what this girl was saying.

"How many are with you, Lucy?" Red asked.

"Why?" Lucy asked, becoming anxious.

"I'm the one asking the questions. Now tell me, how many are with you?" Red asked again, her voice becoming more harsh and aggressive.

"Only my boyfriend, John, but I don't know where he is," Lucy answered.

Red spoke into the device again.

"There's only one more. Keep looking. I'm taking her back to camp."

"Camp? Where's camp?" Lucy asked.

"That's enough talking for now. You ask too many questions. But I guess that's how you were made, isn't it?" Red replied, looking at Lucy like she felt sorry for her. "Lean forward and take that device off your head," she directed Lucy.

"Why?" Lucy asked, even though secretly she would be relieved to have the Winnie helmet off her head. It was getting way too hot in the suit.

"Stop with the questions. If you haven't noticed, I have a gun in my hand. Anymore talk and I'll close you out. Now, lean forward."

Lucy did as she was told and lent forward, slowly taking the helmet off as she did. She had got the drift of what 'close out' meant. It meant Red would kill her if she didn't comply.

Red pulled out a black piece of cloth from her shorts pocket and proceeded to tie it around Lucy's head, covering her eyes. Lucy said a silent prayer. She didn't know if this was the end, if Red was going to 'close her out' or not, but she wanted to prepare herself, just in case the worst happened.

"What are you doing? What are you saying? Have you got a communication device?" Red asked, seeing Lucy's lips move silently.

Lucy didn't want to reply. She had been told to keep quiet or risk her life so she kept quiet.

"Answer me!" Red yelled, quickly losing her patience with her captive.

"I was praying," Lucy replied in a quivering voice. Her heart was racing a million miles an hour. She wasn't scared of dying, as she knew she'd be with God when she did. What she was scared of, however, was dying without knowing what had happened to John. She had only just found out that he shared the same feelings of love for her that Lucy had for him. They had only been together for a couple of days and it was too soon into their relationship for her to die. She wanted to have the chance at a life with John, not get shot dead by someone she didn't know in a time she wasn't sure she was actually in.

"Praying? What do you mean, praying?" Red asked, bewildered by Lucy's answer.

"I was praying to God to protect and guide my family and friends. I was asking for forgiveness for my sins and asking for more time with John," Lucy answered, her voice quivering less as she spoke more.

"I don't understand. Australasian Island One doesn't have an assigned religion," Red said.

"Australasian what? What do you mean an assigned religion?" Lucy asked, totally puzzled by Red's response.

"Never mind. I'll question you more when we get back to camp. We've been in the clear too long. Now, hold out your hand in front of you. I'm going to guide you to camp. No looking or I'll close you out. Understand?" Red questioned.

"I think so," Lucy responded.

"You don't have to think, you just have to walk. And don't drop that helmet. Now move!" Red ordered Lucy.

Lucy held out her hand. She felt Red take it roughly. Red jerked on it and Lucy took a tentative step forward. At least she was still alive, for now.