A Time To Travel

By E.Leigh Flynn

Time Travel is hard... Take a friend!

***

No one was looking for me.
All I had to look forward to was being caught, by one evil or another, two horrible beings that only seemed to mean me harm. There was no one kind left.
I sobbed loudly as I threw myself over the crisp, made bed, and my fingers brushed over something soft and warm. Startled, I opened my eyes and gaped when yellow eyes blinked open. “Ghost!” I gasped, and scooped the little ball of a black kitten up into my hands.
I knew for sure right then that I wasn’t in my time. This kitten had died years ago, when I was twelve. I remembered crying a lot then too.
Ghost stretched out in my arms and started purring. He buried his little face against my shirt, and settled in comfortably; I couldn’t help smiling. Ghost was the first one that I knew to acknowledge me. Maybe cats could see time travelers? I had no idea, but I was grateful anyway.
“Maybe you can come with me,” I said softly as I carefully stroked his fluffy-silken back. He only purred louder, so I smiled and rose. “Okay then, it’s settled.” I smiled more and nudged him. “How about you curl up on my shoulder, Ghost?”
He gave me a baleful look, which was rather adorable, but did as I suggested. Which was a bit of a surprise, but I was willing to go with it. Once he was settled on my shoulders, I took a deep breath, placed a hand behind me to hold him where he was, and ran through the door.
It was time to test my theory.

• Language: English
• Publisher: E.Leigh Flynn
• Release date: Aug 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301196067

Book preview

A Time To Travel

A Short Story Novella

Cover Art and Editing by: E.Leigh Flynn

Copyright 2013 by E.Leigh Flynn

All Rights Reserved.

Published by: E.Leigh Flynn at Smashwords

All characters and events in this book are fictional.

Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is strictly coincidental.

First publishing: August of 2013

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Acknowledgments:

Not There (c) 2013 by Ariana Montoya

Freefall (c) 2013 by Charlie Flynn

Clouds (c) 2013 by R.C. Gillan

Last Call (c) 2013 by Michael Reed

The Converse Possession (c) 2013 by Irisse O’Flionn

Twenty After Ten (c) 2013 by E. Leigh Flynn

Ever wonder what it would be like to travel in time? Follow six adventurers as they find out the hard way what happens when you try to manipulate the forces of Time and space!

A Time To Travel

A Short Story Novella

Not There - by Ariana Montoya

Freefall - by Charles Flynn

Clouds - by R.C. Gillan

Last Call - by Michael Reed

The Converse Possession - by Irisse O’Flionn

Twenty After Ten - by E. Leigh Flynn

Born in Melbourne Florida, Ariana Montoya is a lifelong writer who dictated her first stories to her wonderful and likely annoyed older sister. Never stopping, she penned her first works on her own by the age of six and continues to write in many genres to this day.

Ariana was previously published in the anthology called OMGQueer with a short story titled My Aahana, and hopes one day to publish a full length novel and potentially a series. However, as a realist who does not wish to be a starving artist, she plans to go back to school with the ultimate goal of becoming a history teacher.

Not There

By: Ariana Montoya

There is one lesson life has taught me, and that is the simple truth that you cannot change the past. At least, that’s what I believed until about a week ago. Or was it a month ago? Perhaps a second? I really don’t know. That is the fickle thing about this sudden change, this existence outside the stream of time.... Why am I talking about this? I should really just show you.

x~x~x

It’s been five years, Ellian. You need to get over this, okay? You can’t change the past. History is history, the brunette sighed and grasped the younger woman’s shoulder. Don’t you get it?

Of course I get it! Every decision I’ve ever made has been the wrong one, and I’m dealing with that fact. It just sucks. Shaking her head, the fair haired woman stood. I’m going for a walk. See you later, Rachel.

Grasping her wrist, Rachel narrowed her dark eyes at her friend. I have watched you wallow in misery for years now. I’ve stood by you, I’ve watched you blow money, ignore your brother and punish yourself in any way you could because of this guilt. It’s not your fault. Expression gentling, she released her. I can’t watch you tear yourself apart like this. We’re like family.

Then stop watching! You don’t understand. You think you do, but you don’t. It’s all wrong Rache, all wrong. Without waiting for a response, Ellian walked out the door and towards the bustling downtown area. The air was cool with a coming winter chill and her breath was just barely visible before her pink lips.

A bell jingled faintly as she rounded the corner, ice blue eyes peering towards a little shop that she couldn’t recall seeing before. It was a wonder how she could have missed it with the garish purple paint job and stained glass windows depicting the imagery of faeries and elves. The momentary cracking of the door brought with it the scent of herbs and incense.

Ellian just stood there, taking in the building and contemplating how the owner got away with the tasteful decor restrictions. Her hands shook just a little from the cold and she was suddenly aware of her foolhardy departure sans jacket. Deciding the spot was as good as any, she walked into the shop.

Hello there! Are you the seeker? an older woman asked, her gray eyes curious for but an instant before she seemed to lose interest. No. Not her. Wrong one. There was the faintest disappointment to her tone.

Er, no. Just saw your shop, thought I’d come in. Didn’t see a sign. What is this place? The light haired woman eyed the interior, which was as eccentrically designed as the outside, then turned her attention to the shop owner. And who’s the seeker?

No one you need concern yourself with. I find that I don’t need a sign. Those who need to come here find it. So what do you need? Teas? A reading? You don’t have the look of a believer yet. Adjusting her shawl, she walked over to her counter, picking up a set of cards. Shall we sit?

Wait, a reading? I don’t really believe in that sort of stuff. I just thought the place looked interesting. Anyway, you wouldn’t happen to have a scarf or something for sale? I was an idiot and forgot to grab something warm. Shrugging, Ellian looked over the cozy little shop with books that looked older than her and trinkets galore. She saw no clothing though.

Lips in a thin line, the old woman sighed. I thought for sure I had the incantations done properly. Give me a moment. She wandered towards the back, leaving the young woman at the front.

Feeling rather idiotic, the blue eyed woman realized that her wallet contained all of twenty five dollars and every bit of it was spoken for. Gritting her teeth, she felt a desperation leak into her once again. It was a short walk. She could take it. But even then, what about all the money she still needed? Impulsively, she looked around and snatched a jewelry box which she put under her shirt. Guilt was already gnawing at her as she heard the old woman’s footsteps. On second thought, it’s not so bad! I’ll see you around. Thank you, Ma’am! With that, she rushed outside.

Oh, hey! Ell, how did you get back here so fast? And did you lose your jacket or something? It’s way too cold to be out here without one, even if it is ugly. A robust man in his forties pulled his overcoat from his shoulders and wrapped it around the confused young woman with a wink. There. I’m glad things are looking up for you though. Run along home--I know you still have a lot of work to do!

Mr. Carlson? Ellian gasped, quite surprised. What are-? Her confusion was practically palpable upon seeing the man for the first time since she graduated high school three years prior. Thank you.... Feeling her guilt multiply a thousand times at the kindness, she nodded when he wished her well and wandered back towards her home. However, the second she saw the cab out front, her heart dropped into her stomach and she ran the remaining distance.

Rachel was carrying her suitcase, her expression stoic. Every decision you’ve ever made has been the wrong one? I should stop watching you? Well, I better go ahead and leave then. Not waiting for a response, she pushed beyond the fair haired woman.

I didn’t mean- Tears gathering in her eyes, she looked at the brunette pleadingly. I didn’t mean you. Rachel, you’re my best friend, please don’t go. I’ll try to change. I’m sorry, I- But her protests fell on deaf ears and she felt her heart tightening as she watched the person who had been close enough to be her sister loading into the cab. Please.... But it was too late and she was left standing in the cold, watching the cab drive off and out of sight. She was not quite aware of how long she stood there before the chill became too much to ignore, but her fingers were numb by then.

Late into the night, Ellian sat by the window, not even looking at her pilfered prize. The house felt empty. By the time she even remembered the jewelry box, she was considering returning it. Maybe it had bad karma attached? She sighed and took the pretty silver thing out. It was small enough to fit in her hand with ease, the circular shape perfectly symmetrical yet the ornate ridges and swirls in the metal were definitely not factory made. She smiled a little, thinking it a prize. Her stomach dropped a little when she thought of the old woman again.

The box was lined with faintly musty smelling silk and contained two rings, one silver and one gold, as well as a very old looking egg timer and a silver locket on a delicately woven chain. The pieces all looked antique and valuable. Maybe I might be able to make the rent, she mused, picking up the rings. They were both lightweight and plain but for faint symbols carved into the inside