Fly on the Wall

By J.E. McKnight

The lights in the lab filled the entire old house. The clock on the cab’s dashboard told him it was almost midnight. He hadn’t come straight back after the committee handed him the dates, places, and circumstances they wished him to video. Such an occasion called for a few drinks at the local watering hole. Their idea wasn’t completely dismissed but wasn’t readily accepted, either. The tension and frustrations were driving him crazy. He had waited a month already to see them the first time, and now he had to agonize for another month over whether or not they would believe a device like theirs belonged in society. The light meant that either Sean forgot to turn off the lights before leaving the lab... or he was nervous about the verdict, too.
Simon descended the stairs leading to the basement lab and found Sean at his desk, face in his hands, staring blankly at his personal computer monitor.
“What’s the matter, Sean? Not on the prowl tonight? I thought you were out staking your next possible peep show.”
“I was. It didn’t turn out like I expected.”
“What could go wrong? It’s not like her husband could spot you.”
“She was murdered, Simon.”
Sean’s amazing invention could change the world, but limitations to what they can do with it leave them at a loss as to how they are able to right a wrong. Will they be able to use anything they find to convince anyone of the truth?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dream Write Publishing
• Release date: Jun 16, 2018
• ISBN: 9781927510780

Book preview

November 3, 2010

The crisp autumn air was more than Simon Yale had bargained for when he decided he needed to get out of the house he had modified into a lab. After years of research and going over his theories with a fine tooth comb, he was moments away from gratification on what he believed would be a successful test. His feet crunched on the crispy leaves lining his path down the gravel rural road forty minutes south east of Edmonton, Alberta. The trees surrounding him were almost all completely bare of the multi-coloured leaves. He stopped and looked back in the direction he came from and strained to see past the thick and spindly branches, interwoven with each other. Not quite as hidden away as I’d like but I suppose it’s not too bad. Definitely better in the summer. At the very least, our nearest neighbours are a few miles down the road. He smiled as he continued down the road, listening to the country stream trickling. He imagined the water flowing deep within the trees, unseen by passersby. He pictured in his head local wildlife going about their days and the stream being the focal point of all their daily activities. Is this solitude what you had in mind when you chose this spot, Sean?

Sean Bender, Simon’s long-time friend and colleague came to him several years earlier with an idea that could be a huge scientific breakthrough or see them both broke and institutionalized. I thought you were joking at first. I mean, who would have thought you’d be serious? After all, you proposed the idea time travel could be achieved. He chuckled to himself. I thought you were completely nuts. But you never wavered. And soon you had me convinced. And now, we’re on the cusp of greatness. As long as I followed your formulas properly and made the appropriate calculations.

Simon pulled out a faded and creased photo from his pocket. He never went anywhere without it. The couple in the photo was his wife, Karley, and himself on their first date, taken at a local carnival photo booth. When asked why he didn’t get a new copy and throw the tattered one away, he always replied by turning the photo around and exposing the first thing she ever wrote him. Underneath her phone number, she scrawled, never stop reaching. One day you’ll grab those stars.

Since her death in 2002, Simon had spent more time at Sean’s house than his own. And since his colleague’s arrest a year and a half ago, he moved in semi-permanently. He still refused to sell the property or even change a single thing she had hung, placed or painted. Her personal touch, after eight years, still resonated throughout the house.

Simon kicked at a stone, sending it bouncing along the dusty road, coming to a stop amongst hundreds of others like it. I know you wanted me to wait until you got out of prison, buddy, and I know it’s only a couple more days, but I can’t wait one minute longer.

He wiped at his tear-stained cheek with the sleeve of his coat, stuffed the photograph back into his pocket, and ran back towards his home away from home. The lab would be a welcome sight to him. As nice and relaxing as a stroll was, he never felt more at home than he did when he was behind his computer. The only thing missing from his life now was the one woman who always stood by his side. The one woman he would risk absolutely everything. The one woman for whom he would never stop reaching, and there was only one star he wanted.

June 16, 2001

The moonlight cast millions of sparkles on the lake. Every star shone brightly. The only sound for miles was the chorus of frogs and crickets all around them. The warm breeze caressed their partially naked bodies as they lay in the sand, entwined with each other, staring up into the heavens.

The city, for Simon and Karley, meant she would be working endless overtime at the hospital and he would retreat into their basement to ponder his newest formulas and theories. The escape to the lake was their chance to reconnect and fall in love with each other all over again. They had, many times, made love on that same beach.

It was nights like that, Simon missed the most; they had nothing to ponder or worry about. No responsibilities there but to devote every single moment spent at the beach in each other’s company and embrace.

Simon, a few years older than the man he now saw, kissing his wife all down her body as he removed the remainder of her clothes, watched the scene unfold, quietly from the trees behind them. He spied the exact scene he often retreated to in his mind. He missed more than the physical contact with Karley, and the vacation they were on. Sharing in a tender moment was about more than the physical connection for both of them. They were allowing themselves to break free of the shackles of their lives, and it would be the last time they would allow themselves the opportunity to do that. As their lives became bogged down with responsibilities and obligations they continued to push back their plans for a second retreat—one month, six months, a year; until eventually they had been postponed, indefinitely.

Simon sat back on his heels and watched his younger self work his magic. They were both naked now and exploring every inch of each other’s bodies. He’d never seen it from that angle before and was really quite interested to know how it looked, though he wished instead he could take his place. The sound of wind blowing through the trees startled him as he couldn’t feel the wind approaching. His frustration grew as his view was now obstructed by a leafy branch and just as it was getting to the good part. He reached up to brush the branch from his line of sight and watched with slight amusement as his hand passed right through.

He had forgotten his little discovery while viewing himself and his loving wife in the throes of passion. When he arrived a short twenty minutes earlier he noticed he had no physical contact with anything in that time. And while it made his voyeuristic trip down memory lane a little easier, it also frustrated the hell out of him. His whole reason for developing the machine with Sean and spending five years of his life building it with his friend, taking over the project during the past eighteen months while Sean waited out the remainder of his sentence, was now going to go unfulfilled.

The younger man flicked his tongue around her nipple and she responded with small moans of pleasure. He kissed his way up her neck and behind her ear until their noses nearly touched and they could look deep into each other’s eyes. His mouth covered hers as he entered her. As Simon watched, he remembered how her warm breath felt on his bare skin as she held him tightly and her passion grew as they became one.

Simon stood and passed through the bushes noticing that no matter how uneven the ground appeared, he continued on a level plane, occasionally standing several inches off the ground. He snickered at the discovery, momentarily amused by it. There was a time when he would have gone immediately home to write several papers on his findings and prepare to present them to universities all over the country. But that was not the case. He had another purpose in mind. He knew his time in the past was nearly over and so was the couple’s public encounter. He remembered, the first time around, he needed to take a piss when he finished. His younger self would be disappearing into the bushes to relieve himself soon. And although there was no way the other man would hear what he had to say, it made it easier to pretend he was in the moment talking to his wife when he was the only man around.

Simon knelt down beside the girl, careful not to touch her and ruin the illusion. He stared at the back of her head, still unable to face her.

Hi, Karley, honey. He tried to fight back the tears as the words barely made it past his throat. I really thought this would be easier than visiting your grave. I’m sorry but I haven’t been able to bring myself to visit you like that. I just don’t think I could handle it. I miss you so much it hurts. I know it’s been a long time. You’re the one who always accused me of not being able to let go. I argued that point constantly. He wiped away a stray tear and chuckled lightly at the thought of his futile efforts to disguise his stubbornness. You were right though, I haven’t been able to let you go. I have been staying at Sean’s house while he’s away, but I still visit our house, which looks exactly as you arranged it. I changed nothing. Speaking of Sean, his wife left him. Yeah, can you believe it? I was surprised to find out she had been cheating on him for years. Poor guy didn’t find out until later. Then he goes and makes a mistake and she turns him into the police. I never would have expected that from her. I have to pick him up in a couple days. He’s finally getting out.

Karley yawned and rolled over. He hadn’t been this close to her in years. His heart ached as all he wanted to do was reach out and touch her face, kiss her lips, and run his fingers through her soft hair. He leaned in and held his lips over hers. Neither could feel it, but it was the closest thing he had. She turned her head away at the sound of rustling leaves behind her. Simon looked up, too and they both saw her young, stark naked husband heading back her way. She grinned and admired the physique he was boasting, but Simon just frowned and lifted his own shirt, wondering where his neatly chiseled abs went to over the years.

He got up off the ground, looked back at the young woman who awaited her husband, smiled and whispered. I’ll see you later.

As he passed his other self on his way down the beach, Simon stopped, turned, and matched the other man’s pace. I know you can’t hear me, but for God’s sake, you have to save her.

He stopped again and watched the two reunite in an embrace, retreating under their blanket. Simon breathed a heavy sigh and ran down the beach just as his watch beeped the warning of his impending exit. The scene in front of him blurred as if he were sitting on a chair and someone was spinning him at seventy miles an hour, even though he was standing perfectly still. His stomach twisted into knots and he thought for sure he was going to puke. The sky, sand, and sea that surrounded him began breaking apart until there was nothing left but the bare stainless steel walls of the time canister Sean had proposed five years earlier.

November 3, 2010

Once he caught his breath and his stomach settled, Simon emerged from the time machine, and though he was disappointed in the result of certain aspects of the experiment, as a scientist he couldn’t wait to document almost every detail of his encounter through Time in the scientific journals. He and his partner made history and with the patents already registered, he was ready to make their discovery public. I can’t wait to see Sean’s reaction when he hears about this. This is his baby; he’s going to flip when he sees it.

The two towers that generated the energy the capsule needed to propel the user through Time took up more than half the basement and projected up through the second floor just as Sean envisioned.

A large computer console spread out along the back wall. Simon looked over the statistics and what his vital signs were while he was walking around in June of 2001.

My pulse and blood pressure spiked on three occasions. He spoke aloud as he entered the data into his notes. The first appears to be the moment of arrival and the same effect occurred during the exit. The spinning room, which makes time travel possible is a little hard on the body, but no more so than a carnival ride. There also appears to be various spikes throughout the trip which could account for… he paused as he realized the timing of the spikes. He promptly scratched out the last entry. Nobody needs to know about those spikes.

He pressed play on the video feed to check the capabilities and quality of such footage. The images came back crystal clear and steady. The shots were point of view as if he had held the camera himself but, had someone been around to control the feed, could the views be changed as desired? It was still unclear at this point if it was possible to record one’s self in that environment. He transferred the video from the hard drive to a disc and tucked it safely away in his private desk. Sean, my man, you’re going to have fun with this.

Chapter Two

November 5, 2010

Since Sean Bender’s arrest, the eighteen months dragged on to feel like five years. The months of lies he had to listen to in court haunted him every day since. He couldn’t get the visions out of his head of his vindictive whore of a wife up on the witness stand spewing the perjury of constant abuse and threats. She even, at one point, mentioned how she feared for her life. What bullshit. I may not have been the best husband, neglecting her for work, but I never hurt her or made her feel threatened in all the time I knew her. He wasn’t sure if the nightmares would ever end but, at least, he’d be free.

He waited impatiently, packed and ready to go, perched on the edge of his bunk. He stared at the solid steel door, counting the minutes to when the guard would come and let him out of his cell for the last time.

Sean’s heart skipped a beat and his breath caught in his chest as the unmistakable sound of the guard’s shoes echoed down the hall towards the small room he had called home for the last year and a half. He’s early. My God. This is really happening.

The locks on the door were released and it slid open to reveal a guard standing there with a prisoner next to him. Sorry, Sean. It’s not time, yet. It won’t be long now. I have a roommate here for you; I know you don’t usually get along with your cell mates.

You know what, Bob? I don’t even care. I’m getting out of here today and by tomorrow, if I have it my way, I will have never had the displeasure of my stay here.

Bob laughed as he led the new prisoner into his new accommodations. You say the strangest things sometimes, Sean. What’s the first thing you’re going to do when you get outside? Bob smiled and closed the door.

I’m going to see my baby.

I didn’t know you had a child.

I don’t.

Ha! There you go again. I’m going to miss you, Bender.

Sean watched his new cell mate lean against the wall, unable to take his eyes from the door. What’s your name?

What do you care? Sounds like you’re getting out of here, you lucky son of a bitch.

I paid my dues, man. More than I deserved. How long are you in for?

A year for stealing.

See? I have spent eighteen months in here. It’s about time I got out. You’ve just got to imagine yourself in another place and time; somewhere you feel safe. Don’t antagonize anyone. You definitely do not want to be a troublemaker in here, but be prepared to defend yourself if necessary. It’s going to be hard and horrible; pretty much the worst year of your life but it could be worse if you fight it.

The new prisoner got up and sat next to Sean. What were you in here for?

I was arrested on charges of domestic violence, violating my restraining order, and breaking into my ex-wife’s house to kill her.

Holy shit, man, you don’t look like the type.

Sean laughed. What exactly does that type look like?

I don’t know, dude, but it don’t look like you.

Well, for your information, I didn’t do any of those things. My bitch of a wife was cheating on me with some badass and wanted me out of the picture so badly she lied about the whole thing. I hate that she won.

What about evidence?

She planted it all and I think the guy she was screwing had a lawyer in his back pocket or something.

Are you saying she beat herself? There would have had to be cuts and bruises for any of that to stand up in court.

No, she didn’t do that to herself. She told me she was in a fight. She used that as a jumping off point. It was the perfect way to get rid of me.

She sounds like a real bitch. You should be thankful to be rid of her. Is she the mother of your kid?

No. Like I said, I don’t have a kid.

Who’s this baby you were talking about? You have a girlfriend waiting for you on the outside?

No. I doubt any woman would wait a year and a half for a guy like me. I’m an inventor and I was arrested before my partner and I could finish my latest experiment. He has been seeing to the construction while I have been in here. It should be ready for tests by now.

What’s the experiment?

Sorry, I can’t say anything more until the approvals go through.

Who am I gonna tell?

Sorry. I can’t.

The prisoner shifted in his seat and noticed a photo sitting beside Sean. Who’s that?

Sean flipped the picture over. That’s my ex-wife.

What are you, a masochist? Why do that to yourself?

Things weren’t always bad. I hate her now but I loved her then. Haven’t you ever thought about taking a moment back and what your new life would be like?

Everyone has regrets but you have to look ahead. No one can travel through Time.

Sean paced around the parking lot outside the jail gates. Simon was supposed to pick him up over a half hour ago. It wasn’t a surprise he was late; his partner was always late. Maybe, he thought, once we get the machine going we can put an end to his constant tardiness.

The car that pulled up to the jail was one that Sean had never seen before. He wondered what other surprises awaited him outside the jail walls. He heaved his bag over his shoulder and ran to where the passenger door opened and a friendly face greeted him.

My friend, do I have some stories to tell you. And I can’t wait to hear all that you’ve been up to.

Sean, you have no idea. You think you have stories, wait until you see what has been happening at our lab.

The first time he had seen the house was just before he and Simon took possession. At that time, it still looked like a house. There were windows and drapes, a chimney and a beautiful wraparound porch. None of these esthetic touches were what attracted them to the twenty-acres of land. The structure gave them ample space and met all other requirements they needed for the machine Sean had been hypothesizing for years.

As they pulled up the driveway, he immediately began noting the differences. The last time he had been on the acreage, the porch had been dismantled and the front wall had been removed, just as he projected, to allow transfer of the towers into the house. As well, the industrial sized generators had not yet been installed. I wonder how many industrial generators he needed for the power required. The windows were covered up and all the homey touches in the yard and garden were gone. Replacing the esthetic brick chimney was the giant exhaust duct Sean helped install. At that moment, it was expelling plumes of exhaust into the atmosphere. It’s running! I can hear the hum of the generators. He must have got it working. I wonder if he had much trouble having them installed in the back. There is only one thing left to do. The test.

Simon barely brought the vehicle to a full stop when Sean jumped from the car and ran for the lab he could only dream about for the past eighteen months. Hurry up, Simon! I want to look at my baby.

"Um, listen. I know you’ve been looking forward to seeing it as soon as you got out but I thought you’d want to go home and get some rest and settle back