Out of Time (Sands of Time Trilogy, Book 3)

By C.J. Peterson

With the Maine Facility teens released and the Willow Bend teens safely tucked away, the next phase was to rescue the kids from the Wyoming and Oregon Facilities.

            Colby is driving Holly, Blake, and Adam to the Wyoming F

• Language: English
• Publisher: Texas Sisters Press, LLC
• Release date: Jan 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781952041457

C.J. Peterson

C.J. Peterson is a ten-time award-winning, multi-genre published author since 2012. She is also a podcaster, blogger, and publisher who knows how to relate well to folks of all ages.Grace Restored Series, The Holy Flame Trilogy, and the Divine Legacy Series have the characters crossing over storylines. In these books, the spiritual realm crosses into the physical. This adventurous journey will have you holding onto the pages for dear life!The Sands of Time Trilogy (Appointed Time, Race Against Time, & Out of Time) is an exciting sci-fi series that will have you on the edge of your seat! This series follows a group of teens with abilities as they go through the US to rescue their siblings. The challenger is their sadistic creator who has the money & power to win at any cost.Chain Reaction follows Trip and Tori as they go through time guiding their ancestors to change crucial decisions. In changing their past to save future generations, will Trip and Tori cease to exist? Take a wild ride through time in Chain Reaction! In Tested By Fire, Robin's life has been one firestorm after another. But what happens when a fire marshal falls in love with an arsonist? Find out in Tested By Fire! Don't miss any of these adventures.C.J. has a children's book series based on the real-life Adventures of Chief and Sarge! She and her husband (lovingly known as Super Hubby) take Chief (stuffed koala) and Sarge (stuffed monkey) on real-life adventures in order to share them with your little one! People have fallen in love with Chief and Sarge, as they follow along on these adventures on their social media and web page! Many have even taken advantage of photo opportunities with the little guys. Check them out under the tab on C.J.'s website with the same name. The Adventures of Chief and Sarge: Every day is an adventure with these

Book preview

SUMMARY

With the Maine Facility teens released and the Willow Bend teens safely tucked away, the next phase was to rescue the kids from the Wyoming and Oregon Facilities.

Colby is driving Holly, Blake, and Adam to the Wyoming Facility. Meanwhile, Wyatt is driving Deanna, Eddie, and Freya to the Oregon facility. Both teams are unaware The Professor is waiting for them with plans in place. With both facilities in lockdown, will the teens be able to rescue their siblings? Will Hope pull through from the damage inflicted by Professor Roth? Are the Willow Bend teens, Gemma, Bells, and Hope safe all the way over in Philadelphia, or are they still a target? Everyone has to be ready for this mental chess game. Moves and countermoves are being made. Calculations are continuously changing. Who will come out the victor? Will it be The Professor or the teens? Can the teens succeed, or are they Out Of Time?

1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Time slips through our hands like grains of sand never to return again. Those who use time wisely are rewarded with rich, productive and satisfying lives. Robin Sharma

CHARACTERS

Characters In The Sands Of Time Trilogy & Series:

Characters montageCharacters montageCharacters montage

ONE STEP AT A TIME

For the present is the point at which time touches eternity. C.S. Lewis

Pull over here, Blake instructed.

Your wish is my command, Colby said. He pulled the van into a rest area and put it in park.

This is a good place to rest for the night, Adam agreed.

I have to go to the bathroom, Holly said, getting out of the van.

Let’s all go together. Holly, stay in the bathroom until we call for you, Blake said. We don’t want you waiting outside by yourself. It’s not safe.

Agreed, Colby said, taking her hand into his as they walked.

She looked up at Colby with a smile and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

Do you think the others are okay? Colby asked.

They’re going to drive through the night, Adam said. They’ll be fine as long as they keep moving.

What about the Pennsylvania crew? Holly asked.

Gemma and Bells will take care of Hope, Adam encouraged. They won’t let anything happen to her.

What about the Willow Bend teens? Holly pressed.

Let’s just pray The Professor doesn’t know where they are, Blake said, going into the bathroom with Adam behind him.

Taking both of her hands into his, Colby said to Holly, I’m glad I’m able to be with you this time. Waiting around to hear something was killing me. I don’t have a gift that connects me to you.

Yes, you do, Holly said. When he shook his head in confusion, she explained, We have the gift of the Holy Spirit connecting us. Know God is with us in this. He gave us the gifts to get this done and the prayer power of the other teens to survive this. He put everyone in place at just the right time.

For such a time as this, Colby said in understanding.

This time Holly shook her head, bewildered.

"For such a time as this refers to Mordecai’s words to Queen Esther in the Bible, Colby explained. You see, she was put into a position to help her people, the Jews. However, she had to go before the King to do so. Anyone who went before the King without being called could be put to death. Mordecai had to remind her that she was a Jew as well and would not escape the punishment the King would inflict on the Jews. He told her she was in that place, at that time, for such a time as this. She stepped out in faith after three days of fasting and prayer by her people and was able to plead before the King – therefore saving her people."

When Holly shook her head, he continued, We’re all put in these places – Wyoming, Oregon, and Pennsylvania – for such a time as this. God placed everyone where they are for a reason. If we’re all to survive, He had to get everyone in the right place at the right time.

Gotcha. So, you’re saying…

We’re where we are supposed to be, just as everyone else is where they’re supposed to be. And the only way we’ll all survive this is if we all stay focused on Jesus and our specific goals, he said and then kissed the top of her head. Understand?

I do.

Good! He tapped her behind. Now, go to the bathroom, so we can get out of here. I don’t like hanging out in rest areas.

Holly laughed as she walked into the bathroom. Her smile quickly faded when she walked into a man in the women’s bathroom. Um, she looked at the closing door before looking back to the man. Wrong restroom.

No, he said and slammed her into the wall. Feeling his breath on her face, she froze. I’m in the right place. You and I are going to have some alone time, he said, running his hands down her body. He grabbed both of her hands and held them above her head.

No! Stop! Holly shrieked.

He slapped her and hissed, Shut up!

Holly stared at him, wide-eyed. She suddenly felt a burst of confidence, and knew it had to be from Blake or Adam. Help was coming! Heart racing, she kneed the man in the groin. He swore as he dropped to his knees. She thrust her hands forward, sending him back, knocking his head against the sink. He fell to the ground, unconscious.

Not caring if he was alive or dead, she ran from the bathroom, right into Colby’s arms.

Where is he? Adam demanded.

Holly could not form words. She only pointed toward the bathroom. Adam and Blake ran inside as Colby kept ahold of Holly.

What happened? Colby asked. My heart started racing, and then a split-second later, Adam and Blake said you were in trouble. Bracing her with his hands on her shoulders, he crouched to look directly into her eyes. What happened?

Holly shook her head and hugged Colby. Colby protectively wrapped his arms around her, keeping an eye in every direction.

Are you hurt? he asked.

No. She’s just scared, Adam said, walking out of the bathroom.

"Your friend is tied with his hands behind his back by his belt to a bathroom stall, Blake said. He’s still unconscious. Did you go to the bathroom?"

Holly shook her head.

Colby, take her into the men’s room to go to the bathroom so we can get out of here, Blake said. "We’ll keep an eye on our friend until she’s ready."

Colby escorted Holly into the bathroom. Between the smell of the men’s room and the emotional mess she just faced, she ran into a stall and threw up.

Holly? Colby stepped into the stall with her. He held her hair while she vomited again. That’s okay. You’re going to need to get it out of your system. We have a lot we still have to process.

When he knelt behind her, she leaned back against him. I was by myself, she said, body and voice trembling.

You are never by yourself. You have us. Those with mind gifts, in this case, Adam and Blake, are with you, too. My heart started racing, and just as I was about to say something, both of them looked at each other in panic, saying you were in trouble. Then they bolted.

I-I’m okay, Holly said, wiping her mouth.

Okay. Can you stand? This isn’t the cleanest place. Try not to inhale.

Holly shuddered as she scrunched up her nose. It smells like urine.

I know. Doesn’t look like the owners care too much about this rest area. Sorry.

He helped her up. When she was balanced, he stepped out of the stall so she could go to the bathroom. Afterward, she washed her hands and then swished water in her mouth and spit it out a few times to clean her mouth as much as possible.

Pretty sure we have some gum in the van, Colby assured her. Are you okay to walk?

She nodded. Wrapping his arm over her shoulders, he escorted her from the bathroom to outside.

Together, the group of four went to the van, with Blake and Adam on high alert for anyone else in the area.

Sorry we didn’t know he was there, Adam said. I don’t know why we didn’t feel him.

I was concentrating on the outside area, not the bathrooms, Blake said.

I was, too. I guess we were on the same page.

Being the non-gifted person in the group, I’m not one hundred percent sure how this works, Colby said. Is there a way you guys can check with each other so we don’t run into this again in the future?

Fair enough, Blake said as they loaded up into the van.

I don’t know about you, but I’m too much on edge to sleep, Colby said, starting the van and heading back out onto the highway.

Agreed, Adam said. But let’s get closer before we stop to rest.

What if we stop in Cheyenne? It’s only three or four hours from Creston, Holly suggested. We can get some rest there before going to the facility near Creston?

There’s a military base there, Colby warned. My mom was in the Air Force. She was at Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne for a few years.

Good to know, Adam said. That may be a safer place than you think. The Professor won’t think we’ll stay somewhere with a military base. He’ll expect us to stay in some out-of-the-way place to stay off-grid.

Ooo! Good point! Colby said. I like it! Let’s head to Cheyenne.

* * *

The Willow Bend teens played another game of Texas Hold ‘em while a movie was playing on the TV in the background.

I have a concern, Mac said.

Shawn flipped the cards, called the flop. What’s that?

Dang it! Megan threw her cards in the center. I fold. Shawn, you seriously suck at dealing cards.

Shawn chuckled. Sorry.

Megan pouted. You’re fired.

I’ll tell you what, Shawn said, you can deal whenever it’s my turn from now on, so you won’t have to have such a sucky dealer anymore.

You don’t think I’ll take you up on that, but I’ll take that deal, Megan said. I don’t know what you do, but it’s sincerely horrible.

Lindsey rolled her eyes and sighed.

Lindsey? Tanya raised an eyebrow. Why did you just roll your eyes?

Shawn furrowed his brow. What’s wrong now?

You’ve been sucking up all day, she said to Shawn. It’s annoying.

So, you get mad at me when I’m honest and get mad at me when I’m trying to get along? I can’t win with you, Shawn snapped. Geesh!

Can’t you two just get along? Megan scolded. Just pretend she’s your sister.

Like a sister I never wanted, Shawn growled. I’ve tried. She’s not giving me an inch.

Stop trying and just be, Lindsey explained. When you try, you’re not yourself.

Oh, stop acting like you care.

Enough! Tanya said loud enough to be heard over the bickering. Do I need to separate you two again?

"Nope," Shawn said, popping the p.

Lindsey waved her off. I’m good.

Maybe we should just stop and watch a movie? Mac suggested.

The others agreed and moved the table back to where it was supposed to be. Mac and Shawn pulled the bed out of the couch and laid down, while Lindsey was on one of the beds, and Megan and Tanya were on the other.

After everyone was settled, Mac suggested, What if we boys sleep here on the sofa bed?

Why? Lindsey asked. We have the door.

We’ve also been here for quite a few days, Mac pointed out. It wouldn’t even take someone as powerful as The Professor to find us at this point. I would sleep better being in the same room, hearing what’s going on so we don’t potentially miss something.

I would feel better, Megan admitted.

Me too, Tanya agreed.

If you think that’s best, then that’s what we’ll do, Shawn said.

Seriously! Lindsey crossed her arms. This Mr. Congeniality act is getting old.

Lindsey, you need to relax, Tanya snapped. He’s not even doing anything.

No. He’s being fake. I would rather he be his genuine jerky self.

Lindsey! Megan sat up abruptly. Now who’s not being kind?

She clicked her tongue. At least I’m being real.

I’m giving myself a time out, Shawn said, getting off the sofa bed. He stormed into the boy’s room, closing the adjoining door between the rooms. It did not take long for them to hear a movie being played on his TV.

All righty then, Mac said on a sigh. Tanya, please start the movie? I don’t think he’s coming back anytime soon.

I don’t either, Tanya said, starting the movie. These next few days are going to be a barrel of laughs.

* * *

Alex paced her office. Hearing a gentle knock, she called out, Come in.

Kendrick Holmes, one of her guards walked in. He did not say a word. He just sat down on the couch, arms crossed, with his blue eyes watching her pace the office.

After a few moments of pacing, she finally stopped and asked, Is there a reason why you’re here?

Yep.

Care to elaborate? she asked, feeling a twinge of annoyance.

Well, he sighed. Seems you’re in here stewing. You’ve already gone off on the supervisors, and the facility is in chaos. Everyone is anxious and worried. What’s going on?

Alex leaned against her desk. Shoving her hands in her pockets, she explained, Daddy called. He wants the facility locked down indefinitely.

What? Can he do that?

"He can do whatever he wants. The rest of the world has to follow. We’re just his puppets. He doesn’t care that people have families. He doesn’t care how much stress he puts on people. All he cares about is his precious subjects."

Okay. I don’t particularly care for the man. We’ve already discussed that aspect on the plane. However, he’s in Oregon, right?

Right.

And you are in charge of this facility. Correct?

Yes.

And since you’re in charge of this facility, and your father is at least fifteen hours away in Oregon, you can do what you want, correct?

A smile slowly formed on her face. Correct.

So, Alex, what do you want to do here? Are you going to follow Daddy’s orders or are you going to be your own woman? C’mon. You’re how old now?

Thirty-seven.

When are you going to lead your own life?

Alex cocked her head. What do you mean?

Leaning forward, Kendrick rested his elbows on his knees and interlaced his fingers in front of him. I’m pretty sure I’m going to get fired for this, but –

Not necessarily. I didn’t fire you guys for the conversation in the airplane.

Right. This conversation will go a bit further. I’m going to cross employer-employee lines here.

What are you saying? Alex asked.

He got up, running his hand through his sandy-blond hair. Alex? he asked. Do you like me?

Of course I like you. If I didn’t, you wouldn’t be here.

Crossing his arms again, it was his turn to pace. That’s not what I meant.

What did you mean? she pressed.

"How do you like me?"

You’re cute, but you’re also my guard.

He stopped and looked at her. What if I wasn’t?

Alex pondered his question for a moment. If you weren’t my guard…If you weren’t working for my dad…If you didn’t work for the facility…If all of that didn’t happen, we would not have met.

What if we did? What if we met outside of the facility?

You’re my confidant.

Exactly. What would you do if I wasn’t here?

Probably go crazy. She rolled her eyes. Without you to talk to, I would have shut off from the world a long time ago.

And you’re that for me, Kendrick said. To me, it’s not a brother-sister type relationship. What about you?

I feel it’s deeper, she confessed.

Agreed.

How did we get here?

Time. He shrugged. What would you do if you were free from this facility and The Professor. Don’t think of him as your dad. Think of him as your boss. Don’t think of us as employer and employee. Just think of us as you and me. No work. When she shrugged, he asked, Do you realize you’re just as much a prisoner as those children?

I am not. She squared her shoulders. I have the freedom to come and go as I please.

Do you? he challenged. Are you really free to come and go as you please?

Of course I am.

When they took the kids, what did you do?

Went to Daddy.

Then what?

She sighed. I started packing because I knew I would be leaving.

Okay. Let’s stop there and analyze, he said, taking a few steps toward her. Why did you go see The Professor as soon as the kids were taken?

To see what he wanted to do about it.

And why did you start packing?

Because I knew he would send me elsewhere.

Did he call you to his office?

No.

Did he tell you to pack?

No.

Why did you do those things?

I already explained that.

You explained you did them because you knew he…dot, dot, dot, he said. In other words, you knew what he wanted you to do. You tend to be emotionless at times. Did you ever think it was because your life isn’t yours? It’s his.

Alex reeled backward, struck by his words. I-I never thought of it like that.

He closed the distance between them and rested his hands on the sides of her face. He looked deep into her dark-brown eyes. She did not pull away. Alex, you have a good heart. I’ve seen it. When you do bad things, you’re operating on automatic mode. You do them because they’re expected of you…by him. You’re thirty-seven. When are you going to live your life for yourself? When are you going to make choices for yourself?

I see myself as the dutiful daughter.

Kendrick chuckled. I promise you are a force to be reckoned with. That man is controlling you, just as he has all your life. When are you going to stand up for yourself? When are you going to take control of your own life? You owe him nothing. He’s your father. He does not own you.

He could kill me.

You mean he would have you killed.

She shrugged. Same difference.

No. He shook his head. He never does his own dirty work. He either sends you or one of us to do it.

What do you mean?

You have to understand he will not hurt you directly.

He doesn’t have to; he has people to do that.

Kendrick growled in frustration and then sighed. "Alex?