Returning to Eagle Falls The Mystery Continues

By Dennis M. Prokop

George Huntington believed he had solved the many mysteries he had inherited along with his beloved grandfather's farm in The Mystery of Eagle Falls, but he was still unsuccessful at changing the future and eliminating the car accident that left his fiancée, Laura Scott, in a coma. Now in Returning to Eagle Falls, he found himself challenged by something that was not of this world, a Native American spirit known as the Caretaker. He seemed to be the force that stood in the way of George's efforts to change his future. Confused about what was a dream and what was reality caused by his own head injury, George solicited the help of a beautiful local Native American artifacts expert, Bonita Redbrook, who seemed to have a strong connection to both George and the spirit world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781644629444

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Returning to Eagle Falls The Mystery Continues

Dennis M. Prokop

Copyright © 2019 Dennis M. Prokop

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2019

ISBN 978-1-64462-943-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64462-944-4 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

Chapter VI

Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Chapter IX

Chapter X

Chapter XI

Chapter XII

Chapter XIII

Chapter 1

Chapter I

The Mystery of Eagle Falls Continues

George Huntington had just spent the last several months deciphering a trail of clues and messages left for him by his grandfather. The confusion started when George’s grandfather sent a letter hinting he might be able to help George’s fiancée, Laura, who remained in a coma following a car accident. In the chaos that followed the accident, George had failed to open the letter before he received word that his grandfather had suddenly passed away. The reason for all the secrecy was that his grandfather had inadvertently discovered the remains of a century-old bridge that, when crossed, seemed to allow a person to travel back into the past and then return again to the present.

Using that bridge and the information from a journal left for him from his grandfather, George had crossed the bridge into the past to put into motion a complex plan to change Laura’s ill-received fate and eliminate the tragic car accident that had put George and Laura’s future on hold. Now fate dealt George another blow when an intense thunderstorm struck just as George was in the middle of the bridge, attempting to return back to the present, causing another car accident that had George now in the hospital with his own head injury. Not sure if his plan had worked or even if he was able to complete the crossing back to 1994, George was struggling just to wake up.

George could hear voices all around him, but they were not talking to him. It sounded more like he was out on a crowded street or maybe in a classroom back in college. He tried several times to call out for someone to help him, but even though he could open his mouth, he couldn’t utter a single sound. He was frustrated and exhausted, then everything went quiet again.

Finally, someone was talking directly to him. Someone asked, Can you hear me? George, are you awake? You were mumbling ‘Help me, please help me.’ George, I’m your nurse. You’re in the hospital. We’re doing everything we can do to help you. You are going to be all right. You just have to rest and get stronger.

George couldn’t open his eyes, but he whispered Thank you and then fell back to sleep—a much more relaxed sleep now knowing someone was there to help. He was dreaming of the two most important people in his life: Laura, his fiancée, who had agreed to marry him even though most of her friends couldn’t understand why she would want to marry a low-level manager at a small advertising company; and his best friend for over seven years, Brian Edwards, whom he worked with at that same advertising company. They both were a major part of the life he had waiting for him back in New York City if his plan to change the future was successful. He was still trying to make some sense out of everything that had recently happened to him when he heard that same voice ask, George, can I get you something?

George tried to clear his head, and when he opened his eyes, he saw his nurse standing next to his bed.

George, you were saying you needed to go back. Do you need something for your back? Does your back hurt?

No, thank you. I must have been dreaming. My back isn’t bothering me.

Are you getting hungry? You have been asleep for a long time.

I’m not hungry. Maybe a little water or juice would be helpful. George realized he could now open his eyes for the first time.

Would you like me to turn on the television?

No, thank you, I think I would rather just rest quietly for a while.

Okay then, I’ll go and get you that juice.

George was resting with his eyes shut, trying to remember everything that had happened, when the nurse returned. As she placed a large cup with a straw on the table in front of George, she announced, Here’s your orange juice, George, and you have a visitor. Your father is right outside your room talking to your doctor. I’m sure he will be happy to see how well you’re doing.

My father is here? All the way from California, how did he even know I had an accident?

George, you have been with us for quite a while, his nurse replied as she left the room.

A moment later, there was a knock at the door. The door opened, and George’s dad entered the room with a large smile and commented as he walked up to George’s bed, The doctor said you took quite a hit on the head. You had them worried with all the mumbling you were doing when you were unconscious. How are you feeling now?

Better now, it was nice of you to come all the way from California to see me.

No problem, son. I plan on staying until you get back on your feet.

Thanks, Dad, I need someone to look after me and stop me from messing up any more lives. I hate to mention this to you, but I didn’t take your advice and I tried to change some things and it backfired. Now things are worse than ever.

What are you talking about, George?

I tried to help Laura, and I messed up my friendship with Brian.

When did you do that?

I guess a few days ago, George replied, slightly shaking his head back and forth.

That’s odd. He didn’t mention it when I talked to him last night. He was quite worried about you.

You mean he remembered me? I thought I talked to him and he didn’t know who I was, George answered excitedly.

He’s taking a few days off, and he plans to drive down with Laura to see you.

Did you say with Laura?

Yes, with Laura. She said you spent too much time down here without her already. She’s going to give you an ultimatum: come back on your own and proceed with your marriage plans, or she’s coming down here to get you.

Laura’s coming down here? I have to get myself cleaned up. I don’t want her to see me like this.

George, you just rest. A concussion is nothing to fool with.

George was both extremely excited and nervous. His heart was pounding, and he could feel his face becoming flushed. He replied, Dad, can you do me a favor? Pinch me, seriously pinch me.

Why on earth would you want me to do that, son?

I’ve got to know that I’m not dreaming again.

George’s dad walked over to George and took his hand and squeezed it and said, That’s as much as I’m going to do to someone with a concussion. Trust me, son, you’re not dreaming.

All of a sudden, George was feeling much better. His head had stopped hurting, and he felt fine. He felt so good he wanted to get up and get dressed. He announced, Dad, that news about Laura and Brian was the greatest medicine anyone could have given me.

I’m glad, son. They should be here in another hour or two. Maybe I should leave and let you get some rest?

Please, Dad, don’t go anywhere until they get here, and don’t let me fall asleep either. I don’t want to take a chance that this is just a dream, George begged.

All right, George, I’ll stay right here with you. But you have to lie back and get some rest.

George agreed to at least lie back down. He hadn’t realized that in his excitement, he had started to climb out of the bed. He got a huge smile on his face as he looked over at his dad. His dad had assured him that this wasn’t a dream, but he wouldn’t be totally convinced until Laura was standing next to his bed.

George tried to lie quietly and wait with his father, but only a few minutes passed before George asked, Dad, do you mind telling me when was the last time you saw Laura?

I believe it was last New Year’s Eve when you and Laura came out to California for the holidays. Why do you ask? Still have those memory problems?

A lot of things seem like dreams. Some dreams seem like they are real, and some things I can’t recall at all, George explained, hoping his dad would keep filling in the blank areas.

Don’t worry so much about the past. You have to concentrate more on the future. The past is the past. You can’t do anything about it now, George’s dad replied, almost like he knew what George had been working on.

Sounds like good advice.

George and his dad continued making small talk. George asked about his dad’s job back in California. George talked about keeping the farm as a vacation house and spending the winters there. Soon there was a knock on the door; the door slowly opened, and George saw Laura standing there holding a small potted plant full of purple flowers. His first thought was to sit up, and when he threw back the bed linen and was about to try to get out of the bed, Laura called out, George Huntington, don’t you even think about getting out of that bed.

Laura walked over and gave George a kiss on his cheek. George quickly complained, I almost died and that’s all I get, one little kiss on the cheek?

Laura answered George’s request with a kiss on the lips that people make movies about. The room was silent for a minute until Laura finally let go of George’s lips and said, There, George, that’s what you’ve been missing fooling around down here with your old farmhouse.

George was lost for words; if his face wasn’t flushed before, it was now. He finally managed to say, When you’re right, you’re right.

George hadn’t even seen Brian standing there until he walked over to the bed and asked, I suppose you want a kiss from me too?

It’s good to see you again, Brian, but a little hug will do the trick.

George again got just what he asked for. He was just sitting there when he noticed Laura receiving a warm hug and a kiss on the cheek from his dad. George was just thrilled to see everyone getting along so well. Brian looked at George with a surprised look on his face and stated, What is wrong with you, George? You look terrible. Your one eye is almost swelled shut, you have a bandage the size of a dollar bill on your forehead, your arm is in a sling, and there you sit with the biggest smile on your face I think I have ever seen.

Just feeling good, Brian. I’m just finally feeling good, George replied…

Can you tell us your name?

George could hear the question, but who else was in his hospital room? He heard the question asked over and over, but he still could not figure out who was asking him his name. George then heard the man call out, He’s smiling, he definitely was smiling. I think he’s conscious again. You better get the doctor.

A few moments later, George heard another voice ask, You think he’s conscious? Has he said anything yet?

Yes, Doctor, he was mumbling. He called me Brian again, but this time he was smiling, and he said something about he was feeling good.

George, if you can hear me, try to blink your eyes?

George heard the question, but he did not want to comply; he wanted to go back to sleep. If it was only a dream, he wanted it to continue. Maybe it could become real if he could only fall back to sleep.

George heard the question repeated even louder, George, if you can hear me, blink your eyes?

George struggled to open his eyes. His left eyelid opened slightly, but his right eyelid remained shut. He could only see the silhouette of the man’s face who had asked him to blink his eyes.

He whispered, That’s good, that’s very good. Then the man called out, Someone get me a tissue. His eyes are filling up with moisture. Returning his voice to just above whisper, he continued, There’s nothing to cry about. You’re in the hospital, you were in a car accident, and you struck your head. You hurt your neck and shoulder, but nothing was broken. You have been medicated so you would not try to move until you were awake. The medicine will soon wear off. You dislocated your right shoulder, and we corrected that. If you have problems with your right arm, don’t worry about it. With rest and a little therapy, it should be just fine. We were more concerned with the wound on your forehead. Just lay there and rest. You’ll be feeling much better soon. The doctor informed George, gently patting George’s chest with his hand.

George placed his left hand on top of the doctor’s hand on his chest and tried to ask something, but his mouth failed to get much volume on his request.

The doctor responded, I’m sorry, did you say something?

George swallowed hard and tried again to ask something. This time, it was a little louder but still barely above a whisper.

The doctor had leaned over George to get his ear as close as he could to George’s mouth. Now he stood up and said, Did you just ask me what year it was? He gently patted George’s chest again and replied, You’ve been unconscious for a few days, but it is still 1961. You just try and get some rest.

As soon as the doctor left the room, George closed his eyes and tried to fall back to sleep. His head was spinning, and his whole body hurt. He started to recall the phone conversation he had with Brian, and he again began to wonder what was real and what was a dream. He clearly remembered getting out of the Buick in the creek and walking to the farmhouse before calling Brian and being disappointed Brian did not know who he was. He remembered discovering he was bleeding from his forehead and he had to get medical help. That’s when he heard the sirens. If it’s really 1961, he must have returned to the bridge after calling Brian and somehow crossed it back into the past. If Brian didn’t know who he was, something must have gone wrong with George’s plan to change the future. But what part of the plan went wrong? Maybe Dan Hoffman, his grandfather’s attorney, failed to remain in contact with and provide any additional money required for Michael Gardner, the attorney whom George had created a trust with to help change the future. Or maybe it was the letter he left behind in 1961 addressed to himself trying to make some sense out of his father’s divorce that had destroyed their relationship when he was sixteen years old. Maybe he moved to California with his dad and never went to live with his mother in New York City. Whatever had gone wrong, George planned to get well as fast as he could and change things back to the way his life was before Laura’s accident. Confused and exhausted, George finally drifted off into a deep sleep.

George was dreaming about walking in the sunshine. He was turning his head, trying to locate the source of music he heard playing off in the distance. Now he heard something totally different; he became aware someone was close by. He heard someone talking, but he didn’t recognize the voice. He attempted to open his eyes, but still his right eyelid refused to open and his left eye was watering, blurring his vision. He finally heard someone ask, George, George, are you awake?

I think so, George whispered.

George, I’m your nurse, Doris. Do you think you can drink a little water through a straw?

I can try. George raised his head a few inches off the pillow and had a few sips of water. He then reached up with his left hand and attempted to rub some of the moisture out of his left eye to improve his vision, then barely above a whisper and with his vision not completely clear, George softly asked, How long have I been asleep?

You were unconscious for five days, and then you fell back to sleep early this morning after talking with the doctor. You have been pretty much out of it for the last six days.

Why am I so groggy?

You were given some medication to keep you quiet. Anytime someone has a head injury, it’s best to remain as still as possible. A little more water should help clear your head.

I can’t open my right eye.

You struck your head pretty hard, and you received twenty stitches to close the wound just above your right eye. There is still quite a bit of swelling. Your eyelid muscles on your right side are probably a little weaker. They should get stronger now that you’re awake again. Do you think you feel good enough to have a visitor?

I have a visitor, who’s here?

Mr. Dale Wilcox from our local newspaper is here. He asked to speak to you as soon as you woke up.

I suppose I can talk to Dale. He was a big help to me after my grandfather’s funeral.

I’ll tell him he can come in, but only for a few minutes, Doris replied as she left the room.

A few minutes later, there was a light knock on the door. A young man, maybe twenty-five years old with curly hair slightly longer than you would expect for a newspaper reporter, dressed in gray pants and a white shirt and black bow tie, carrying a large notebook, entered the room. He tiptoed over to the edge of the bed and, in a voice just above a whisper, stated, "George, my name is Dale Wilcox. I work for the Eagle Falls Gazette. I’m glad you’re doing better. Thanks for allowing me to talk to you. I hope you don’t mind, I would like to do an article about you and the accident?"

No, I don’t mind. That’s what friends are for.

Friends, you mean because I’m writing this article about you? I don’t mind you considering me being a friend, but you do know I have to report the facts even if they are not very flattering.

I know that, Dale. It was just a slip of the tongue, you know, because of the accident.

Oh, yes, because of the accident. Anyway, I would like to verify your name and address, just for the record.

My name is George… There was a pause before he continued. What did they tell you my name was?

They, you mean the hospital, they told me your name was George Hunt.

Yes, that’s right. That’s my name, George replied, turning his head in Dale’s direction and straining his neck to get a better view with his left eye.

I’m sorry, sir, I understand you had a head injury. Maybe I should come back another day when things are clearer for you.

No, that’s all right. Things are starting to get clearer.

Okay, and your address, if you don’t mind?

George thought for a minute then responded, How about if we just use New York City? I’m kind of between apartments right now.

Fine, New York City will do nicely. Now, the questions get a little harder. I’m sorry, but this is my job.

What is it that you want to know, Dale?

Do you mind telling me where you were going with Mr. Huntington’s car so late at night?

Mr. Huntington’s car, you mean the Buick? I guess I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a ride.

Is there any reason why you missed the bridge and driveway to Mr. Huntington’s house and drove off that old dilapidated bridge?

Tired, I guess, I haven’t been sleeping much lately, George replied.

One last thing, George. Do you mind telling me why you borrowed Mr. Huntington’s car without his permission?

George hesitated in responding to that last question. He raised his hand up and touched his forehead and finally replied, I can’t remember. Everything is a little foggy.

Thank you, George, this is really big news. The story is being picked up nationally.

A car driven into a creek is being picked up nationally? George asked.

No, not just the accident. It’s a human-interest story. Not only is Mr. Huntington not pressing charges against you for stealing his car, he has agreed to pay for all your hospital bills too. You didn’t have any identification on you, but he recognized you from the neighborhood and said your name was George Hunt. Would you like to comment on why he’s doing all this for you?

No, everything is still too confusing, George replied, not wanting to say anything else.

Well, thank you again, George. I hope everything is going to be all right, Dale stated and then left the room.

George was trying to remember everything that had happened after driving the Buick off the side of the bridge, but nothing made much sense. He was getting very sleepy again; he closed his eyes and was soon back to sleep.

George could hear voices off in the distance again as he became more aware of his surroundings. Nurse Doris asked, George, would you like some more water?

George didn’t attempt to open his eyes to answer; he only moved his head a little to indicate no. A moment later he heard a voice he definitely recognized, ask, George, are you feeling any better?

A small smile appeared on George’s face. Sick or well, 1961 or 1994, George recognized the voice of the man who taught him almost every important thing he needed to know until he was sixteen years old, his grandfather Robert Huntington.

A lot better now, George whispered but caught himself before he said Grandpa and then added, Thanks for asking.

George, I know I only talked to you a few times at my Labor Day party that Mary Jane Thompson brought you to, but I’m a good judge of people, and I know that you are a good person. I’m a little confused about what you were doing with my Buick, but I told the police I don’t want to press any charges against you. I also have agreed to pay for your hospital charges because I want you to receive the best care possible. You can explain everything to me later when you are feeling better, Robert replied.

Thank you for all your faith in me…Mr. Huntington. I’ll pay you back for everything.

Well, don’t worry about that now. You just get stronger, and please call me Robert.

Thanks again…Robert.

Don’t mention it. Also, if you don’t have any family living close by, I would like to invite you to stay with me when you’re ready to leave the hospital. I have plenty of room, and I could use the company.

That sounds wonderful. But I do want to pay you back, George insisted.

We can talk about it once you get back on your feet. I’ll leave my telephone number with your nurse.

Do you mind telling me how badly I messed up your Buick? I know how important that car is to you.

The Buick is in pretty good shape. It will need a new bumper and some paint on the passenger side. They were able to drag it out of the creek and put it over by my garage. I have a friend working on it now.

Did I mess up anything else?

The old bridge took a beating. You damaged most of what was left of the old bridge on the roadside, and the towing company knocked some of the deck boards off the farm side of it when they pulled the Buick out. The rushing water from the storm floated all the damaged wood away. Not a big deal, I was thinking of tearing it down anyway, but I just never got around to it, Robert stated.

Well, I’m sorry about the car and the old bridge. Maybe I can help you repair them?

Again, George, you get stronger first, and then we can talk about it, Robert replied.

George talked to Robert for a few more minutes when he started to get sleepy again and drifted off to sleep. George was dreaming about that phone call to Brian. Maybe if he never crossed the bridge, that might mean he never could have actually talked to Brian. Maybe that whole conversation was just a dream. Maybe he was able to make that deal with Michael Gardner and someday, in the future, Laura wouldn’t be involved in that accident. Under the current circumstances with George stranded in the past, he should be able to call Michael Gardner and verify that everything was still waiting to happen. George was just starting to feel good again about his chances to have changed the future for the better, when he got another sick feeling in his stomach. There was that statement from Robert when he said both sides of the bridge were damaged. George suddenly was wondering, if most of the bridge was destroyed, would he ever be able to return to the future? George was almost physically ill. His hands were shaking and he was breathing twice as fast as normal just thinking that he might never be with Laura again, and then George felt someone rubbing his hand. He heard a faint voice calling, George, wake up. George, wake up, you’re having a nightmare.

George stopped shaking and started to calm down after taking several more deep breaths. He recognized Nurse Doris’s voice, tried to open his eyes, and asked, What’s happening to me?

George, you must have had a nightmare. You were shaking and calling out something about Laura. George, can I try and contact Laura for you?

No, I must have been dreaming. How long ago did Robert leave?

A few hours ago. He asked me to call him if you needed anything. He seemed like such a nice man.

He is. I owe him more than he realizes.

George, do you need anything for pain?

I have a terrible headache. Could you get me something for that?

Certainly, I’ll be right back.

George was still thinking about the damaged bridge when the nurse brought something back for his headache. George took the pain pills and asked, Did the doctor say anything about how soon I might be able to leave?

No, but you had better plan on being with us for a while. After a concussion like the one you received, most people will remain in the hospital for at least seventy-two hours or more after finally waking up. We will know each other pretty good before you’re ready to leave us.

George would like to have asked another question, but the pain pills the nurse gave him were already starting to work, and he couldn’t get another word out before he fell back to sleep.

Nurse Doris was right about her getting to know George better. For the next three days, George couldn’t get out of bed by himself. She and the other nurses had to help him with everything. By the fourth day, George was able to completely open his right eye, and his right arm had regained enough strength to assist him getting in and out of bed. The next day when the doctor was making his rounds, he commented, Looks like you’ll be well enough to leave us tomorrow. Do you have someone who can help you for a few days?

Yes, I do, Doctor. A neighbor has offered to help, George replied.

Well, you can notify your neighbor that you should be ready to be released anytime after 9:00 a.m. tomorrow if your paperwork is completed.

I’ll call him and see if he can be here that early.

You will still have to take it easy for a few days, and don’t try to do too much. Exercise that right arm as much as possible like the therapist showed you. If you have any problems at all, you come right back here to see us.

I will take it easy, Doctor, George promised.

George called Robert and asked if he would be able to pick him up at the hospital tomorrow. He said he could and promised to be there at 9:00 a.m.

George had a sleepless night but was ready to go well before the nurse had him sign the hospital release papers and took him to the front entrance. George was pleasantly surprised to find that Robert was already parked outside the entrance with the old Buick waiting for him. The Buick looked great; it didn’t look like it had just been in an accident. Robert got out of the Buick, walked around the front of the car and up to George, and said, Good morning, George, how are you feeling today?

I’m feeling good enough to walk all the way to your farmhouse if I have to. Robert, I don’t know who you found to do the repair work on the Buick, but it looks better than brand-new.

Well, you don’t have to walk home, so just relax. I have the guest room all set up for you. I’ll have you home in a few minutes. Just forget about the Buick and concentrate on getting better, Robert commented as he helped George into the front seat of the Buick.

The word home coming from his grandfather was about the best medicine he had received in over a week. As George was riding back to the farmhouse, he looked over at his grandfather and realized that his grandfather was only about ten years older than he was at this time. George had always hoped to be over six feet tall when he grew up, so he could be as tall as his grandfather, and it appeared he was, along with his brown wavy hair and blue eyes, which his grandfather also had. There was no denying it; George definitely looked like a Huntington. George decided that spending a few more days recovering from the accident with this younger version of his grandfather would be more like a wonderful vacation. George’s main concern was to somehow find out about the future, find a way to cross the damaged bridge, and return to Laura and the life waiting for him. As they crossed the driveway bridge to the farmhouse, George was amazed at how high and fast the creek was still flowing. George commented, I’ve never seen the creek that high or flowing that fast.

Have you been around here much, George? Robert asked.

A little while when I was on vacation, George responded, forgetting where he was for a moment.

The creek will flow like that for weeks after any major storm.

I’ll have to remember to stay away from it, George replied.

Good thinking, George, we don’t want you drowning. I also noticed you didn’t have any luggage with you, so I put a few things that should fit you in the guest bedroom closet. Nothing fancy, but they should get the job done.

Thank you again, Robert. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you.

Don’t worry about it. You don’t have to keep thanking me every time I do something for you. When you get on your feet again, you can thank me then. Just pretend you’re an old lost relative that is in town for a few days, Roberts suggested.

I think I can do that. Maybe I’ll pretend you’re my uncle or someone like that, George answered, with a large smile on his face, not looking in Robert’s direction.

Yes, that’s the spirit, just a couple of long-lost relatives getting reacquainted.

That sounds good to me, Uncle Robert.

That’s the spirit, Nephew George.

Robert drove the Buick up to the front of the farmhouse and stopped the car as close to the front porch as possible. While Robert was helping George first into the house and then through the living room and into the kitchen, George was rethinking about the discussion they had about him being a long-lost relative. He started wondering, could Robert have found something that he might have forgotten in the Buick? Maybe