What If... (Vol 1)

By Tim Trott

"What If..." is a collection of science fiction and paranormal short stories with a twist of reality. The book features ten stories, including one in which two young women's lives become intertwined when one's nightmare reveals a sinister stalker who haunts the other's reality. Another story follows a college student who experiments with a Software Digital Radio and discovers a strange signal coming from a cemetery. Then, a thirteen-year-old finds a magical camera at a local second-hand store. The book describes a young couple that experiences a close encounter with a flying saucer on the beach and faces ridicule and a visit from the mysterious Men in Black. There is a story of an artificial intelligence robot that arrives at a large corporation and ends up solving a crime. Another story follows rumors of a mysterious space alien lurking in the woods that captivates the imagination of a quaint lakeside town. The book also includes the story of a minor traffic which accident leaves a young woman in an unexplained coma, but her sister finds a clue in a dream. Then a NASA scientist finds himself in a different version of his own reality, and a space alien saves the world in another story. Finally, the book ends with the story of a network that is granted an exclusive interview that is out of this world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tim Trott
• Release date: Nov 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215579060

Tim Trott

Author Tim Trott has a diverse range of writing styles and interests. Let’s explore some facets of his work:Science Fiction and Paranormal: Tim Trott’s short stories often blend real science or theories with imaginative elements. Some of these stories draw inspiration from his work experience or focused studies on specific topics. His unique take on science fiction and paranormal themes sets him apart.Non-Fiction: Trott is not confined to a single genre. He delves into both non-fiction and fiction writing. His ability to explore various worlds, emotions, and adventures through words makes his work intriguing and multifaceted.Aviation Enthusiast: Inspired by the Sky King television series, Trott developed an early interest in aviation. This passion occasionally finds its way into his narratives, adding an exciting dimension to his storytelling.Whether you’re seeking thought-provoking science fiction, captivating paranormal tales, or a mix of non-fiction and fiction, Tim Trott’s writing offers a delightful journey for readers.

Book preview

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I dedicate this book to my wife, Mari Trott, the best life decision I ever made.

I am also dedicating this book to the Daytona Writers Group and Veronica H. Hart. I had not written fiction, but Ronnie and the group urged me to try. I love writing fiction! My advice to any aspiring author is to find a local writer’s group or join an online group on Reddit or Facebook. It’s amazing how much a group of like-minded people can challenge, benefit, and teach you while expanding your writing skills and enjoyment.

If you enjoy this book, please take a few moments to write a nice review where you purchased it and recommend it to your friends and social media followers!

This is Volume 1. To be notified of future editions, please visit my website at TimTrottWrites.com

Introduction

Ihave my own take on science fiction. I often like to blur the lines between science fiction and non-fiction by weaving in some real-life facts. I don’t crawl down rabbit holes; I harvest and recycle them. On the other hand, you might read something you think is fiction but isn’t. One thing that is different about my science fiction writing is that I make reference to real science and sometimes include footnotes.

There’s a quote I like from a very old poem by Mary T. Lathrap: Walk a Mile in His Moccasins. By walking in the shoes of a fictional character, by seeing through the eyes of the characters, the reader gains a different perspective. If we’re lucky, that perspective teaches us a lesson in real life.

Copyright ©2023 by Tim Trott

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Illustrations generated with Leonardo, MidJourney and Dall-E

Cover design by Daim Atiq and Tim Trott

Editing by ProWritingAid

Volume One – Revision 32 – April 12, 2024

Contents

Echos of Time

The Aliens Came

The Camera Can See Through Time

If Ghosts Could Talk

Dreams Can Speak

We Saw the Aliens

Parallel Universes are Real

The Company Hired a Robot

An Alien Saved the World

Interview with an Alien

About the Author

Echos of Time

Long shadows reached out to Samantha as she ran through an unfamiliar street. Behind her, she heard the echoing footsteps of her unseen pursuer. Her breaths came in ragged gasps as fear rose from the dark pavement surrounding her. Faster, faster!

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Ahead was the entrance to a hotel. As she came closer, it became clear the imposing structure was a once grand entrance, now long abandoned. She scanned her surroundings in a frantic search for a way out. The glass of the massive door lay in pieces on the ground as she almost leaped across the entryway to the lobby. She soon realized the old building was not the sanctuary she had hoped for. Samantha felt her feet submerged in shallow water, a numbing chill creeping through her as she stepped into the old building. Panic arose within her as she could see no way out but ahead.

As she glanced at the water at her feet, the reflection was not her own, but that of a woman she did not recognize. Samantha whispered, Who are you? as she moved forward.

Hearing the sounds of crunching glass, she took a deep breath and continued to the other side. Once there, she darted up a half-submerged stairway. Her breathless getaway led her to an upper balcony, her heart still pounding. The stalker passed by below, banging on doors and windows, seeking to scare her out of her hiding place. The man did not see her as he looked up to scan the balconies, but from her hiding place, she could see his weathered face and dark baseball cap.

And as abruptly as it had begun, Samantha’s ordeal ended, leaving her gasping for breath and drenched in sweat as she sat up in her bed. As her familiar bedroom came into focus, the strange woman’s face from the old hotel still loomed in her mind. Samantha hugged her knees, unable to erase that chilling reflection. Nor could she forget the stalker with his predatory glare as he hunted for her. And who was the woman in the reflection? Why was the man chasing her? Most of all, how could Samantha be dreaming someone else’s nightmare?

***

Morning came all too soon. Still exhausted as she awoke the following day, Samantha took a quick shower and stuffed a stale cupcake in her mouth as she dressed for work.

Samantha Wilson is a young woman in her mid-twenties. Her chestnut-brown hair falls in loose waves around her shoulders, framing her face. Her most captivating feature is her expressive hazel eyes, reflecting a mixture of curiosity and empathy. That is a valuable asset in her job as a barista at The Brown Bean Coffee Shoppe on a side street of a tourist town on the coast.

Sam arrived at work and took her place behind the counter as morning crowds spilled into the small shop. She busied herself filling orders for customers until only a few customers remained. As she began bussing the tables left with empty coffee cups and crumpled napkins, she noticed a young woman coming through the door. Samantha turned to look more carefully at the young woman and froze as she recognized her. Moving to take her place behind the coffee bar, Samantha greeted her as she approached to place her order. What can we get for you this morning?

I’d like a grande almond milk latte with a shot of vanilla syrup, please, she said. The woman had ebony hair and appeared slightly older than Samantha. As she held a credit card in her hand near the scanner, Samantha tried to be inconspicuous. She angled her head to read the name Georgiana Phillips. She did not recognize the name.

Do we know each other? Samantha asked. You seem familiar, somehow.

Probably not, she responded. I’ve only been in town a few weeks. I work for channel 29.

That must be it. I guess I saw you on TV! See ya tomorrow? Sam asked.

Georgiana smiled, nodded, and waved as she carried her purchase to the door.

***

The following day, Samantha was wiping down the coffee bar as Georgiana arrived and approached the counter. Sam greeted her with a warm smile. Welcome back! The usual today?

She smiled in return, nodding. Yes, please, a grande almond milk latte with a shot of vanilla syrup.

As Samantha prepared the order, she felt uncomfortable seeing a man entering the coffee shop. She soon realized the reason. Her heart sank as she recognized the stalker in her nightmare. All at once, she realized this was the woman she saw in the water’s reflection.

Samantha needed a plan. As she handed her the latte, she whispered, I need your help with something. Could you follow me for a moment?

Georgiana raised a puzzled eyebrow, but she recognized the urgency in Samantha’s eyes. Of course, she answered.

Samantha waved at her boss, I need a break, OK? Her boss nodded approval and moved to take over at the coffee bar. Samantha made her way to the nook of the restrooms, out of sight of the customers. Curious, Georgiana followed.

I don’t want to alarm you, but I noticed someone… I’m pretty sure someone followed you here. I’ve seen him before, and he’s giving me the creeps.

Georgiana’s expression shifted from curiosity to concern. What do you mean? Who is it?

He came in after you and sat in a corner. He seemed intent on watching you. Have you had any, you know, nasty comments on your social media, scary emails, things like that? Sam asked.

"Well, yes, but that often comes with the exposure of my job. Some of them have been a little scary, now that you mention it. Georgiana answered. You say you’ve seen him before?"

This would be the challenging part. Samantha tried to find a way to reveal the real reason but decided on a different strategy. She framed her concern more broadly, focusing on Georgiana’s safety and privacy.

We don’t know each other, and I don’t want to scare you, but I think you must be especially aware of your surroundings. Be careful when you are alone; keep looking for an escape route. Watch your back, that sort of thing. You know what I mean? Samantha advised.

"I think you are scaring me, but I welcome your concern, and I will keep your advice in mind."

Samantha continued, The man I saw watching you? He didn’t buy anything. It was the same thing when you were in yesterday. He just came in, sat in the corner until you left, and followed you out.

What does he look like? Georgiana asked.

Well, for one thing, he’s the only one with no coffee. He’s in the back corner, wearing a baseball cap and a leather jacket. He’s got a bunch of tattoos, I think.

Samantha watched as Georgiana left the alcove and glanced discretely around the coffee shop, looking to see the individual Samantha had described. She looked back, latte cup in hand, and waved at Samantha as she left the coffee shop. Once outside, Georgiana drove off in a TV news van. As before, the strange man soon got up and left behind her.

***

Samantha came to the end of her shift, went out the back of the coffee shop to the employee parking lot, and got into her car. As she reached the main street and turned toward her apartment, she noticed traffic had stopped. She would need to find another way home. She followed the detoured traffic down an alleyway and left onto a street in a rough part of town. Just ahead, she spotted the Channel 29 news van next to a sign with a picture of a new construction project. She recognized Georgiana standing before a camera, doing what reporters call a Stand-Up.

As Samantha slowed around the news truck, her eyes detected movement ahead. A dark figure, a man wearing a dark baseball cap, seemed intent on eyeing the reporter. Sam stopped behind the news van and got out to wait for Georgiana to finish her broadcast report. Facing Georgiana’s direction, her eyes obscured by her sunglasses, Samantha’s peripheral vision to see the man in the distance. She was sure it was the man in the coffee shop and the same man she had seen in the bad dream.

As Georgiana finished her report, she nodded to Samantha to come forward.

Samantha stepped closer, smiled, lowered her head, and whispered, Please don’t turn around, but that guy from the coffee shop is hiding behind a car, and he’s watching.

Georgiana whispered back with a determined look, "What should we do? If