Luke Steven Fullenkamp
It was a balmy day near Latfurt West Germany in the Spring of 1979. Young electro-static researchers Lucas Fuller, Mark Kessler, Kyle Hamon and Jake Welder are having the time of their lives working with the great particle accelerator, Big Momma, that has been put at their disposal by the US and West German governments. But little do they know that they are about to embark on an epoch odyssey that will change their lives forever.
The famous West German scientist Doctor Victor von Schmelt soon arrives to examine their work, in order to make his report to those higher-ups in authority who have given the young scientists the privilege of using the great static generator for their cellular studies. But what is it about the man that unnerves them so?
By the hand of a saboteur—and a strange twist of fate—Lucas Fuller is sent on an unanticipated journey. He soon realizes that there are unexpected side effects to the research he and his friends have been engaged in, and he suddenly finds himself in a most forbidding and unholy never-land.
Trapped in Nazi Germany in the Fall of 1943, Fuller realizes that he is in the most precarious of predicaments. It seems to him that he is forever lost to his own time as he sets about planning his escape to the Allied lines. But then he finds out that he and his friends were not the only ones engaged in research. What are the Nazis doing to the children they claim to be treating? And why are they doing it?
Lucas’ plans are quickly changed when he meets the lovely, gypsy Anna. She and her grandmother have been captured by the Nazis; and as true members of the Third Reich, the Nazi hatred of these simple, nomadic people is almost as great as their hatred for the Jews.
Mark Kessler, Kyle Hamon and Jake Welder put their heads together to try and determine what really happened to their friend Lucas. Could what they theorize happened to him really have happened? Is there any way to get him back? Perhaps there is, if they’re willing to risk their own lives.
All is brought to light as the race against time begins. For now, time is both their enemy and their friend. It is their attempt, their chance, their hope to somehow undo the catastrophic series of events that have come to pass as a result of…
The Pendulum Project.
The Pendulum Project is now Luke’s fourth novel, and, according to him, is his favorite effort to date. He lives in a small town in Ohio and says he enjoys creation time with his literature and music. Luke is now in his twenty third year as a social servant working with mentally and physically challenged adults, and says that he hopes to continue that pursuit so long as he is able.
The middle child of thirteen, Luke enjoys swapping jokes and stories with his siblings. Although they are spread all around the country, he remarks that they always make a point of coming together a few times every year to reconnect.
Luke says that he loved growing up in a small town, and that much of what he experienced there has been an inspiration for his writing.
“I was fortunate enough to be raised in a very affirming family atmosphere,” he explains. “My parents always encouraged us to do our best, and the pace was a little slower than most places which gave me time to develop my literary and musical interests.”
Luke feels fortunate to have been nurtured in—what he calls—a Walton-like home. And through the joys and sorrows, and ups and downs of living, he says that his faith in God and love for his large family are still the bedrock foundations of his life.
I was squirming like an eel inside my skin. The old woman, Marta, had told me what to do; how to act toward Anna. But how could I force myself on this pretty, young girl in front of such people.
But then, as though she sensed my deep concern, she said to me:
“It will be alright. We have had to fool the Nazis before. I know what to do.”
And so I took her hand and walked her over to the door. But when we got there, she pulled her hand away.
“Walk a few steps in front of me,” she said as she opened a few of the top buttons on her blouse. “And if we stop to talk to anyone or look at something, reach over and pull me towards you by my arm. And remember never say please or thank you to me.”
As uncomfortable as I felt in that instant, I nodded my understanding to her and opened the door. We started to walk down the hall then and she followed behind me a few paces just as she said she would. I knew where the cabinet was that held the coats. von Schmelt had gotten one for me that morning for our tour of the compound. So I walked as casually as I could while gazing down, now and then, at a notepad I had pulled from my pocket. I hoped that it made me look a bit more official.
But when we passed the doorway that led to the second floor, I again noticed the guard that was posted there. So as we neared him, I reached back and took hold of Anna’s arm. I then pulled her toward me and remarked:
“Stay closer to me, woman.”
I could tell from the guard’s reaction that I had done it right. He almost snapped to attention when I gave her the order.
Anna just hung her head and moved toward me. And despite my rude act, I realized that I really did want her nearer. I was terribly frightened for her, considering all that I knew about these people. And then I found myself again wondering what it was on the second floor that was so important to them. What was the great secret that was driving these terrible experiments on the unfortunate, handicapped children?
Anna then whispered to me.
“There is a quiet corner. You should take me there.”
There was indeed a little corner to our right; just at the end of the hallway. So I took her by the arm and pulled her to it. But then my feet went cold and all but froze to the floor. How could I do this thing?
She could sense my hesitation. So she grabbed me by my belt and pulled me to herself. And then she took my arms and wrapped them around her waist. We could hear footsteps approaching so I leaned in and placed my lips on hers. She then went into her act. She pretended to squirm and moan as though she was truly being assaulted. I felt terrible, and tried to ease up a bit. But with her left hand she pulled me back and pressed hard against me with her kiss and her breasts.
As the two soldiers walked by, I broke away from her for a moment and acted as though I had been caught in my indiscretion. But they just smiled their amusement and walked on by. Our charade had worked. Apparently, such behavior was not out of the ordinary in this place.
My heart was beating like a sledgehammer then. I didn’t know if it was because of my fear or if I was just reacting to the embrace of the beautiful Anna. I then leaned back into her and kissed her cheek softly.
“I hope you’re alright,” I whispered to her.
And then we heard more footsteps coming towards us.
