Someplace In Time

It was this measurement that Timothy used when he said that the city was eight days away, but with carrying the injured and the weakness of the colonists, the trek took fifteen long days. When the group entered the district of the city, the surroundings had a noticeable change. Fields of cotton and vegetables in perfect rows as far as the eye could see lay on the left side of the path, while on the right side fruit trees bearing all different kinds of fruit was at the disposal of any who happened by.

Timothy stopped the procession and told Jack and his people to help themselves to anything they wished, because the food was grown for everyone to enjoy--no restrictions. With enthusiasm the colonists picked their favorite foods and savored the wonderful taste of the fruit and vegetables. After the meal and the well-needed rest, Timothy lead the way into the city, where promised beds and hot baths were waiting.

The next day, after a big breakfast from the bounty of the city’s farms, the chief welcomed the new arrivals and asked Jack if he was ready to meet with the guiding elders. With a nod he rose, gave his wife and child a kiss, and followed the chief to the room where the elders were expecting him. On the way the chief answered some of Jack’s questions about the elders.

“My friend,” the chief started, “I have known the elders all of my life, and I’m sorry I don’t know where they came from. They have been the guiding mentors for as long as anyone can remember, and the oldest is one hundred and eighty years old.”

At that Jack stood still. He could not believe these people were as old as they claimed to be; it had to be impossible. The chief beckoned him to continue following, because the old man got angry when people were late. They walked up a flight of stairs leading to an ancient building made of what looked like old Roman features. At the door the chief stopped and said, “Here is where I stop. The elders want to talk to you alone. I have been instructed to place guards at the doors, so please don’t panic.”

Jack entered the building, walking into an enormous library consisting of floor to ceiling shelves filled with all genres of topics. Old and dusty atlases open to pages of land masses with an eerily familiar look laid on tables in the center of the room. His footsteps echoed as he explored the room, and with each step down an aisle and with each title he read, his soul screamed at him to run.

“Come to the back of the room, Jack,” said a scratchy old voice. “We have been waiting a long time for you.” 

Jack reluctantly headed towards the sound of the voice, and when he exited the last aisle, there before him sitting in their chairs were the Elders. The old man stood up and said in a faintly familiar, but rough sounding voice, “Do not believe what the future holds, but in what the future may become.” 

Jack’s body quaked at the realization of what he was witnessing and with his whole essence he fell to his knees and screamed, “NOOOOO!”