Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 22:01:13 -0500 From: Lee McDougal Subject: "Through the Time Warp" Chapter 6 It's the second Thursday posting...but at least we still have a weekly posting thing going on. :-) Please email me at leo1980@gay.com or leo1980@sonet.net if you prefer. And as usual...my site is at http://home.gay.com/leo1980 if your not already there. Through the Time Warp (My adventure with Nsync) Chapter 6 "You can't stay here Justin! What about the group?" Chris screamed at him. "Forget the group, what about your family and friends?" I asked. "Yeah, think of your parents. Don't you think they'd miss you?" J.C. asked. "We can't make it home without you Justin." Jerry threw in. "Why can't you just leave me here? Just take those jewels and leave. I'll be fine on my own, and you don't need me." Justin pleaded. "I know you care for me dearly Justin, but your friends are right. You can't give up your world for me, or anyone. You can't be a part of my world that way. My world is that of happiness, and no regret. You would destroy that if you came in with that baggage. I will miss you Justin, but I know in my heart you were never mine to begin with." Mary said. "But don't you love me?" Justin asked. "I do, but I don't know you that well either. We have only spent 3 days together. It takes a long time to build the bond that you desire." Mary told him. "But you understood me better than anyone else." Justin said. "Yes, and others will know you too, but you have to get past yourself first. And that's not an easy task. It's something you must do on your own. But my prayers will be with you." Mary said. She kissed him once, and then left the room. "You learned a lot Justin. You have seen that you can love someone. And you learned that you need to make a change." Josh told him. "Yeah, I guess I did learn that." Justin said as we all started the time swap. In a faint corner I heard Mary say something...but not with her mouth. I think I heard her thoughts. `Goodbye Justin, I know I will see you again.' Mary stood out in my mind for a long time. It was obvious that she was more than she seems. Perhaps we would all see her again. After the around 30 second pit stop at the van, we were off again. For a second while in the van I pondered the idea of clinging to the van, but I knew the results were not worth the risk. I could accidentally pull the van with us, and we'd have the driver to deal with and instant death when we finally made it back...or worse I'd just get lost from everyone else. As the lights died down, my vision started to return. This was my 4 stop on the time express, and I was still amazed by it. This time we were in the middle of some woods. It was actually quite beautiful. But I had no idea where we were, or when we were at that matter. "Wow, we are in the middle of nowhere again!" Chris said jokingly. "I bet we are somewhere in the past. We were in the future last time, and it seems to be going in that pattern." I mentioned. "That's true, but what part of the past are we in?" Lance asked me. "I don't know. But that does make me worry." I said pointing out a huge footprint, or whatever it was. "Holy cow! It's large enough to set in." Josh told us. "I know, I don't think I want to meet what made that." Jerry said holding on to Josh's arm. "This is just as guess, but what if we went back to prehistoric age?" Justin asked. "I hope not. I mean I love dinosaurs, but I never wanted to meet one in person." I said as I took Lances hand. "Everyone stay calm. I'm sure we are just jumping to conclusions. That could be fake. Or a fluke, like there's only one of those things left or something." Chris tried to tell us. "One of whatever that is will be more than enough thanks." Joey said. "Obviously we don't need to be here if it comes back. I think we should look for another one of these and get out of here as soon as possible." Josh suggested holding up his jewel. It was a "Good idea." We all agreed. From there we started probably the scariest of our adventures. I don't think any of us will ever forget this. We walked around all packed close together, each suspecting something to attack us at any moment. We were all men, but that footprint had made us all feel so small. I knew that Lances grip on my hand tightened, but I couldn't tell if it was to comfort him or me. But it seemed to have a mutual effect. I was glad that it was daylight at least. Of course if it was night we probably wouldn't have noticed the foot. Perhaps our fear is what kept us alive, or kept us from getting to our destination faster. I couldn't really tell either way. "Where are we going?" Justin asked. "I don't know, but I'm looking for a dry spot. It looks like it could rain." I said observing the dark sky. "Looks like it. Maybe that thing will hate rain too." Jerry suggested. "Maybe, but I'm more worried about why we were brought here. Every place has had something important attached to it. What can we learn from dinosaurs?" Joey asked. "We'll learn how to die, if we aren't careful." Chris stated sending chills down everyone's spines. "Let's just keep moving for now. I hear something." Lance said It was true, I could hear something from the distance as well. I didn't want to imagine what it could be. I couldn't tell if it was coming towards us, or away from us. But I know it was a loud sound. I was hoping that it was a lot of smaller things, instead of one large thing. Though if they were meat-eating dinosaurs, I guess we were dead anyway. The further we walked, the louder the sound got. I was sure that it was headed towards us now, but I didn't say so to the others. By the white look on Lance's face I knew he was already aware of the fact. What was it though? It could be a heard of elephants, dinosaurs, TV evangelists , or something scarier than that. But seriously I was sure that whatever it was...I'd be seeing it soon. "What is that sound! It's driving me crazy!" Chris said. "I know man, let's run!" Joey suggested. "You guys, as fast as it's going, we won't be getting away." Jerry told them. "That doesn't mean we shouldn't try." Justin argued. "Let's be smart about this. I see a cliff up there. Let's go up there and see if we can see anything." I suggested. "I like that idea, come on babe." Lance said as we ran towards the cliff. The others followed. Soon we were all huddled on a high cliff. Luckily it wasn't very steep and we were able to walk up most of it, and only had to climb the last little bit. Gazing out into the horizon I saw what was chasing us, or at least coming in our direction. It was a large long neck dinosaur. A brontosaurus if I remember correctly. It was huge, and wasn't going that fast at all really, but with his size, he was covering a lot of ground. "Damn that thing is huge." Justin said. "Yes, but it's a plant eater we are going to be fine." I told them. "Not if steps on us." Jerry pointed out. "I don't think he will. Were high enough up that it'll probably walk right past us." Joey predicted. "But with that size it would shake us off this cliff." Lance added to the mix. "Good point man. I think we should look for a place a little further away, and we still need get out of the rain. It looks like it's about to start." Chris said as the first drops started. So we left the cliff and headed in a diagonal direction from the dinosaur. I was still relieved that it was a plant eater. But then again even if he was a meat eater, I doubt he would have gave us a second thought. We wouldn't have been more than a snack for him. Like Jerry said, the danger was more of it stepping on us. At least we now knew we were in the dinosaur era. I wish I knew what year it was, because I always wondered if the scientists and their carbon testing were correct, or just bull. But I doubt any of these dinosaurs are going to tell me. We walked another 10 minutes, before I heard the dinosaur walk past us. It was amazing. I could see it when I looked around, and let's just say it was the coolest freaking thing I've ever seen! I wished I had a camera with me, but I didn't have time to pack! Doh! After a long walk...probably at least an hour. We found a cave. I didn't like the idea of staying there. But it was pouring rain. It was the cave or swim. To be honest, I probably would have chose swim, but Lance took me by the arm and dragged me along. I guess now is as good a time as any to say...I'm afraid of the dark! For the longest time I couldn't see anything as Lance lead me into the cave. I wasn't sure how he navigated us, but soon he found a large smooth rock for us to set on. He helped me onto it, cause it was a little higher than normal setting height. Then I helped him up. I laid my head on his shoulder, and wished I were anywhere but here. But at least I was with Lance. "What's a matter Lee?" Lance asked quietly. "Nothing I'm fine." I said not really lying. "Are you sure, you're shaking some? Are you cold?" He asked. "No, I'm just a little nervous here in this cave." I admitted. "Are you afraid of the dark?" Justin asked from across the room. "Yeah a little." I admitted. "Me too, could I set with you guys?" Justin asked. "Sure, we don't bite." Lance said. Justin had never expressed any interest in spending time with Lance and me, but I guess it was a nice change. Of the 5 guys, Justin was the one I knew the least about in person. Well, Josh too, cause Jerry has kind of hogged him! But I didn't mind. I knew I would get to know him through Jerry's observations later on, if we ever got of this crazy ride. I wished that we could find the next crystal and get out of here. I don't like dark, and I hate being the bottom of the food chain. "So, is anyone else starving?" Joey asked. "Yes. Yep. You bet!" Everyone answered in there own fashion. "Does anyone have any food saved from the last trip?" Josh asked. "I brought some stuff." Chris said. "What you got man?" Justin asked excitedly. "I have some crackers and a couple of candy bars. I got them at Mary's place." He explained as he pulled them out of his pockets. "You stole them?" Justin said a little upset. "No she said we might need a snack and gave them to me." Chris said. "I hope the candy bars didn't melt." Lance said as he got one for us. There was very little to go around, and I only ate a couple of the crackers. I told Lance to share the chocolate with Justin. I was afraid the sugar would make me sick. I have problems with my sugar, when I've not eaten anything. I think the food just added to the hunger. We really were in the need for a good meal. But that night we went to sleep the best we could on the rocky interior of the cave. Lance and I laid on each other as much as possible for comfort reasons, but it's hard to make rock comfortable. Sleep didn't come to me that night. I didn't mind, as much since I could cuddle with Lance, and occasionally I would play with his hair. He was so beautiful when he sleeps. The next morning those sleeping were awakened by a lot of noise. Apparently this cave wasn't as vacant as we had hoped. A troupe of triceratops was heading towards the entrance of the cave. It freaked me out; I started screaming for the others to get up. I managed to get Lance up on his feet, and run out of the cave, but the others weren't as fast. They got up and started screaming. I couldn't look, but I could imagine that they were getting crushed to death. "I hate it when they scream. Silly humans, why can't they just start a conversation like a normal being." Someone stated. "Who was that?" I asked. "It was he!" Lance said pointing at one of the dinos. Soon they allowed the others to join us. The dinosaurs were talking, and they knew what humans were. Does that mean humans exist in this time period as well? "How are you speaking English?" I asked the one speaking. "Oh, we have learned quite a few languages from you humans. Always popping in when least expected. Usually talking about time travel, and such nonsense." The Dinosaur said. "Um, what's your name?" Justin asked. "My name is Tri-horn. It was given to me by the first English speaking human I met. He was a good man. He said he was traveling in time to teach others new things. His trip here was to study the languages of dinosaurs. After a lot of study, he found that we used a similar speech pattern, and could learn from each other." Tri-horn explained. "Wow! So we aren't the only time travelers then." I said in amazement. "Oh of course not, don't be silly. You guys have been showing up for ages. All from different times usually. The last human I saw was from the 25 century, I believe that's how he said it. Though I never have completely understood your timetables. I just took their word for it." "How did you learn to speak English so well, it must have taken a long time?" Jerry asked. "Not at all, despite what your scientists my think, we are actually very intelligent. Though I must say I do grow bored of human knowledge. I prefer the simple things, like eating leaves and walking in the sun on a nice day." He told us. "I think we all feel that way at times." I agreed. "So how did the others travel through time?" Chris asked. "I'm not sure if they knew. Many of them seemed to be a victim of it. And some used machines of course, but most used these jewels. They are quite beautiful. What method did you use?" He asked us. "Well, a little of both the jewels and the victim theory. We have a couple jewels, but we don't know how to use them to get home though." Chris answered for us. "Ah, I see. I believe you have to have 6 jewels for that. Yes! That's what it is. You have to have all 6. The number of jewels you use can effect the power of the time change. You have 2, so you can go quite far in time now. But it is still too variable. Or can't be controlled. Try to find the other 4." He suggested. "But what if someone else has the other 4?" Josh asked. "Possible, but not important. Someone most likely has your two jewels as well somewhere in time. You can go to any certain time, and get an object, and if you go 5 minutes into the future, the object won't be there, but if you go back 10 minutes from there. The object will be back. And you could have 2 of them." Tri-horn explained. "So we could go back to right before I found the red Jewel, and get another one?" I asked. "I suppose yes, but it wouldn't do you any good. The jewels are color coded for a purpose you know. No, the best thing you can do I'm afraid is to continue to let the time flow manipulate you. It's the only chance you have of finding the other jewels." Tri-horn told us. "But if we did want to go back to somewhere we've already been?" Justin asked. "With 2 jewels it might be possible for one or two of you to go, but it's risky with all 6 of you I'm afraid." He answered him. "But how would we do it?" Lance asked. "Just put the Jewels together, and state the time you want to go to. Oh, and you'll still be inclined to time switches even if you use that method. Only using all 6 to transfer to somewhere will return the balance of time." Tri-horn stated. "But what..." Justin started. "No more questions humans. My brothers and I have traveled a long way, and we must rest. I'm sure you have to be going along now. Your time shift shall be starting soon. I'm good at these things." Tri-horn said shipping us off. And he was right, we would be leaving soon, but not before we found something that someone had dropped. There was an envelope lying on the ground. "Hey were did this come from?" Justin asked picking up the envelope. There were two things in the envelope. A yellow jewel, and a note. The Note: Dear Tri-horn, Finding that I would not need this extra yellow jewel that I collected, I thought I'd leave it here for anyone that came along. Thanks for all the advice you gave me on time travel. I'm sure it will come in handy. Sincerely, Ben Franklin "Ben Franklin was a time traveler?" Justin asked in amazement. "Apparently, he was. And he left you a yellow Jewel." Lance stated. "It's mine?" Justin asked. "You found the envelope. It's only fair that you should get to keep this jewel. Just don't try to use it to go back to see Mary." I asked of him. "Don't worry I won't. I loved her and all, but you guys are right. We have to get home. No matter what it takes." Justin said. Soon the time warp opened. We didn't need the power of the crystal that time. But we were one step closer to finding home. And now that my suspicions were answered, I knew we would make it home someday! To be continued. I'll have more for you next week...hope you liked the dinosaurs, though I guess I didn't describe them very much, but I assumed most of you know what what they look like anyway. :-) If not ask, and I'll send you a better description of the terrible lizards. :-) leo1980@gay.com