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Post by Scooterly on Jun 20, 2007 20:18:50 GMT -5
Oh! That was a cool chapter- I LOVE reading journal entries and that's so cool that it is from when he was young! And then his first kiss . . . how sweet! I love how you write; CAN'T wait for MORE! ;D
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Post by megatude on Jun 21, 2007 19:24:30 GMT -5
Continued.....
The next morning, Zebra found it rather difficult to concentrate in her classes. Her thoughts were constantly on the journal sitting on her bedside, nightstand. For the first time in her life, she wished that she could be somewhere else other that school. There was just something in that journal, she could feel it. Something that screamed to be brought back to life. It took all of her self control to keep herself from bolting out of the classroom for home. Meg was no help either, she always felt that way, tapping her pencil on the edge of the desk, looking utterly bored. "There were many famous landmarks located in Greece", Dr. Shaw described in his most enthusiastic voice. "Two of the them, in fact, were remarkable enough to be included among the seven wonders of the ancient world. Sadly, these are no longer standing. The Colossus, located at Rhodes, was a large statue of the Greek God, Helios. Displayed over the sea harbor, where the Aegean connected to the Mediterranean. The statue's body was about as tall as today's statue of Liberty, and was a symbol of freedom. This wonder was destroyed by a mammoth earthquake. Hardly anything remains it's place. The second Greek wonder was the grand statue of Zeus, displayed withing the temple, dedicated to the God himself. He stood about 40 feet tall. A fire burned the building to the ground. Only the columns remain erect today." As interesting as the lecture was, Zebra couldn't de-rail her mind from her gnawing curiosity of that machine. "The contrast of ancient Greece's main land consisted of; foothills, mountains, and flatlands. Not much different from today's Greece. Except the land was much less barren and more wooded. Summers were hot, winters had snow atop the mountain ranges." Dr. Shaw casually glanced at the clock above the door. "Oh dear! It appears that I might have over done it a wee bit." He laughed clumsily at himself. The students quickly gathered their belongings and headed for the exit. "We shall pick-up where we left next time", he called after his hurrying class. "Please study chapter 2 in your textbooks!" But his efforts were futile, any in all were well out of hearing range. He shook his head. 'These youngsters now-a-days are always in such a rush', he observed.
End of chapter 7
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Post by Scooterly on Jun 21, 2007 19:55:31 GMT -5
Eee! Everytime I read this its like nibbling away at a cookie- CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE! ;D Thumbs up for you!
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Post by Arabella on Jun 21, 2007 22:27:34 GMT -5
Very well put Scoots! It IS like nibbling away at a cookie! I can't wait for more either!
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Post by I love Snow White on Jun 21, 2007 22:40:10 GMT -5
Neither can I!!!
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Post by Jennifer on Jun 24, 2007 12:46:19 GMT -5
Good stuff! I find this story very intriguing! You have excellent writing skills, Lyndsay!
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Post by megatude on Jun 25, 2007 18:58:13 GMT -5
Mucho thanks everybody. I appreciate it.
Chapter 8
Time was growing short. Zebra gad spent one full week reading page after page within the history of her grandfather. With his scientific genius, he'd graduated from college with the highest honors. He became a professor in the science department, at the very same school Zebra was currently attending. She read about the event of his wedding in 1954. He married his High School sweetheart, Layla Walters. The very same gal who'd accompanied him to the senior prom. The birth of their first and only child soon followed, Zebra's mother, Ada. Julius was so exited to be become a father. His heart swelled with pride and love whenever he held her tiny body. Sadly, no more children would be born in that household. In the year of 1958, Layla was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. A Hysterectomy was soon in order, in hopes of removing the diseased cells. Radiation treatments were performed. Julius shared her pain as her hair started to fall out in large chunks. But, he continually reminded her of how beautiful she still was. But Layla health continued to deteriorate. She was soon confined to her bed. Zebra felt fresh, salt-water tears trickle down her cheeks. She had no idea that such tragedies had taken place in her family, her mother hardly mentioned them. Layla was confirmed dead, in the fall of 1965, after fighting her cancerous monster for seven years. Lost, without his beloved spouse, he dedicated all his energy in bringing her back. He believed it was possible, all he needed was time. His pre-teen daughter was unenthused by her father's obsession. She soon left her home and moved in with an Aunt and Uncle, from her mother's side. Having lost his wife, and now his daughter, he engaged all his time feverishly, into his work. The college staff later released him from his position at the university. Finding him incapable of continuing his teaching at that time. With no other obligations or commitments, he shut himself up, down in his basement, tinkering and tampering with different formulas for experiment.
'I'm convinced that, with the exact combination of electricity and computer data, time travel is possible! Even before Layla had been diagnosed, I'd been contemplating this very theory. With her unnecessary death and the abandonment of my daughter, I believe I have more reason than ever before to pursue such a phenomenon. I realize and acknowledge that I shan't receive any support or funds from my family or colleagues, I have already been alienated by such people. I, alone, shall have to raise enough currency and gather the necessary materials for my project at hand.'
That was it! That pile of scrap metal in the basement was a time machine!
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Post by Scooterly on Jun 25, 2007 22:00:07 GMT -5
Awe, how sad! I like that we get to get into with his life though, it gives everything so much more depth.
Great job! Can't wait for more!
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Post by Jennifer on Jun 26, 2007 22:31:40 GMT -5
That is very sad! Well written, though! Most excellent.
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Post by Peggy on Jun 27, 2007 1:38:27 GMT -5
That's sad! But like Jenn said, very well written! Can't wait for more.
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Post by Arabella on Jun 28, 2007 14:38:37 GMT -5
Wow! I agree, that was very well written and yes, sad as well. Can't wait to read more!
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Post by megatude on Jun 29, 2007 20:34:32 GMT -5
Continue.....
Zebra never knew Julius Sanders was a professor at Penn State. Surely they had to have some record of his career in their files.
The next day, after classes were concluded, Zebra took off for the library. She sat herself before a computer and searched through the campus records for any information related to her grandfather. She typed in her desired topic and clicked the 'search' button. 'Blast!' She stressed as the next page required a password for any further access. She began to despair, when she thought of the one person who could penetrate any firewall, Meg!
She found her enjoying a foot-long hot dog at the campus eatery, seated at a table. Meg looked up and saw Zebra quickly approaching. "Hey, what's up?" She greeted. Zebra grabbed her elbow. "Meg. I need you!" Meg considered her thoughtfully. "For what?" Zebra tugged on her arm. "Let's just say; I need some technical support. C'mon!" Sighing, she stuffed the rest of her hot dog into her mouth. "Alright", she muttered through a mouth-full, stubling as Zebra drug her along.
On Zebra's request, Meg produced her lap-top, and brought up the desired site. "See", Zebra pointed out. "It requires a password." Meg didn't see any cause to rush. "Why don't you just inquire about your grandfather through one of the staff?" Zebra shook her head. "I don't have time for that now. I've got less than a week to figure this out." She knew they could never afford to keep the house, though it would be a lot more convenient. "What, are you saying you can't do it?" Meg huffed, feeling slightly insulted. "Of course I can do it", she proudly declared. "It's just that it's hacking into school property. Is that what you want?" Zebra felt that she deserved to know, so she gave Meg the go ahead. Meg calculated out the correct password in no time at all, and opened the restricted information. "Wallah!" Zebra hugged her in thanks. According to the staff page; Julius Sanders did indeed serve as a professor in that very faculty, in the science department. He was dismissed after nine years due to emotional complications. Which was their nice way of saying; he was crazy in the head. They soon discovered another piece of useful information, in a newspaper article from the 'Centre Daily Times'.
-July 31st 1984-
-It has been over two months since local man, Julius Sanders, was reported missing. The once brilliant professor at Penn State has disappeared without a trace. His daughter, Ada Sharp, reported him missing since June 29th. Police have no leads to his whereabouts, or any information to give at this time. Though, they believe they can rule out kidnapping. "Nothing had been disturbed or taken from the subject's house", Police Sargent Martinez claims. His former colleagues had no information for police, though they claimed he was 'disturbed'. His daughter claims; "I haven't seen him myself for nearly six months. He had no enemies as far as I know." The search will continue, but the police believe that they are looking at a cold case and are loosing hope of ever finding him.-
Zebra and Meg would have been about a year old during that time. Zebra put the given information together in her mind. "So....if he was never found dead......and if that 'thing' in the basement really is a time machine......then perhaps. You don't think......" Zebra grew excited. Her whole body was tingling, thinking of the possibilities. Meg considered her friend carefully. "My dear, dear Zebra", she said, shaking her head mournfully. "You've been working so hard, you can't decipher truth from error." Instinctively, she felt her forehead. Zebra became defensive. "It's you who are the one who can't see the potential possibilities. Just consider for a second the information at hand." Willing herself to hear her out, Meg sighed and gave Zebra her undivided attention, promising not to pass judgment too quickly. "They way I see it; there is no physical proof of my grandfather's death. He's just assumed dead. There are no records of his body being interred, he's just missing. So, there's a slight chance that he's still among the living. Then, we find a strange piece of machinery in his basement, which he claims in his journal, to be a time machine. Do you see what I'm getting at?" Meg just stared at her in silence, with no expressive feelings upon her face. "I want to pursue this project", Zebra admitted. "All I ask is that you keep an open mind" Meg knew Zebra never dropped an idea when it became rooted in her mind. And the way Zebra was talking, it looked like this seed was ready to sprout into a Chinese Elm. "Fine", Meg grudgingly gave in. "I'll help you in whatever sane way I can. But I don't like it", she added hastily. Zebra embraced her old friend. "Thank-you", she whispered gratefully. "Thank-you........" Patting her back reassuringly, Meg couldn't help but imagine that the word, 'sucker!' was flashing across her forehead, in colorful neon letters.
End of chapter 8
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Post by Scooterly on Jun 29, 2007 21:19:19 GMT -5
SCHWEET! I love it and the way your write! The excitement is building . . . can't wait for more!
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Post by Jennifer on Jun 29, 2007 22:20:09 GMT -5
*dun*dun*dun* The plot thickens! Great work!
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Post by megatude on Jul 2, 2007 21:44:44 GMT -5
Thanks!
Chapter 9
Zebra was coming to the end of Julius's life story.
-April 16, 1980-
'My darling Ada was given to another man this day, the event of her wedding. Written words cannot begin to tell how stunningly beautiful she looked in her flawless, white gown. I can see so much of her mother, reflecting back through her soft, brown eyes. Sadly, I wasn't invited to participate in the joyous festivities. Ada still hasn't forgiven me for the choice in which I live my life. As I beheld my only daughter, hidden within the crowd, I am reminded how 'unlike' her mother she is. I'm not proud of it, but I'm afraid she may have inherited some unfortunate traits from myself. Her bullheadedness, for one, could only have come from my genes; Never standing down from her convictions. Though this common factor between us shows that she is my daughter, it still causes me to weep. I weep bitter tears for the broken bond my family has suffered. Ada may never except as her father again. Never-the-less, I wish her all the blessings a parent can give their child. As for myself, I shall continue my work, to return to the past, to retrieve my beloved back from that which stole her from me.-
Just then, Meg returned home from the errands Zebra had requested. She heaved her load through the door. Zebra put a pause to her reading and went to greet Meg. "Did you get everything." "Yes", said Meg tiredly. "Do you even know how to use a blow-torch?" Zebra shrugged. "How hard can it be? I just need it to weld the broken metal pieces together. Besides, didn't you say you've had experience with such things?" Meg frowned. She tried not to sound annoyed by this whole charade, but it might have come out that way all the same. "Remember Zebra; I said I would 'help' you, I didn't say I would do it all while you read that journal. You can't expect me to see the logic in this overnight." Though it hurt to hear Meg's skepticism, she accepted and understood her obvious doubts. Sometimes, she, herself took a step back and wondered if she truly believed her grandfather's words. Was it all worth it? Was she doing it all this to solve the mysterious disappearance of Julius Sanders? Or, was it that she was seeking herself, to find purpose in life? Also, would Meg abandon her as did her mother to her grandfather? No, she couldn't believe that. They'd been through too much together. Besides, what would she do without her? Meg was all Zebra had to a family. "Yes, I remember. Thank-you Meg." Zebra returned to her room, leaving Meg in a cloud of guilt.
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