by RP Halliway
“Like the people that can produce dreams?” Evie asked.
“Not just that. People who would be able to interact with the environment, in some way—such as touch or sound. As you and I are interacting, I am manipulating the air to produce my audible voice, and also changing the characteristics of light to present my visage to you. For all we know, there could be ‘viewers’ around right now, but we can’t detect them because they can’t interact with or manipulate our physical surroundings.”
“Surrounded by a cloud of witnesses,” Silas said.
“The Good Book,” Postice said quietly and nodded.
“That’s something that Paul and Jessica talked to us about,” Evie said. “It was one of the Bible verses used to try to piece together Roger’s model.”
“I would call ‘viewers’— or Timewalkers—witnesses,” Postice said. “And just like witnesses here, they usually don’t interact or interfere with any actions, they just watch. Hence the abilities of most ‘psychics’ to observe different things, but can’t manipulate.”
“What about ghosts that can move things?” Silas asked.
“Poltergeists,” Evie said.
“I haven’t witnessed one personally,” Postice said. “And haven’t found anyone that could replicate any of the effects of one. So, I would conclude that if poltergeists do exist, they are of a supernatural state and limited in their willingness to give interviews, or are part of a different realm or universe.”
“Funny,” Evie said. “What about the dreams then?”
“If poltergeists have the ability to move objects, then the people with the ability to give dreams would interact with the mind. I call them ‘Thought-putters.’”
“Then they’re different than Timewalkers?” Silas asked.
“Honestly, I have no idea. They could be the same people—people with the ability to both travel along time and also interact by inserting dreams into the minds of certain people. Or they could be different classes of people, those that can view different time period, and those that can make people experience thoughts and dreams. I haven’t interviewed anyone that can do either. Or anybody that can view past and future at will.”
“So the ‘holy grail’ would be time travel?” Silas asked.
“You are doing well at keeping up, young man. That is one thing I have constantly been on the lookout for as well, and so far only have suspicions. It seems that time travel has thus far been elusive.”
“Time travel is hard?” Silas asked.
“So far it would seem impossible, long term. The act itself would be exhausting. To physically travel to any place right now is tiring—as you experienced yesterday—but to try to jump across a metaphysical dimension would seem to be devastating. Even imagining that physical time travel was possible, the very presence in another time would have physical consequences. Untold virus and bacteria differences exist between times, not to mention how different they would be between universes, which would endanger both the traveler and the general population.
“However, one professor I interviewed did speculate that some plague outbreaks could have been caused by rouge time travelers. It would seem that in our bodies, there exist some inactivated form of all of the different plagues over the centuries, and when exposing a new population to even these inactive forms, several diseases could actually manifest.”
“Someone traveling back in time could create a plague?” Evie asked.
“Absolutely. You and Silas and I have billions and billions of current forms of bacteria on and in our bodies at this very moment, good and bad bacteria, all at war with each other, along with our immune systems, just trying to survive. These bacteria can jump back and forth between people, most of which ends up being harmless, because all of us have very similar protections. But if, and when, a new bacteria surfaces through time travel, the general population would take potentially years to develop a fully protected immune system.”
“Then the Black Death could have been time travel?” Evie asked.
“Quite possibly. The idea that rats and fleas spread it is very well documented, but who was patient zero? It could have been a time traveler, or even someone from another universe. But because there are relatively few such outbreaks, it doesn’t seem time travel is very likely overall. If one person discovered time travel, it wouldn’t take long for a large percent of people to start time traveling.
“Not to mention the time traveler would be exposed—probably more so than the general population—to older versions of the bacterium of today. These older forms could be more lethal than the current versions, and would be much more likely to be deposited onto the traveler. Bacterium from water, soil, plants, animals, even in the air, would be constantly picked up by the traveler, and almost certainly overwhelm their immune system. Death would be a certainty within a short span of time. Not quite the intended outcome of attempting time travel to begin with.”
It was a lot to take in, but it made sense.
“That’s where ‘Timewalkers’ come in,” Postice said. “Time travel without the physical body.”
“What exactly is a Timewalker?” Evie asked.
Postice slid the end of his cane in the grass slowly for several seconds and then looked up at Evie. “I wish I could tell you. I haven’t found any direct evidence of such ability. But from the full picture I have crafted, there would need to be some of these beings around. Connections between universes have been shown by Mademoiselle Ranier, and Esmeralda, and many others, and Andrews’ kids show that memories seem to exist between times—at least going backwards. Thus, the connection between universes along different times would be the next step.”
“That definitely sounds reasonable,” Evie said.
“And the dreams connect something,” Silas said.
“Exactly. My dreams, in particular, were all of the future and that means an ability to connect the future to an individual in the past.”
“And our dreams were of the future,” Evie said.
“At least one,” Silas said.
“Your dreams do feel different than mine. Your dreams came true in a relatively short time span, and produced little actual gain other than knowledge.”
“So the sacrifice could not be needed?” Silas asked, still a bit shaken by the thought.
“Potentially,” Postice answered. “I am by no means an expert on anything other than my own dreams, so it could be that present dreams, such as yours, might not require a sacrifice, whereas a future dream would. Or maybe the sacrifice is based on what is gained. In my dreams, I gained knowledge of the future which I used to make money. Money might demand something deeply personal.”
Both Silas and Evie physically relaxed at that information, growing very less tense about having present type dreams.
“I don’t have any way of actually knowing. To find out for sure, you either have to live through it, or find a Timewalker to ask.”
Evie straightened up. “Do you know of a Timewalker?” she asked.
“Not a single one,” Postice shook his head, meticulously pronouncing each word. “I have been searching for years, and nothing has come of it. I wouldn’t know what a Timewalker looked like to begin with, or how they would act. How do Mademoiselle Ranier and Esmeralda stand out?”
“They actually look quite normal to me,” Silas said. Evie nodded also.
“Timewalkers are probably very normal people as well. You two have received dreams. Do you look special? I have had dreams also, and aside from my money and story, what makes me special in some way? I would imagine a Timewalker would blend in perfectly in any society. Does a person that claims to be reincarnated have any special characteristics?”
“Maybe we all have the same traits and just don’t notice.” Silas said.
“What do you mean?” Postice asked, his gruff demeanor showing again.
“Oh, I mea
nt nothing by it,” Silas stammered, trying not to agitate the old man.
“I want to hear of this!” Postice said with a stamp of his cane.
There was no getting out of it. “Maybe we all have different abilities and just haven’t discovered them or haven’t used them enough to know they exist,” Silas said, throwing out his new theory.
“I would believe such a thing,” Postice said, exhaling slowly. “Buddhists seem to be able to connect to different ‘planes of existence’ after meditation, and many cultures have purification or other rituals that lead to some spiritual event at the end.”
“Like a vision quest,” Silas said, “where there is a time of purification and fasting, and then an actual vision of some sort appears.”
“Yes! And the fact that several different cultures have similar beliefs and rituals means that there isn’t a limited distribution of these abilities in the populations.”
“I believe that the world of today and technology are limiting us in our use of these abilities,” Silas said.
“Very interesting,” Postice said with a small smile. “I will have to do much research on this. Who do you think they are connecting with in a vision quest?”
“I couldn’t be sure,” Silas said, avoiding looking at Postice. “After learning more about this multiverse theory, I would probably guess it is themselves or their ancestors.”
“Themselves?” Postice asked, seemingly surprised by that answer.
“One theory Roger has,” Evie said, jumping in to aid Silas, “is that everybody is alive.”
“Everybody?”
“Roger’s hypothesis is that when a person dies, they are just born into a new universe in the multiverse. I don’t know the exact details of it, just that Roger believes everyone who ever lived is alive somewhere in every universe of the multiverse.”
“Like George Washington is still living his life spiral,” Silas said, “in whatever universe. And when a person dies, they ‘spawn’ into another universe.”
“Spawn?” Postice said with a laugh. “Quite the gamer are you, Silas?”
“That’s where Roger’s probability density function comes in,” Evie said. “I didn’t get why, but now with putting all this background information together a little more, that is starting to make sense.” She held up her hand again with fingers spread. “It is most likely that someone will ‘spawn’ on a finger, rather than in the web area.” She explained holding her fingers up and apart.
Postice thought this through. “So if there are trillions of universes, and our ‘consciousness’ only exists in a single one? Then there must be a way for all of the other multiverses to have people and experiences.”
“Seems so?” Silas said, not sure of the full understanding of the statement.
“I must hear more of this from Roger,” Postice said with a newfound energy that the young couple hadn’t seen yet.
Postice stood quickly, with only a small push with the cane, and started toward the house. At that moment Alfred appeared at the door. “Coming in, sir?” he asked.
“Yes. My morning stroll is complete. I have a new project.”
“Very well. I have also narrowed down the list of potential dig sites from the dream of Evie and Silas.”
“Outstanding,” Postice said, sounding absolutely ecstatic. “Let’s have at it, Alfred!”
Alfred led the trio to the table just inside the door, surprised at the eagerness and complimentary nature of Postice. Evie and Silas glimpsed Wentworth bringing a large rolled up paper.
Alfred pulled out the chair for Postice and waited for the man to sit down. Then he laid the tablet in front of the older man. “I started with the current reported dig sites all over the world. And then removed any that would be more ‘current’ or not part of the ‘ancient’ world, or digging in remote areas for dinosaurs and such. From there, using the detail Silas provided of the dirt composition, I removed the jungle type areas, etc, and that left these twenty-ish sites.”
“Good work, Alfred,” Postice said.
“That list does not include any ‘unauthorized’ digs, or personal digs, unfortunately.”
“I see,” Postice said. “But it is a start.”
Wentworth used the table to unroll the paper, and a map segment of the ancient world appeared.
“The most likely use of the word ‘ancient’ would apply to here,” Alfred pointed to the Middle East, “or here,” he pointed to Greece and Turkey, “or here,” he pointed to Italy, “or here,” he finally pointed to England and northern France.
Postice turned to Evie and Silas. “What do you think?”
The young couple leaned in and looked at the map. “I wouldn’t have any idea what to look for,” Silas said. “The only thing I remember is the dirt, being dry and sand/dirt mix.”
“If I were to guess,” Evie said, “I would say the language wasn’t Latin, or probably Italian, or anything related to English. But that is where my guess would have to end. I would never be able to tell if the conversation was Greek or Turkish, or Arabic.”
“That’s a good start,” Postice said. “And if I were a betting man—and I am—I would put money on Greek or Turkey, because that is considered a better part of the Ancient world than the middle east, at least until the 6th century or so.”
“Wentworth!” Postice bellowed, not recognizing he was standing at the table.
“Yes?” Wentworth replied, somewhat surprised by the loud call.
“Oh,” Postice replied with a laugh. “Very good. Get some numbers and call these places, and we will see if young Evie can match the voices.”
Silas and Evie in amazement at the direction and the logic behind his direction.
“You did say you remember conversation, correct?” Postice asked, looking expectantly at Evie.
“That is correct. But I don’t know if I would be able to compare the dream voices to real ones.”
“No harm in trying,” Postice said. “Start dialing, Wentworth!”
“Right away, sir,” Wentworth said, taking Alfred and the tablet to the other room.
“We’ll listen to the dig teams, and then figure out what is the most likely place.”
In a few moments, Wentworth reappeared along with a speakerphone. For the next part of an hour, the group dialed the dig teams in Greece, Turkey and the Middle East and talked with them to get a feel for conversational language. Evie wasn’t sure on most of them, until hearing a side conversation. In the background a man was asking for more space to move debris and refuse from the site.
“That voice!” Evie said. “I know that voice.”
“Are you sure?” Silas asked. “I can’t tell any voices apart.”
“Get that man on the phone!” Postice said. A flurry of conversation, along with some not insignificant arguing on the other end, transpired, and then the phone went quiet.
“Are you there?” Postice asked loudly, thinking the phone had hung up.
“We are here,” a man answered. “Who is this?”
“Hello. My name is Evie, and I think I recognize the voice of the man that was just there. Can you speak in your language?” Evie hoped that would help.
A few statements, probably condemnations for the strange call, flowed over the phone speaker. And amid the voices, one stood out to Evie.
“That one! I recognize that voice and language.”
“Alfred!” Postice bellowed with youthful vigor. “Get all the details on that dig. We need to travel there.”
“Yes, sir,” Alfred said, smiling at seeing his employer’s excitement.
“We can’t go there,” Silas said to Evie.
“Nonsense,” Postice said, waving the cane as high as he dared with all of them gathered at the table. “I will see this through! You shall go in search of your dream.”
But it wasn’t as easy as that.
“We aren’t set up for any traveling, and I have a job to get back to, and I’m sure Evie has stuff to do as well. I am out of clothes, and other travel supplies, and had only planned to be gone a few days.”
Postice stood up, most of his slouch melting away, and looked at the young couple, his height almost matching that of Silas for a moment. Evie and Silas both steadied themselves for some sort of outburst from the old man.
“You are right,” Postice said slowly. “I have been a fool. All of this actually made me feel young again, and I was excited to keep going. This is the best lead I have had in years. I forgot that other people actually have lives to live.”
Evie and Silas heard the old man apologize, and while they were correct to object to being ordered to the dig, they felt some sadness for the man.
“I can call work and see what my options are,” Evie suddenly said, hoping to at least try. She looked expectantly at Silas, who gave a small shrug.
“I probably won’t have a job if I don’t get back in the next day or two,” Silas said, knowing his window with Myron kept shrinking.
“Then I shall hire you!” Postice declared to Silas, with a small smile. “That can give you a job. And as for you, my dear Evie, whatever you need as well if your job situation isn’t flexible.”
“I’ll call work,” Evie said.
A few minutes and phone calls later, and the plans were made.
“Sounds like we have a team!” Postice said. “Alfred, please make preparations for the trip. I would say two months’ worth to start?”
Silas and Evie stood with mouths agape at hearing the length of their travel.
“That long?” Evie asked, recovering from the initial shock.
“If that is what it takes,” Postice said. “I don’t have any inclination of stopping until all of the answers have been found!”
Chapter 20
The next day, after a whirlwind of travel plans and shopping had been finalized, Wentworth arranged a car from the hotel to the airport for the afternoon flight.
Their flight arrived early the next morning in Athens, after two layovers and the time change. Silas and Evie walked the small tunnel from the plane to the airport proper with their carry-on bags. Upon entering the baggage terminal, a crowd of people scurried around them and one young man stood out, holding up a sign with “Postice Party” on it.