Photographs in Time

by Terry Segan

  “Daniel will have them ready tomorrow,” he said, pulling me close.

  I enjoyed his embrace.

  With a quick peck on my cheek, Jimmy went down the hall and out the front door. I needed time to figure things out too. Despite Mr. Chang not sharing much information, what he did say spoke volumes. Apparently, he felt ours should be the last generation to carry on the process. Even though he wasn’t directly involved in some of the events, I think the demise began when the British family perished in the fire. Strange, it never occurred to me to ask Paolo their name.

  With the death of Junior, and both Jimmy and Carney being childless, there wasn’t anyone to carry on the inheritance. Ours truly was the final generation. Maybe the time had come to close this chapter. While it served a purpose for the Betrotheds and Suitors, the cost continued to escalate at a horrific rate for those that died. After fulfilling our obligation, there would be no more matches.

  Rather than putting any more of our Betrotheds at risk, I decided to hold off meeting Stella until Dede travelled safely back to Milton. I would call her tomorrow, but not schedule a session until after that final journey.

  Chapter 25

  I opened the front door to find Dede bouncing with excitement and holding a loaded down backpack. Around her neck she wore the half-moon necklace the Suitor gave her on the first journey back.

  “Well, I can see you’re not excited at all!” We both laughed. “Please, come in. Are those all the treasures you chose to take with you?”

  Dede stepped in, and I closed the door behind her.

  “Yes. It wasn’t hard to decide. A couple pictures of my parents and a few special pieces of jewelry. Other than that, the rest is sculpting tools. Nothing else I really needed.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way. So many of the Betrotheds find it hard to part with their belongings.”

  “Not me. I donated my car to a local charity, gave up my apartment and told my employer I had a sick aunt back in Des Moines. She didn't even blink. I believe I’m ready to exit the decade!” The energy emanating from her could have lit a city block. I couldn’t wait for Dede to begin life with Milton.

  I nodded toward the necklace. “I see you’re wearing your new jewelry as well.”

  “Oh, Sami, I haven’t taken it off. It helped keep me focused on getting everything done. I’ve hardly slept a wink all week!”

  “No second thoughts then?” I already knew the answer but asked anyway.

  “None at all.” Her smile was infectious, and I couldn’t help but return it.

  “Then follow me,” I said leading her to my studio.

  On a side table sat a small manila envelope with credentials. It held a driver’s license with Dede’s name issued in 1972, along with a birth certificate claiming she was born in Chicago in the year 1947. An information sheet gave a brief synopsis of her life, including schools attended, and how she came to be in New Mexico. Nothing too detailed, as that was always best. The envelope contained a couple thousand dollars from the appropriate period as an emergency fund.

  After reviewing the contents, I handed the envelope to her. She tucked it away in a side pocket of her backpack.

  “Oh, by the way, I spoke to your friend, Stella. She has an appointment at the end of the week for a photo session.”

  “Well, she’s really just a co-worker. We aren’t exactly friends. I hope you don’t mind. After coming here, before I knew how you really helped women with matches, I suggested she call. Don’t worry, I haven’t told her a thing. Besides, at the time, I thought you were a matchmaker, but here in the present.”

  It was good Dede hadn’t shared what really happens here, just in case Stella didn’t fit one of the remaining Suitors.

  “I simply suggested it would be fun to do a photo session. She went through a horrible divorce about a year ago and has been a terrible shut-in, other than work. In the last week or so, she suddenly started begging me to go out and do things with her. I think she’s lonely. So…well…maybe you could help her?”

  “She comes here the end of the week. We’ll go from there. Meanwhile, you have a date to keep. Or should I say a life!” We laughed like little girls. “Study your credentials and use whatever is comfortable for you. Remember, less is more. Don’t offer anything unless you need to. After a while, people will simply accept you as Milton’s wife and move on.”

  “I love the sound of that—Milton’s wife. So, I guess this is it?”

  I nodded, and she threw her arms around me. No words were necessary; I knew how she felt. Releasing me, Dede secured her backpack in place and took a seat on the cushioned bench one last time.

  Stepping behind her, I depressed the timer and the thirty second count down began.

  “I wish you the long and happy life you deserve. May it be filled with love and family.”

  Dede sat there beaming. With a flash of light, she was gone.

  “Please, let her get everything she deserves.” I stared at the empty bench.

  Jimmy and I had yet to figure out a way to confront Carney. We decided there needed to be a reason for him to come to us, something he couldn’t live without. To stop his reign of terror, we must find out where he kept the stolen Family Slide, and if he possessed any of the one-time slides. If he had any of the latter, we couldn’t risk allowing him to remain in the present.

  Looking over at Milton’s portrait, Dede now stood beside him. His arm curled around her while they gazed into each other’s eyes. True perfection—the thing they both deserved.

  A half hour after Dede’s departure, my doorbell rang. A man dressed in a courier service uniform held a medium-sized package wrapped in brown butcher paper.

  “I have a package for Sami Manchester,” he said.

  “That’s me.” I’d never received a package via private courier. It piqued my curiosity.

  He extended the electronic clipboard and a plastic stylus. “Sign here please.”

  I scribbled my name, handed the stylus back and received the package. “Thank you,” I mumbled as I noticed the return address boasted Albuquerque, New Mexico, but no name.

  As I sat in a wicker chair on the patio, my pulse quickened. This could be good news or another sick aspect of Carney’s demented mind. Unable to stand the suspense any longer, I ripped off the paper. It contained two brownish-red items wrapped in bubble wrap.

  With great care, I unwrapped one to reveal a beautifully crafted ceramic mug with a clear glaze that preserved the earthen color of the clay. An engraved sun blazed on the side. Setting it on the table beside me, I grabbed the other one from the box and removed the tape and bubble wrap.

  The second cup was identical, except for one detail. Instead of the blazing sun, it bore a crescent moon with five shooting stars emanating out from it.

  Glancing down inside the box, something rested flat on the bottom. Placing the second mug beside the first, I picked up a narrow manila envelope. I recognized it as the same type I used for credentials. It contained a picture of a large, extended family consisting of an older couple, three middle-aged couples, and eight children of varying ages from toddler to young adults. The elderly couple looked familiar.

  Flipping the picture over, I found a single sentence written across the back: Thanks for all the years of happiness.

  My heart soared with glee at the wonderful life Dede and Milton had achieved. Settling back against the wicker, I looked up smiling—except there stood Carney. My face chilled as I felt the color drain from it.

  “Presents! How exciting. Is it your birthday? Don’t tell me I’ve missed it!”

  I dropped the picture and it fluttered to the floorboards, landing face up at his feet. Carney glanced down and studied it a moment.

  “What a handsome family,” he said looking back in my direction. “I always wondered what it would be like to have children and grandchildren. I guess neither one of us had that pleasure. Such a shame.”

  Gaining courage, I spat out, “The world should be glad you nev
er procreated. Lord only knows what kind of abominations you would’ve produced.” The fire in my belly helped to quell the fear. His presence unnerved me. I hoped he wasn’t here to do me harm. If he’d wanted to, he would have killed me that first day he showed up in my studio.

  “Ouch, that hurt. You should be grateful I allowed this Betrothed to have her perfect life. That’s my gift to you. In exchange, I expect something back.”

  “What could I possibly offer you? And why would I give you anything?”

  “It’s just a small item,” he said almost making his comment seem inconsequential as he looked down and studied his finger nails. “I want the Chang Family Slide.” He looked back up and stared at me as if judging my reaction.

  I leaned back into my chair, with the wicker creaking, and mimicked his facial expressions. Attempting to sound just as casual, I purred, “What makes you think I have it?”

  “Don’t play with me, sweet Sami. I know the old man gave it to Jimmy.”

  “You’re mistaken. It was never passed on to him.” That wasn’t a lie. Jimmy had to go back in time to retrieve it. “Besides, you have the Fortuno’s Family Slide. Why would you need another?”

  “Oh, so you’ve met the doddering old fool, have you? He fill your head with stories of how I stole his son’s future?”

  “Didn’t you?”

  “That depends on what you’re referring to,” he said with a bit of color rising into his cheeks.

  Obviously, I’d hit a nerve. Good—time to press my advantage. “April was never meant to be yours. You destroyed Paolo’s happiness and all his matches.”

  “April was mine! The process be damned!” He seethed. This apparently wasn’t the subject he’d come to discuss. Time to press further.

  “You’ve taken many things that aren’t yours. Your birthright was intact, yet it wasn’t enough. You knew you were destined to play a bigger role with Francois being your grandfather. Why wasn’t it enough for you?”

  His face visibly relaxed as he composed himself. “Like every entitled generation, I want more. I want control. Not be some puppet on a string doing the bidding of whoever created this mess.”

  I should have realized it sooner. It was a basic human instinct in some—the need to dominate. After tasting great power with time-traveling, he wasn’t willing to relinquish anything. His delusions blossomed to epic proportions.

  Glancing down at the picture of the happy family staring up at me, I set the box next to the mugs. Instinctively, I reached down to pick up the photo.

  “Allow me,” Carney said scooping it up before I could get to it. He held it out, his glare daring me to take it.

  I reached for the photo. Before I could stop him, he dropped it and grabbed my outstretched hand. Dragging me to my feet, he seized my other hand and yanked me closer.

  “Let’s go for a spin, shall we?”

  The world around me changed.

  Chapter 26

  Carney still held my hands. I ripped them free with such force, I almost fell backward before regaining my balance.

  “Welcome to my humble abode,” he said.

  From the looks of my surroundings, we were in a study or converted bedroom. “Where am I?”

  “Don’t you mean when are you?”

  His words slammed into me like a freight train. When had he taken me to? Location wasn’t as important. Since I was basically luggage on this journey, I wouldn’t be returning to where we started in 24 hours. Carney had dragged me with him on his return trip.

  “You look confused, my dear. Maybe you should lie down.” The tight smile on his lips oozed with malice as he savored my discomfort.

  Backing farther away, I looked about for clues that might point to where and when he had taken me. The room was sparsely decorated. There were two portraits hanging on the wall with smiling couples. Could those be the only successful matches he and April made? Bumping into something behind me, I glanced back over my shoulder and saw an oak sideboard table. On it sat the twin of what Jimmy brought back—a Family Slide. So close, yet it might as well have been miles away.

  “Come,” he said.

  My focus returned to my abductor as he reached for me. I visibly recoiled at the thought of his callous touch again and dropped my hands to my sides.

  “As you wish,” he nodded. Turning and walking to the door, he retrieved a key from his pocket and unlocked it. Seems he wasn’t taking any chances while off on a journey. Opening the door, he stood aside and gestured for me to go through.

  With no other option, I walked into the hallway. Obviously, we were inside a house—quite a large one from the number of doors off the walkway. I made sure to keep Carney in my sight. As he followed me, closing the door behind him, he turned and locked it again.

  “Can’t be too careful these days. You never know who might wander in while I’m out and about. Hmmm?” He rambled casually as he dropped the key back into his pocket.

  “Why did you bring me here?” I asked, amazed at the steadiness in my voice.

  “Just trying to teach your Collector a little lesson.”

  “Which is?”

  “I will continue to take things away from him until he gives me what I want!” The anger in his voice scared me. His constant swirl of emotions broiling under the surface was disturbing. Trying to figure out an escape would be even harder since I never knew what to expect. One moment he chatted reasonably, and the next his ire soared out of control. Even more reason for me to maintain a calm exterior.

  Looking at him, I asked, “Where to from here?”

  “Up.”

  “Up?”

  He walked past me to the next door on the left, which had a dead bolt on the outside. As he swung it open, the hinges creaked in protest. Glancing behind me I saw the staircase going down. Before I could act on my next thought, Carney grabbed my arm and yanked me toward the open door.

  “Your visit isn’t over yet, my dear. This way please.”

  My body tensed with his touch. Knowing he was stronger than me, I didn’t resist. I saw a narrow flight of stairs. He forced me ahead of him and onto the first step.

  With a loud bang, the door slammed behind me and I heard the bolt slide home.

  “No,” I involuntarily cried, whipping around. Even as I grabbed the knob and turned it, I knew it would be no use. The door wouldn’t budge.

  “Enjoy the view, my dear,” he yelled. Chuckling as he went, I heard his footsteps retreating down the hallway.

  With a deep breath, I turned back toward the staircase and hesitantly went up. No use standing by a locked door. Fear raced through my mind, not knowing what to expect once I reached the top. The wooden steps creaked from my weight. It felt like wandering through a carnival maze, waiting for something to jump out at every turn.

  Approaching the top of the stairs, the space was awash with sunlight. I walked up on the side of a room and found myself in a large square tower. Huge picture windows covered all four sides from floor to ceiling. The house sat on a hilltop looking out on the neighborhoods below. Turning around I saw a large expanse of ocean.

  Running to the window, I put my hands flat against the cool glass and stared in horror. It was the same bay visible from my front porch. Looking off to the right and down the hill, I spied my house. There was a clear view of the front lawn, part of the porch and driveway. In it sat Jimmy’s car. I struggled for breath as shock set in.

  I sank to my knees on the plush blue carpet. Once down I turned around and sat leaning against the window gasping. How long had he lived here? How many hours had he spent watching Jimmy and me? The room started to spin. Putting my face in my hands I tried to shut out the questions in my head. The ramifications were deafening.

  After a few moments my breathing returned to normal. I leaned my head back against the glass. Looking around my prison cell, there was no furniture—simply a carpeted room with windows. I heard a car start below and saw a silver sedan backing out of the driveway three stories down. A hand reache
d out the window and waved in my direction. The bastard! He was leaving me trapped here.

  Once the sun went down, people might be able to see me better through the lit windows, as most of the immediate neighbors were blocked by foliage. Then I noticed there were no light fixtures in this tower. Without light on the inside, I would be in complete darkness and not visible to the outside world.

  The only mode of escape might be to throw my body against the door in hopes the hinges would give way. Not being very strong, I had my doubts but needed to try. Simply awaiting my fate didn’t sit well with me. I had to do something, even if it seemed futile.

  Glancing back at the street below, I saw the sedan working its way down the hill. Rising on shaky legs, I managed to get to the stairs. Gaining strength as I went, I proceeded down to the locked door.

  Trying the handle once again, the door pushed opened easily. I hesitated. He must have come back and slid open the bolt. I’d given up trying to figure out his logic.

  Cautiously, I stuck my head out the doorway, expecting to see Carney standing there ready to taunt me more. The hall remained empty. Hoping he hadn’t turned the car around, I raced for the stairs and flew down them. At the bottom I saw the front door and angled toward it.

  Turning my head, I stopped dead. The house was completely empty. Absolutely no furniture in sight. Heavy white drapes on all the windows were the only touch. Just enough to let light through, but too dense for outsiders to see in.

  He doesn’t really live here? Risking precious time, I wandered through the living room, into the empty dining area and back to a cavernous kitchen. It too was devoid of decoration or furnishings except for curtains covering the windows.

  Realizing my curiosity put me in needless peril, I ran back through the bottom floor to the front of the house. I’d spent enough time exploring and bolted through the door.

  Once out on the porch, I tripped over a newspaper on the floorboards. Seeing no sign of the silver car, I stooped and picked up the daily. The date read two days from when he took me. Only two days! I prayed this wasn’t another ploy of his. If Carney didn’t actually live here, there was no reason for a regular newspaper delivery.