by T S Wieland
Ally watched him stare off into space, a doleful look in his eyes. The look of a devoted father left in longing to be home.
Otto spoke with a heavy voice, heavy hearted as he told his story. “Zoe was packing up her things to move into her dorm at Georgia State. We had the rental trailer out front, ready to be packed to leave the next day. My youngest, Emma, had just gotten her license and wanted to go hang out with her friends, only we had told her no because I needed the car for work since our other car was filled with Zoe’s things and hooked up to the trailer.
“So, after three hours of packing, I had to get down to work for the evening shift, only to find out that Emma had taken the car anyway. I was now left waiting for her to get back.
“By the time she came home, I was already two hours late and had to call in to take the late-night shift. Emma argued with her mother and me for half an hour about the whole thing. She hated us both after the fight. We grounded her for a month from the car and the phone. After that, she stomped up to her room and never looked back.”
Otto took another drink, enjoying the strong, sweet taste once more. “Later that night, I went to work. I was watching the test results for a new energy project we were working on doing a late-night test. The energy level read zero even though everything was on, and we all stood around scratching our heads. I went to go check on it, but with my luck, I found out it was working far better than we’d thought. The power output was so great, that it wasn’t even reading on our computers. Enough power that it created a bridge from my world to another one, which I managed to get pulled into.
“It felt like I was being dragged across the surface of the ocean, desperately waiting for it to end. I woke up in what looked like a small fishing village in the Philippines. A fisherman brought me back to his house, gave me some clothes, and fed me dinner, even though neither of us understood a word the other was saying. Sem’s mentor, Erland, found me a few hours later and brought me back here. Next day, I woke up to him explaining to me what had happened. Not too long after, I told him about my job back home, and he asked me to help him with the ARC. Since then, I’ve been working on that impossible machine every day of my life, only knowing half of what it can do in hopes I can get back to my family.”
Ally stood expressionless. She watched Otto drink the last of his brandy and lower his head.
“I just wish I’d told them how much I loved them. Just those few words would have been enough. Then I probably wouldn’t feel so terrible. Now they’re all left thinking I’m dead, with no explanation of what happened to me or where I went.
“The thought of Zoe going off to college after her father disappeared, or Emma thinking I didn’t love her after we fought . . . breaks my heart...”
“I’m sorry, Otto,” Ally muttered expressing her sympathy. She felt choked up inside just listening to Otto’s story. She now saw firsthand what Vila had told her; just about everyone in Asphodel had lives they wanted to get back to.
Otto rubbed his eyes and took a breath, trying his best to brush off his sorrows. “Ah, don’t worry about it, kiddo. You have nothing to be sorry for. We’re all here now, and it’s no one's fault.”
“I can understand what it’s like. My dad was my best friend, too, when I was a kid. He used to call me Spark since we worked in the garage all the time on these old cars he bought. He taught me everything he knew about them. And we both loved history. We’d quiz each other as we worked all the time. I almost chose history as my college major because of him.”
Otto smiled, presumably hoping his daughters felt the same way about him. “Did you grow up in Philadelphia?” he asked.
“No. My family was from Colorado. I moved to Philadelphia for school, and to follow an asshole of a boyfriend from high school.”
Ally looked down and began scratching away at the railing again. “The day I left, I was on my way home late at night from hanging out with a girlfriend of mine. I was being followed by a strange man, who had been stalking me all day. He started following me from the bar, so I ran. Next thing I knew, I collided with someone standing on the sidewalk and fell out into the street. I looked up, and all I saw was the headlights of a bus about to run me over.”
Otto eyes grew wide in surprise. “Wow…Guess you’d have to consider yourself lucky, kiddo. Really lucky. That was a one in a trillion chance right there.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Ally scratched at the wood banister, sinking into her own thoughts. “So, what’s Sem’s story? I tried to ask him, but…”
Otto hesitated. He got up, shaking his head, and grabbed the bottle off the floor. “He was an orphan. Came here when he was young, just like that boy he saved today.”
“Yea, he mentioned that. I see why he seems so distant from everyone, then.”
“Oh no… That’s not the reason. His story is far more tragic than ours, believe me. He’s given a lot and lost so much more in return. I wish I could tell you more, but it’s not my place to tell another man’s life story here. Ask him again sometime. That is, if he can muster up the strength to tell you.”
Otto looked thoughtful in the silence. “I almost envy him. It’s sad and unfair when they disappear at that age, but it makes living here easier. Sem hardly remembers his world. This world is all he’s ever known, while the rest of us have lives we desperately want to get back to. And the longer we stay here, the harder it becomes to let go. We’re forced to begin rebuilding our lives here, even though some of us don’t want to.”
Ally looked out ahead of her, watching the crowded bridges of people that connected the islands. The sight reminded her of her commute to work each day, riding the bus during rush hour, hoping there would be a seat for her. As much as she hated those days, she now missed them, knowing she might never go back. She lowered her head with a wishful expression.
“As beautiful as it is, you’re right. It’s hard to let go of it all. You don’t realize how much you miss something until it’s gone.” Otto placed his hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, kiddo. We’ll get home. I know we will.”
Ally smiled at him, glad to have such caring company at her side. “Thanks, Otto.”
“Now, I think it’s time to get some rest. There’s a boarding house close by for new arrivals where you’ll be allowed to stay for as long as you need. The folks who own the place are good at helping people get back on their feet around here while they wait for us to figure out how to send everyone home.”
“Sounds good to me,” said Ally as she made her way over to the balcony doors. She stopped and turned back around. “Hey, Otto?”
Otto looked over at her, refilling his glass. He set the bottle back down on the floor and turned to look at her. “Yeah?”
“Thanks again, for everything you guys have done.”
“Thank me later, kiddo. Job's not over yet.”
He raised his brandy glass in a toast.
Ally smiled and shut the balcony door behind her. Otto walked towards the balcony, taking in the sunshine. He pictured the faces of his wife and daughters in his mind. Every detail he could remember, clear in his memory. He reached around behind him and pulled out a leather-bound journal tucked away in the waistband of his pants. He opened the journal to the page he had marked with a piece of paper and began reading it quietly to himself, sipping at his brandy. “I only hope you hold the answers we need, old friend.”
Chapter 12
Running into History
The rain pounded on the living room window. Ally sat in the windowsill, watching the busy street out front. Most of the people outside seemed well prepared for the rain with umbrellas and raincoats. Carriage drivers, exposed to the elements, sat drenched as others rode in their comfortable, enclosed cars.
Ally had no raincoat, just her bag of clothes from Vila—the only set of belongings she had in this new, and hopefully temporary life. And today was the day she would move out of Otto and Sem’s home and into a place of her own. She’d been ready to leave yesterday, but the old man upstairs
had been given priority at the boarding house, forcing her to wait another day longer.
Dressed in her new brown shorts, white short-sleeve top, and burgundy tights, she watched the rain drizzle across the flowers in the garden. Her hair was pulled back into her usual ponytail the way she liked it, with her brown bangs draped across each side of her face.
“Guess we’ll either have to run to the boarding house or wait till the rain stops. That is, if you don’t mind getting wet?” asked Otto as he came down the stairs from his room.
“No, it’s fine. I miss the rain, anyway.”
“Yeah, we don’t get rain very often. But when it does rain, it can last for some time. We’ll head out in a few minutes. Hopefully it’ll have stopped by then.”
“How’s Sem?”
“Fine, or so he says. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he’s faking it, though. Kid’s more persistent than anyone I’ve ever met. Works too hard for his age, in my opinion.”
Otto walked around the corner and into the kitchen. Ally looked back out the window, scared of going to a place she had never been before. Yet, after the near-tragedy in the basement, she felt more prepared to face the unknown. The worst had happened already.
Every day in this new world felt like an uncharted sea she was forced to explore. She feared it, but at the same time she enjoyed the new sights and faces, turning out to be the journey she’d always wanted.
Ally suddenly remembered the opportunity she was missing out on back home. Walter Steel was ready to offer her a new, adventurous opportunity, and he would be left wondering what had happened to her. She found the moment ironic—her adventure had proved undoubtedly bigger than whatever he had in mind. If only he had known what fate really had in store for her, she was sure he would have loved to hear all about it. Perhaps even publish her story as one of his books.
“You ready to go?” asked Otto. Ally turned around and saw him standing in the doorway at the back of the living room, wiping his hands dry with a towel.
“Yeah, ready when you are.” Ally picked up her bag up off the floor.
An alarm sounded downstairs, and Otto’s gray wrist communicator rang. Otto looked at his communicator and shook his head.
“Always at the worst of times. Hang tight for a minute, kiddo. I’ll be right back.”
He made his way through the living room and down the stairs to the basement. Ally sat on the couch.
The alarm stopped just as she heard Sem’s door upstairs open. Sem hobbled out dressed in a pair of boxers, his hair sloped on one side from his pillow, with the sleep still lingering in his eyes.
“Was that the alarm?” he asked Ally sounding alert.
“Yeah. Otto just went downstairs,” she said, still sitting on the couch.
Sem shuffled his way towards the staircase to get a better look at the doorway below to the basement. They could hear Otto making his way back up the steps at a slow, casual pace.
“That the alarm?” asked Sem as Otto walked out from the basement.
“Yeah, you have plenty of time, though. No need to hurry and hurt yourself more,” replied Otto.
“Alright, I’ll get dressed,” said Sem. He made his way back over to his room.
“And put on some clothes next time before you go peeking your head out. You're not the only one who lives here, you know!” hollered Otto.
Otto looked over at Ally, who was still sitting on the couch gazing back at him. She was beginning to wonder whether they were going to leave now, or if she would have to wait even longer.
Otto squinted at her in thought. A big smile grew on his face. He turned his attention back up to the balcony above him and shouted.
“Ally’s going with you!”
Ally’s eyes widened. She stared at him, unsure of what she had just heard. “I’m . . . I’m what?”
Ally saw Sem’s head poke out from his room with a shocked expression on his face. “She’s what?” he asked sounding appalled.
“I said, Ally is going with you,” Otto replied.
Sem hobbled out of his room with his pants unbuttoned and stared down at Otto. Ally sat on the couch, still stunned and petrified like a stone statue. Life had once again proven her wrong. Things could get worse. Way worse.
“You want to run that by me again?” asked Sem.
“What? You want me to spell it for you? I said Ally’s going with you!”
“Ha, ha, very funny. Nice one. You honestly stopped my heart there for a minute.” Sem chuckled.
“I’m not joking, kid. Ally’s going along.”
Sem’s expression shifted from laughter to anger. He scowled as he leaned forward and gripped the railing.
“Oh no, no, no. No, she’s not,” said Sem.
“Yes, yes, yes. Yes, she is,” Otto replied. “The council wouldn’t grant us free time, but they told me you could get another partner to help. It was either that or they’d give the project to Raz. I told them I’d think about it. Besides, you’re hurt, and I can’t go in with you since someone has to watch your back from here.”
“I’m not taking on any partners. We’ve been over this. Many times, in fact. She’s not even trained.”
“You can show her the ropes. Best way to learn how to swim is by jumping in.”
“Yeah, it’s also the best way to drown too.” Sem crossed his arms.
“She’ll be fine. It’s a low-energy world with lots of time. Easiest rescue possible.”
“Yeah, that last one was a low-energy world, and look how that turned out,” said Sem, lifting his leg up.
Otto rolled his eyes. “Just get dressed. She’s going with you.”
Sem glared at Otto for a moment before giving in. “Fine, but I’m not babysitting her the whole time,” replied Sem as he hobbled back into his room.
“More like she’ll be babysitting you,” murmured Otto.
Otto turned around to see Ally still on the couch, her body tense like a frightened fawn ready to bolt.
“I don’t think this is such a good idea,” she said.
Otto walked into the living room. He knelt down in front of her. “You’ll be fine, kiddo. It’ll be like going for a hike or a walk through the park. Trust me, I think you’ll love it.”
“I-I don’t know,” replied Ally as she took several deep breaths, trying to stay calm.
“Hey, I know you can do it. The other day when I needed your help, you knew exactly what to do. And as much as Sem won’t admit it, he needs your help now, too. Sem’s not in the best shape to be going out there alone, and I have to stay here to watch you guys from this end.”
Otto sat down next to her on the couch. “Listen, if you decide you don’t want to go again after you get back, it’s okay. We can always find someone else. I just need you to go with him this one time for me.”
Ally and Otto looked up from the couch to see Sem come out of his room and limp down the stairs in his clothes.
“We doing this or not?” asked Sem, sounding annoyed.
Otto looked back at Ally. She sat still, breathing deeply to try to calm her nerves. “Alright, I guess…”
“Excellent! Now, come on. Let’s go get you set up.” Otto jumped up from the couch and made his way over to the basement stairs with Sem limping along behind him and shaking his head with disapproval. Sem looked at Ally with a cold look as he buttoned his shirt.
Ally glanced back out the window to see the rain was starting to clear up. The suns were now shining. She only hoped she would make it back to see the same beautiful view again. She reached down to pick her clothes up off the couch.
She stopped quickly realizing there wasn’t any point in bringing them with her. As she walked over to the basement with her heart beating rapidly in her chest, she wished she had a bag to breathe into.
“Can you give me—I mean us—a time period and climate?” Sem asked walking down the stairs.
“Yeah. Looks like early fourth century maybe. Somewhere moderately dry. Might be some settlements close b
y, so you’ll probably want to put the older clothes on,” said Otto, looking at the computer.
“Wait, so I got dressed just to change again?” asked Sem.
“Just put the robe on over top.”
“If it’s hot, I don’t want to be wearing two layers.”
“Just put it on, you big baby.”
Ally slowly walked down the stairs. She watched Sem reach into the tall locker next to the stairs and pull out a light blue robe.
“You want to grab Ally one?” asked Otto, still staring at the computer screen.
“We only have one.”
Otto turned his head and looked back at Sem with his lips pursed and his brows raised. Sem sighed. He reached into the locker next to his, pulled out a light-colored woman’s robe, and threw it over to Ally as she reached the bottom of the stairs. “Put that on,” said Sem, turning back to his locker.
Ally looked at the robe for a moment and noticed it was a finely decorated toga with a red cord belt sewn into the waist. “So, I won’t lose my clothes this time?”
Sem rolled his eyes as Otto turned around in his chair.
“Haven’t had that problem yet. I’m assuming you remember the way I explained it the other day,” replied Otto.
“You mean the door thing? That when I first passed between worlds, it was like I was squeezing through a keyhole?” asked Ally, hoping her memory served her correctly.
“Exactly. As a result, your clothes didn’t come with you since they weren't attached to you. This time, we’ll be opening the whole door.”
“Good. I’m just glad I don’t have to go naked again.” Ally slipped the toga on over her head and tied the belt around her waist. Sem walked over to the desk, unplugged his black wrist communicator from the computer, and clipped it around his wrist.
“You should probably put on the sandals,” said Otto pointing down at his feet.
“I don’t plan on being there that long. And this robe is already long enough that no one will see my shoes.” Sem handed Ally a pair of sandals to put on.
“Fine, but I get to say, ‘I told you so’ when you get back and I find out that someone caught you.”