The Traveler's Quest: Book Two (The Traveler Series 2)

by L. Eira

  Within moments, the angiograms were completed.

  “Totally occluded circumflex coronary artery,” concluded Dr. Rovine. “Let’s infuse Enoxadin into the vessel.”

  “Are you sure, Dr. Rovine?” whispered Emily, her finger on the clamp preventing Enoxadin from dripping into the patient. “We’re batting O for two today.”

  “There is no scientific reason why Enoxadin would have caused the outcomes we saw earlier today,” said the cardiologist. “There has to be another explanation. Something other than the medication. We have to follow protocol.” He bit his lower lip, and then nodded. “Give it!”

  Emily began the slow drip of Enoxadin. All eyes were on her at first, but, as the first few drops entered the patient’s catheter, all gazes focused on the cardiac monitors. Heart rate, arterial pressure, and oxygen saturation were all stable and within acceptable limits. The EKG continued to show evidence of the ongoing heart attack. Nothing more, nothing less.

  The drip, drip, drip coincided almost synchronously with the beep, beep, beep of the heart monitor. Drip, beep, drip, beep…

  Brent and Ellie arrived at the campsite.

  “Ellie from the future will be here,” said Ellie. “I’m sure this is the spot.”

  “What about the when?” said Brent.

  “It has to be soon. If I gave that as time to meet, it has to be today. Maybe tomorrow.”

  “I’m going to look for firewood,” said Brent. “Let’s get a fire going. We may be here a while.”

  Zack and Mackenzie rested peacefully, side by side, both covered by a sepia cloth. A few feet away, Ellie felt a sudden deep realization that something was awry. She opened her eyes and sat up. Her gaze settled on the albino child, who stood there, her hands at her side, their gentle sway patting her red skirt ever so slightly, her face unsmiling.

  “Alexandra,” whispered Ellie. “Can you help them?”

  Without a word, the little girl raised her right hand toward the injured twins, invitingly. Mackenzie first, and then Zack, slowly opened their eyes, got on their feet, and sluggishly staggered to Alexandra. The twins and the child held hands and strolled to the big boulder, which separated from the cave’s wall as they approached, revealing the half-moon-shaped time-traveling vessel. The three entered, and the door locked. There was a bright flash and a metallic sound. And then it was gone.

  Multiple pieces of rock and other debris that had deposited between the ship and the back wall fell free and rolled onto the area where Ellie slept. She gasped herself awake, realizing now that her dream was over. She got up to see for herself. They’re both gone. And so is the ship.

  Ellie from the future walked out of the cave and headed to the campsite about a half a mile due southeast.

  “And now, to meet my date for dinner,” she remarked to no one.

  The personnel in the cardiac cath lab were mesmerized, almost hypnotized, by the drip, drip, beep, beep in the room. The next moment would bring with it the delightful event of the complete reversal of an ongoing heart attack or another catastrophic code blue.

  Beep, beep, beep came the cardiac monitor. Suddenly, the beeps decelerated and transmuted into a straight line, bringing about much commotion in the room.

  “Call a code and start CPR,” yelled Dr. Rovine. “Stat.”

  It wouldn’t be long before the doctor pronounced the patient dead. Another soul lost. Another family to face.

  “Welcome to Ellie’s Diner,” said Brent when he heard the older woman approaching.

  “We’ve been expecting you—uh—me,” said present-day Ellie.

  “Hi, Brent,” said Older Ellie. “Hi, young me.” She smiled. “We’re missing some key people. Where’s Brent from my time? And William?”

  “I’m sorry to say, but Brent from your time died in my arms a few days ago,” said Younger Ellie, a tear forming in her eyes.

  “Oh no!” said Older Ellie. “What happened to him?”

  “We don’t have the exact details,” said Brent. “Our memories were erased. But it seems he was infected with a virus when he came from the future. He died from that. Some interaction between the virus and some drug to prevent heart disease.”

  “A virus?” Older Ellie hugged Younger Ellie for a long moment, tears streaming down their faces. “What about William?” continued Older Ellie. “Where is he?”

  “He ran away,” said Brent. “I’m worried about him.”

  “He’s not with you?” said Older Ellie. “Oh dear.” Her face hardened. “That means he’s already on his way to kill Valerie’s ex-boyfriend. We must hurry if we’re going to stop him from committing his first murder.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  William disregarded the walking path through the woods, instead proceeding aimlessly through the forest, weaving in and out between the trees.

  I don’t deserve to live, he mused as he scuttled. I killed the girl! I should die.

  He jumped over an aboveground root system that anchored a massive tree, dodged a large bush, and then sprinted.

  If I had more guts, I would kill myself!

  He tripped over a rock that sent him sprawling to the ground. He looked at his scraped palms and then punched the dirt three times.

  Why did you have to die, Valerie? Why?

  He began scampering again, ricocheting through the woods, distancing himself from his friends.

  Ellie and Brent could never understand what I’m going through. They’re blinded by their love. I’m just in their way. I have to kill myself.

  Then the iPhone in his pocked dinged.

  It was a text from Doug. You destroyed my life, William Baten. I’m coming for you. This time I will kill you.

  William stopped running, his chest still churning rapidly, beads of sweat pouring down his face.

  OK then, Doug. Why don’t you come get me and put me out of my misery?

  William sat down on a fallen tree trunk and placed the iPhone next to him.

  Come to me, Doug. You want me this bad. I’m right here.

  Sparks was driving his unmarked police car when his cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID before answering. “What did they find, Coverly?”

  “Detective, the men just reported back. They’re at the supposed crime scene where the kid said he shot two people. But there’s no evidence of a crime. No bodies, no blood stains, nothing!”

  “Look, Coverly,” said Sparks, “if the kid says he shot two people with the AK-47, there have to be two corpses with big bullet holes in those woods. Why would he lie about that, right? So he’s just wrong about where it happened. Widen the search location, and find me two dead bodies. Keep at it. The dogs will smell something soon.”

  Sparks hung up the call and threw the cell phone on the passenger’s seat. “I work with a whole bunch of idiots!” Then he gunned the engine, his head shaking.

  Present-era Ellie and Brent followed Future Ellie into the woods. The older woman carried a small handheld contraption that she was using to track William’s steps. She analyzed the air for devices emitting electromagnetic radio-frequency signals.

  “That’s weird!” said Older Ellie. “I see three units within ten miles that are emitting signals. I’m sure one of them is William carrying Valerie’s smartphone. He has to be the closest one to us.” She analyzed the screen of her handheld further. “The other signal has to be Doug’s. The third signal is just a few kilometers away from him. About a mile away. Someone is following Doug as he tries to find William. But who? And why?” She looked intrigued and bit her lower lip. “The other two are about four miles away from William, both advancing rapidly.” She looked at the teens. “Follow me.”

  She programmed her unit to hone in on the lone signal source and realized the iPhone William was carrying was located precisely 643.7 meters away, due northwest from their location. The other two signals continued to proceed rapidly toward it. The closest of them was 3.9 kilometers away, the other right behind at 4.3 kilometers away.

  “The cars are ab
out two miles away from William. Come on! Hurry,” Older Ellie said. “He’s about seven hundred yards in this direction. Hurry!”

  And so they continued at a fast pace, hoping to avert a calamity that would forever affect their best friend’s life.

  “How does he do it?” said Brent out of breath. “How does he kill Doug?”

  “With a gun,” said Older Ellie. “He shoots Doug and escapes but leaves fingerprint evidence on the weapon.”

  “Do you know Zack and Mackenzie from your timeline?” asked Younger Ellie.

  “No. Who are they?”

  “They are twins,” said Younger Ellie. “Their parents are William and Valerie.”

  “No, that can’t be true. Valerie died of a peanut allergy the day we met her.”

  “That’s a different future from the one we heard about,” said Brent.

  “Zack and Mackenzie from your time told us you died,” said Younger Ellie. “From a viral infection that causes heart attacks. Just like Brent from the future.”

  “Weird,” said Older Ellie. “That didn’t happen in my timeline. So we’re dealing with multiple timelines. Somehow.” Older Ellie came to a sudden and complete stop. “This is so weird!” She sat down on a large rock formation, her words deflated. The others came to her side. “I need to rest a minute. Not as young as I used to be, you know.” She smiled.

  “When Brent traveled back in time in your future, was he sick?” said Younger Ellie.

  “My Brent traveled back in time perfectly healthy,” said Older Ellie. “Something’s not right.”

  “Whatever we did this last weekend changed everything in the future,” said Brent.

  “Well, first things first,” said Older Ellie, getting up on her feet again. “Let’s find William before he commits murder.”

  The teens got back to their feet, and the three followed the iPhone signal once more.

  Doug had an eye on the country road, another on his smartphone, Valerie’s iPhone pinging intermittently on the screen. He put the phone down on the passenger’s seat and felt the cold metal of the Beretta between his legs. The target was close now, only a few miles up the dirt path he was on. A plume of dust sprouted behind the Camaro, wildly disrupting the peace blanketing the countryside.

  Doug studied the phone display once more, and then revved the accelerator. The tires spun on the gravel, spitting small pieces of rock and dirt behind the car. A few minutes later, Doug stopped suddenly and put the Camaro in park. A cloud of dust spiraled over and all around the vehicle. He swung the car door open, leaving it ajar. With much anger and resolve, Doug clenched his teeth and grasped the Beretta tightly and walked into the woods toward the blinking dot on the phone’s display. Thirty-seven yards. Straight ahead.

  Doug’s boots crunched the dirt and gravel heavily, each step more determined. Twenty-six yards. Doug assessed his revolver and ascertained that the weapon was ready and would perform when the time came. After I’m done with you, William Baten, I’ll go back to the high-school gym and finish my plan there. I’ll take as many to the grave as I can. People suck! None of them deserve to live! A few more unwavering paces as his saunter progressed. Then I’ll come to you, my love.

  “Over here, Doug,” he heard a voice coming from behind a thick bush. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

  Doug ran in the direction of the words and came to a small clearing surrounded by tall trees. A fallen tree trunk now served as table and chair where William sat. Next to William, was Valerie’s iPhone. Doug raised the Beretta, the barrel pointing at William’s chest.

  “You killed Valerie,” said Doug. “Now, you’re going to die.

  “OK,” said William. “Do it!”

  “Are you crazy?” said Doug. “You want me to kill you?”

  “Yes! Do it!” Tears rolled down William’s face as he spoke.

  “Why should I?”

  “Because you say I killed Valerie,” said William. “I deserve to die. Pull the trigger now! Get it over with. Do it!”

  Doug assumed the shooting stance, feet apart, and steadied his breathing, both hands on the pistol, right eye lining up the sight on the revolver. He bounced from right foot to left, and then right, and then left again. He took another steadying breath.

  “Come on, Doug,” yelled William. “I don’t have all goddamn day. Do it!”

  “I can’t do it,” said Doug, his voice weak and hesitant. “Not like this.”

  William stood up suddenly and, with the speed and agility of a predator on the hunt, took the two steps to reach and ensnare the Beretta. Surprised, Doug took a retreating step but slipped on the dirt and fell backward.

  “It’s so easy,” said William, now towering over Doug. “Let me show you how.”

  William aimed the gun at Doug’s head and prepared to pull the trigger.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Dr. Rovine sat at his desk, his head bowed somberly, his pride defeated.

  “Enoxadin is toxic to humans,” he said on the phone. “We must cease all experimentation with it on people.”

  He listened.

  “One hundred percent mortality rate in the first three patients.” His words were calm but spattered with sorrow. “I’m stopping the project in its entirety.”

  He listened again.

  “I’m not allowing Enoxadin to kill anyone else ever again.”

  He shook his head as he listened some more.

  “I’m publishing the data I have,” he said, now standing up. “And what I have is enough to convince the world that Enoxadin is dangerous to humans. It precipitates rather than protects people from cardiovascular disease. The research stops here and now!”

  Infuriated, Dr. Rovine got up from his chair. “OK, go ahead and get somebody else to run the trial. “I’m out!” He slammed down the phone.

  Ellie from the future and the kids weaved between trees as they went, their walk as hurried as possible, given the uneven terrain and brush.

  The three suddenly stopped as a loud gunshot disrupted the silence of the forest. A second shot came soon thereafter, disrupting the echo of the first weapon discharge. Older Ellie looked at Brent and Ellie. “We’re too late!”

  Less than half a mile away, seven cops and three police canines also stopped, their gaze skyward in the direction of the gunshots. The cops instinctively dropped low to the ground and then hid behind some bushes and trees. The dogs immediately raised their heads, their gaze in the direction of the sounds, their noses up in the air. Within moments, the canines began barking wildly and pulling hard on their leashes, the three animals urging their human handlers to move.

  “Two shots fired, not far from our location,” one cop yelled excitedly into the walkie-talkie. “The hounds got a scent. We need backup, now!”

  “I can’t believe William would shoot somebody,” said Brent.

  “It may have been in self-defense,” said Ellie. “What do you remember about the incident?”

  Older Ellie took a deep breath. “William always maintained he didn’t pull the trigger. But he was found guilty and put in prison for twenty-five years. I think he became violent and crazy there. He changed. He was never the same after. This time, I want to get to the bottom of it.”

  The three began to run again, following the iPhone signal.

  The approaching barking of dogs floated in the air, adding to the suspense and horror.

  “How far are we?” asked Younger Ellie.

  “Fifty-two yards,” said Older Ellie. “Just up here on the—”

  Her words were interrupted by hurried heavy footsteps. Within seconds, William emerged from the woods, looking backward and breathing heavily.

  “William,” said Brent. “Come with us. This is Future Ellie. What happened back there?”

  “I had a fight with Doug,” said William panting.

  “Did you shoot him?” said Brent.

  “No,” said William, with an air of desperation. “He wanted to shoot me. But then I—”

  “Let’s ge
t out of here,” said Older Ellie. “Tell us later. For now, let’s get a better hiding place.”

  “The police are going to find out I was at the scene. I had the revolver in my hand. My fingerprints are—”

  “Don’t talk now,” said Brent. “Let’s just concentrate on getting you out of here.”

  “They’ll accuse me of killing Doug, and the three of you will be charged with harboring a fugitive. You shouldn’t go with me. You should—”

  “No!” exclaimed three voices in unison.

  And the four ran deeper into the forest, away from the barking dogs and cop’s shouts. Within minutes, they heard the unmistakable sound of helicopter blades right over their heads.

  “Let’s get back to the cave,” said Older Ellie. “We’ll be safe there.”

  “The cops know about the cave,” said William. “That’s the first place they’ll look.”

  “But they don’t know our secret compartment behind the three-ton boulder.” Older Ellie smirked and winked at the teens. She analyzed the gadget in her right hand. “This way. The path is clear. But hurry!”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Detective Sparks arrived at the scene, puffing from the brisk walk.

  “I’m getting too damn old for this sh—”

  “Detective, the body’s over here,” said a uniformed cop.

  “Is it the kid, Sarge?” said Sparks.

  “Yes, sir. Douglas Payner. The one you had in a coma at Memorial a few hours ago.”

  “Shit,” said Sparks. “What about the gun?”

  “Looks like a nine millimeter. Haven’t found it yet. Still looking around,” said Sarge.

  “Find out where the gun came from.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I’m telling you those three kids have something to do with all this,” said Sparks. “This is a peaceful town. Peaceful until those kids showed up. I’m sure we’ll find that one of them killed this guy here and the girl with the peanut allergy. I know they’re involved somehow. And I will prove it.”