The journey back to Tonturin was uncustomary in its silence for traveling anywhere with Mars. The man had always tended to populate his life seconds with exclamations; with a chuckle over a burp, a grunt when interrupted by an insect, and an open willingness to inform on every opinion that settled in his head. At least that’s what it used to be like between them before Jeremy met and began courting Fiasca.
He frowned as he strode forward, his feet eating the minutes of the mile back to town. In actuality he knew more about Mars than that. The fellow had many sides and one of them was the tendency to seem invisible when he was uncertain about something. Even as a boy of five, when Jeremy had first seen him at their village school, Mars had shown an ability to be so quiet that the teacher would forget he was in the room. And now there the man was moving behind him like a six-foot-four shadow. When Mars was uncomfortable or in a new situation he closed off like stone. Jeremy had earned his casual noisemaking before- by being a good listener. Someone Mars could trust. Now apparently his previous best friend had nothing but frozen tension to offer between them. Jeremy clenched his fists and walked faster. Soon they were entering the edge of town. Mars spoke at last.
“Where are we going?”
Jeremy looked back at him but shook his head. They kept walking, up an alley here, through a curving street there, towards the lively center and market of Tonturin on a busy morning. As they ventured through the large town Jeremy began to realize something. Life felt different this morning than it had last night. It was like he’d been given an extra sense, for he seemed aware of things he’d never noticed before. Disproportionate clothes hanging on a line indicating too many people in a tiny house, a shriek cut off by the sound of a closed door three houses over, the shadow of someone watching passerby without wanting to be noticed in an upper window. The next street over there was a small child crying because he was disappointed that the playtime he’d been expecting to have— a steam-powered horsey ride— wasn’t working for the day. All these noises distinguished themselves where normally he’d tune them out. As he thought about it, his new sense picked up on one other thing the deeper they traveled towards the central circle and fountain in the middle of Tonturin.
They were being followed. He held up a hand and brought the two of them up short. No sounds arose behind him, not from Mars or from the other person he’d perceived. Yet he still knew someone was back there, somewhere. He tilted his head to the right. The person following them had stopped behind a building wall at the corner. There was no point in turning around to try to see.
“What’s the matter now?” Mars complained.
He smiled to himself as he started walking again. Whoever it was didn’t plan to attack, apparently. Of course Mars represented a solid picture of the need to think twice before launching into a fight, as well as he looked, Jeremy thought, in his new coat. Besides they were entering the main market now. No one would bother jumping at them here in these busy streets. He’d worry about being followed later. It might be nothing but an urchin child hoping to ask for a treat. As they began to weave through the outer stalls people began to call out to them in a friendly fashion. The two of them bowed, nodded and greeted all the way up the street. This good will of Tonturin was something he was going to miss; and the guardian behind him… Jeremy paused and looked back.
“There’s your shop,” he said to Mars.
“I see it.”
Jeremy began to feel a little guilty. Mars should have a choice offered him before he gave up the reins of running a prosperous shop and went to travel with the new Time Mechanic encountering mysterious dangers. The legends were clear that not all of the Time Mechanics of the past— although they had completed their missions— had returned alive. He slowed and met Mars’ eye.
“Feel free to return to your work,” he pressed. “I’m just going to see Nemeth and I won’t be leaving town yet.”
“My assistant is already set to run things in my absence.”
“There’s no need for you to…” Jeremy tried again.
“I’m staying till I discover what you’re up to,” Mars said. “The doctor made me sign a paper.”
“You’re not convinced of my sanity, I take it?”
And perhaps he was right, Jeremy thought. He was either the new Time Mechanic or crazy, after all. He lifted his eyes and saw Mars grin.
“I never was convinced of that,” Mars said. “Now I just want to see how far you’ve taken it.”
Jeremy nodded and went back to walking.
Mars hadn’t seen anything yet. No doubt the man would be running in the other direction by the end of the day.
Chapter Four - (In Which Jeremy Packs Up His Baggage)
Jeremy and Mars came to the middle store front of Nemeth’s large shop and Jeremy stopped in the road— it was going to be hard to do this. Not because Nemeth couldn’t do without him, the truth was that although Nemeth counted on him there were three other employees who’d love to move up and younger applicants waiting to fill any newly emptied spots. No, the only one who was going to lose here was Jeremy. He didn’t have much and soon he’d have even less. Once he’d spoken to Nemeth there’d be no turning back. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders, and he sent Mars a glance. The man was waiting for him to make the next move so Jeremy did. It was best to get it over with. He opened the door and entered the shop.
The sounds of the street outside faded and all went comforting and quiet. Airiness from upper windows lit the tidy shelves of desirable housewares in the front part and the sweet smell of grains came from the huge bags on the shelves in the back. Over towards the right and the indoor entrance of Nemeth’s second storefront were ladies’ boots, scarves and gloves. Towards the left and his third domain were the accessories that came with the variety of hobbies people like to pursue, easels and watercolor paints, leather edged journals, glass topped boxes for collecting, and the smaller tools for woodcarving. From here one could see the interior of all three sections. Jeremy scanned the area, busy now with noonday shoppers, to locate his boss. Ah, there he was; back corner, main section. Jeremy headed over.
His boss was busy with a customer Jeremy thought as he drew close. A woman stood beside Nemeth. Her back was turned, but Jeremy could see that she was just putting down a set of ladies’ farmyard work boots. He slowed to wait until Nemeth was finished attending her. But Jeremy’s eyebrows rose when his boss said something to the lady and then laughed. Nemeth would never feel so casual with a customer so that woman must be someone he knew.
Jeremy’s breath halted when the woman grinned up into Nemeth’s eyes. Her profile was visible to him now. The man laughed again at her words. Somehow Jeremy absorbed the shock he was feeling and moved forward once more towards his goal but he stumbled into the shoulders of a rack of men’s raincoats. He stopped again and stared at the two people in front of him.
Nemeth was relaxed like a man confident of his chances, flirting with a woman who felt the same. When such a connection existed it could be easily discerned— especially with the new senses Jeremy had inherited in the night. The woman put down the pair of boots on the shelf in front of her, and Nemeth bent forward and helped, his hand lingering on her fingers as he stood upright again. Jeremy swallowed but his throat was dry. He changed his mind. He didn’t need to do this now. Perhaps he could return later to…
At that moment Nemeth turned around and spotted him.
“Jeremy!” he greeted him, with no awkwardness at all. There was only friendly welcome in Nemeth’s gaze. The woman beside him— Jeremy felt his own features go stoic as she recognized him. It was Fiasca. When her eyes met his, her chin came up. He crossed the intervening space towards them and took a glance around the nearby shop. Happily there were no other customers to see.
“Good morning, sir,” he said to Nemeth.
“Well what are you doing here today— I thought you were going to get some rest on your day off?”
“Thank you, sir, but I feel fine.”
“Good, good. So Jeremy, do you know Fiasca?” The man was relaxed as he turned to introduce them. “Now that I think about it, you’ve never met her before I suppose, since she only comes in to help me on your day off! She says she must assist me while you’re gone. She’s thoughtful that way!”
“Yes, thoughtful,” Jeremy managed.
“Please meet my fiancé,” Nemeth finished with pride.
“Oh… uh, congratulations, sir, but… uh, forgive me but Fiasca and I have… already met.”
“Indeed?”
“Yes, sir. We…uh…”
Nemeth began to look a little concerned.
“Yes?”
“She and I used to go together, I’m afraid.”
“Go together! But I’m sure she would’ve told me if she’d ever been seeing you— I…”
Fiasca interrupted.
“Oh, Jeremy,” she laughed, “don’t be silly! ‘Go together’, whatever do you mean? We had a few mutual friends, Nemeth. We were just acquaintances, really.”
It was fortunate that Jeremy already had the stoic expression in place on his face. He felt his pugnacity returning. Acquaintances, were they? So be it.
“It’s nice to see you again, Miss Fiasca,” he said calmly. “Many congratulations on the day.”
Her eyes narrowed at his nonchalant tone.
“Now sir, I’m sorry to interrupt you,” he went on, “but I was wondering— since you have such an able assistant here to take care of things in your fiancé— if I could have a word with you in your office? It’s important.”
“Certainly we can, Jeremy. It’s quiet right now anyway; if you’ll excuse me, my dear?”
“Yes, of course,” she agreed.
Nemeth’s back was a little stiff as they went towards the office, but Jeremy pushed down regret. It was better he was leaving after all. There’d soon be no feeling of a haven for him here in this shop anymore. They entered the office but Nemeth left the door open in case a large group of customers came in. He stood by the high desk with the ledgers. Mars was quiet as he leaned against the door frame.
“Thank you for seeing me,” Jeremy said.
“Of course, what is it, man?”
“I… I’m sorry but I need to leave— your employ, I mean. You can pay me my last bit later; after all you just paid me a few days ago so there isn’t much due to me. You should keep it because of the trouble I’m giving doing this so sudden. You see there are people who need me; I mean I have something urgent I must attend to; a journey to take.”
The excuses rolled out of his mouth one after the other.
“I see.”
“I want you to know how proud I was to work here. You’re an amazing business man and I’ve learned a lot. Please believe that nothing but an emergency would take me away.”
Nemeth gave him a direct gaze.
“Are you sure you’re well, Jeremy? After all there was no mention of this need of yours to leave before yesterday.”
“I’m well but I must travel away from Tonturin for a time.”
“Well you seem certain of that anyway. If you must go, I understand. Only I’m driven to ask…”
Jeremy gave him an awkward smile.
“No sir. My leaving has nothing to do with your marrying Fiasca. I didn’t even know you had an acquaintance with her until I came in today.”
“An acquaintance? That’s what she said about you.” Nemeth was frowning now.
“Before today I hadn’t even seen her for well over a year. The past is done and gone.”
“So it seems.”
Jeremy held out a hand.
“Forgive me, once again, for such short notice. I’ve been grateful to work for you.”
Nemeth smiled too. He gave out a firm handshake in return.
“You were an excellent employee, my friend. Whenever you return, stop in and I’ll give you a good reference.”
“Thank you,” Jeremy managed, blinking hard. He turned and walked square into a solid set of shoulders. His eyes widened in disbelief. How had he forgotten that Mars was behind him, in fact must’ve been standing there the whole time to witness the entire scene? The man really could turn invisible when he wanted.
“Mars,” Jeremy’s old boss greeted.
“Nemeth,” Mars said.
“You’re aware of where your friend here is going?”
“He hasn’t told me anything,” Mars grunted. “The man is closed off.”
Nemeth chuckled.
“I’ll leave you to figure that out then. Now if you two will excuse me, some customers have overtaken the shop. I must return to it.”
They bowed and separated and Jeremy took a last look around. But his time here was completed; done and gone. He took a deep breath and left his employ, Nemeth and Fiasca without a backward glance. The door shut behind them and Jeremy strode forward as far as the end of the street. Then he faltered and came to a stop. People went around him, busy with their affairs. Steam from various mechanisms that promised hot food or gadgets to ease a customer’s home life drifted here and there. Hawkers wheedled and shopkeepers chatted as they swept their front stoops. He was no longer a part of them. He felt a little sick. He’d go home and reconnoiter, even though soon that room he’d rented would be gone too. He needed to store his possessions somewhere. He started to move again but a solid hand settled on his shoulder. He glanced over in surprise as Mars pushed at him, until they stepped into a quiet alleyway behind the shops.
“Now,” the man demanded, “you tell me. What’s going on?”
Jeremy put a hand to his head. He was beginning to feel a strong desire to be by himself.
“We can talk later. I need to get going right now,” he said.
“No you don’t!” Mars bellowed. “You need to tell me if you’ve lost your senses! You hit your head, passed out at the doctor’s and then woke up this morning and did this! You’ve quit your job, you idiot! Nemeth was putting more into your hands every year- do you think a position like that comes along every day?”
“And do you think I’d care to work there now that I know he’s about to get married?”
“So is this all about Fiasca? Did you learn she was seeing your boss yesterday? And then you’ve got the sudden urge to…”
“No it’s not about her!” Jeremy felt tension course from his belly up to his head. He rubbed the spot again.
“She’s been nothing but trouble to you since the moment you met her,” Mars growled. “I’ve tried to be respectful, but by heaven, I don’t like the sight of that woman!”
“My leaving’s got nothing to do with her, I’m telling you. Didn’t you hear me say to Nemeth that I had no idea she was with him till this morning? I’m not a liar, you know that, Mars!”
“Bah! You’ve got no need to lie, do you? Since no one can find out anything about you! Torture wouldn’t drag secrets out of your mouth. You ought to sign up for spy work.”
“Listen, Mars, I’m going home for now. But let me say this. You felt compelled to check on me this morning and I appreciate that. However I really am going on a journey. It could take a long time. I might find danger on the road. I’ve told you nothing much about it, and I don’t intend to tell you more anytime soon. But I’m not lying to you— this journey is important.”
“Blast it! What journey? Where are you going?”
“That doesn’t matter at this moment. When the time comes, I’ll know.”
“You mean you don’t even know?”
“Mars, shut up for a moment and listen!”
“I will as soon as you decide to say something sensible! Speak up!”
Jeremy took a calming breath.
“I had a choice, you see,” he said in a serious voice. “That means so do you. You were compelled before but don’t worry. If you choose to walk away right now that stressful feeling will leave you. You were appointed but someone else will arise in your place. You can be free of this if you want.”
“What in the world are you
talking about?”
Jeremy grabbed his wrist in urgency.
“I’ll tell you this much, Mars, and it’s a long time coming. I’m sorry. Fiasca I knew for mere months, but I’ve known you for most of my life. I shouldn’t have blamed you because she was done with me. It was my own inadequacy that caused that! She wanted more than I could give and the truth is I didn’t miss her demands after a while. I was shocked today to see her but not wounded. I feel nothing about her upcoming marriage but concern for Nemeth— he’s a good man and I hope he brings out the best in her as well.”
Mars was breathing hard and clenching his fists, but the man had gone silent once again. Jeremy went on speaking.
“Whatever failure happened in our friendship is my fault, so I’ll understand if you say good riddance. You’ve got a choice, all right? I’m going home now. I’ve got some packing to do. Leave me be for a while and go your own way to think. Don’t let compulsion be the reason you visit me again or go with me on my journey. Think of your options logically…” Jeremy let go of the man’s arm and put a hand on his shoulder. “To make your choice,” he finished. Then he turned and left Mars staring after him in the empty alley.
Chapter Five - (In Which Jeremy Gets Slapped)
On his way home Jeremy noticed again that he was being followed. As he left the emotional burdens of quitting his job, seeing Fiasca again, and confronting Mars behind him he began to feel less tired. His ear perked as a branch cracked a few hundred feet off to the side. He stopped and all was silent. No animal rustlings settled into the bit of forest the road was ambling through here. That meant that the tiny creatures were stilled while a human invader was in their midst. Jeremy picked up speed, and started jogging. He rounded the next corner in the trail and then left it, finding a good spot to hide between some thick bushes. He crouched down. Soon he was rewarded by the sound of pounding footsteps, light but determined and running down the middle of the road after him. Just as the person reached his area he stood upright so he could see who’d been following him all morning.
The Time Mechanic Page 3