Prisoner in Time (Time travel) (12 page)

“So what are we going to do?” Geoff responded, his tone growing desperate.

“We can only wait for an opportunity to present itself. That’s it.”

“That sucks,” Geoff spat in disgust.

As the two continued quietly along, Geoff watched the worn road and kicked small pebbles out of his path. David ignored the actions of the teen and concentrated on his surroundings. With each sign of movement in the trees, he used his peripheral vision to scan for danger while keeping focused on the field of vision far out in front of him.

It started as a shadow at first. Through the trees, in the distance, David noticed a shortened tree trunk swaying with regularity. Within several steps, the tree began to take shape… then color. Immediately, he slowed to a stop.

“Why are we stopping…?” Geoff asked

“Shhhh,” David blurted instantly, cutting Geoff off.

He squinted hard and focused on the area in question. Geoff looked at David’s eyes and followed them out into the distant forest.

“What are we looking for?” he asked aloud.

“Dammit Bud, when I tell to you be quiet, you really need to listen,” David shot back.

Still focusing intently on the distant forest, he held up his finger with authority, signaling Geoff’s silence. Insulted and defiant, Geoff opened his mouth to retort.

Instantly, David shoved Geoff off the path toward the woods. Immediately, he understood the gesture and hurried unrestrained in the direction of his guide. Hopping over bushes and logs, both rushed deep into the forest away from the path.

Sighting a small depression in the land, David hurried past Geoff and jumped into the small ditch. As Geoff approached, David quietly signaled him to crouch down beside him.

“What is it?” Geoff asked nervously, his volume barely audible.

David pointed. Geoff stared, but sighted no one. Pointing his finger more forcibly, Geoff sharpened his focus. Through the distant forest, the shadowy trees transformed into men. Moments later, the gray uniforms of Confederate soldiers were easily discernible.

Geoff’s heart raced with the sighting of humanity. He felt both fear and excitement at the same time. As the soldiers came into full view, he stared in amazement at the sight of ancient history being revealed before his eyes.

“Cool,” he said, in a nearly silent tone.

David shot him an annoyed looked then brought his finger to his lips, instructing the teen to keep quiet. The small detail of soldiers hurried on by, cautiously scanning the region with nearly every footstep they took. Holding their guns low and parallel to the ground instead of mounted to their shoulders, it quickly became obvious these men were involved in more than a standard march. Moments later, as they hurried out of sight, David breathed a sigh of relief.

“Phew… that was really close,” he said, his tone barely above a whisper.

“Guess we’re close to the right year,” Geoff responded. “Those were Confederates.”

“Yeah and I’m guessing we’re in Union territory,” David replied.

“Why would you say that? If those are Confederates, wouldn’t this be Confederate territory?”

“Did you study their movements? They weren’t out on a casual march. They were sneaking through, with their rifles at the ready,” David answered.

“I guess I didn’t see that,” he replied, feeling slightly embarrassed.

David stared into Geoff’s eyes. Geoff could see intensity staring back at him.

“If I hadn’t seen them when I did, we’d be dead right now,” he said in an ominous tone.

Geoff swallowed hard as he thought about David’s words.

Downplaying the impact of the message, he replied casually, “Naw, they’d probably just question us and keep moving.”

“Geoff, if you’re going to survive this, you’re going to have to change your perception of reality. This isn’t a game we’re playing with your friends. There’s no teachers acting as referees like you have in school and there’s no ‘do-overs’ when things go wrong. We’re in the middle of a war and one misstep could spell our deaths. Do you understand what I’m saying to you?” he said in a grave tone.

Geoff didn’t answer. David’s words found meaning deep within his mind. Staring back at David, he nodded simply in understanding.

“Ok, let’s keep moving. Keep your eyes peeled. We need to get to Chattanooga before darkness sets in.”

Geoff nodded, then asked, “Why before darkness?”

“Look around you. Do you see any street lights?”

Geoff scanned the area and instantly understood. No further words were required.

The hours passed and soon the worn path expanded into a large dirt road. As they neared the city of Chattanooga, small farms began to appear. With each residence they spotted, the two moved into the woods and skirted its perimeter, avoiding detection by the cover of trees. Farmers in their fields worked their plows unsuspecting.

As the two crossed over a large hill and worked their way down into the valley, the small city of Chattanooga appeared. Geoff viewed it with amazement.

“Wow! So that’s what Chattanooga looked like a hundred and fifty years ago,” he said aloud.

“Pretty amazing, isn’t it?” David asked.

“I don’t recognize any of it,” he responded.

“Only the river is unchanged,” David added.

“So where’re we headed?” Geoff asked, still scanning the old city.

“It’s going to get pretty cold tonight. I’ve been looking for shelter but haven’t found anything that looks suitable yet,” David replied, with growing concern.

“What exactly are we looking for?”

“Well, we don’t have any matches, so lighting a fire isn’t an option. I’m thinking the best we can do is try to stay out of the wind to keep warm.”

“So where do we go to stay out of the wind?” Geoff persisted.

David pointed to a distant farm. As the two took in the layout of the property, David guessed at the buildings’ usages.

“There’s the main farmhouse,” he said.

“That’s not much of a house… more like a shack,” Geoff commented.

“Most of the farmers around here were very poor. They didn’t live in large, expensive homes,” David responded, then pointed to another building. “See that smaller shack near the edge of the fencing?”

Geoff nodded simply.

“If I’m not mistaken, that’s probably a corn crib or hen house. When it gets dark, we’ll sneak into one and spend the night. It won’t be comfortable, but at least we’ll have some shelter,” he suggested.

“What if the farmer hears us?”

“We run and hope he misses,” David answered.

“Misses?”

“Farmers shoot thieves, Geoff. If they see us running from their henhouse, I’m pretty sure they’ll shoot first and ask questions later,”

“Wow, that sucks,” he shot back in surprise.

“Yes Geoff, it really does suck,” David responded, sarcastically. “Ok, let’s head into the woods and wait until it gets dark.”

With a simple nod from Geoff, David made his way into the woods. As he walked, he stopped and listened for tell-tale sounds of humanity. Hearing nothing, he continued on, Geoff following close behind. An hour later, David spotted a stone wall that ran from the woods to the farmhouse. He turned and followed it. As he approached the edge of the woods, he stopped and stared out over the farmer’s field.

“Ok, I think this is a good place to stop. We can wait it out here until dark, then run across the field to one of those shacks.”

“Damn, it’s getting cold already,” he said, still scanning the area.

David looked at Geoff. The teen wore a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a light fleece jacket. Rubbing his own exposed arms to stay warm, he crouched down next to the wall to stay out of the wind.

“Be thankful you’re dressed so warmly. I only have on a pair of scrubs… and they’re short sleeved at that,” David responded, now blowing his hot breath into his hands.

Geoff stared at David for a moment and felt a measure of sympathy for the man that was now helping him. He thought of offering him his jacket, but suddenly, images of his brother’s tragic death flooded his mind and reminded him of his purpose and of the man who couldn’t save him. Stepping a few feet away, he callously placed his hands in his pockets and sat down with his back against the stone wall. For the next half hour, the two sat in silence as the day gave way to night.

Shivering in the cold, David stood up and looked across the field. With his eyes adjusted to the darkness he could just make out the faint light that lit the inside of the farmhouse. He rubbed his hands vigorously over his bare arms, but his cold fingers did nothing to warm him.

“Man, I’m frickin’ freezing,” he said aloud, his teeth loudly chattering as his spoke.

He looked down toward Geoff and said, “You ready?”

Geoff looked over his shoulder at the dimly lit shack.

“The light’s still on. They haven’t gone to bed yet. Maybe we should wait a little longer,” he responded.

“I can’t. I think hypothermia’s setting in. I need shelter now,” David responded, his teeth chattering even louder now.

As Geoff stood, he waited on David’s lead.

David moved swiftly through the darkness as he crossed the open field. Using his hand as a guide, he periodically reached down and touched the stonewall, keeping it close in case he needed cover. Focusing his eyes on the farmhouse, he listened for Geoff’s footsteps behind him, ensuring the teen was staying close.

Suddenly, the front door to the farmhouse flung open and a man stepped outside. Carrying a lantern held high, he looked out into the darkness. Instantly, David and Geoff dove to the ground. Both lay still, frozen in fear as they waited on the man to call out their location.

David lay on the ground and shivered uncontrollably. As he took in a breath through his open mouth, his teeth chattered loudly in the cold evening air. He tried to keep his lips sealed shut to avoid further noise, but it was no use. His body reacted involuntarily to the cold as he continued to shiver.

“Shhhh,” Geoff called out in a low whisper.

“I can’t control it. I’m too cold,” he responded in a worried tone.

“He’s going to catch us!” Geoff shot back, anxiously.

In the distance, they watched the lantern moved across the field a short ways, then stopped. The farmer shined his lantern into the darkness and scanned the area. Searching intently, he stopped his gaze as he spotted the stonewall.

“I think he sees us. Let’s get out of here,” Geoff whispered as he struggled to control his fear.

“Lay still,” David whispered back.

David bit down on his exposed arm and forced his teeth firmly into his flesh. Suddenly, the sound of chattering teeth ceased. He lay for a moment perfectly still and waited on the farmer’s next move.

With his lantern leading the way, the farmer continued across the field. He stopped and listened once more. Craning his head in the direction of the two hidden men, he waited silently.

David could see him clearly now. He could see the lantern in one hand and in the other, he spotted a rifle. His heart raced wildly. He wanted to run, but felt paralyzed with indecision.

Suddenly, the front door to the farmhouse opened once more. A woman stepped outside. She scanned the field and spotted her husband.