Storm to the Past: A Time Travel Western

Storm to the Past

DENNIS GAGER

Copyright
©
2015
by
Dennis Gager
.

This is
a
work of
fiction.
Names,
characters,
businesses,
places,
events
and
incidents
are
either
the
products
of
the
author’s imagination
or
used
in
a
fictitious
manner.
Any
resemblance
to
actual
persons,
living
or
dead,
or
actual
events
is
purely
coincidental.

For
information
contact:
[email protected]

Cover Design by Outlaws Publishing LLC

Published by Hondo Publishing

November
2015
First Edition:

10
9
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5
4
3
2
1

CHAPTER ONE

Packing up his Chevy Silverado, Adam remembers he left his GPS in his garage, so he turns around and heads back inside, grabs his GPS from the shelf, turns and leaves.

He made sure his house was locked, then decide to call Nate to see if he wanted him to pick up anything before he met him at the docks. 

Nate answers and says, “Hey man, what’s going on? Don’t tell me you changed your mind man?”

“No, I’m coming. I just wanted to see if you needed me to pick up anything along the way?”

“No,” Nate says. “I’m good. Just get your butt over here. We’ll have a great time. We’ll take my boat out, do some deep sea fishing, drink some beers and have fun.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” Adam says. “Since I lost my job I don’t have anything going on. I can’t find any work. My bills are paid, but without a job that won’t last forever.”

“Forget your troubles and get down here and like I told you, I can get you a job at my cousin’s body shop.”

“Forget that man,” Adam exclaimed. “I don’t want to work on cars. I’ve been there and didn’t like it at all. I really like to work with my hands. I like building houses and designing projects.”

“Okay, okay, I hear you, but just keep it in mind for a back-up. What time are you gonna be here?”

“I’m heading out now,” Adam explained. “It’ll probably take about six hours It’s noon here so I should be there by six.”

“Sounds good. I’ll have the beer on ice.”

Adam says, “Sounds good and hung up the phone. He programed the address into his GPS, climbed in his Chevy Silverado and down the road. Florida was beautiful this time of year and this trip is exactly what he needed.

The traffic was crazy on the thruways, but he took his time and didn’t let anything bother him because he really needed this time away from it all. When he arrived at the dock it was 6:20 pm. He parked his Chevy, got out and looked out over the bay. He thought to himself what an amazing view. As he enjoyed the way the sun cast its glow over the water, he looked at all the beautiful boats in the dock.

“Hey Adam!” He heard his named called. Nate was sitting on the deck of his boat.  Nate waved and met Adam by his Chevy.

“About time you got here,” Nate laughed and gave Adam a hug.

“It’s good to see you too,” hugging him back.

“Come on, grab your bags and come check out my new sailboat. We can pop a couple of cold ones and catch up on what you’ve been doing.”

Adam grabbed his two duffel bags and followed behind Nate.

“That all you got?” Nate asked.

“Yeah, I travel light man. One bag’s full of my tools and the other is my clothes.”

“Your tools?” Nate asked, surprised.

“Hey,” exclaimed Adam. “You never know, maybe I’ll find a job down here. Maybe one of your rich friends will need some work done. The real reason I’m bringing them is I can’t leave them in my truck. I was hoping I could put them on your boat and maybe store them.

Sure, man. No problem. Come on, let’s get on board.”

Adam follows Nate to his boat. It was huge. Had to be at least thirty feet long. Nate says, “Follow me and took Adam down below. This is your room, indicating Adam put his bags in there.

Then he showed him the rest of the boat. When they were back on the deck, Nate said, “Here you go,” pulled a beer from the cooler and handed it to Adam.

“Sit down man and relax. I’m gonna fire up the motor and take us out where we can do some fishing and talk.”

Adam pops open the beer, relaxes and watches as Nate guided the big boat out of the dock and headed out to sea. Once Nate got where he knew was a good fishing spot, he dropped the anchor, went back and sat down next to Adam. He opens a beer, hands it to his friend and opens one for himself, and they began to talk.

“I see life as a stock broker is paying off for you,” stated Adam to Nate. Looks like you’re doing very well. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks bud, I appreciate that. You do realize you could of had the same thing, if you just stuck with school.”

“School just wasn’t for me, you know that. I’ve only been happy when I’m working with my hands.”

“I know, but you got to live man, and my cousin’s shop is a real job that can help you pay your bills. Look, let’s not talk about all that. Let’s drink a few more beers, cast out our lines, catch some fish and enjoy the day.”

They guys drank a few more beers then Nate got out the fishing gear and they cast out their lines and shared some more stories. While they were sharing stories and laughs, they didn’t hear the weather report on the radio warning of a severe storm headed in their direction.

CHAPTER TWO

Hearing a rumbling noise in the distance Adam looked over his shoulder and said,” “Hey! Look at those clouds. They’re really dark.”

Nate saw the clouds and said, “I’ll be right back. I’m gonna check the weather channel on the radio. I don’t like the looks of those clouds.” He turned on the radio and there was a warning for a severe storm and it was heading in their direction with a warning for all ships to head in.

“Reel in the lines, man and stow the gear. I’ll pull up the anchor. We need to get ahead of this storm and get back to shore as quickly as we can. We don’t want to be out here in a storm like that.”

Adam reeled in the lines and stowed the gear as Nate brought up the anchor.

“You better get down below,” Nate told him. “Nothing to worry about, I promise.” 

Adam went down below as Nate turned the boat around and headed toward the dock. The boat was flying across the water, but unfortunately it was too late because the storm was moving too quick.

Nate hoped he could get them to shore before it got too severe, but the storm got ahead of them, the waves rocking the boat. Nate did his best to steer into the waves and keep the boat moving toward land. The rain was coming down so hard it was getting very hard to see. Nate kept the boat on course as best he could. Meanwhile, Adam secured everything and headed back upstairs.

“How we doing, Buddy?” He asked Nate.

“It’s tossing us all over the place, but I’m keeping us on track. We’ll be ok. I’ll radio the coast guard just to be on the safe side.”

As soon as Nate went to call on the radio, a huge wave hit the side of the boat nearly capsizing it.  Adam was flung against the wall hard.

Nate grabbed the controls which helped him keep his balance.

Adam got back to his feet.

“You okay man?” Nate asked him concerned.

I’m ok, a little rattled, but I’ll be ok. Man, that was close.”

“Too close,” exclaimed Nate. I’m calling the coast guard. The radio wasn’t working. Nothing but static. “Damn, that wave must of knocked out our antenna.” 

“What do we do, now?”

“We’ve got no choice,” said Nate. “We have to keep going and it’s going to get worse.”

As Nate finished speaking, the weather calmed down and everything was deathly quiet.

Nate and Adam look at each other. “Adam asked, “What happened man? Has it stopped?”

“I don’t know. I can’t explain it. Let’s go up on deck and see what’s going on.”

The fog was so thick they couldn’t see a thing. Then the motor quit and all the power went out on the boat.

“Stay here, Buddy. I’ll grab a light and see if we can figure out something.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not moving a muscle,” Adam told him.

As Nate headed below, suddenly just as fast as everything went out. All the power came back on and the motor started running as if nothing was wrong. And the fog was also gone.

“What the hell is going on?” Adam said loudly. “Man, this weather is messed up. Is it like this all the time? And what’s up with the motor shutting off and the power going out? You got a generator back up?”

“I don’t have a clue of what just happened. I’ve been here six years and that’s the first time I’ve ever seen anything like that. The motor’s not supposed to do that. And the backup generator you have to start manually. Maybe the storm did some damage to the electrical system. Anyway, I’m getting us out of here and back on shore.”

Inside the control room, Nate checked the satellite compass and it was spinning like crazy.

“What do we do now?” Adam asked, sounding a little scared.

“We go old school,” answered Nate.

He shut off the compass and pulled out his charts. He did it old school and figured out their bearings with his hand held compass. He figured their latitude and longitude and charted a course back to shore.

“There we go man,” he said. Nothing to it. When it comes to the sea, I know my stuff. We’ll be back to shore in about thirty minutes. When we get back, I’ll get my mechanic and have him check all the electrical system. Now, let’s get out of here.”

Nate adjusted the course and headed back to the dock. Adam kept looking out on the deck and when he saw the coast coming in sight, he got excited. It felt so good to see land. But as they got closer there was no dock. Nothing, just a beach and rocky terrain?

“Hey Nate,” Adam exclaimed. “You better come see this?”

Nate throttled back the engines and came up on deck.

“What’s the matter?” He asked.

CHAPTER THREE

“Look?” Adam points toward the shore

Nate’s expression went blank as he was totally confused. “That’s not right,” he exclaimed. “The dock should be right there? There’s the beach and the rocky bank?”

“Yeah, where’s the parking lot and where’s my vehicle?”

“I swear to you man. I put in the right coordinates, maybe I’m rusty or that storm knocked us off the route. Anyway, we’re at least near land and should be able to figure it out. I’m sure once we get on land we’ll find our bearings.”

“I’m going to pull the boat over near the beach and drop anchor. We’ll use the lifeboat to go ashore. We’ll find someone and find out where we are.”

Nate steered the boat as close as he could to the beach and lowered the anchor. Then they lowered the life raft and rowed to shore. 

I’m going to try my cell phone again,” Nate said. “Maybe I’ll get signal now?” 

He tried, but there was no service.

Adam tried his phone and it was the same thing.

I don’t understand,” Nate said. “I’ve never had any problem with cell service here? There are towers all over the place.”

“Maybe the storm damaged the towers or there’s a power outage all over. It was a severe storm. I sure don’t want to go through that again.”

It’s possible. But I still can’t figure out why we’re so far off course. I know this area very well and this is where the dock should be. See that rock up there on the hill? That’s where the Harbor Master’s house is supposed to be. And this wooded area is where the parking lot should be. Here’s where the boats are brought in and unloaded, but there’s nothing here.”

I’s gonna be ok Nate. I’m sure this area looks similar to the dock area. I’m sure if we walk around we’ll find some homes or people and get our bearings.”.

They head along the beach and don’t see anything. They walked the entire beach and didn’t see anything. When they reached the end of the beach they decided to cut across a field, get to higher ground and see if they see any houses. Once they reached the top of the hill they saw an old cabin at the bottom with a wooden fence around it.

When they reached the bottom of the hill they walked toward the cabin. Knocking on the door no one answered. Nate knocked again and the door opened.

They both said hello, but no one answered.

The door latch was loose, so Nate went inside while Adam repaired the latch with his universal pliers using it as a hammer.

“What are you doing Adam?” Nate asked.

“I can’t help it man, the door latch was loose. I tightened it.”

Nate shook his head, “Okay Mr. Fix it, let’s see if we can find a map or something and figure out where we are.”

Adam walked to the desk in the corner and started to look around through some papers.

Adam asked, “Nate have you looked around this place? Have you noticed everything is old? There’s nothing modern? Look at that old cast iron stove and oil lanterns?”

“Maybe it’s a hunting cabin, who knows?”

Something on the table caught Adam’s eye. He saw it was a letter dated 1882. And it looked freshly written with a bottle of ink and quill sitting next to it? 

“What the heck is this?” he asked showing the letter to Nate.

“Must be someone who’s into history or a school project.”

They didn’t notice the front door opening. A man with a rifle entered. He cocked his rifle and said loudly, “What the hell’re you doing in my house?”

Nate and Adam jumped and said, “Please don’t shoot. We’re lost. We got caught in a storm and our boat’s GPS is broken and we can’t get any cell service. We’re lost just trying to get back to the dock at Sheppard Lane.”

The man looked puzzled. He was wearing older style clothing and looked like he hasn’t had a bath in a month. His beard was long and he looked as if he was wearing an outfit out of a western movie.

“I don’t know what you two are talking about?” the man said still pointing his rifle at them. “What’s a GPS or a cell phone? And Sheppard Lane? Where you from?”

“You’ve never heard of a cell phone?” Nate asked. “Or a GPS? Where are we exactly, the Twilight zone?”

The man’s face turned red as if Nate had insulted him, so Adam spoke up,

“Sir. We’re lost and just trying to get back home. We’re sorry we came into your house, but the latch on your door was broke and when my friend knocked on it, it came open. We thought maybe this was a hunting cabin or something. I even fixed the broken door latch.”

The man looked at the latch on the door, then put his rifle down.

That made Adam and Nate feel much better without the rifle pointed at them.

“Thank you for fixing my door, my name’s Paul Walling. You fellers startled me. I meant no disrespect, but you never can be too careful. You two fellers are dressed kind of funny. Where’s you say you was from?”

“I’m from back east,” Adam told the man. “I’ve been traveling all over ‘cause I lost my job. My friend Nate is from Sheppard Lane.”

“Look,” Nate says. “We’re not trying to be rude, but can we please skip all the formality’s and just tell us where we are, so we can go home?”

“Well,” said Paul. It’s nice to meet you, but I don’t know nothing about this Sheppard Lane you’re talking about. There ain’t no dock thing neither, and I’ve lived in this area going on fifteen years. I hunt these hills and fish the waters around here. Ain’t got no idea what area you’re talking about. But this is Florida.”

“Wait?” Nate said. “Did you say Sheppard Crossing?”

“Yes,” said Paul. “Why?”

“Back in the 1930s,” said Nate. “They used to call Sheppard Lane, Sheppard Crossing. They changed the name when they built the docks and put in the golf course and the rest of the housing developments. My Grandfather helped build the homes here.”

Paul looked confused. “1930s? Did you fellows hit your head or something in that storm you talked about? It’s 1882. I think you fellers are confused. Why don’t you sit down and I’ll git you some food and we’ll go see the doctor?”

Nate said loudly, “1882. No it’s 2015? I think you’re the one who must have hit your head. We don’t want any food. We just want to go home. If you could please give us a ride in your vehicle to the nearest town and we’ll call for help.”

What’s this vehicle? You talking ‘bout one of those horseless carriages?  2015. I thought you said 1930s, now it’s 2015. You fellers sure you didn’t hit your head?”

“Paul, this isn’t getting us anywhere.  It is 2015.” 

“Nope, it’s 1882. Look here, I just got back from town with today’s paper.” Paul pulled a newspaper out of his pocket and handed it to Adam.

Adam and Nate both looked at the paper and it did indeed say August 12, 1882. 

“What kind of joke is this?” Adan exclaimed. “Enough already. I get it. You’re a Historian or a collector or something.”

“You fellers need to leave my home now. I don’t know what’s wrong with you. I truly don’t, but you need to leave. You’re making me nervous.” he picked up his gun, but didn’t point it.

However, Adam and Nick got the message and headed out the door.

“Paul,” Nate asked. “Can you at least tell us where the town is located.”

“Just head to the top of that hill over there and follow the old cattle road. You’ll reach the town by mid-afternoon.” Paul shuts the door.

“Let’s get out of here,” Adam said. “When they got far enough away from the house. Nate started talking to Adam, “That guy’s a nut. 1882. I’ve heard about people like that who think they’re living in the past.”

“I don’t know, Nate. I think he’s got mental problems. Did you hear the way he talked? He sounded like someone out of the past and look at his clothes and that paper. Where do you get that much detail done to make yourself look like you’re out of the past?”

“Come on man, you can get all that crap on eBay. And as for his speech, anyone can talk like a Hill Billy. Let’s just get to town, then get the hell out of here.”

They walked for what seemed like forever down the old cattle trail if you could call it that. It was so full of holes and rocky that they really had to watch their step. They made it to the end of the trail that had a slight incline where they saw smoke. Excited they started running until they reached the top. When they looked down their faces had a look of shock on them? Yes, the town was there, just like Paul said, but it looked like something out of an old western film. The town was basically a bunch of old clapboard houses and shops on a dirt road. There was a church at the end of town on the right. A saloon and men riding horses and there were carriages. The people were all dressed in old style clothing and there weren’t any power lines or phone lines.

“What the heck is going on man?” Nate asked, astonished.

“I don’t know, maybe they’re a Mennonite or Amish Community? But wait a minute, they wouldn’t have a saloon?”

“I don’t care anymore. Screw this, I’m going to find out where the hell we are and get the hell out of here. Come on, let’s go down there.”

They headed down the trail until they reached the town limits and saw a sign saying “Welcome to Walton Town.”  As they walked down the street, they noticed how everyone kept looking at them like they were aliens from another world.

Adam tried saying hello to them, but the people turned their heads and walked away. 

“So where should we go?” asked Adam.

“Let’s go to the sheriff’s office. It’s straight ahead. Maybe he can help us.”

So the two men headed to the sheriff’s office, but there was a sign in the window saying, “Out to lunch, be back later.”

“What the heck is this? They shut down for lunch?”

Let’s check the lawyer’s office next store?” said Adam.

Adam knocked on the door and heard a voice say, “Come in. The friends started to go in, but Adam turned to Nate and said, “Do me a favor. Let me do the talking. I don’t want another person to freak out like Paul did. We’re already getting weird looks from everybody.”

Nate agreed, and the men entered the lawyer’s office. They looked around and saw a surprising simple set up. Nothing like the fancy law offices like the ones Adam had helped build over the years. It was a one room office with an old wooden desk, a few black and white photos and an old cast iron stove in the corner. There were two wooden chairs in front of the desk and a man in his early sixties was sitting behind the desk shuffling some papers. He was dressed in a black suit with a white shirt. He glanced up from his work and looked at Adam and Nate, giving them a funny look.

He said, “Hello Gentlemen. My name is Owen Long, but you can call me Jared. What brings you to my office? Do you have a legal matter? I’ve never seen anyone in those types of clothes before?”

“Hello Sir,” Adam said politely. “My name is Adam Grainger, and this is my friend, Nate Black. We don’t mean to bother you, but we stopped by the sheriff’s office and the sign said he was out to lunch.” He continued, “We were caught in a bad storm on our boat and got lost. We’re trying to get back to the dock at Sheppard Lane?”

“I’m very sorry for your misfortune, Gentlemen, “The lawyer said. “Yes, the storms at sea can be very treacherous. I’m sorry, but I never heard of this Sheppard Lane and the only docks I have ever seen was in New York.”

“Could you please tell us where we could get to a telephone?” Asked Adam, “Then we can find someone who help us figure out where we are?”

“Telephone? There’s no telephone hear? The only place I ever saw a telephone was in a cataloguer I got in New York when I visited there. However, we do have a telegraph office at the end of town at the train station.”

Please Sir, we just want to get home. That’s all we want. This whole mess is insane; I feel like we’re in an episode of Twilight Zone.”

“Calm down, Son. I can see you boys are upset and you’ve had a bad experience. I feel bad for you, but I don’t know anything about this place you’re talking about. I grew up here and I can assure you I’ve never heard of Sheppard Lane. I do know where Sheppard Crossing is. It’s next to a lovely beach and bay area. Why don’t you come with me across the street? There’s a nice restaurant and we’ll can get you some food. I promise after you eat, I’ll help you anyway I can.”

“That sound’s good, Sir. I can’t speak for Nate, but I definitely could go for a nice meal.”

“Yeah,” Nate said. “I definitely could go for some good food.”

“Then it’s settled,” said the lawyer. “Let’s go. I know the owner personally and they make the best steak in Town.”

Mr. Long closed the door as they exited the office. As they crossed the street they saw a sign that read, “The Prairie Run Inn.” 

Mr. Long opened the door and they went inside. Adam and Nate glanced around and saw it was just a quaint rustic Inn with small tables and chairs. There was a small counter in the front, with a man behind it talking to a young lady. Adam noticed the man and woman were dressed in attire that he had only seen in history books and movies.