Excerpt from A Time Traveler's Companion

 

(This is an excerpt from Chapter 1: Mr. Smith.)

Trigger warnings: sexual situations

After completing high school in mid-June 2014, I found myself in a situation where I needed to find a part-time job. At the same time, I was faced with the decision of whether to go to community college for the Fall semester or not.

  Rather than rushing into further education, I decided to take a step back and give myself some time to figure out my future ambitions and aspirations. I didn't have a clear goal in mind, and I wanted to make sure I made the right choice for my future path. Well, Life happens, and some things turn out differently than what expected.

It was just another ordinary day when I encountered the man who would ultimately transform my life in ways I never anticipated. I decided to take a hike at one of my favorite hiking spots, the Menifee Cross Trails. The hills are crisscrossed with numerous narrow trails, offering a total of 2.7 miles of hiking. However, if you decide to explore the additional trails in the area, it can turn into quite a satisfying workout. Leila, my closest friend, and I have explored those hills several times in the past.  One day, while she was occupied with her job at the local mall, I took the opportunity to drive my Honda electric plug-in hybrid. I parked it in the dirt lot where many hikers leave their vehicles, conveniently situated next to one of the trails. Three other cars were parked in the area, all owned by the most committed hikers who frequent the spot.

I brought along my red and brown backpack, sporting my favorite olive-green safari button-up shirt paired with brown khaki shorts, and laced up my ankle-high rust brown hiking boots before hitting the trail.  Reaching the summit of a modest hill, I paused to catch my breath. Glancing around, my gaze settled on the imposing metal cross standing proudly atop a larger hill nearby. The origin of the cross remained a mystery to me, yet it served as a focal point and drew visitors to the hiking trails. As the fog gradually dissipated, the landscape appeared less foreboding than it had at the start of my trek.

 In the distance, I spotted a couple of fellow hikers enjoying the serene surroundings. I took a sip from my water bottle and after I rested a bit, I started my descent. As I continued my journey, I noticed a different path up ahead and decided to explore it. However, out of nowhere, a series of bizarre events unfolded, catching me off guard.

The air crackled with an eerie static electricity, causing a shiver to run down my spine. My heart raced in my chest, amplifying the intensity of the moment. Standing there, an inexplicable sense of unease crept over me as I waited, unsure of what I was waiting for.

 A nagging feeling urged me to flee, yet I remained rooted to the spot. Suddenly, a peculiar whooshing, humming noise echoed from behind me, causing me to whirl around in alarm. Before me, a strange shimmering object materialized, startling me into a sudden jump.

  As I took a step back, my eyes widened in disbelief as an ominous black monolith emerged out of thin air right before me. Time seemed to stand still as I found myself frozen in place, holding my breath in anticipation of what would happen next.

  “What the Fuck?” I muttered, as a sudden whirlwind swooshed my hair back. The wind abruptly ceased, leaving me in a state of bewilderment. I glanced around, hoping to find someone who had also witnessed this inexplicable phenomenon. As I stood there, a mix of awe and confusion washed over me. "What in the world," I thought. Curiosity compelled me to approach the enigmatic object, cautiously running my fingers along its smooth and icy surface. A sudden jolt of static electricity coursed through me. 

“Ouch,” I recoiled my hand. The monolith towered before me, measuring 40 inches wide, and a staggering 7 feet in height. Perplexed, I couldn't help but wonder about the purpose and origin of this mysterious structure. With wide eyes and a mind filled with questions, I stood there, utterly dumbfounded. Just as I contemplated the enigma before me, a figure emerged from within the monolith. Startled, I swiftly moved to the other side, seeking cover behind the towering structure. As I peered from behind the monolith spotting a man stepping onto the trail, he seemed unaffected by the strangeness of the situation. He looked to be in his late twenties, maybe early thirties. He glanced around, scanning from left to right.

Looking at his attire, he was donning a brown pinstriped blazer over a white button-up shirt, paired with denim jeans and black high-top sneakers. Initially, unaware of my presence, I hid behind the monolith and discreetly glanced around the corner. As he moved away from the monolith towards my intended direction, I debated whether to leave or follow him, ultimately, I succumbed to my curiosity and trailed him surreptitiously. Halting midway, he paused to survey his surroundings with hands in his pockets, letting out a sigh and shaking his head. Eventually, he pivoted to return to the monolith, our gazes locking as he appeared surprised, his eyes filled with curiosity. 

 “Wow,” he remarked, taking in my look. “Are you from around here?” I simply gaped at him while he grinned back. I was momentarily speechless, especially after catching the unmistakable British accent in his tone. Gathering my thoughts, I mustered the courage to ask, “Who are you?”

“Just call me Mr. Smith,” he replied.

“How did you get here,” I asked, my curiosity piqued. With a sly grin, he approached me and replied, "I stumbled upon this place during my travels." His eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and a hint of allure. I glanced at the monolith. As he spoke, I couldn't help but take a step back, unsure of what to expect. Sensing my hesitation, he reassured me, "If you're interested, I'll gladly show you, come travel with me,” he paused. “But if not, feel free to leave." A lump formed in my throat, causing me to hesitate. He moved closer, attempting to hold my hand, but I instinctively pulled away.

  "Don't worry," he assured me, his voice soothing. "I'll ensure your safety and make sure you have an interesting time." Gesturing towards the mysterious monolith, he insisted, "Trust me, let me show you." Once again, he reached out for my hand, and a warm sensation washed over me, making it impossible to resist. Despite my apprehension and uncertainty, I found myself irresistibly drawn to this enigmatic man who emerged from the monolith. His captivating eyes, charming smile, and the aura surrounding him had me completely mesmerized, along with the enigmatic monolith itself. As his touch enveloped me, all thoughts of my past vanished, and I became completely entranced, until he finally asked, "What's your name?"

I hesitantly said, “I'm Remi,” my voice barely above a whisper. His smile shifted into a playful smirk, his gaze slowly taking in every detail of me.

  As I moved closer to the massive structure, I spotted someone standing on the hills nearby, clearly just as puzzled by its sudden emergence. I couldn't make out his clothing, but I had a feeling it was a man.

  "Come on," he beckoned, gesturing towards the monolith with a flirtatious smile and a playful wink. Confused, I glanced at the monolith’s surface, devoid of any inscriptions, its sleek black surface chilling to the touch, just as I had mentioned earlier.

  With a sudden jolt, the door slid open, causing me to instinctively recoil. With unwavering confidence, he took a bold stride into it, and I hesitantly mirrored his actions. However, as I crossed the threshold, a wave of disbelief washed over me, causing my mouth to fall open and my eyes to widen in astonishment. 

The sheer magnitude of what lay before me left me breathless, and I couldn't suppress a gasp that escaped my lips. In that moment, he couldn't contain his excitement and proudly declared, "Welcome to my humble abode," relishing the astonishment that was etched across my face.

  "This is a Time Dimensional Spacecraft, or TDSC for short," he announced. Looking around, I suddenly realized that I was situated within an otherworldly spacecraft. My eyes wandered around the room, absorbing the sleek, jet-black design with mesmerizing geometric patterns.

The two control panels on either wall and the sleek floor reflecting the ceiling drew my attention.

 "Hold on a second," I exclaimed as I stepped out of the craft and circled it, taking in the bizarre design while a sense of confusion enveloped me. It struck me that the inside and outside of the spacecraft were mismatched in size.

I hurried back inside, eager to unravel this puzzling revelation, my eyes with excitement. "Wow! I can't believe my eyes, it's bigger on the inside!" I exclaimed, filled with awe. Instead of feeling afraid, I was completely fascinated by the whole experience and eager to uncover the mysteries behind this intriguing man and his extraordinary ship. 

He chuckled, clearly pleased with my reaction. "I had a feeling you'd be amazed," he said, with a smug grin on his face. My heart raced, and I couldn't tear my gaze away from the mesmerizing interior.

 "Would you like to embark on an adventure with me?" he asked. My heart skipped a beat, and I took a deep breath, my eyes brimming with astonishment. I was at a loss for words. 

"Your eyes are captivating," he remarked, gazing at me intently, as if weighing a decision. His deep brown eyes roamed over me in a suggestive manner, causing me to blush and look away.

  A tense silence enveloped us briefly, before I broke it with a question: “Am I being abducted?” I hesitated, inching toward the door that was hidden from the outside but clear from within. He stepped closer, his presence both imposing and calming.

“No, you can leave if you want; we’re still on the same hiking trail you were on,” he assured me, his eyes locking onto mine, his height nearly six feet towering over my five feet six inches, he was a bit intimidating.

   Feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation, I couldn't help but nervously smile back at him. "I believe the person you saw earlier is nearing the TDSC and may be contacting others soon." A soft smile graced his lips as he looked directly at me, his eyes filled with anticipation.

  It was evident that he was eagerly awaiting my response, silently pleading for a positive answer. The way he gazed at me spoke volumes, conveying his desire for me to agree to whatever he was proposing. 

"If you decide to accompany me, we can journey to any destination of your choosing, and I'll ensure we return before dinner. I possess the ability to traverse time. The possibilities are endless," he said, enticing me further. Despite his kind offer, I still felt unsure.

"Don't worry, once you get to know me, you'll realize I’m not such a bad guy,” he continued to persuade me. His words were accompanied by a chuckle and a smile, sending a shiver down my spine.

 As I nervously chortled, my eyes spotted a mysterious black pillar embellished with sparkling crystals in the center of the room. It truly captivated me. Setting my backpack down on the floor, I cautiously approached, drawn in by its enchanting allure.

 

"What is this?" I asked, circling around the strange pillar with multicolored quartz crystals at the center, one of them glowing brightly.

  "No, don't touch it," he warned, causing me to retract my hand.

"What are they?" I asked, intrigued.

   "They control this ship," he explained. I pondered over the offer he made earlier.

 

 "I'll accept your offer, but..." I hesitated.

  "But what?" he asked.

  "I hope you'll bring me back before dinnertime or before 10pm," I nervously chuckled, feeling a strange attraction towards him. Standing in front of each other, the crystals casting a soft glow on my face, I couldn't help but question the risks of joining this enigmatic being from another realm on an adventure. "How old are you?” he asked, then added, “I don't want any trouble for bringing a minor along on my,” he paused and said, “adventures," as he finger quoted.  

Confusion washed over me as I glanced at him, prompting me to contemplate my uneventful existence. I pondered, "I don’t have a boyfriend right now and I clearly don’t have any plans.”

  After a brief pause, I mustered the courage to respond, "I'm twenty," I said, it was a blatant lie though. Despite being only eighteen, I decided to withhold this information from him. His inquisitive gaze persisted as he mulled over my answer. "Well, okay,” he paused and added, “You do appear to be young," he delicately traced his fingers along the glowing crystals on the table on top of the pillar.

   “People often assume that about me, but the truth is I'm only twenty, with my birthday just four months away.” I lied again, feeling a lump in my throat. He stepped closer, softly stroking my cheek before placing a tender kiss on my forehead. A rush of warmth spread through me, and I couldn't help but blush as he smiled at me. "So, where do you want to go?" he asked, tapping a crimson crystal. Suddenly, a sleek jet-black seat materialized a short distance away from him and he casually took off his brown pinstriped blazer and tossed it onto the chair.

  Pondering his words, I said, "If you truly have the power to time travel, I'd love to visit the 1970s." 

  "Do you have a specific year in mind?" he asked.

 I casually shrugged and grinned, replying, "1976, my grandma used to tell me fascinating stories about that year." He chuckled, flashing a smile my way. 

"Alright then, let's embark on this adventure," he exclaimed excitedly.

 "Touch that crystal," he instructed. 

 "But I thought you didn't want me to touch the crystals?"

"I'm granting you the privilege," he smiled. He then told me to focus on my grandma and the year 1976. With closed eyes, I imagined the sensation of being transported to that era.

This book will be published under a different pen name. An audiobook will be available soon on GooglePlay.

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