August 5th 2033, 12:02pm:
My lab is covered in scattered papers and the floor is covered in glass from a shattered beaker. The heavy stench of sulfur hangs in the air, but I am not concerned. I have done it, I have created the impossible. A watch that allows the user to travel to any date and time in history. An absurd concept, I am aware. Reading my own words here in my lab journal, it still does not seem real. My colleagues have mocked my ambitions mercilessly for years. I have lost friends and loved ones, all in my single minded pursuit of this very day, but it has all been worth it. In three days’ time I will conduct the final solo test of the device - the Time Watch - before presenting it to my colleagues. I am a God among men. August 8th 2033, 7:33am: My contact in Combat Development Sector 2F assures me that he has provided the best and most efficient equipment available. He built me a field pack with rations and other supplies, but I do not know what many of the items are for (I am sure I will not need most of it). I asked him to include a manual, but I doubt he had time to do so. I have dressed in the provided gear; a black long sleeved shirt, brown combat jacket, field mesh (just a vest with pockets, if you ask me), brown combat pants, and black combat boots. From what I have seen of the kit so far, I am confident that I can survive if the experiment is unsuccessful. Same Day, 7:55am: In five minutes I will depart. I have set the watch for August 17th 1969, Bethel New York, during the event known as ‘Woodstock’. I have done immense research regarding this time period, and I feel certain this will be a safe spawn point for the test. Most of the town will be gathered in one location; hence, I will be able to observe a great deal while remaining unnoticed. I am optimistic about the result of the test, and I believe I will be able to get in and out in a matter of minutes. As referenced on page 134 of this journal, I was able to complete a round trip once before. If today’s test goes just as smoothly as the last, I will arrive back here at exactly 8:00am on this day after having traveled back in time. Bon voyage. Unknown Date and Time, Day 1: There is nothing but dark green ferns, foliage, and trees with trunks as thick as my whole torso. They tower two or three hundred metres above, and seem to lean over my head as they ridicule me. The whole world here smells like moss and rich soil – it is an earthy, dark brown smell that permeates every single thing. I believe I now reek of dirt, and I have only been here a couple of hours. I have been able to track the passing of time, but I do not know what day or year I arrived in. Nothing here is as I expected, and I have not seen another human, or any sign of civilization, since spawning. Hour 5, Daylight, Day 1: I cannot catch my breath. My whole arm shakes as I write this. My trembling body is drenched in sweat, and I can smell my own odor. If there are predators nearby, they will soon smell my fear. I have lost the Time Watch. Thankfully, I have been able to create a deep trail of footprints in the loose black soil, which leads to my spawn location. I will retrace my steps in search of the Watch. It is my desperate hope that I will be able to find it before sundown. Hour 21 (approx.), Early Morning, Day 2: I am already beginning to lose track of time. The celestial bodies in this time period are excruciatingly different from those in my own. It is impossible for me to tell my latitude and longitude. If my suspicions are correct, I have gone much farther back in time than I intended. I still have not found the Watch. Hour 27-ish, Afternoon, Day 2: If I ever see my mother again, I will tell her how much I love her. I will tell her she is a saint of a woman for putting up with my miserable foolishness. I never thought I would say this, I am not an affectionate man, but I miss the feeling of her arms around me. I am beginning to doubt I will ever find the Watch. Sometime in the evening, Day 2: The jungle here is packed with verdant ferns and strange oversize, pointed blooms in vivid shades of orange, red, pink and yellow. Making my way through this dense growth is proving more difficult than I could have ever prepared for. The machete I was provided has already dulled to the point of uselessness, and I am beginning to believe I will die here. My chest is tight enough that it restricts my breathing, and I have been unable to move from my current location for more than an hour. If I continue to allow my fear to keep me immobile, I will eventually be found by whatever apex predators prowl this jungle. Early morning, Day 3: I have not slept. Is it becoming morning? I think so. I have crawled far up into a tree. My balance is no good, I cannot lay down and sleep. I heard a deep, reverberating rumble. It came from inside the thick tangles of undergrowth below me. There is something there, I know it. Note: If I ever get back to lab, remind Jose in Combat Development - bless his soul - to provide more than one extra pair of underwear. Unknown Date and Time, Day 3 or 4: Dear God, if there is a God, please rescue me. Please allow me to return home. I am sorry I did not believe. If I survive, I will be your humble servant. Please God save m (journal end)
2 Comments
Nikki Luciano
10/26/2017 09:46:43 pm
This is usually not my first choice for genre...but, after reading it, I was very impressed. It kept my attention. I was sad it was over. It definitely left me wanting more. I will look for more of the author's writings.
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Audrianna
10/27/2017 01:37:27 am
Can't wait for more!!! Very excited to see more from this author
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What?Short works of creative fiction. When?
July 2018
Where?
All
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