Chapter 16: The Thing About the Book-Part 3

 

(This is a excerpt from Chapter 16: The Thing About the Book--Part 3 from  

A Time Traveler's Companion.)

“Remi, I didn’t notice that you came in. I thought I heard the front door earlier and assumed you had left. Did you go out?” 

“Actually, I went hiking with Leila,” I lied. The truth is I was having lunch with Mr. Smith, completely oblivious to my mom's presence at home. 

“Oh, I thought Leila was working today?” my mom asked.

“She had a schedule change,” I replied, continuing the deception.

“Sweetheart, I’m really sorry,” she said, taking a breath. “I didn’t mean to upset you, and you were right; I shouldn’t have looked at your diary.”

I gave her a soft smile. “It’s okay mom, let’s just forget about it,” I responded, and accepted her apology. She mentioned that she had the day off and asked if I wanted to join her for some shopping. I smiled and agreed. We headed out and I made a stop at that nearby thrift store, where I spotted Tracy’s granddaughter assisting a customer.

 Once she finished with the customer, I approached her. “Hi, I’m not sure if you remember me, but—” 

She cut me off, saying, “Of course, you’re the girl who bought the book!” 

I nodded in acknowledgment and asked, “Do you know where the author lives now?” 

"My grandmother passed away in the early 2000s," she disclosed, leaving me momentarily stunned.

"Oh, I'm really sorry to hear that," I replied, feeling a wave of sympathy.

 "It's alright; my mom often shared tales of my grandmother's escapades with her time traveler,” she fingered quoted and smiled, “I'm glad you enjoyed the book," she continued, and my heart sank. 

The revelation hit me hard—not only was Tracy gone, but she had travelled with Mr. Smith at some point in the past. The realization was painful, and I felt a deep sense of loss, my heart sank. I left the shop, seeking comfort in the familiar spot where I had first spoke to Melanie, where my mom was waiting for me.

"What’s wrong?" My mom sensed the sorrow etched on my face.

  "It's nothing," I lied to her, but her gaze pierced through my facade. Leaning against her, I fought back tears that threatened to spill. "Sweetheart, it can't be as terrible as it seems." I inhaled deeply and straightened up.

  "Let's head home; our soap opera will be starting soon," I suggested, hiding the ache within. As we settled in to watch our beloved soap, my thoughts drifted elsewhere, haunted by the words Tracy's granddaughter had shared with me. I headed upstairs and took a shower, feeling my face heat up. 

Once in my room, I plopped down on my bed and picked up the book, flipping through the pages. I hit a section where Tracy perfectly detailed Mr. Smith’s bedroom, and my heart sank. That’s when I noticed the monolith materializing in my room. Tears started rolling down my face as a mix of anger and pain bubbled up inside me. When Mr. Smith stepped out, he noticed how upset I was.

 “Remi, what’s wrong?” I was sprawled on my bed, face buried in my pillow. He sat beside me and gently rubbed my back, trying to soothe me. I shot him a glare before turning away and hiding my face again. He seemed puzzled, not grasping my behavior, until I reached over to my nightstand where I placed the book and tossed it at him. He glanced at the back where Tracy’s photo was, and with a simple, “Oh,” I knew he finally understood what had happened.

"Why did she go on trips with you? You slept with her, didn't you," I shouted, my anger boiling over. He sighed deeply, "I'm sorry, Remi. I did take her on a couple of trips, but I didn't sleep with her. When she joined me, she was already married and had a child."

  “How did you manage to contact her?” I asked, my voice laced with suspicion as tears streamed down my cheeks. “I provided her with a phone, much like yours,” he said. “Why would you do that?” I pressed.

 “When we first ran into her, she said she wanted to tag along on our adventures, but I could see you were a bit jealous. So, after we dropped her off and I took you home, I headed back to 1969, where I thought it’d be fun to take Tracy on a little trip, and I took her to…” 

I jumped in, “Tarislee?” I said with a hint of accusation. He looked at me with a smile and planted a kiss on my forehead. “No, my love, I took her to the Century 21 Exposition World’s Fair in Seattle back in the 1950s.”

 My brow furrowed, I shot back, laced with sarcasm, “So why haven’t you taken me to any of the world’s fairs?” He let out a soft sigh, taking my hand and planting a gentle kiss on it.

“I promise, I will—maybe next time.” 

 “Did you take her anywhere else?” I asked, wiping tears from my eyes.

“Yes, Tracy had a passion for time travel and often shared how much she wished you could accompany us. She truly loved you Remi."
“How? She barely knew me,” I thought to myself, and urged him to continue.

 "Eventually, she contacted me in her late 30s, excited about the idea of one final adventure together. I had no idea she was chronicling our experiences in a book." He paused briefly before adding, "I have strong feelings for you, but it pains me that you kept your friendship with Melanie hidden from me." I took a deep breath, though traces of anger remained. Reflecting on his words, I came to understand that we had both, in our own way, let each other down. I kept quiet about Melanie, and he never mentioned his time-traveling adventures with Tracy, so we were on equal footing.

"Alright, I guess that makes us even,” I said. He gently turned my face to look into his eyes.

 “Remi, did Melanie share anything else with you?” I took a deep breath and replied, “No,” knowing I was being dishonest. He let out a sigh, flashed a smile, and nodded, “Alright, Butterfly.” I kept to myself the fact that Melanie had revealed his true name.

“From now on, let’s promise to be completely honest with one another,” he said as I sat up straight. He wrapped his arm around me and continued, "I want to avoid repeating the mistakes I made with Melanie. I truly love you; my feelings for you have deepened, and my heart is yours, just as yours is mine." I nodded and he held me firmly in his arms.

“Tracy’s granddaughter mentioned to me that she passed away in the early 2000s. Were you aware of that?” He sighed deeply, “Yes, the AI had actually informed me well in advance that Tracy would succumb to an aneurysm and recommended that I take her on some trips to show kindness.” Hearing this made me feel a pang of sadness for Tracy.

(Pictures are for the readers entertainment)

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Another Excerpt from A New Face Chapter 31

 

(An excerpt from A New Face: A Time Traveler's Companion Chapter 31)

“Mr. Smith, I really hope you can find a way to get along with Melanie. Please consider forgiving her for whatever happened in the past. Maybe you two can come to some sort of understanding. The tension between you is hard to witness, and it truly troubles me.” He looked disappointed for a moment, but then he nodded.

   "Alright, but I believe we’ve come to an understanding now. So, don’t fret, Remi." I furrowed my brow, puzzled by his words. 

 "What do you mean by that?" I asked. 

 “Listen Butterfly, Melanie and I have reached a deal. I'm fine with you spending time with her, provided she ensures your safety while you both travel through time." I was baffled by the sudden shift in dynamics. There had been so much tension between them, and now it seemed perfectly fine for Melanie and me to spend time together. It left me feeling bewildered. I wanted to dig deeper and ask more questions, but ultimately, I decided to let it slide. I wish I had asked more questions; maybe then when I found out what happened just before Mr. Smith, and I traveled to Greece, it wouldn’t have affected me so deeply. Still, I know I would have been angry regardless. 

I smiled and he took me home right after we visited The New York World’s Fair in 1964. Juggling school and work is challenging enough but traveling with Mr. Smith takes it to a whole new level of exhaustion. Just the other day, we explored multiple worlds, and it was during our visit to one particular planet that everything shifted dramatically. He took me to a planet called Vygel.

Its landscape was beautiful and rich with scattered crystals all over the soft lithe, rust colored sands. The crystals were red in color. They reminded me of the crystal pendant Melanie had around her neck the day we went to the nightclub in the year 2315. Whenever I reflect on it, I feel a chill because Mr. Smith witnessed me with them. This is the reason he was angry with me and attempted to show me why he wouldn’t take over my body while I was still alive. However, in a strange way, I am thankful he did, as I gained a deep understanding of him that day. His time is coming, and he will need another body, but I feel he has one in storage already. I plan on venturing to that room, the one with the man size glass cylinder ominously sitting at the center and I will look to see if any of the other containers have bodies in them.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, while he moved the crystals on the matrix table, switching their positions. A holographic projection hovered above the matrix table, displaying the galaxy's map. He turned to me, noting my deep contemplation.  

 “You seem lost in thought,” he remarked, eyeing the hologram with interest, “What’s on your mind?”

 “You,” I replied, casting him a loving gaze.

“I trust those thoughts are pleasant,” he said with a playful wink, tilting his head toward the corridor leading to his bedroom. I chuckled softly, feeling a mix of amusement and longing.

  I hesitated, pressing my back against the cold pillar, arms crossed tightly as I pondered the grim possibility. What if, you were injured so severely that you had to abandon your own body?"

 He let out a heavy sigh, dismissing my thoughts with a wistful smile. "Don't dwell on it; I'm fine. We've been careful, and I don't want you to worry." I nodded, but my mind was elsewhere. I was still nervous and something I sensed wasn't right. On the planet Vygel, we had encountered a creature that sent chills down my spine. Its greenish-brown scales glistened ominously, while its iguana-like head, with piercing yellow eyes and razor-sharp teeth, seemed to watch us with a predatory hunger. 

The long, sinuous tail flicked menacingly. The creature moved on all fours but can stand and reach a height of 7 feet whenever it chose. As we gathered the crystals, the creature had been quietly tracking us and while scanning the surroundings, I caught sight of something creeping closer, almost hidden from view. Its scales seem to camouflage with the landscape, making it hard to detect, revealing only a glimmer when sunlight struck its scales. In a panic, I abandoned the scanner and sprinted toward Mr. Smith.

 “Mr. Smith, something’s coming!” I yelled, but my warning came too late. The creature ran in full throttle on all fours toward us, and Mr. Smith stood between me and the creature. It knocked him down, tearing away at his protective suit. The armor he was wearing wasn’t enough to shield him from the long, five-inch-thick claws the creature had; it ripped through the armor like butter. I screamed and I got its attention, long enough for Mr. Smith to take out his weapon and fire. He stunned it long enough for him to summon the monolith. He fell to his knees, because the reptile humanoid creature bit him several times and no doubt the poison was running fast into his blood stream.

I ran to him and helped him inside the monolith and it created a shield around itself so that nothing can penetrate it while Mr. Smith was incapacitated. I waited outside of the infirmary, much like before when he was shot in the 1930s. I paced back and forth, anxiously awaiting the results of his condition.

  “Is he doing, okay?” I asked the AI.

“Yes. He will be fine. But he should take another body soon.”

  “No, he doesn’t want to,” I said, in protest. I pondered, “He will eventually take a new body, it’s inevitable.” I gulped and sighed.

I thought about my birthday and the times we shared together. I wiped tears from my eyes and exhaled. He told me that he is prepared for every contingency that might arise but just like the attack by that creature, I’m wary and ambivalent of his decisions. He is careless and yet he shows no fear of the unknown. 

“Can I see him?”

“No,” the AI responded. I wandered around the corridors and rooms. Some were furnished and others weren’t.  I went to the pool room. I smiled, remembering when we first dipped our naked bodies into the warm water. I chose to step inside, hoping it might ease my angst. I removed the black bodysuit, boots, and pendant, laying my clothes on a nearby pool chair and delicately placing the pendant on top. The poolroom features black walls decorated with geometric patterns, similar to those throughout the monolith, complemented by a few black lounge chairs. The ceiling light casts shimmering reflections on the water's surface, I dived in, feeling the warm water against my skin, soothing my nerves, and relaxing my senses. I closed my eyes, and imagined him with me, touching my body: kissing me.

 Parts 1 thru 5 are available on GooglePlay along with audiobooks. 

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 Part 3-Chapter 16

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt from A New Face Part 4 Chapter 31: Melanie, Mr. Smith and I

 

(An excerpt from Chapter 31-Part 4 of A Time Traveler's Companion)

The sun was shining through my curtains when I woke up. Melanie was right next to me. I gave her a gentle shake. She stirred and let out a big yawn. When she opened her eyes and looked at me, a sweet smile spread across her face. I laughed a little and asked, “What are you doing here?” She propped herself up on one elbow and tried to kiss me.

 “Quit playing around,” I said, giving her a gentle nudge and looking at her, expecting some clarity. She sighed and replied, “Alright, if you really want to know, Jack was out with Leila, and I felt a bit lonely. When I came over, you were already out cold, so I figured I’d just crash next to you,” she shrugged. I chuckled and shook my head, rolling my eyes in a playful manner. 

I laughed and said, "Looks like you and Mr. Smith have taken a liking to my bed." Her eyes widened in surprise, and she gave me a peculiar look that suggested she knew more than she was letting on. I couldn't shake the feeling that she was keeping something from me. A hidden truth that barely brushes the surface, something she’s concealing yet yearns to share with me.

 I exhaled and said, “How about grabbing some breakfast? My parents are both at work, and I have the day off. She shrugged, it was apparent she wasn't interested in breakfast. 

 “What do you feel like doing?”  

She responded, “I was thinking we could head to the 1970s and join a dance-off. You know what that is, right?”  I pondered for a moment and said, “Actually, I’m not sure what it is, but it sounds like you want to have some fun, right?” She nodded enthusiastically.

 I chuckled and replied, “Alright then, let’s do it!”

  We traveled to 1978 and found ourselves at a nightclub buzzing with a dance-off marathon. I laughed and asked, “Melanie, do you really think we have a shot at winning this?” as we hit the dance floor.

The music was pumping, with Heatwave's, Groove Line blasting in the background. And yeah, we totally got some disco outfits to fit in. Melanie donned an adorable blue pastel floral silk satin dress, lowcut front, while I opted for a simple yet flirty cotton blend blue spaghetti strap dress.

We both stepped out in stylish black wedge heels from the 1970s, and my pendant glimmered under the vibrant lights of the nightclub. Traveling with Melanie is a blast; she's all about having a good time. Even though we did not win the contest, we had a lot of fun. Melanie brought us back to my room. The monolith was right there, and I could feel my heart racing with fear. I glanced at Melanie, but she looked completely unfazed, which threw me off.

  “Mr. Smith is here,” I said.
 “Alright Birdie, I guess it’s time for me to head out. I love our fun together, it was a blast,” she said, giving me a fiery kiss on the lips. I couldn’t help but think she was being too bold considering that he was there. She tapped the quantum time manipulator on her wrist and vanished.

Images of Mr. Smith & Remi

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Excerpt from A New Face Part 4-Chapter 30: A Trip to 1989

 

(An excerpt from A New Face: Chapter 30-A Time Traveler's Companion Part 4)

As I wrapped up my class assignment on the laptop, the monolith suddenly appeared in my room. I shut my laptop and got to my feet. I was dressed in jeans and a black-and-white striped blouse; my white Vans sneakers completed the look. Mr. Smith walked out of the monolith. I inhaled deeply and smiled.

“How have you been, my Remi?” he asked, stepping closer and enveloping me in a warm hug.
“He said my Remi,” I mused. I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck.

I said with a grin, “I’ve really missed you.” 

He smiled and asked, “How about a trip to 1989?” I thought for a moment and replied, “Are we planning to swipe something while we’re there?” 

 “Why do you assume that’s my only plan? Sometimes I just want to enjoy a getaway with my beautiful girl.” He leaned and gave me a deep kiss. I looked up at his angelic face, eager to travel again.

“Okay, let’s go,” I said. He chuckled, “We’ll go as soon as we’re dressed for the era.” We embraced the fashion of the late 1980s. He wore a classic tie-dyed t-shirt under a brown leather jacket, complemented by classic 501 jeans, a matching brown leather belt, and Nike sneakers. His hairstyle was a perfect nod to the iconic late 80s look. I chose a white top with a denim jacket and straight-leg jeans, completing my outfit with white high-top Reebok sneakers.

He wore a classic tie-dyed t-shirt under a brown leather jacket, complemented by classic 501 jeans, a matching brown leather belt, Nike sneakers and his hairstyle was a perfect nod to the iconic late 1980s look. I chose a white crop top with a denim jacket and straight-leg jeans, completing my outfit with white high-top Reebok sneakers. The AI gave my hair a fabulous 80s makeover. I adorned myself with bold, gold dangling earrings—an unusual choice for me, but Mr. Smith insisted we should blend in. I recalled Melanie's words: “Who cares?” A smile crept onto my face at the memory.  

   “Are you ready?” he asked, and I nodded in response as we stepped out of the monolith hand in hand. We found ourselves in a park bustling with life; children playing while their parents kept a watchful eye. It felt surreal to be in 1989, knowing my mom was just 11 years old at this moment. We hopped into a taxi to explore the Heritage Museum of the O.C., followed by a visit to a nearby indoor mall.

 As we strolled through the shops, I spotted a woman with striking red hair. She resembled Tracy just enough to catch my attention. As she drew closer, our eyes met, and a thought crossed my mind: could she be Tracy’s daughter? I recalled that Tracy didn’t live in the O.C., unless she did and then moved later.

  As we walked by, a gentle smile graced her lips, adding to the intrigue. She gave me a nod. Mr. Smith paid no attention to our unspoken interaction; in fact, his mind was preoccupied with other things. We took a bus to a nice hotel called the Hyatt; we checked in. The room was nice, clean, and comfy. “This hotel has a nice little restaurant downstairs; would you like to go?” he asked me, as he wrapped his arms around my slender waist holding me close.

“Okay,” I said, looking into his eyes, amorously. The monolith appeared in our room and Mr. Smith put the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the doorknob of our room, then we went into the monolith.

“Remi, we have plenty of time before dinner is served. What do you feel like doing?” he asked, with a wink of his eye. He removed his jacket and casually threw it onto a black chair beside one of the consoles in the control room. “I'm not sure, what do you feel like doing?” I teased playfully with a sly smile. 

"Again? You want to have sex again?" I asked, a bit timidly with a giggle. 

 "Why not?" he shot back. "Don't you want to be with me?"

“I do, but…” 

 “But what? Are you being shy?” he asked. I playfully laughed.

  “Ah, I get it, you’re just messing with me,” he said with a playful click of his tongue and a cheeky grin as he strolled over, scooped me up, and tossed me over his shoulder. He gave my backside a couple of playful smacks. 

“Mr. Smith, I can walk on my own, please put me down.”  

 “You’re such a naughty girl,” he replied, carrying me down the hallway into one of the living rooms of the monolith. The decor in this room was pretty much the same as in all the others. The walls are painted black and covered in odd geometric patterns, with the light in the room shining through the lines that form the shapes. 

 (They have an intimate moment)

We nestled beside one another, his warm embrace enveloping me. “Are you alright? You’ve been so quiet,” he murmured.

“I’m fine,” I replied, turning to meet his gaze. “I adore every curve of your body,” he whispered, pulling me closer as his fingers traced the contours of my hips. “Remi, will you still love me if I change?” A moment of hesitation lingered in the air, my heart racing at the weight of his question. I looked into his eyes and said, “I will always love you. Stop talking like that; I doubt you'll be changing anytime soon," I told him, attempting to persuade him, though I realized it was more for my own sake than his.

  He replied with conviction, “And I will always find you, regardless of the distance between us. You are the one I want by my side.” As he kissed me, a thought crossed my mind: I should have understood that change was inevitable for him, and it would come swiftly and harshly. Deep down, I believe he has a new body ready for him, one he’ll resort to if he gets seriously hurt beyond the AI's help. The AI is correct; eventually, he would have to let go of the body he’s in, if it came down to it.

(Images are for the readers  entertainment)

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Excerpt from Part 4 Chapter 31

Excerpt Chapter 20: The AI & Me Part 3

 

Mr. Smith's face changed and instantly he yelled, “Run!” He snatched the urn, feeling a surge of electricity that almost knocked him off his feet, but he fought hard to stay upright. I dashed toward the exit, with the android hot on our heels as we sprinted through the tunnel. It fired its weapon at us several times, but each shot went wide.

"Is it possible for you to teleport the monolith into the tunnels?" he asked the AI. Our breaths matched the frantic pace of our racing hearts, a shared panic settled, as we realized the danger we were in. The monolith appeared a few yards away, however as we neared, I suddenly felt a searing blast go through me, like fire consuming my very body. The next thing I remember waking up in the infirmary. I scanned my surroundings and realized that I was wrapped in that peculiar bio-skin substance that I had to apply to Mr. Smith’s body during his last injury back in the 1930s. I felt completely immobilized, as if I were frozen in place, yet I could still speak and shift my gaze. I shut my eyes, attempting to piece together the events that led me here. 

“Are you having trouble recalling what transpired?” the AI asked.

“Yes, could you please explain what happened?” My voice came out faint and fragile. The AI began to reveal the events on the holographic screen above me. It appeared that the AI had been capturing nearly everything occurring around and within the monolith, which unsettled me.

 I watched as Mr. Smith, and I raced through the tunnels. Just as we approached the monolith, a sudden jolt of pain shot through my back, courtesy of the android's weapon. The impact was overwhelming. Mr. Smith quickly yanked me inside, and in an instant, the monolith disappeared. I was lying on the operating table in the infirmary, blood seeping from my wound. Mr. Smith looked terrified, his eyes brimming with tears.

 “Can you save her?” he asked the AI, his voice trembling with dread. 

“Yes, but she will need to undergo the same procedure you have experienced each time you were gravely injured,” It paused, “Maybe it’s time to consider letting her go, and possess her body,” it stated bluntly. Mr. Smith’s face turned crimson, “How could you even propose that?” he shouted, his anger palpable. “I already have a new body prepared.” He exhaled deeply, his voice firm as he commanded, “Make her better.” I appeared lifeless on the bed, which was hardly surprising given that I was teetering on the edge of death once again. He exited the room, and suddenly, a brilliant light enveloped my body.

High-tech medical devices descended from the ceiling, beginning the intricate process of mending the wound in my abdomen, where the blaster burned right through me. I observed as the AI worked, injecting nanites into my body that swiftly mended my injury. They resemble tiny mites, bustling around and fixing the damaged tissue. The holo-screen turned off. I closed my eyes; I believe I was unconscious again. An unexpected memory surged into my mind—-I recall having a face-to-face conversation with the AI.

 It was in its true form, it appeared as a black humanoid figure, akin to a mannequin yet possessing the fluidity of human movement. Its eyes were mere slits, glowing with an eerie crimson light. It loomed in front of me as we stood face to face within the wall of the monolith. 

"How can I be here while my body is there?" I questioned, my voice trembling as I gazed at it in terror. 

"Am I... dead?" I asked. It came closer, moving deliberately as it extended a hand toward my cheek. I instinctively recoiled. As it shifted, the AI's movements echoed those of the android from Terminator 2, particularly the police officer in his authentic state. Upon closer inspection, the AI’s skin resembled a dark liquid, shifting and flowing as it changed position. However, there was an unsettling shadow, a foreboding presence surrounding the AI that sent a shiver down my spine. 

“No, you are not dead, I brought your mind to this place while your body undergoes repair,” it replied.

 “Are you really female?” I asked.

“Absolutely, I can be whatever he desires. Since he wished for me to embody Melanie’s image, I appear as her on occasion,” it paused then added, “Eventually, I will take on your likeness, one day.”

 Its words sent a chill through me, but I managed to ask, “What makes you say that?”

“Do you not grasp the situation? You won't live forever, but he will and when your time comes, your very essence will merge within these walls. Just like what occurred with Melanie, the woman whose body Ona now possesses.”

 Hearing this from the AI left me in a state of shock and fear.

"Let me out of here at once," I insisted. I pressed my hands against the dark glass. Mr. Smith walked into the infirmary, and he stood over my body. I banged on the surface of the glass wall, but he couldn't hear my cries for help.  

“Mr. Smith, please help me! I’m stuck in here,” I shouted. The AI hovered closely behind me, its fingers brushing through my hair with an odd sense of curiosity.

 “It appears he’s more taken with you than I thought,” the AI remarked. I instinctively moved away from it. 

In an instant, I found myself back in my own body. Mr. Smith had just stepped out of the room as my eyes shot open, I gasped for air. I was staring up at the ceiling in confusion. Hours passed, and as my body regained strength, I noticed that the bio-skin substance had melded seamlessly into my own skin. Mr. Smith entered and gently lifted me, carrying me to his room for some much-needed rest.  

“Remi, I promise to take you home after our final adventure. We’re heading to the 1800s, but for now, just rest my love,” he said, kissing me deeply and covering my naked body with the soft, comforting sheets.

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Excerpt from Chapter 6

Remi & Mr. Smith in the 1930s

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A New Face Chapter 1 excerpt

Excerpt from Chapter 6: Another Companion Before Me

 

(Leila and Remi are at a local  Thrift shop when Remi comes across a peculiar photograph on the wall of the shop)

The following day, Leila and I decided to hit up the nearby shopping center, which features a Staters Bros market along with a few cute boutiques to check out. I was thrilled to check out a new thrift store that had opened recently, so I decided to drop in. As Leila and I explored the aisles, I noticed some pictures displayed on the wall. They were for sale, and several had a delightful vintage charm that immediately drew my attention.

“Leila, check this out! These photos have such a vintage vibe to them,” I said. As she sifted through the clothes, I found myself staring at a Woodstock picture, recalling the time Mr. Smith and I went there. “It felt like just yesterday—oh wait, it actually was,” I mused and chuckled softly.

As I examined the image more closely, something struck me as familiar.

 "Oh no," I muttered under my breath. "Who took this picture?"

 "Honestly, I don’t know, but I think it was just a random photographer at Woodstock in 1969," the shop owner said, catching me off guard as she appeared from behind. "I apologize for surprising you," she added. 

I waved it off, "It's fine, I was just drawn to this photo,” I paused and asked, “What's the price?"

"Well, most of the vintage pictures here are priced at $80, but I can offer it to you for $50." With a sigh, I reluctantly agreed, saying, “Okay.” Desperate to conceal my time-traveling escapades at any cost, I was willing to part with fifty dollars, knowing full well that no one would ever suspect the truth behind an innocuous old photograph. Taking down the 11 by 14 photo from the wall, she examined it closely.

"Funny, the girl in this picture resembles you a bit," she remarked casually. "I suppose everyone has a lookalike," she continued, dismissing it with a grin. "Yeah, probably," I replied with a smile, momentarily lost for words as I stared at the image that froze a tender moment between Mr. Smith and me, capturing the passionate kiss he had planted on my lips. After a quick transaction, she carefully slid the photo into a bag, which I promptly tucked into my backpack the best I could.

 "Have you found anything interesting?" Leila asked.

"Not really, what about you?" I asked her, noticing a cute hippie-style tunic blouse in her hand that seemed familiar. A sudden realization struck me. "Oh no, it can’t be. That belongs to Tracy," I thought to myself. "That's a lovely boho tunic blouse," I commented with a nervous tone.

"Yes, it is. It belonged to my grandmother," the shop owner revealed, leaving me in awe.

 "Was your grandmother at Woodstock?" I asked, intrigued. She nodded as she proceeded to ring up Leila's item. "Yes, she was. She always told me stories about her time at Woodstock and a story about a peculiar journey she had with an actual time traveler and his young bride," she shared, causing my eyes to widen in disbelief.

“In fact, she wrote a book about it, but it didn’t quite make best seller, however she did sell a few copies. I have a copy of it on the bookshelf, let me go get it.” Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, a testament to my nervousness as I anticipated the contents of the book. When she returned, she handed it to me - an old book with yellow pages and a picture of the author, Tracy Richards, on the back. I recognized her by her distinctive, beautiful eyes. “Her last name is Richards, it's probably her married name,” I thought. 

"Do you want it?" she asked, to which I simply nodded. After we paid for our things, Leila and I found ourselves seated on a bench at the outdoor quad area.

"Can I take a look at that book?" Leila asked, eagerly. Passing her the book, she responded with a scoff, "The Time Traveler and His Bride," reading the title aloud. "Well, with a title like that, it's no wonder it didn't make it to the best seller list, but I do like the romantic cover image," she remarked.

 "So, how's your job?" I asked, shifting the conversation. She returned the book to me, and I promptly stashed it in my backpack. “It’s fine but well, my boyfriend he’s been a bit distant lately. I wanted to talk to you about it. I tried texting you, but you never responded. I was thinking of calling your house to see where you were, but I figured no one was home. Where were you anyways?” she asked.

My heart raced as the thought of her calling my house crossed my mind, knowing my parents could catch me in a lie. It's a challenge to keep Mr. Smith a secret, especially from Leila, who has a knack for uncovering the truth.

 Contemplating whether to confide in her, I weighed the risk of adding another person to the list of those who could potentially expose my secret. With a heavy heart, I let out a sigh. We decided to go get lunch at the burrito stand in the quad.

Once we finished our meal, we were deep in conversation when I noticed the mysterious woman with sandy blonde curls passing by; she turned and offered me a friendly smile.

"Do you know her?" Leila asked, to which I simply shook my head in response. Leila and I sat on a wooden bench at the center of the quad, we chatted and then Leila excused herself to go to the restroom. I waited for her to come back, absorbing the peaceful scenery. 

The soft wind danced through the leaves of the trees, creating a tranquil ambiance around me. Suddenly, the mysterious woman approached me, taking a seat beside me. My heart skipped a beat as I tried to compose myself.

 "Hello, I'm Melanie. We've never met, but we have a mutual acquaintance in Mr. Smith," she said calmly. She didn’t sound like Mr. Smith at all; instead, her voice had an American tone with a hint of a country twang. I was caught off guard by her surprising introduction, my eyes going wide in disbelief. 

As I studied her appearance, I couldn't help but notice the details of her outfit. She wore a stylish brown leather vest that zips up at the front, paired with an off-white cotton blouse with rolled-up sleeves that reached her elbows. Her faded button-front jeans and black flat-heeled boots completed the casual yet chic ensemble. The mysterious woman exuded an air of confidence and intrigue, leaving me curious about her connection to Mr. Smith.

 "Yes, I understand that this may be overwhelming, but I assure you, I have no ill intentions towards you," she stated calmly as I distanced myself from her, creating a physical barrier by placing my backpack between us. I finally asked, "Who are you and how do you know him?"

"I used to be his companion long ago," she revealed, leaving me speechless and unable to articulate the myriads of emotions swirling within me.

 "My name is Melanie, at least in this current body I am," she added, meeting my gaze with intensity. She shook my hand, and my throat felt dry as I struggled to comprehend her words.

 "This body?" I managed to utter. Melanie nodded in response, prompting me to take a deep breath before asking, "What exactly do you mean by that?"

"Mr. Smith must have shared some details with you," she continued, and I nodded in confirmation. I know he told me that he took a man’s body, but this was something different. 

"We were partners in a distant past, inhabiting human bodies as we traversed through time and space," Melanie explained, causing my heart to ache with the realization that he had kept this significant part of his life hidden from me but to be fair, he just didn’t reveal it to me, he was afraid that I would reject him, and I probably would’ve. You can’t imagine how much it hurt me knowing that Melanie was his first companion. 

Overwhelmed with a mix of emotions, I hesitantly asked, "What happened between you two?" Although a part of me dreaded the answer, I needed to know the truth behind their shared history. “Did he ever change his body?” It was a stupid question, but I had to ask. 

"To the best of my knowledge, he is currently in his first body, as I am," she said, glancing nervously around, clearly hoping to avoid being seen with me by anyone, especially a particular individual I suspect. I couldn't help but wonder about the potential consequences if Mr. Smith were to find out - would he resort to violence or simply sever all ties with me. The uncertainty weighed heavily on my mind as I let out a sigh. 

"I made the decision to part ways with him due to irreconcilable differences," she finally confessed, her fingers absentmindedly toying with a thick leather bracelet that seemed to hold more significance than just a piece of jewelry. In the middle of her wristband, there was a watch; it reminded me of Mr. Smith’s watch. 

“Mr. Smith found this body for me, and here I am. I have no plans to transfer into another body if this one should die," she explained. I gazed at her skeptically. She then stared sincerely into my eyes and said, "I would like you to be my companion. Let's travel together, it will be fun," she proposed enthusiastically, catching me off guard. I was shocked that she offered to take me with her, but I don’t trust her. However, the knowledge she has about Mr. Smith might prove useful and I want to know more about him, more than what he would ever tell me. I gulped and said, “I don’t know if I should come with you, but I’ll think about it,” I told her. She nodded, “Okay, you do that, in the meantime if I were you, I would get on birth control.” Rising to her feet, she prepared to depart. 

"Hold on a sec, what are you saying? I can't come out pregnant. He's from another planet, he’s an alien, we are of a different species." She chuckled and set her arms akimbo.

 "Oh Birdie, you're so naive." Leaning down, she planted a kiss on my forehead. "Just be careful," she advised me, her gaze filled with sincerity. She genuinely looked worried for me. I should’ve taken offense for what she said, “Naïve, as if,” I pondered, however she’s right. I should’ve seen it, but I didn’t see the red flags that were blatantly in my face. Leila's expression turned serious as she made her way towards me, her eyes fixed on Melanie's retreating figure. 

"Who is that? Do you know her?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. Sensing the gravity of the situation, I suggested we continue the conversation in a more private setting. "There's something I want to talk to you about. We should go to my house because this is going to take a while," I said.

A Trip to 1976

A Time Traveler’s Companion 

Excerpt from Chapter 20: The AI & Me