Wednesday, June 4, 2025

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.

  “Um, I was thinking about what would happen if,” I paused, leaned my back against the pillar with my arms crossed, I continued, “What if you got hurt to a point that you will have to discard your body?”

 He sighed, “Don’t think about it, I am fine. We have been of careful, and I don’t want you to worry,” he said with a wistful smile.

I nodded but while we were on the planet, Vygel, we stumbled upon a local creature that caught our attention. It had vibrant green and yellow scales, a snake-like head, yellow eyes, sharp teeth, claws, and a long tail.

  The creature moved on all fours but can stand and reach a height of 7 feet whenever it chose. As we gathered the crystals, it 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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Friday, May 30, 2025

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 way. 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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 Another Excerpt




Wednesday, May 28, 2025

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

 


(An excerpt from A New Face: Chapter 30 Part 6--A Time Traveler's Companion)

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 back 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 said, leaning in to give me a deep kiss. I looked up at his angelic face, eager to travel again.

“Okay, let’s go,” I said. He chuckled and said, “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.

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 kind of looked a little bit like Tracy. As she approached, our eyes locked in a moment. Then it hit me, “Is she Tracy’s daughter?” I mused. Tracy doesn’t live in the O.C. unless she did but later moved. As we walked past her, a soft smile shadowed her face. She gave me a nod then walked past us. 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 outside, 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. 

"You know my favorite thing, or should I say my absolute favorite thing," he replied with a cheeky grin, as he shifted the crystals around on the matrix table. He glanced back at me, a playful smile on his face.

 "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.

 (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