(This is an excerpt from the book I am writing & not the full chapter)
Trigger Warnings: age gap romance/sexual situations
MA-18 & over
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 tee 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 wide 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 spaceship. 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.
"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 world 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.
He moved closer, gently caressing my cheek and planting a sweet kiss on
my forehead. I blushed, and he flashed a grin.
"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.
(images are for the readers entertainment)
