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Episode 1:
"Echoes"
Episode 2:
"Down The Rabbit Hole"
Episode 3:
"Coming Home"
Episode 4:
"Everybody Together?"
Episode 5:
"Tom, the Raptors, and Me"
Episode 6:
"Lost But Now Found"
Round Robin Main Page
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chapter two | chapter three
| chapter four | chapter five
(conclusion)
Chapter One
The Year 2033 AD
The light that engulfed Finn slowly
faded. She quickly turned around
to get her bearings. "Just my luck, I'm back in hell." She heard the
sounds of engines getting closer and quickly ran towards nearby trees
to get some cover. As she watched several automobiles speed pass, she
covered her ears to block out the noise. She began to think that
Veronica was right, automobiles were loud.
Finn's mind drifted back to how quiet the tree house was. All one had
to do was ignore the occasional explosions in Challenger's lab or the
amusing shouting matches between Marguerite and Roxton. Those two
tended to argue about the most ridiculous things. On one occasion she
caught them arguing about the shower. With all the ponds and lakes
around, she didn't understand what the big deal was. Those two could
act weird sometimes. Just a few minutes before the shower fight, she
saw them running through the jungle dressed in leaves and mud. She
decided then and there that they were a lost cause and gave up trying
to understand them.
Finn sat hidden with her back resting against a tree smiling at the
memories that came flooding back to her. They made her feel safe and
secure, which was something she hadn't felt since childhood. "I miss
them," she said softly to herself. "Now how am I going to get back?"
She searched her mind and tried to recall all the things Challenger
taught her. She hoped something from one of his many boring science
lectures left some clues. It was hopeless. All she could think about
was that stupid book about some girl in Wonderland and how he thought
it was something she could relate to. Fat chance. That Alice chick
wasn't even armed. How could he think that annoying little rabbit
chaser and her had anything in common. Alice sure would have gotten
home quicker if she had a nice crossbow or rifle. All she had to do
was aim it at one of those weird talking animals and give it a choice,
talk or die. Come to think of it, Alice didn't technically get home.
Wonderland was a dream so she never left home in the first place.
Finn began to question her time in the tree house. Was it a dream?
She slowly looked around at her soundings. "I hope not", she said to
herself, "I would rather be dreaming than living in this nightmare".
As Finn tried to think of a way to get back to the tree house, a
sudden gust of wind knocked her hard against the tree she was resting
against. It was then she heard a voice yelling, "MOTHER!" She
recognized it instantly. "VERONICA!" Finn yelled, "WHERE ARE YOU?
HELP ME!" There was no reply and the wind slowly died.
Chapter Two
"It's official, I'm insane."
Finn mumbled to herself as she walked trough the trees.
"Veronica's voice sounded so real, so clear."
She stopped for a second to think. As she began to walk, she started
talking to herself again.
"Come on Finn, snap out of it. Focus on what you need to do. Think of
this as a science experiment. Identify the problem, do a whole bunch
of experiments, watch a couple of those suckers blow up, then choose
the one that is the most stable. Isn't that what Challenger would do?
Who says I don't pay attention?"
Finn stopped and looked around. She hadn't heard any automobiles for
a while but she wanted to be sure she wasn't being followed.
"Pretty soon I'm going to have to stop and find shelter. It's getting
late and this is the last place I want to get stuck in at night."
Once she was convinced that she was alone, Finn began walking again.
"Now back to my problem. If I'm not crazy, and I've been living in
the tree house all this time, what would I need to do to get back
there? The easiest way would be if I went back the way I came but
life is never that simple. Where is Challenger when you need him?"
Finn's stomach began to rumble.
"Great, now my stomach's complaining. Who can blame it? I haven't
eaten anything since this morning and all I eat was dried fruit. I
could use some meat right about now. Too bad there aren't any animals
left in this time. I could sure go for some stew."
Finn started to remember all the lessons Roxton taught her about
tracking and killing game. The tracking part she hadn't mastered, but
the killing was no problem.
Suddenly something small and fast darted out of a nearby bush.
"WHAT THE …?"
Finn screamed and jumped back. She was momentarily frightened, but
quickly started to chase it.
"You come back here, you. What are you anyway?"
She stopped suddenly; trying to figure out where it went. She looked
down and began to survey the ground for any kind of tracks. After
about a minute, she noticed tracks that were very familiar to her.
"NO WAY, I must be seeing things. This can't be real."
She followed the tracks, hoping that it wasn't her imagination and
that what she saw was real.
"Maybe I'm going insane or maybe I'm starving to death and it is
making me see things. It has to be an illusion. Then again,
illusions don't have tracks."
Finn began to get excited and moved more quickly.
"I am going to find you if it is the last thing I do." She yelled
into the air.
As if reading Finn's mind, the creature ran out in front of her and
she started to chase it again. There was no way she was letting it
out of her site. Finn had no idea how long she'd been running but she
soon realized two things. The creature was still running at full
speed and she was about to pass out from exhaustion.
Finn didn't know whether to swear at the root that tripped her or
thank it for forcing her to stop. Either way she would have to figure
it out after she awoke. She not only tripped, but she also knocked
herself unconscious on a nearby rock.
When Finn awoke, it was dusk. Darkness was beginning to rear its ugly
head and Finn was slowly sitting up, rubbing the back of hers. Though
her body ached and she had a spitting headache, a small smile formed
on her lips. She could not believe her bad luck and the first thing
that popped in her head was something she heard Marguerite say about
how the day couldn't get any better.
"Isn't that the understatement of the century?" She muttered.
She felt a movement on her cheek immediately followed by dampness and
slowly turned around to look at the source.
"It's nice of you to come back for me. Did you enjoy watching me
fall after chasing you for who knows how far? Or did you get hungry
and saw me as an easy meal?"
The creature licked Finn's face once more and started moving away from
her. Finn watched as it walked away then turned around as if waiting
for her to follow.
"Alright, but don't expect me to follow if you take off running again."
Finn was not quite sure of what was happening. She was back in her
time following a creature that should no longer exist. Both the
creature and Finn stopped in front of an opening that looked like a
large old drain. It was large enough that she could walk in it
without a problem. It seemed to be all that remained
of one of the old cities destroyed by "the bomb".
"Is that where we're going?" Finn asked. "I can't believe I'm talking
to you. It's bad enough I'm talking aloud to myself. I swear, if you
talk back, I'm checking into the nearest mental hospital."
She looked from the drain to the creature.
"What do I have to loose? I've nowhere else to go. Lead the way."
Finn motioned for the creature to proceed ahead of her. As if
understanding, it started to walk into the drain.
"It looks like Challenger is right. I'm beginning to feel like that
Alice chick. Down the rabbit hole I go or is it a raptor hole."
The baby raptor's tail waged from side to side as it led Finn further
into the drain. For some strange reason she wasn't afraid. There
were no warning bells telling her there was danger. She reasoned if
it wanted to kill her, it would've done it while she was unconscious.
"Hope wherever you're leading me leads to the Wonderland I'm trying to
get back to." Finn muttered under her breath.
The raptor turned its head around as if it heard her and smiled. At
least that was what Finn thought she saw.
Chapter Three
The further into the drain Finn and
the raptor
walked the darker it
became.
"Alone in the dark with a raptor. What was I
thinking?"
Finn looked ahead of her trying not to loose sight of
her reptile guide. If it wasn't for the wagging of
it's tail, she would have lost sight of it completely.
Without thinking, Finn quickly walked behind it and
grabbed its tail. The raptor turned around swiftly
and glared at Finn. Finn immediately released its
tail and threw her hands in the air.
"Hold on there little fella. Just wanted to make sure
I didn't loose you. You may be able to see in the
dark but I can't."
The raptor lifted its head and made what sounded like
a loud chirping sound that echoed through the drain.
Within seconds, Finn heard other chirping sounds that
she sensed were coming from raptors a lot bigger than
the one in front of her. The chirps surrounded Finn
and began getting closer and louder. Fearing it was a
trap, Finn drew her crossbow and loaded it. She
pointed it at the little raptors head and stared into
its eyes.
"I go, you go. Do you understand?"
"Actually, I wouldn't be surprise if he did. He
technically doesn't know what you are saying, but I
think he gets your point. Raptors in general are very
intelligent creatures."
Finn quickly looked towards the shadows where the
voice came from. She watched as the little raptor ran
towards the man who had spoken. She saw his hand
reach out and patted its head.
"Good job little one. You found her."
The man looked at Finn and smiled.
"Hello Finn. Don't be afraid. We were sent to find
you by a mutual friend. If you will follow us, we
will take you to him. We must move quickly. We are
very vulnerable out here in the dark. You never know
what dangers are lurking in the shadows."
He winked at Finn and started to walk.
"Wait a minute. What's going on? Finn yelled after
him. Who are you? Who's this friend you're talking
about? What do you want from me? I am not leaving
until I get some answers."
Finn felt something push against her back. She turned
around and came face to face with a raptor. She stood
frozen in shock with her crossbow by her side. The
raptors face was almost touching hers and she could
feel its hot breath on her skin. Her body slowly
started to recover and she began backing up away from
it.
"That's a good lizard. Stay where you are."
Before she could get far enough to take aim, three
other raptors came out of the shadows and ran pass her
in the direction the man had taken. The raptor
directly in front of Finn looked towards its friends
and ran pass her to follow them. Finn inhaled then
exhaled slowly. She turned around and began running
behind the raptors. She immediately noticed there was
a light at the end of the drain and that they were
headed towards it.
"Finn, over here." A voice yelled at her when she
reached there destination.
Finn turned towards it and saw the man sitting in an
automobile waving at her with the little raptor in the
back seat. She took a quick glance around and notice
that the drain had led them to a tunnel.
"Come on, we don't have all night." He yelled at her.
Finn ran to the automobile and got into the front
seat. She was beginning to get irritated by
everything that was happening. She slowly lifted the
crossbow still clutched in her hands and aimed it at
the man's temple. He turned and looked at her
smiling.
"I guess introductions are in order. My name is Tom."
He started the engine, turned his head towards the
front of the car, and began driving. "Challenger told
me you were a handful. I can see he wasn't lying."
At the mention of Challenger's name, Finn quickly
lowered the crossbow.
"Challenger? Are you talking about an old red hair
guy with nothing but science on the brain? That
Challenger?"
Tom began laughing. "That's him."
"I wondered where he went." Finn replied then started
looking around at her surroundings. Where are we?
"We are in an old underground subway system. If you
look, you can still see the tracks."
Finn looked over the side of the automobile and
noticed that there were indeed tracks. The automobile's tires had been
removed and it was
modified to ride on them. Finn turned and looked at
him as he began to talk.
"This is one of the ways we travel. It is safer this
way. It helps us avoid all those idiots out there.
We're trying to keep this a secret as long as
possible. It is one of the few advantages we have and
we don't want to loose it. We are able to move under
most of the city and it comes in handy when we go on
raids for supplies."
"How many of you are there?" Finn asked.
"In my camp, about two hundred. There are other camps
but I can't tell you how many they have. Ten of us
were out on a raid when we found Challenger. He was
roaming around the city wounded, talking to himself.
We thought he was crazy at first and was about to put
him out of his misery when giant lizards jumped out of
nowhere and attacked us. What was weird was that they
didn't kill us. They just pinned us down. It was
Challenger who called them off. That's when I
realized he was talking to them and they were just
well hidden."
"Speaking of giant lizards, where are they?" Finn
asked.
"They're following us. They're just better at hiding
than we are. I have learned a lot of things about
raptors from Challenger and have learned a few things
about them myself. They are very interesting
creatures and very handy to have around. They've
adapted very well and have become part of our little
community." Tom looked at Finn that back towards the
front to of the automobile not sure how to interpret
the expression on her face. "Don't worry Finn,
Challenger will explain everything when you see him.
It seems he has something to do and needs your help to
do it."
"Curiouser and curiouser!"(1) Finn muttered.
"You don't know the half of it, Alice."
Finn turned quickly and looked at Tom. "Don't tell me
he has you reading that stupid book too?"
Tom began to laugh.
------------------------------------------------
(1) A line from the book, "Alice in
Wonderland".
------------------------------------------------
Chapter Four
Finn and Tom drove for about an hour
through a series of tunnels before Tom
stopped the automobile in what look like a forgotten train graveyard.
"This is our stop." He said as he shook Finn awake. She had fallen
asleep within minutes of their departure.
"Is this where your camp is?"
"No, this is where we hide our vehicles. We have to walk from here."
Tom started to remove items from various parts of the vehicle. Once
he was satisfied that he had everything, he turned on a flashlight and
began walking. "Finn this way, the sooner we get home the better."
A few minutes passed before Finn sensed that they were being followed.
She loaded her crossbow and inched closer to Tom.
"Hey, I don't think we are alone."
"Calm down." Tom whispered. "It's just the raptors."
Finn suddenly remembered about their scaly companions and looked
around for her little guide.
"Where did the little one go?"
"He probably went to his parents. You'll see him again."
When they finally reached the camp, Finn wanted to see Challenger
immediately. He had a lot of explaining to do. When she finally saw
Challenger, she was amazed at how happy and relieved she was.
"CHALLENGER," she yelled and ran to where he was standing. Before he
could respond, Finn threw her arms around him and gave him a hug.
"It's nice to see you too Finn."
Stepping back from Challenger, she started spurting out questions one
after the other. "How did you get here? How did you know how to find
me? What's up with that guy and those raptors? What ..."
Before she could finish, Challenger held up his hands. "Slow down
Finn. I see you haven't lost any of your energy. I will tell you
everything I know once you get something to eat and some rest. We
will talk in greater length tomorrow."
"You're lucky I'm tired and hungry Challenger or I would keep you here
till you tell me everything."
The next morning Finn woke up to something licking her face. She
opened her eyes and found herself looking into the face of the baby
raptor. "You really need to stop doing that. It's getting annoying."
"He's only doing that because he likes you." Tom said from the other
side of the tent. I hope you slept well, we brought you breakfast."
Finn sat up in the cot she had slept in. It wasn't comfortable but it
served its purpose. She took the food from Tom and thanked him. She
looked at the raptor as she spoke. "For all you know, he's tasting
me. I could be lunch." She took a bite out of the bread that
accompanied the corn beef hash Tom had given her for breakfast. "The
last time I checked, raptors eat people."
Tom looked at her and smiled. "These raptors can't stand the taste of
us. They're vegetarians." Tom started laughing as Finn choked on her
food and started to cough.
After she recovered, she looked at him quizzically. "You're joking?"
Tom started to laugh even harder at the expression on Finns face. He
turned and started to walk towards the tents exit. "The same people
that took Challenger messed with the raptor's DNA."
"I bet Challenger got a kick out of that."
"Speaking of Challenger, he's waiting for you. Hurry up and finished,
then go see him. His tent is located on the other side of the camp."
He smiled at Finn and then left.
About thirty minutes later, Finn entered Challengers tent.
"What took you so long Finn? One of these days we must discuss
punctuality. I sent Tom to get you an hour ago."
"Lay off Challenger. I had stuff to do."
"I can not fathom what you would find more important to do than come
and see me to discuss a way home."
"It was personal but I would be happy to give you details."
Challenger paused midway into what he was doing as if trying to figure
out what personal things she could be referring to. Finn then noticed
that his eyes got a little wider when his brain finally gave him an
answer. "Never mind." He replied that continued on with his task.
"So, update me on what is going on. How are we going to get back to
the tree house? Did you build another teleporting device?"
"No, there is not enough time for that."
"Then how are we getting back?"
"Come and take a look at this." He waved Finn over and pointed to the
map he was looking at. "This is a map of the plateau as it is suppose
to be today. Tom was kind enough to loan me it. My estimations show
that the tree house once stood here. We are here about ten miles away
and Tom found you there." He pointed to various locations on the
map.
"How did he know to look for me there?"
"Because I was told that was where you would be."
"Who told you that?"
"That is a long story that I will have to tell you later. We need to
leave very soon. We have to get to area the tree house use to be as
soon as possible."
"How, do you plan to get back?"
"The same way I left."
"You are losing me Challenger."
"Tom told me that people rarely go into that area. It is considered
very dangerous. He said people have gone there and disappeared. He
said those who return tell horror stories about their companions
vanishing in front of them. There have also been stories about the
area changing from one second to the next. I believe that the same
phenomenon that we encountered back at the tree house is present in
this time and is concentrated in that area. Unfortunately, it is
beginning to spread. This could mean that Veronica failed to stop the
plateau's destruction in her time period and it is catching up to this
time period. I also believe that me being here isn't helping matters
either. I do not belong in this time Finn, as you did not belong in
ours. You however will help me get home."
"What if you are right and Veronica failed. You won't have any home
to go back to."
"It doesn't mater Finn. It's where I belong. I must trust that my
return will help set things right."
"What about me? You sound as if you are going back alone."
"I am Finn. Your place is here."
"But you need my help to get back, right? What if I decide the only
way I will help is if you take me with you?"
"Then we are doomed. I helped create this mess by bringing you to our
time. My arrogance and ambition made me ignore the possible
consequences. You must understand that the decision to leave you here
is very hard for me but I have no choice. I saw what happens when
people allow science to rule their existence or take over their lives.
In the end, it destroyed them. I will not allow my science to do
this. It has already caused so much destruction. It was my research
from the past that was stolen and inadvertently caused this mess in
the future."
"You're telling me you are giving up science for good?"
"I am not saying that. I am simply going to pay more attention to the
consequences. My work and my lab are back in my time at the tree
house. If the tree house is still there, I will use every ounce of my
knowledge to try and stop this," waving his hand to signify their
surroundings, "from happening."
"What exactly do you want me to do?"
"Once we find the location where the tree house once sat, I will need
you to stand in the center."
"What? You must be crazy. Didn't you just tell me people disappear in
that place? Now you want me to stand in the middle of that mess. No
way. Why me? That's a Veronica thing. I thought the Protector was
suppose to stand there."
"Yes. I was told the Protector should stand in the middle to calm the
storm. In our time, Veronica is the Protector. In this time, it
falls to her descendant."
"Are you telling me I'm related to Veronica?"
"And you are the new Protector." Challenger responded.
"I seriously think whoever messed with those raptors, messed with you
too."
"Finn, we really don't have time for all this. You must trust me. I
was told what must be done."
"Who told you?"
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. All I can say is that she
helped me escape and sent me here in this time. I will explain all on
the way to our destination but we need to leave immediately. The
longer I remain in this time, the more damage being done."
Finn heard the urgency and desperation in Challenger's voice. She
knew he believed in what was saying and she believed in him. "Okay
Challenger, lets go. But if this doesn't work and I blow up or
something, I will haunt you for the rest of you life no matter what
century you're in."
"I don't doubt that for a second my dear. Let's go find Tom and be on
our way."
Finn, Challenger and Tom set off to the location on the map. Everyone
else in the camp thought Tom was insane for taking the visitors to the
cursed place but they knew there was nothing they could say to stop
him from going. They all knew how close he and Challenger had become
and that he had promised to help Challenger get home.
"You remind me of another young man." Challenger told Tom one night.
"One who promised to follow me hell and back. I am afraid that may be
exactly where we have to go."
"I've lived in hell my whole life Challenger but if entering another
level of it means getting you back home to save the future, it is a
sacrifice I'm willing to take."
Challenger sat in the back of Tom's vehicle remembering that night.
Tom had also promised to find Finn for him and take care of her after
it was all over. It would have been harder for him to leave her here
if she would have been alone. He sat watching Tom and Finn chat away
in the front of the automobile. He was happy they got alone so well.
It would be easier for her to have a friend.
Finn turned and looked at Challenger. "Okay, we are off on your crazy
little adventure Challenger. Now do you want to tell me how you got
here and how you ended up with those raptors?"
"Well Finn, it all started when I heard Veronica's voice ..."
As the journey went on, Finn sat mesmerize listening to Challenger's
story. Once he had finished, Finn looked at him shaking her head.
"And I thought I had a rough day." Both
Challenger and Tom burst out laughing.
Chapter Five
(conclusion)
Challenger, Finn and Tom, stood
facing a grove of trees.
"Are you sure you want to do this? "Tom asked.
"Yes, I am sure." Challenger replied.
"Great." Finn added. Not convincing anyone she was happy about the
situation.
Tom led the way into the trees followed by Challenger and Finn.
"So let me get this straight. We find the center of this place where
the tree house use to be and I stand there. Is there anything in
particular I should do when I get there? Anything I need to say to
open up the doorway back to the tree house? I'm just asking because
I'm going to feel really stupid just standing there staring into the
woods."
Challenger looked at Finn and smiled. "Honestly Finn, I don't know
what you are suppose to do. I was told that you would know once we
got there."
"I can tell you right now Challenger, I don't know anything. Where
does that leave us?"
Challenger just shrugged and kept walking.
They walked for a while in silence. Finn was thinking that Challenger
had finally lost his mind and she was crazy to be following him.
Challenger was contemplating Finn's words and began wondering why
after all these years, he was trusting faith and not trying to use
science to solve his problem. Tom on the other hand was wondering why
the woods were so quiet. It was the middle of the day and not a sound
could be heard except for the sounds of their feet walking across dead
leaves on the ground. It did not take him long to realize why.
All three of the travelers stopped in their tracks upon hearing a
chirping sound.
"The raptors came." Tom said to Finn and Challenger right before he
made his own chirping sound.
They heard the rustling of trees then two raptors appeared.
Tom walked over to them and rubbed both of their necks. "Thanks for
keeping the area clear."
Tom then walked back to his companions and said to Finn. "I told you
they were handy to have around. They are going to make sure we have
no problems along the way."
Finn placed her hands on her hips and looked at Tom.
"I thought you told me they were vegetarians and hate the taste of
people?"
"That doesn't stop them from scaring them now, does it? They freaked
you out."
"Alright you two, we really need to get going."
Tom gave Finn a smile as they started walking again.
Challenger walked over to the raptors. "It's up to you to keep an eye
on them once I am gone. Those two are going to be a handful."
It took them another hour until they got to their location.
"What now, Challenger?" Finn asked.
"We need to make sure this is the right location. Do you remember the
stones with the Trions on them we found around the tree house? Help
me look for them."
Challenger gave Tom a description of the stones and he joined in the
search. It took about twenty minutes before Challenger spotted the
first one. It surprised Challenger that after all these years the
stone had not been covered with tons of dirt and leaves. He brushed
what little dirt and leaves that were on it and began searching for
the rest. Soon, Challenger, Finn, and Tom uncovered the remaining
stones.
"Look, there in the center. Is that what's left of the tree house?"
Finn pointed to a very big rotted out stump. It appeared to have
belonged to a very large tree that was chopped down and left to die.
"Yes, I think so." Challenger replied.
"I'm not going near that thing. Not only does it look scary,
something could be living in it." Finn told Challenger.
Challenger walked over and began examining the dead tree. He felt
sadness come over him. This tree had once sheltered him and now what
was left of it, stood forgotten.
Just as he was about to walk to another side of the tree, something
caught his eye. "You two, come here for a minute."
Tom came and stood next to Challenger then he noticed Finn hadn't
moved. "It's safe Finn. It doesn't look like anything is moving in
it."
Once Finn finally built up the nerve and walked over, Challenger
pointed to the object he wanted them to see. "Can any of you reach
it? I don't think I can and I would like to see what it is."
Tom looked at Finn who shook her head. "I'm not getting it. You
think it's so safe, you go get it."
Tom rolled his eyes upwards as he shook his head at her. He reached
into the trunk and tried to get the object. He had to adjust his
position several times before he was able to remove it. He handed it
to Challenger who took a close look at it.
"What is it?" Finn asked curiously.
"It is a very old worn out teddy bear with something sticking out of
its chest." Challenger responded.
He then pried the object loose from the bear's chest so he could see what it
was.
"Oh my God Finn, it's Veronica's pendant."
Finn stepped closer to Challenger to get a better look.
"What's it doing here?"
"I think it's waiting for you to claim it." Challenger said and
handed it to her.
A soon as Finn took the pendant, a small golden light beamed from it.
Finn raised it in front of her face to get a closer look.
Watching Finn's movement, Tom became transfixed on the light as it
casted a glow around Finn's head. In that instant. Finn looked
somewhat ethereal. He suddenly had the urge to bow his head but he
quickly discarded the feeling. He instead decided to goad Finn and
bring himself back to reality.
"That's a nice trick Finn. What else can you do?"
Finn gave Tom a look that would scare even the raptors. She had no
idea what was happening and was in no mood for his sarcasm. She then
looked at Challenger. "What now?"
"We wait and see what happens."
They didn't have to wait long as time ripples started to approach them
from all angles. One after the other they would approach then
dissipated a few feet from the stones.
"Not those things again", Finn groaned
"We are inside the protective circle. We should be safe." Challenger
said trying to calm her. He walked closer to the ripples trying to
figure out what to do next. As he looked into them, he realized that
each one was a door way to some location. 'So it seems my savior was
right,' he thought. All I have to do now is find the one with the
tree house in it. It should take me back home. He then looked at
Finn.
"No matter what, you must hold on to that pendant until the ripple
with the tree house in it appears and I enter it." Challenger told
her.
"Are you insane? This thing is beginning to freak me out."
"It is my only chance to get back Finn and I must get back."
Challenger then walked over to Tom who had moved closer to the
raptors. "You must stay within this circle. You don't want to get
caught in one of those. You may end up somewhere you don't want to
be."
"I'll be careful," Tom replied.
"When I am gone, she will need a new home and a new family. Promise
me she will have that."
"As long as I'm alive, she will have both."
Challenger patted Tom on the shoulder and smiled. "Thanks old man.
Thanks for everything."
They were soon snapped back into reality when they heard Finn scream
Challenger's name.
CHALLENGER! What's happening?" The golden light engulfed Finn. "This
thing is beginning to burn my hand."
"Don't let go Finn. You must hold on." Challenger yelled back. He
ran back towards the ripples to see what effect the light was having
on them. He soon noticed that as the light grew larger, the time
ripples came closer. Challenger swiftly began looking for the ripple
that had the tree house. He became transfixed on one ripple in
particular. The location it held was very familiar. "London." He
whispered. He shook his head and began focusing on the task at hand.
"CHALLENGER!"
"Just a little longer." He looked at each ripple, hoping the one with
the tree house would appear.
As if on cue, it appeared in its brilliance. There the tree house
stood in its center. "Finn, I see it. You can let go as soon as I go
through." Challenger then turned to Tom who was standing just on the
outskirts of the ripples. "Remember your promise." Challenger
yelled. "Keep her safe." Just before entering the ripple, he turned
and looked at Finn whom he found looking at him with tears in her
eyes. "Goodbye Finn. This is a new beginning for you. Don't be
afraid of it. Remember all you have learned and remember you are no
longer alone."
He stepped into the ripple and disappeared.
Finn dropped the pendant and collapsed. Before she could hit the
ground, she felt strong arms catching her and heard Tom's voice in her
ear. "I've got you Finn, I've got you."
The ripples disappeared and the woods were silent.
"So she sat on, with closed eyes, and half believed herself in
Wonderland, though she knew she had but to open them again, and all
would change to dull reality" -- from Alice In Wonderland.
~The End~
{Also read the companion story "Tom, the
Raptors and Me". It ties into chapter4 of this story.}
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