2 of 41

Write now Article Tools

Page 3 of 3

big. With a raspy voice, she told me to wait. Then, she said something that I couldn't resist.

"Please!"

This other-worldly creature had asked me to please wait. Turning to face her, I waited for her to speak.

"Please don't take the frog. It needs to stay here."

"Why," I asked.

"Come, and I will explain everything," she continued.

It might have been stupid, but the next thing I did was to jump the creek. Before long, Mr. Jones was walking with us. He seemed in a good mood. This was getting stranger by the moment.

We went into her house. There were strange pieces of equipment, cages, and canisters everywhere. The house did not have one real piece of furniture anywhere.

She began to explain.

"I am Mr. Jones' relative from 500 years in the future. Many things have vanished or become extinct. Mr. Jones was a special sort of pioneer. His work made it possible for people to become time travelers. I do not seem to age because in my world only about three years have passed in my life since I first came here, although I have been here over 1500 times in the last 30 of your years."

"Mr. Jones agreed when he retired to keep my secret and help me gather the things that are needed to replenish lost life forms in my time. The frogs are robotic guards that warn us when there are intruders. Crossing the creek is the only easy way to get to our houses on foot. The driveway to the main road is over a mile long in the other direction with security cameras. We thought that keeping a less noticeable way to monitor the creek was better."

"The strangeness of the frogs has been a little problem, but until you caught one, it had be alright. I could not change the frogs because their skin makes them unable to be photographed or filmed. My work is finished now, and the frogs will return to the future with me."

I blurted out, "But, how did you disappear when you chased me? How does Mr. Jones get to the creek so fast?"

She smiled and answered, "I drilled many shafts into this hill. This makes it easy to get places quickly. I just slipped into one of them as you jumped the creek.

"I am sorry to have to do this to you, but you can never tell my secret to anyone," she said.

She released a mist into my face. Wanda told me that in less than two minutes I would have no memory of the last few hours for the next 50 years.

This morning when I woke up, 50 years had passed since that day at Franklin Creek. My memories came flooding back. Mr. Jones, Grandpa, Delinda, and Matt have all passed away. Wanda's secret is just a memory that cannot be proved by me or anyone. Her spray had worked. She is safe back in her time with her collections. I wonder if her collection is still growing.

Learn more about this author, Allen Teal.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3

Add your voice

Know something about Short stories: A science fiction mystery?
We want to hear your view. Write now!