Time. Part 2

Chapter one

"Whatcha doin?” Tricia curiously asked as she stared at her scientist for a boyfriend. Her brown eyes were sparkling with curiosity and glee. The ingenious scientist, Caesar, twisted two wires against each other and silently said. Done, finally; He raised his goggles and reached for his mango smoothie on the table beside him. He took a sip and smiled at his girlfriend. “I just finished my latest invention. I’m gonna do a test run in a moment”—Caesar took another sip—“and drinking this delicious mango smoothie” He paused and took a long sip, enjoying his creamy mango smoothie.

The telepath giggled. She thought of how cute her boyfriend looks while he’s working and drinking smoothies. An image filled her head: Caesar with his shirt off while he was welding the other day. Tricia groaned in awe. Then a silence came between her. She sensed something or someone.

“Caila,” She paused and looked at the perimeter of the scientist’s lab. Noticing Tricia’s sudden silence, Caesar put down his drink and stared blankly at his girlfriend. He didn’t bother to wonder why she just said her best friend’s name out into the distance. All that caught his attention was her herself. He smiled and stared at her. Showing that longing puppy dog stare he’s always used. I’m glad she chose me. He thought.

“Stop ease dropping, I know  you’re there” Tricia continued. This sucks. A voice replied. An icy chill ran down their spine as a breeze passed them. A cloud of smoke appeared from the breeze and trailed until it stopped beside Tricia. The smoke formed the silhouette of a teenage girl. And as the smoke cleared, it revealed Caila puffing up her cheek and her arms crossed. “It’s no fun when you know I’m there. Watching,” She said curving her lips into her lips into her signature devilish smirk. “And you know that I know that it’s no being watched.” The telepath pointed out raising an eyebrow.  Too shay, Caila silently said.

“So, my sexy scientist,” Tricia paused, smiling. Caila silently made a gag noise. “Does your time machine thingy really work?” She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck. Caesar showed a confused look and said. “How did—?” Tricia interrupted her boyfriend and said “I’mma telepath, baby”

“Right,” He paused and wrapped his arms around her waist. “It slipped my mind.” He stopped to enjoy the moment and later on he finally said “Oh and yes, mi corazon it is a “time machine” ”—Caesar did air quotes with his fingers—“and it does work.” The scientist broke their hug and faced his creation—which he’s so very proud of. “Start up protocol,” He said as he pressed a series of buttons. “Start up protocol successful” His creation paused.

He hasn’t decided on what to name his invention just yet. Zag RS 2.0, perhaps? “Good morning Dr. Salazar.”

“Wait a second,” Tricia interrupted. She had caught Caesar’s attention. He half turned. “That’s my voice.”

Caesar replied with a sly smile. The telepath blushed and said. “That’s so sweet, baby.” She leaned closer to him to taste his sweet lips but just before she could reach, Caila interrupted, clearing her throat and saying. “Dude, it’s  great that you guys are an item and all but,” Caila paused when they looked at her. “Please don't kiss in front of me?” She exclaimed.

“Then,” She paused. “Close your eyes.” Her best friend suggested. What?! Caila whispered loudly. She groaned and said. “Fine,” She closed her eyes, irritated

Tricia’s lips curved into a smirk. “Where were we?” Caesar chuckled. “Just get on with it!” Caila exclaimed impatiently.  Their foreheads rested against each other as their breaths mixed together. Their lips drew closer to each other. Caesar ran his fingers down her hair as their lips met. A brief moment later, after Caila nearly fell asleep since she still had her eyes closed; their lips parted as they did Tricia signaled her best friend, saying. “Dude, we’re done,” She paused as Caila opened her eyes and silently said. Finally.

“But, I’m gonna need your lips again later.”

Caila groaned and said. “Braniac, can we finish your test run or whatever you call it. I got a schedule to keep.”

“Of course,” He broke from the romantic embrace he had with his girlfriend and faced his machine. Turning back, he could see the lust causing dilated pupils in his girlfriend’s eyes but Caila was right, he had to finish his the test run first. Then, he could have Tricia without further interruption. Shaking his head slightly to get the thought out of his head, he brought his attention back to his invention. Before he was able to give a command he felt his girlfriend’s hand brush up against his. He
exhaled deeply and continued. “Activate time sequence.” The machine loyally obeyed his command. Then, a huge blast spread the area. It was as if the sun had exploded in the room, in Providence.

The light was incredible. Blinding and harsh, it blanketed the room in its ghastly flare.

Caesar woke up in the middle of ashes and debris. He groaned as he tried to sit up. Rubbing his hand against the back of his head as he asked himself; “Where am I?” Looking around he noticed he was on some sort of barren waste land: individual pieces of metal scattered around—some on fire. He struggled to get up. As he walked around the area he nearly tripped on a piece of metal on the ground. He stared at it for it seemed like something was underneath. He bent down and lifted the piece of metal. Squinting, to make sure what he saw was right. A picture; he picked it up gently, brushing off the dust.

The edges were burnt, but the picture was clear. He placed it in his lower right vest pocket and moved on.

"Target in sight," A sniper whispered silently to her commander through the communicator. “Sir, do I have permission to fire?”

“Fire on my command only; repeat, on my command only” Her commander replied. The sniper groaned as she watched Caesar move around through her scope. “Tricia . . . Caila . . . Rex . . . ?”

Caesar called. “Anybody . . . !” He exclaimed. The scientist grew aggressive and then kicked a chunk of metal in front of him. It was harder than he calculated. “Dios mio!” He exclaimed.

“Fire,” the commander ordered the sniper through the communicator. She smiled and shot him with a tranquilizing dart. It was aimed at the back of his neck and unsurprisingly it didn’t miss. Caesar felt a short sting at the back of his neck. The pain from his foot slowly disappeared. He recognized it. It could only be the work of a tranquilizing dart. “I calculate I’ll be passing out in,” Caesar paused and placed on hand on his head. “In, approximately” He paused as he fell to the ground “now.”