First Encounter

2024-07-25 “First Encounter”

Merritt, Jenn, and Emma had, after enjoying a nice dinner prepared by Emma, decided to enjoy the evening. The temperature was in the low 80°s F, and Merritt and Emma were able to convince Jenn that it was pleasant; not hot.

“Should we go toward that park you like?” Jenn asked Emma.

Emma shrugged. “I dunno… I sort of feel like we could go the other way.”

Merritt had the same feeling so he nodded in the direction and started walking. As they came to a section of the street with shops and stores, they all abruptly and simultaneously stopped. As one, they turned and looked down an alley between two sections of buildings.

“We need to go down there,” Jenn said.

Merritt knew she was right.

Emma spoke up. “It’s like when I knew I had to come talk to you back in Omaha.”

Merrit agreed. “Let’s be careful.”

He led the way and when they were nearly to the next street, a door opened and light poured into the alley. A figure stepped out in front of them.

“Don’t be alarmed,” The voice sounded female.

“Too late not t’ be,” Emma replied.

Merritt backed closer to the girls. “You need something?”

The figure wore black boots of some sort, perhaps reminiscent of those worn in equestrian events, gray leggings, and a black hoodie that shadowed the person’s face.

“I need to tell you something.”

Merritt then knew by some means this figure was connected to the time shifts. Jenn and Emma pressed forward, seemingly aware of the same thing.

The figure spoke. “There is a reason you were brought to this time and place. But now is not the time to reveal what it is. The threads of time weave through the nether, so it was… convenient… to assemble you here and now. They will twine back together again, and when they do, your purpose here will be revealed.”

It nodded, turned, and went back to the door from which it had come. As the door closed and the light from within was blocked, Merritt realized there was no door at all; only a bare brick wall.

“Well that cleared up nothing,” Jenn declared, shaking her head. “I’m not happy about this.”

Merritt agreed and Emma seemed to as well.