The Time Traveler Read online

  PART ONE

  The Time

  Traveler

  Tej Pratap Singh

  The Time Traveler

  Tej Pratap Singh

  www.whitefalconpublishing.com

  All rights reserved

  First Edition, 2017

  Copyright © 2017 Tej Pratap Singh

  Cover design © 2017 by White Falcon Publishing

  Cover image © to Deviantart.com

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without prior written permission of the Author.

  Requests for permission should be addressed to

  [email protected]

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Prologue

  “You can forget about her, KC. She is not coming back,” said Garmen, as he crouched on the ground in pain.

  “Yes, she is,” said KC, trying to stand up and at the same time striking another blow to Garmen with a clenched fist. “I am going to get her back, but you won’t be around to witness it, you worthless piece of scum.”

  “Haha,” chuckled Garmen, barely managing to sit on his knees as he looked at KC. “Yes, I’ll die today at your hands, Kenneth, but I’ll rest thereafter. You, on the other hand, will suffer for eternity because I have taken her from you. You will never see her again. You will neither feel her touch nor her breath. Yes, you will live on, but your life will be worse than your end, I assure you. You will beg for death but it will not come to you. Even luck will not dare be on your side.”

  “All days are good for me. All numbers are lucky for me. I don’t care what the stones have to say. Stars don’t need to be aligned to change my day,” replied KC, taking out his sabre and pressing it firmly against Garmen’s neck. “And, as far as ‘she’ is concerned, I will see her again, I will have her by my side even if it means that I have to travel across time and matter. If I have to alter everything as we know it, I will do it.”

  Garmen looked at KC and closed his eyes waiting for the inevitable.

  “Garmanien,” declared KC loudly as he kept his sabre under Garmen’s chin. “Your end will not be as pleasant as you wished. Your deeds will travel across time. The past, the present and the future will know of your pathetic existence. All the Garmaniens will despise you, so will the humans and all the beings of the 03 sectors of the known universe. The glory you so much wished for will never be yours. Not in this time, nor in any other.”

  “Die Garmanien” declared KC as he raised his sabre for justice, for rightness, and for love.

  Chapter 1

  Friday, 2018. Earth.

  “Hey, Jo. These pizzas are not getting any warmer sitting here on the counter. Go on, deliver these hot and for God’s sake don’t be late this time,” said Mr. Hastings.

  “Sure boss, don’t worry, I’ll not be late today,” said Jo, trying to explain himself. “I got stuck in a jam yesterday. I had to lift my bike and the pizzas, and literally run to deliver them. I still got five of the seven pizzas delivered on time.”

  “Jo, my boy, first of all, your bike, that’s a bloody cycle! A pathetic bicycle that is as unpredictable and lost as you are. Secondly, if you don’t stop arguing and get the hell out of my shop to deliver the pizzas, I’ll shove that sorry little bike of yours up your arse. Now get rolling and don’t be late this time,” said an irritated Mr. Hastings.

  “Okay. Okay. I’m leaving boss, don’t get mad,” said Jo as he quickly picked up the pizzas and got out of the shop.

  “Oh great! And someone told me this was a free country, a free world, free my ass,” said Jo, exasperated. “You can’t even say what you want to.”

  Looking at his hands, Jo wondered how they had gotten so rough. He turned his hand around and saw a scar on the back of his hand, it didn’t hurt him but it was pretty big. He often wondered how he got it delivering pizzas. He couldn’t remember. Just then it started drizzling.

  “Oh crap!” Jo said to himself. “I am going to get drenched today; I better hurry up, got four pizzas to deliver.”

  Half an hour later and three pizzas lighter, Jo was still riding his bike as fast as he could. “I better make it in time. Last pizza coming up, I’ve got to do it,” said Jo as he glanced at his rear view mirror. He had just installed the rear-view mirror on his bike last week – that was as much money as he could save. He saw a black SUV behind him; it was awesome, fine razor sharp cuts. Jo couldn’t take his eyes off it. With his entire attention on the beautiful SUV, he didn’t realize what was in front of him.

  “Hey, watch out, you nutcase,” cried a worried owner of a sports car. “You’ll bang into my car.”

  Jo looked ahead, he was inches away from banging into the most expensive sports car in town. The driver now panicked and losing all hope closed his eyes and covered his face with his arm. He was wearing a $14,000 Rado watch on his wrist. Jo could see the time on his watch which was 7.14 pm.

  Boy, he is friggin’ rich, thought Jo.

  His shirt had a food stain near the collar; the guy was a foodie, and a sloppy one at that. Jo applied his brakes and swung to one side to avoid the cycle from crashing into the car. Considering that his bike was the only transport he had, he didn’t want to take any chances as without it, he would not be able to deliver the pizzas on time and would surely lose his job. As Jo was swinging to one side he put his entire weight on the front of his bike. His bike rose from the rear and he was able to catch a glimpse of the interior of the car. It was exquisite, fine leather and beautiful upholstery. He also happened to notice that the shoelaces of the driver were untied. Jo reckoned that the guy was a rich brat with clumsy manners.

  Time - 7:14 p.m.

  Jo balanced his bike and landed on his feet. Both the bike and pizza were not damaged. He walked over to the rich guy’s car. He looked the guy in the eye, the rich guy nearly melted into his comfy seat. Jo reached ahead, grabbed his hand and looked at his watch.

  “You are lucky I’ve still got five minutes left to deliver this pizza,” he said.

  “I am sorry,” said the rich guy.

  “It’s all right, don’t bother. Nice car you got here,” added Jo admiring the car.

  “Thanks. It’s a Ferrari,” said the rich guy. “Only one of its kind, custom-made.”

  Jo then pointed at his bike and said, “That’s my bike.”

  “Er… okay. So, what does it do?” asked the brat.

  “It’s awesome actually, it works without fuel of any sort,” said Jo running out of answers and trying to save his dignity now. “And it has no speed limit, no toll needs to be paid, and you can drive it down a one way street too.”

  “Wow, that’s cool,” said the rich brat. “By the way, I thought you would bang right into me. How did you stop and recover in a split second?

  “Beats me how I did it,” said Jo. “I don’t know. I just do things at times.”

  “So are you going to eat this pizza or what?” interrupted the brat.

  “Oh crap! I must get going. How about you give me a ride up to the bridge, next to the subway?” asked Jo.

  “Sure thing, bro. Hop in,” said the rich guy smiling and trying to look cool.

  “Thanks, man,” said Jo dumping the pizza in the back seat and somehow stuffing his bicycle in to the Ferrari.

  10 minutes later, Jo finally de
livered the last pizza and got back to the shop, Pizza Den.

  “Hey, boss. I am back,” announced Jo. “And, I am done for the day. I delivered the four pizzas you gave me.”

  “Hey, boss,” he called out again.

  Everyone was busy watching TV. On the weather channel a reporter was talking about a massive storm heading their way. It was going to last for a week at least according to the nervous reporter.

  “Boss, I said I delivered the pizzas,” said Jo.

  “Really, is that so?” Said Mr. Hastings. “Because the fourth customer called me, you were late by two minutes. Again!”

  “Oh come on, boss, it was just two minutes,” explained Jo. “Besides I nearly crashed into a car on the way over there and…”

  “That’s not my bloody problem, Jo,” interrupted Mr. Hastings, “that last pizza goes from your salary.”

  “Oh okay, fine. Cut it if you want to, boss,” said Jo. “It’s the weekend. I know it’s not a good time to ask but I was wondering if you could pay me for this week. I got a date with Jenny and I am kind of out of cash.”

  “Well, Mr. Jo, let us see,” said Mr. Hastings in a sarcastic voice. “You delivered 23 pizzas this week out of which 11 were late deliveries, so, that pretty much squared your salary for this week. And, you had taken an advance last week, so, my boy, it seems you owe me 20 bucks. When do you intend to pay me?”

  “Aaa…, I guess I’ll pay you next week, boss,” said Jo taking out his wallet and looking for anything inside. “So, does that mean I am not getting any salary this week?”

  “You good for nothing ass, get out of my shop will you,” said a very irritated Mr. Hastings. “You’re lucky I am still letting you keep your job. If it was not for the sheriff insisting that I give you this job, I would have thrown you out last year, you scum. And, I don’t know what a fine girl like Jenny sees in you. Now get going. I want to enjoy the weekend without seeing your face.”

  “Hey, don’t mind him, Jo,” said Dan, the cook at Pizza Den. “Here, take 30 bucks. You can pay me later.”

  “No, it’s okay, Dan. I know Hastings. He doesn’t mean half of the things he says,” said Jo returning Dan his money. “Well, I’ll just go home now.”

  Jo wore his jacket; it was freezing outside. He pulled his bike out of the parking lot and sat on it. He took a deep breath and peddled on. Something didn’t feel right. Jo looked down. His tires were punctured again. Oh, come on, not again, not the tubes again, Jo said to himself. Jenny is going to kill me.

  Jo wondered why this was happening to him. He quietly dragged his cycle home, which was about half an hour’s walk from the Den.

  Tired but not disturbed by the events of the day, he approached his apartment. He saw Jenny standing under his apartment; she was the only thing good in his life. She was wearing a lovely royal blue gown with silver lining around the edges, the gown graced her curves perfectly. She looks like an angel, he thought to himself.

  “Jo, where have you been? I have been waiting for you for over 20 minutes,” said Jenny looking at her watch. “You meet me after a week, and you come late, on top of that.”

  “I am sorry, Jenny, my bike broke down,” explained Jo.

  “Oh really, what’s left in it to break?” said Jenny sarcastically.

  “Come on, Jenny. It is not that bad, is it?” said he.

  “Relax, I am just kidding,” said Jenny with a cute giggle. “So, where are we going for dinner, Jo?”

  “Well, yeah, about that. I kind of didn’t get my salary today, so, I kind of… you know…,” said he looking down.

  “Hmm I see,” said Jenny folding her arms. “Jo, I can’t remember the last time I saw a penny in your pocket.”

  “Jenny, I am sorry, I really am,” said Jo holding Jenny’s hand. “I promise I’ll take you to the best restaurant in town next week.”

  “That’s all right, Jo. I don’t need the best food or the best restaurant in town,” said Jenny kissing Jo. “I am glad to have you, that’s more than enough. Come on, we will go up to your place, we will order some pizza. Hot dinner.”

  “Hell no,” cried Jo, “anything but pizza, Jen.”

  “Okay, no pizza then. We will order some noodles,” said she.

  “Thanks, Jenny. You are the best, you know,” said Jo putting his empty wallet back in his pocket.

  “Yes, I know. And, don’t get all cute with me Mr.,” said Jenny. “I am still angry with you. You kept me waiting for 20 minutes. You better make it up to me.”

  “Oh yes, ma’am, I will,” smiled Jo.

  They finally went up to Jo’s apartment. It was a one-bedroom apartment; small, really small, and pretty untidy in spite of all the efforts Jenny made to keep it clean whenever she came over.

  “Jo, you have messed up your apartment again?” said Jenny. “I mean how much time does it take to clean up every day?”

  “What are you talking about, Jenny?” said Jo. “Everything is where it should be.”

  “Really?” questioned Jenny.

  “Yes, of course,” said Jo promptly. “See the bathroom towel is lying right outside the bathroom.”

  “Then why is the soap wrapped up in the towel, Jo?” pointed out Jenny.

  “That’s because I need both of those in the bathroom. Why keep them apart?” he explained.

  “Really, that’s your explanation, Jo?” said Jenny. “And why is your shirt hanging in front of the mirror?”

  “That’s because I don’t need to see the mirror until I wear my shirt,” explained Jo sitting on his couch.

  “Jo, you are unbelievable,” declared Jenny.

  “Yes, and I am also very hungry!” interrupted Jo smiling. “Okay, how about we hug and make up. And, I promise that I’ll clean up the room while you order dinner.”

  “Well, that sounds like a plan,” smiled Jenny.

  Few hours later it was already getting dark and it seemed that it would rain as well. Jenny lived a few blocks from Jo’s place. It was a quiet neighborhood, with mostly elderly people living there. ‘Boring,’ as Jenny often termed it!

  “Jen, I’ll walk you home. It’s getting late,” said Jo.

  “Okay, I’ll quickly change and get my jacket, my guardian of the seven seas,” said Jenny laughing. “I also have to complete my physics project tonight, I have to submit it by tomorrow. I am still stuck on the last equation, I just can’t solve it.”

  “Jenny, why did you change your gown?” asked Jo. “It’s made for you”

  “Oh, it had a loose bead that cut my back a bit,” said Jen. “I’ll have to get it altered to wear it again.”

  Time - 11:10 pm

  They walked down to the street. Mrs. Cummings was standing outside her house with her sister in law’s daughter, Megan, who was visiting her on a vacation from college.

  “Well, hello, Jo,” said Mrs. Cummings.

  “Hi, Mrs. Cummings,” replied Jo as they walked past her.

  “Aunt, who is Jo?” enquired the curious Megan as she checked him out.

  “Megan, you stay clear of that boy,” said Mrs. Cummings. “I tell you, he is nothing but bad news.”

  “Come on, aunt, he doesn’t look that bad. He has got those Indian looks. Quite attractive,” said Megan.

  “Megan, you don’t know him. In fact, nobody does. So, just stay away from him,” explained Mrs. Cummings.

  “What do you mean nobody does?” asked Megan.

  “Oh, all right, I’ll tell you,” said Mrs. Cummings. “This boy, Jo, he was found by the sheriff one year back in a back alley, badly beaten up. He had a leg, an arm, a shoulder, and five of his ribs broken. The sheriff was lucky to find him while he was still breathing. He took him to the county hospital and doctors just about managed to save him despite all odds. He was out cold for three months. The sheriff tried his best to find out about him but couldn’t
. Jo had no memory, no records, no history, nothing. The sheriff had lost his son recently in the war, so he developed a soft corner for Jo and took care of him since he had found him. He gave him this apartment to live and arranged a job for him at the Pizza Den.”

  “So, how do you know his name is Jo?” asked a puzzled Megan.

  “He had a locket around his neck and it had Jo written on it,” explained Mrs. Cummings. “That’s how he got his name. When he came back to his senses, he couldn’t remember a thing, where he came from or who had beaten him up. May be he is just faking it, who knows. Either way, Megan, you stay away from him. Now let’s go back in, it’s about to rain.”

  * * *

  “Good night Jenny. I’ll see you tomorrow,” said Jo standing outside Jenny’s house after their brief walk.

  “Good night Jo,” smiled Jenny.

  “Hey, Jenny,” Jo called out just as Jenny was about to turn and go in, “the equation you were talking about, the answer is 23.33 revolutions per second.”

  “What?” said Jenny.

  “The answer to the equation you told me about at my place,” explained Jo. “You were getting it wrong because you were not using the right constant and you didn’t consider the bending of light close to a body of mass 50 X. I just took out your project file from your bag to see the equation while you were changing in the bathroom.”

  “Jo, but… how did you? I mean you can’t solve such a complex equation just like that,” said Jenny.

  I don’t know, Jenny, but those figures just made sense to me,” said Jo. “I’m sorry, Jen, I didn’t mean to freak you out like this. I’ll go home now. Good night.”

  “Jo, it’s Saturday tomorrow,” said Jenny just as Jo was about to leave. “I have to submit my assignment. I’ll see you on Sunday at your place at 10. Don’t do the disappearing act on me again.”

  “Hahaha. Very funny,” smiled Jo. “Don’t worry, I’ll not. See ya on Sunday”

  Jo looked at the wall clock outside Jenny’s house; it was 11:25 p.m.