“Two ways. Now, you have a tiny clue at how your seemingly solid body moved through the barrier of time and space. And that’s because your body is primarily nothing but empty space made up of magnetic energy. And two – the glue that holds everything together, that strange force science cannot explain, the force that keeps the universe intact…that force is the most basic definition of God there could ever be. In fact, if you’re a religious man, you might be familiar with one particular verse in the book of Colossians. Chapter I, Verse 17 goes something like this: God existed before anything else existed and by his power all things are held together.”
There was a hushed silence in the room. Journey felt like they were sitting in a sacred place. Until…Reno broke the silence with a protest. “I still don’t understand. I wasn’t even aware I’d come through the rock. I didn’t feel a force and I didn’t feel like I was about to disintegrate.”
Kota threw up his hands. “Doesn’t make any difference anyway. I didn’t really believe Ela’s prediction until I saw you at Myra’s. I’ll admit I was wrong about that – but I still don’t believe you’ll return to the past to make everything right.”
“You don’t?” This question was voiced in chorus by all three people.
“Do you think he’ll fail?” Journey asked in a shaky tone.
He held up both hands and shrugged. “I’m not saying he’d fail; I’m saying he won’t choose to try. Why would he go back?” Kota turned to look at Lou and Journey. “Why should he? The present is amazing. He can see and do things he never dreamed to do in the past. Plus…” He pointed at Journey. “He has you. I can see the way you two look at one another. Why would he return to the past when he can stay in this wonderful world with you?” Even while Reno was making protesting noises, Kota continued. “I wouldn’t leave this life and someone I loved to go back in time to save a few people I barely knew.”
Reno raised his voice to be heard above Kota’s. “I’m not going back in time to save a few people I barely knew; I’m going to save my friend Ela and those she loves. I’m also going to save my brother, my flesh and blood, from death by a firing squad.”
Kota watched Reno closely. “So, you want to return through the stone?”
“Yes. To 1869. Can you help me?”
“I’m going with him,” Journey announced loudly.
Kota shook his head. “I don’t think that would be wise. This is very dangerous. Even with all the mumbo-jumbo I just rattled off to you, you must realize this is more dangerous than swimming in a tank full of sharks. This is more dangerous than free-falling from thirty-thousand feet out of a plane. This is even more dangerous than blasting off to the moon in a tin can the size of a VW beetle.” He scoffed and frowned at Journey. “Willingly stepping into a portal is…stupid. On any level. Science is just on the fringe of this discovery. And regardless of what Ela masterminded, engineered, or helped along – there is no magic spell for time travel either.” He dropped his voice to a degree. “Now, I’m not saying people don’t vanish. They do. That’s my concern. I know this is real. I know there are portals that open and close throughout our universe. And I know people vanish into them much more often than we’d like to believe. I also think there have been times with other things have come through these portals.”
“Like what?” Lou asked with rapt attention.
He chuckled. “Monsters. In my mind, this explains the unexplainable. Take your pick. Aliens. Bigfoot. Mothman. Wendigo. All or none of the above.” At their looks of incredulity, he shrugged and sighed. “It’s possible.” Seeing the resolute look on Reno’s face, he conceded, “Hell, anything’s possible.” He sighed audibly. “Black, if you’re fool enough to try this, I’m fool enough to try and help you. I’ll begin my preparations and we’ll set a date for liftoff on the next full moon.”
Lou jumped up and pumped her fist. “Yes!”
Journey wanted to reiterate that she was going with Reno, but she let the moment slide. She could see that he looked uncertain, but relieved. As she watched him, he moved forward to shake Kota’s hand.
“Thank you for agreeing to help. And thank you for believing in me.”
“Oh, I believe in Ela more than I believe in you. But if you can go back and stop the horrible massacre, I want to be a part of that.” Kota pulled his phone from his pocket. “Let’s look at the calendar. The next full moon is on May 18th. You have less than three weeks to get your mind-set straight and your sins confessed.” He nodded at Journey. “Enjoy yourself. The clock is ticking. Remember, we’re not only making history; you’re going back to change it.”
As they readied to leave, Lou lingered to speak with Kota in private. Reno and Journey watched the pair from Kota’s front yard. They could see the exchange between the old man and the young woman was animated, but it looked more intense than tense.
“Just a few more days,” Journey whispered. “This is incredible isn’t it? We came over here without a plan or very much hope. Now, we’re returning home with the knowledge that you could be leaving soon.”
“I feel good about it.” Reno didn’t want to say too much. After all the talk of danger and risk, he was having serious doubts about Journey going with him. How could he risk her life? Yet, how could he leave her behind? The hopelessness of the situation hurt his heart.
“You should feel good. Once more, you’ll be the hero I’ve always
