A Journey Out of Time (3 page)

Kerry, Chris & the girls along with Cami & John sat at one end of a long table. Following in a woman with a tray that was heading to the dais, Sonya joined her friends, slipping onto the bench. She felt like a child sneaking in late. Kerry smiled at her & said, "Duncan's eyes have followed you since you walked in."

Sonya glanced over to where Duncan sat, but he was talking to the lady sitting near him. She turned back. Cami stifled a laugh, but Sonya could see it in her eyes. She focused on the food which was good & very filling. The bread was fresh & hot & she inhaled the lovely smell, remembering how her mother used to make bread when she was a child. Ah, it tasted wonderful! Seeing movement out of the corner of her eye Sonya glanced around. She saw the pretty lady at the dias rise & take the little boy out of the hall. Duncan glanced over & their eye's met. Sonya quickly looked away feeling that burning go down her insides again. Cami smiled & Sonya knew he must still be looking their way. Duncan didn't seem too bashful about it!

"He's gone to talk to the Edwards family," Kerry said, amused. "Perhaps you can have your Highlander after all."

"That is
not
funny. Do you realize what has happened here?"

"Yes, we think we do," said Chris, "but do you know what
year
it is?"

Sonya held up her hand, "Nope, don't tell me," she shook her head. "I do
not
want to know yet!" Chris smiled & Sonya
turned to watch Duncan & wondered what he was saying to them. He looked so noble as he stood there. He was so tall & looked commanding. She smiled & wiped it off her face just as fast as it appeared, but Kerry already saw it.

"His name is Joseph," Cami informed them. "His wife is Angela & their children are Samuel & Marie. I met them earlier. Their children & John were playing for a while. They plan on leaving soon." John looked up at his mother & was being very antsy. They smiled at him. "Okay, then, go see if they can play for a while," she told him. John's smile widened & he jumped up running to the other side of the room. Angela looked up, smiled & waved. Kerry's girls, Masie, Taylor, & Hailey joined them as well. The children were laughing & running around with each other & it made Sonya smile again.

"Well, everyone I am off."

Kerry nudged Sonya saying, "He is surveying the room, but his gaze always seems to stop with you."

She didn't miss that tone in Kerry's voice! "I think you are imagining things," Sonya said in a sing song type of voice.

"Am I now?" she asked, looking at her husband. Chris shook his head, but she heard the chuckle!

"You enjoy the rest of your dinner,"Sonya said.

Cami smiled. "Have a nice walk & I will count how long it takes Duncan to follow."

"Cami! Cut that out!" Sonya hissed, but smiled. She couldn't help it. She tried not to smile, but it just came unbidden to her face!

"Bye," they called after her.

Before she got out the door, Taylor ran over to her, giving her a hug.

"How are you Miss Taylor?"

"Fine. Where are you going?"

"Off to my room, I think. Are you having fun?"

"Yes."

"Well, off you go then!" Taylor ran off to join the others. Children seemed so resilient. God made them able to handle so much. Funny how when people grow up they sometimes lose that. Maybe she was still feeling tired, because when she reached the stairs she ran up crying. She heard someone, but she quickly shut the door. She lay on the bed & cried a hard cry until she slept again.

*

Duncan watched quietly from the bottom of the stairs. He hadn't even known her a full day & yet he hated that she hurt. He took in a deep breath & went up the stairs to his study. He wondered why this woman captivated him. He also wanted to know how he could make it so that she never cried again.

*

Sonya woke from a sound sleep & smiled. She had one of those lovely dreams that make you feel great inside. Stretching her arms she listened to the birds outside, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face. She opened her eyes. Despite all the strangeness, it was going to be a beautiful day!

Getting up Sonya found her clothes hanging up & some new shirts &
trews
. She wondered why there were pants, but she gladly pulled on a pair of brown ones & a white poet-type shirt. Dainty, embroidered flowers edged the wavy collar. She loved the large, puffy sleeves that ended at just past her elbow. Looking in the mirror she pulled her hair back, tying it. She washed her face in the basin & washed her teeth with a cloth the best she could. Ah, to have a toothbrush!

Walking down the corridor she knocked on Cami's door & went in. Cami looked up & smiled. The mystery man lay in bed in an adjoining room, looking peaceful. He was a nice looking man with light brown, close trimmed hair. His facial hair was growing & it wouldn't be long before he had a beard.

"Good morning, Sonya. How are you today?"

"I am well. How are you & young John this fine day?" John looked up from his play & smiled. He gave a small, bashful wave.

"We are doing just fine."

"And our mystery man?"

"Well, he is alive, but still not awake. A lady brought up breakfast & said her husband had been injured & she showed me how to exercise his legs & arms. So, I will start doing that today."

"Do you need anything? I am just heading downstairs."

"No. They have provided us with all we need. They even gave John some toys."

"Well, that is good." John smiled up at her.

Cami said, "You have a determined look. What are you up to?"

"I am going down to the plane. I want to start getting anything that may be of use."

"Well, you be careful."

"I will & I will see you all later." Sonya bowed dramatically & John & Cami laughed.

Closing the door behind her, she continued down the stairs.

"Och, Miss, how are ye today?" said a light voice behind the corner. Sonya turned around.

"Sarah, I am great & you are well?"

For a moment she seemed surprised. "Aye, Miss."

"I wanted to thank you for the clothing. The stitching is beautiful."

"Thank ye, Miss, for saying so," she blushed.

"Have a good morning, Miss Sarah." Sarah giggled & hurried off as Sonya entered the kitchen which was busy & bustling. "Hello, ladies. I hope you don't mind me coming in?"

"Nay, lass," said the heavy set woman she saw the evening before.

"My name is Sonya."

"We ken, lass. I am Wynn & she is Iona." Iona, was a very tall, thin, girl who giggled as she continued cutting up what appeared to be leeks.

"I am glad to meet you both."

Wynn nodded, a small smile upon her lips & then she turned back to the pot where she was stirring something. She seemed like the no nonsense type of woman.

"You missed breakfast, Miss," Iona explained in a high pitched voice.

"I figured I did." Sonya picked up two apples & smiled. "Well ladies, I am off. Have a good morning!" Sonya said, as she went to a door on the other side of the room & out the door.

Wynn put her hands to her full hips & said, "Now, I wonder what the lass is up to? She is up to something."

*

Ahead of her was a series of buildings all attached. She saw a young boy milking a cow & she waved as he looked up. Heading to the left she went down the hill, through the rock wall gates, until she stood before the plane. There were guards still walking around but they didn't say anything to her. The plane was a mess. It was blackened & there were pieces of metal littering the ground. Sonya took a deep breath in, which wasn't such a good idea since it smelled like a bad barbecue. She coughed & fought the urge to gag. The right wing tip in front of her was flush to the ground. It took only a little jump to climb up on it. She gave it a little bounce, but it didn't move. She looked through the huge rip in the side. You could have driven a car through it. Sonya shut her eyes & cleared her mind., she didn't want to take in what had happened on this plane. She was here to find anything usable. She walked through the hole.

The floor slanted sideways. Looking forward she saw rows of seats that were ripped out & smashed into others. A breeze was coming in through the broken windows & some of the oxygen masks were swaying slightly. She decided she would head towards the back of the plane. A couple of rows back she looked down & saw a bag which held yarn & crochet hooks. She wondered if Cami or Kerry knew how to crochet. She never got the hang of it herself, she was too impatient.
Was
…yeah right, she was still just as impatient!

Walking down a bit more she slid, coming to rest where a row of seats should have been. There were a couple of purses with spilled contents, cups, blankets. Some of the overhead bins were smashed; the doors hanging off. Sonya pulled herself up onto a seat & pulled out a bag, opening it. Ah a toothbrush! And it was new! She never thought she would get so excited over a toothbrush.

Sonya tried not to focus on names labeling bags. She didn't want to get sucked into thinking of lost lives just now. She was just grateful it was a fairly small flight, if one could be grateful for that. She started piling up things to take back. Maybe something would belong to the mystery man.

After a time of rustling through things Sonya thought she heard a faint whimper. She stood still, straining to hear. There it was again. It was coming from further back. Climbing over the debris towards the area where they kept the food & drinks, Sonya found a compartment off the side that went down into the cargo hold. She fell & tripped over some luggage & came upon a few crates. Then she saw a large wooden crate that had been knocked onto its side. There was a black nose! Sonya crawled over to the animal.

"Hi, there, pup." The dog lifted its head & his tail thumped. Reaching out her hand Sonya touched his nose & the dog licked her. She looked around for something to pry the end open & found a long metal strip hanging off of the wall. Pulling it off she placed the end in between where the wood pieces met & pulled. Her hand slipped & she fell back, landing on her butt among the luggage. Getting up she tried again. This time an inch pulled out.

"Okay, look out, pup." Sonya pulled & the nails squealed as they pulled out of the wood. Doing the same on the other side, it finally was open. The dog whimpered & thumped its tail, but didn't come out. "What's wrong, pup? Are you hurt?" It didn't seem to be the front legs, so Sonya moved her hand carefully down his back. As she touched the dog's thigh it let out a cry. "Oh, I am sorry. I have to pull you out to see your leg." The dog looked up at her with unusual bright, blue eyes. Sonya took hold of its upper half & slowly pulled. It must have hurt, but the dog just lay there patiently. "Now, let me see what we have. Well, there isn't any blood, but there is a definite problem."

Sonya slid bags out of the way to make a path. When she lifted the dog & slowly stood, he licked her arm. "Don't thank me yet, boy, we still have to get you out & fix that leg." The dog licked her in the face & she laughed.

As they made it topside she looked for the easiest route, not wanting to hurt the dog more. There were some slips & bumps, but the dog didn't even make a sound. She wondered when he last ate or drank. As they stepped out on the wing, they both took a deep breath.

"Here, lass" came a deep voice. Duncan was standing there off to the side of the wing. Shiver ran all down her. Looking down at him could keep her entranced. Duncan suddenly grinned & she realized what an idiot she must look like staring down at him.

"Hand him down, lass." Kneeling down she handed him the dog. Duncan lay him down & looked him over. "A leg out of the joint."

Sonya turned back to grab a red bag & jumped down. Kneeling next to the dog, he wagged his tail. "We are going to fix you up."

Duncan looked amused. As Sonya took hold of the dogs head, Duncan took hold of the leg. He made a quick movement, the dog yelped, & Sonya moved in with the gauze & tape. She looked up at Duncan. "Thank you."

"Aye."

Sonya smiled & Duncan thought it was the most beautiful smile he had ever seen before. He picked up the dog.

"May I keep him in my room?"