Prisoner in Time (Time travel) (67 page)

Doc stopped just in front of them.

“We’re doctors and we have an injured man here. Stand aside son,” Doc ordered.

“No Sir. We can’t do that. There’re reports of Rebs posing as Union soldiers. We need to see your credentials Sirs,” the corporal said, with an authoritative voice.

“Lad, we don’t have time for this…”

“Boys, lower your weapons, I’m Gen. Warner,” David said as he stood, cutting Doc off.

The two soldiers shifted nervously in their stance, then stiffened.

“No Sir, we can’t lower our weapons. We have our orders. We must see your credentials… both of you,” the corporal insisted.

“This is ridiculous. I’m Gen. David Warner. I don’t need to show you two anything. Now stand aside before I have you two shot for insubordination,” he ordered angrily, now losing his patience.

The corporal stared at David, then turned to the private.

“Wasn’t there a Gen. David Warner that was captured here a while back… right from this very spot.”

“Yeah, I think you’re right,” the other soldier replied.

“Yeah that’s me. I was captured, but escaped from their prison,” David responded impatiently.

“Sir, we didn’t hear of your escape. All we know is that you’re still supposed to be in one of those Reb prisons. I’m afraid I am going to have to see your credentials Sir. This is what the sergeant warned us about,” the corporal insisted.

“Dammit guys, I need to get through here. This man will die if you waste any more of our time,” David shouted angrily.

“Your credentials Sir,” the corporal repeated, nervously.

“This is ridiculous,” David snapped.

He reached into his pockets searching for his paperwork. Suddenly, he realized his documents were left back at his tent in Nashville as he had raced to find Geoff that morning.

He cleared his throat and said, “I’m sorry guys, but I don’t have my documents with me right now.”

The two men stared at David suspiciously. Raising their rifles, they now suspected him as a Rebel spy.

“Ok, off the wagon… now,” the corporal shouted.

“Guys, I am who I say I am. I just forgot my paperwork back in Nashville.”

“Says you, Reb,” the private snickered.

“Both you men are under arrest. Get down off that wagon,” the corporal demanded.

David stared down at Geoff. He could see his chest barely moving. He knew any more delays would cause his death. Looking over to Doc, he could see the same desperation in his eyes he felt. Suddenly, imperceptibly, he caught a slight wink in Doc’s eyes.

As David climbed down off the wagon, Doc did the same. Slowly, out of sight of the two soldiers, David unsnapped his flap holster. He looked over to Doc and nodded.

“HEY!” Doc shouted.

Both men instinctively focused on Doc. David instantly pulled his revolver, pointed and fired. As the private fell to the ground, the corporal pointed his weapon. Before he could pull his trigger, David fired once more, mortally wounding him. He fell over backward, dead.

“I hated to do that,” Doc said.

“I know. They were just doing their jobs,” David responded.

“Let’s at least get them off the road,” Doc said.

A minute later, the two leapt back up onto the wagon. David checked Geoff’s vitals.

“Oh God Doc, we have to go. He’s almost dead,” David shouted bluntly.

Doc snapped the reins and sped off.

“We’ll be there in two minutes,” he shouted.

Roaring along the wooded path, Doc bounced off trees in his hurry. As the pulled up into a clearing, David immediately recognized it.

“This is it,” he shouted. Pointing, he continued, “Over there, at the far end.”

“I remember,” Doc shouted back.

A minute later, Doc hauled back on the reins. He rushed around to the back and helped David lift the bloody stretcher off the wagon. Quickly, they hurried over to a small grove of Aspens. They stopped and lowered Geoff to the ground.

“This is it. This is the spot,” David shouted anxiously.

“Are you sure? I don’t see the opening anywhere,” Doc responded, anxiously.

“I have to open it first,” David said grimly.

He bent down and rubbed his hand in Geoff’s blood. Doc’s face looked puzzled. David took a step back and closed his eyes. As Doc watched, David let his mind delve into his anguish. He remembered Bobby’s mangled body. He remembered his worry for Geoff in battle. He visualized the moment Geoff was shot and the torment he felt at that moment. Suddenly, he felt a rush of wind pass by him.

“David, I see it… I see the elevator,” Doc shouted excitedly.

David opened his eyes and smiled. He was now standing inside the elevator.

“So where’s the patient,” a voice sounded out from behind.

David spun around and looked behind him.

“Oh my God, Phin,” David shouted in surprise. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you.”

David looked back at Doc standing just outside the elevator and smiled.

“Doc, allow me to introduce your great great grandson, Dr. Phineas Morgan, the man who saved my life the last time I returned… and I suspect he’s here to save Geoff if I’m not mistaken.”

“You are not mistaken David,” Phineas replied with an affirmative nod.

He stepped forward and extended his hand. Doc walked toward the elevator and grabbed it. The two shook hands and smiled.

The two stared at each other momentarily. Noticing the beard on Phin, Doc reached up and coifed his own.

“A right handsome beard I must say,” Doc said, his lips curling at the edges.

Phin rubbed his own shorter beard, smiled and said, “Working on it.”

“What a remarkable phenomenon,” Doc said, now shaking his head in wonder.

“You are quite a remarkable man Jeb,” Phin responded, unsure of how to address him.

Suddenly, Doc’s face turned serious.

“My goodness, we’ve forgotten poor Geoffrey. He’s dying,” Doc said, his tone now deeply saddened.

“Don’t worry, I’ve made all the arrangements… just like you instructed,” Phin said to Doc.

“I instructed?” Doc said, now confused.

“Yup, you passed along the same kind of letter to save Geoff as you did to save David the last time he returned. The O.R. is prepped and waiting for him. If we’re going to save him, we better do this now,” he said, motioning to two men standing outside the elevator, inside the hospital.

From behind, two brawny orderlies rushed past David, Doc and Phin. They carefully lifted Geoff’s stretcher and raced back into the elevator to a waiting gurney on the other side. In seconds he was gone, hurried up the hallway toward the operating room.

Phin extended his hand once more and said, “Doc, it was truly my life’s greatest pleasure to meet you.”

Doc smiled and shook his hand aggressively.

“Take good care of Geoffrey,” he said.

“I will.” Phin nodded, then turned and rushed out of the elevator.

Doc stared at David for a moment. His face was filled with sadness.

“Here we are again,” he said sadly.

“I don’t know what to say,” David replied. He smiled apprehensively and said, “I’m going to miss you… again.”

“I feel the loss already,” he replied, his voice growing weak.

Doc’s eyes reddened and began to tear. David felt the painful loss of his best friend. The two stood speechless, each man struggling to hold back his emotions.

Suddenly, both men leaned forward and hugged each other, neither wanting to let go as they realized that would be the last time they’d ever see each other again.

As the two men pulled back, tears streamed down Doc’s face.

Once more, David felt a rush of wind. His eyes widened signaling the end was near.

Doc nodded and said, “Godspeed, David.”

“Take care of yourself, Doc. You’re my greatest inspiration.”

“As you are mine,” Doc replied.

As the door began to close, both men raised their hand to signal goodbye. Seconds later, the time portal shut, severing the connection in time forever.

David continued to stare at the blank wall that was once a door, hoping for it to reopen. A moment later, he pursed his lips in sadness, nodded in understanding, then turned out of the elevator. As he walked up the hospital corridor, his mind shifted gears.

“Geoff,” he said to himself.

Instantly, he sped off up the hallway toward the O.R.

-----*-----*-----*-----

December 17
th
, 2012 

“Geoff… you awake? Can you hear me?”

The young man stood beside the hospital bed and lightly rubbed Geoff’s arm, trying to rouse him.

“Geoff, I can see your eyes twitching. I know you can hear me. Come on man, wake up,” he said, this time louder.

The young man looked around the intensive care room and watched the monitors. Flashing lights and monotonous beeping tones signaled Geoff’s health. The young man watched Geoff’s pulse beep loud and strong and decided to try again.

“Geoff, I know you’re in there. The doctor said you should be coming out of it any time now. Can you hear me? Wiggle your fingers if you can.”

The young man studied Geoff’s hand for movement. Suddenly, he smiled as Geoff twitched his index finger.

“Good work, Geoff. Now try to open your eyes,” he asked, growing ever more excited.

Geoff’s eyelids shuddered slightly, then began to part. He opened them halfway, closed them, then opened them fully.

“All right man, good job. Nice to have you back,” the voice said, excitedly.

Geoff’s eyes moved in and out of focus as they adjusted to the light. As the blurred vision disappeared, he stared at the young man with confusion. His mind processed the face, then smiled.

“Bobby?” he said in a low gravelly tone.

“In the flesh, Dude. How are you feeling?” he asked, his voice now soft and sympathetic.

His eyes began to well with tears, but he forced them back, keeping strong for his brother. Geoff smiled again, then winced in pain.

“I’m a little sore… feels like someone punched me in the back.”

“Oh man, that sucks. I’m really sorry to hear that,” he responded in saddened tone.

“I can’t believe you’re alive,” Geoff said, his voice barely audible. “Bobby, you were dead.”

“I heard… weird man, really weird.” He rubbed Geoff’s shoulder affectionately and said, “Thanks for saving my life bro. I can’t believe you went through all of that for me.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Geoff asked, knowingly.