The Time Travelers' Club -- Chapter 120: The Doctor Is Gone

With marksman precision, Mrs. Steers' orb had hit its target.  Dr. Herkeimer was no longer a threat to the Time Travelers.

"Look out," screamed Xavier, but it was too late.

Before being hit by Mrs. Steers’ orb, Dr. Herkeimer had formed a small grey orb and threw it.  His orb sailed just below hers, so she didn't see it coming. It hit her on her left side, catching her coat on fire.   Mrs. Steers slumped to the stone floor.

Uncle Griff and Ari ran to help her, putting out the smoldering wool.

"I've got you," said Uncle Griff, holding her in his arms.

"No!"  A scream came out of nowhere.  It was Sam.  He had stepped through the invisible shield just in time to witness Mrs. Steers’ orb take down Dr. Herkeimer and then see her get hit by his.  He ran towards Mrs. Steers.  Before he could get close enough, Uncle Griff had picked her up. She put her arms around his neck and they disappeared. 

Rose held onto Sam.  "She's alright, Sam.  She was just grazed on her side.  Barely a burn."  She looked over at Xavier, who had a solemn look about him.  He disappeared.

Sam looked at her.  "You promise she's alright."

"Yes," said Rose.

"I did it.  I put the books in a secure place in there."  Sam pointed to the entrance.  "They're safe now."

By then, everyone else gathered around to listen to him.

"What was it like in there?" asked Ari.  Darren and Lewis, holding the tied-up Vincent, came close.

"It was awesome.  There's a lot of stuff in there.  Other books. Some maps.  A couple of cool old boxes.  There was also a glass ball. You know the ones that gypsies look into to see the future."  Sam regaled them with the best descriptions he could.  Everyone took turns asking questions.

"Wait, where's..." Sam turned to look at the body of Dr. Herkeimer.  He grimaced at the sight of his charred body.   "Oh.  I guess he got his... I mean...  He was a bad person, wasn't he?"

"He wasn't really bad.  He was just misguided," said Vincent.

"But weren't you part of his club?" said Sam.

"I was, but I was wrong about it all...”  Vincent lowered his head.

"Come on, old chap," said Darren, taking hold of Vincent's arm.  "We've got to take you to Rufus Leightstone."

Vincent nodded.  "Well, Master Henry, I hope we can meet again. Maybe under better circumstances."  He stood up with Darren and Lewis.  The three disappeared.

"He called me Master Henry," said Sam.  "Why does everyone keep calling me that?"

Rose chuckled.  "I don't. And neither does Ari here."

"I've never really gotten to talk to you, Ari," said Sam.  "I want to hear more about you."

Ari grinned.  "Remind me to tell you about the fishing docks in my hometown.  That's a good place to start."

The three of them stood in silence a moment.

"Hey, what happened to the other woman?" said Sam, realizing that Dreda wasn't with them.  "Did she die to?"

"No, Xavier had her cornered, but after she saw Dr. Herkeimer... well... die, she left."  Rose teared up.  She wiped her eyes with her sleeve.  Sam was surprised to see her cry.  "You see, Sam, she is my sister."

Sam didn't say a word. He just wrapped his arms around her and gave a hug.  She hugged back.  "Let's get out of here.  Mrs. Steers is probably waiting for us."

Taking one last look around, they stood in the glow of the orbs.  The tiny orbs that emerged from Sam's one large orb glowed bright, filling the entire cave with light.  They all knew that they would someday return to the cavern, deep in Fingal's Cave, now that they knew there were more mysteries here to solve.  Ari put his hand on Rose's shoulder, and in the blink of an eye all three stood in Mrs. Steers' front parlor.