The Time Travelers' Club -- Chapter 127: Sam's New Year

New Year’s Day.  It was the start of a new year and Sam sat in the Steers' back parlor.  Now his back parlor. He looked at the empty chair next to him and remembered the first time he and Bon had peeked through the curtains to see Ari, Rose, Xavier, and Mrs. Steers looking like they were in trances.  He remembered the first time Mrs. Steers brought him here.  They went to London and spent the day sight-seeing.  He got to see the real Jack the Ripper. Sam had been exposed to the madness of Dr. Herkeimer. And got to see his first orbs.  Now he understood.  And now Mrs. Steers was gone.  He missed her.

Sam thought back to his brief visit with his Dad's spirit in London.  He wondered if Mrs. Steers and his Dad were talking about him right now.  And if Albert was there, too.  Sam then thought of something he hadn't before.  Mrs. Steers didn't really seem that upset over Albert's death. 

"Wouldn't she have..."  Sam spoke aloud, squinting his eyes as if he was trying to figure out a hard math problem.  "Why wasn't she that upset?  Where are they buried?  They must be somewhere.  Rose will know."

Leaning forward, Sam caught sight of a plain white envelope.  At first, he didn't recognize it then remembered it was the one that it was the other one that came with his to-do list from Mrs. Steers.  He didn't, however, remember leaving it on the table in the back parlor.

"Hmmm... I forgot all about that.  I thought I had left it…" Shrugging it off, Sam opened it and pulled out a letter-sized paper.  At the top, in Mrs. Steers handwriting was a note.

Sam, read this. It may give you some insight into Dr. Herkeimer's life.  You've been able to deal with your pain of loss, but some people find it very difficult.  I think Dr. Herkeimer couldn't deal with his very well.   When you get a chance, go back and watch the real scene, it will make even more sense. Regards, Mrs. Steers.

It was a photocopy of an obituary from an old newspaper.

Young Life Taken Too Soon.  Little Sissy Herkeimer, daughter of Myrna Herkeimer died after a fall at their seaside residence. The whole community is saddened by this news and send their sympathy to the family.  The oldest son, Selwyn Herkeimer, is still missing at sea.   Overcome with deep grief over his sister's death, he sailed out into the ocean despite the impending storm.  Pieces of the small rowboat washed ashore, however the boy's body is yet to be found.  Mrs. Herkeimer and her other son, Ullwyn, are faring well despite their loss and will be returning to the city soon where Sissy will be buried in the family plot next to her father.

Sam sank deep into the chair, almost ready to cry.  He thought about earlier in the week how he had yelled at Mrs. Steers, telling her to stay away. He stared at her empty chair.  Even though they had made up and he understood now, he felt regret and missed her.

"Sam, " Rose whispered.  "Are you deep in thought?"

Sam smiled up at Rose who was peeking over the left side of the chair. "What are you doing here?"

"I stopped by to see you, silly boy," said Rose.  "You're the little brother I never had."

Rose sat down in Mrs. Steers' chair.   At first, Sam almost stopped her.  He didn’t want just anyone to sit in Mrs. Steers’ chair. But Sam could see that she filled Mrs. Steers’ seat perfectly.

"What about a new adventure?   You still know the incantations, don't you?"  Rose rubbed his arm.   "I am here.  I love to travel.  I understand you have a long list of places to see? Many adventures that you want to take.  You even have a to-do list."

"Yes," said Sam.  "But how did you know?"

Rose relaxed back in the chair, rubbing the arms.  "Guess?   You were the topic of many a conversation I had with someone."

"Mrs. Steers?"

Rose nodded.  "Come on, Sam.  What do you say?  Let's go somewhere."

Sam sat up, took a deep breath, and thought.  First, he looked at the obituary, then shook his head and continued to think.  "Well...  I do want to see several things.  I'm just not sure what to pick."

After a few moments of staring into space, Sam leaned forward, grabbing Rose's arm.

"OK.  Hang on.  We're on our way to see..."

The End

Or is it....

The Time Travelers' Club -- Chapter 126: Returning

Sam and his Mom enjoyed a few days of quiet at home.  It had been quite an adventure for Sam and quite a shock for his Mom.  Both had a lot to take in.  A lot to understand and contemplate.  Sam watched his Mom, waiting for questions to come or for him to get in trouble for not telling her what he was really doing.

How could I tell my Mom?  Hey.  Guess where I went today?  I went to Egypt and saw Cleopatra.  Sam’s thoughts went round and round, wondering what she would have said.

Christmas Day had come and gone.  Sam got books from his Grandma Henry while Grandpa Henry had bought him some new building sets.  His Mom got him some new clothes, including a black flannel robe.

"Sam, how do they fit?"  Emily was at the kitchen table, drinking her tea and reading the newspaper.

"Well, I think we may need to exchange them," said Sam, as he walked out of his bedroom.  "These are way too loose."   Sam had to hold them up to keep them from falling.

"I see that.  That's your normal size.  Well, at least the last time I bought you clothes."  Emily raised her eyebrows.  "Perhaps all this adventuring wasn't for nothing."  She checked the tag.  "You've lost weight."

Sam didn't feel so husky anymore.

Later, they had visitors.  Rose, Ari, and Xavier stopped by.

Rose opened the laundry room door.  "Hello?  I hope we're not intruding.”

"Come in.  We're just hanging out," said Emily.

"We've never been in your apartment. I hope you don't mind," said Rose. Emily motioned for them to sit down.

"Not a problem," said Emily.  "I'll fix some tea."

Ari and Xavier sat down on the couch, while Rose sat down on the floor next to Sam.

"Those are some awesome sets you've got there," she said, looking over the instructions with Sam.

"Aren't they great," said Sam.

A few moments later, Emily came back with mugs of tea.  Everyone relaxed and the conversation was pleasant and easy.

"Oh," said Xavier to Emily.  "I've got some great news for you.  My cousin read one of your manuscripts and he wants to talk to you about it."

"Really," said Emily.  "But how did he..."

"Lottie," replied Xavier.  "You left one of your manuscripts with her and it made its way to his hands."

Trying to hold back her excitement, Emily fumbled for words of thanks.

"Don't thank me, dear," said Xavier.

Meanwhile, Sam and Rose went back to chatting, after a quick toast with tea to Emily.  Rose pulled out a package from her coat pocket.

"This is for you," said Rose.  "Merry Christmas, Sam."  She handed it to him.

"Thanks," said Sam.  He opened the small box.  Inside was the charm Mrs. Steers had found in a hole in the basement wall in Rome.  Sam held it up.

"What is it?"

Rose leaned closer to him, so only he could hear.  "Remember that list from Mrs. Steers.  How I'm supposed to help you along.  Well, this is my first assignment for you. We've got to figure out what this is."  Sam held it in his hand and studied it.

"Looks like we've got a lot to do," said Sam.

Rose whispered to him.  "Yes, we do.  Indeed we do."

Later, their guests left and Emily and Sam got ready for bed.  Emily was in the laundry room taking care of the last few items from the dryer.

"Sam, I'm locking this door to the rest of the house" she called to Sam who had crawled into bed.  She then talked to herself. "Leave the key in the keyhole or take it out.  Better take it out... Ha... Who am I kidding?  These folks can materialize anyplace they want."  Emily's paranoia was up a bit.  Trying to place the key on a nail next to the door, but missed it.  The key dropped to the floor and slid under the corner of the dryer.  She rolled her eyes and walked off.  "Just stay there."

Emily went to bed and Sam settled in, reading one of his new books.  An hour later, Sam, still engrossed in the novel, thought he heard something stirring.  A faint noise that he could hear above the whirring of the air filter, his white noise maker.  He got up and crept out into the living room.   He looked around.  His mom's door was ajar but there was no sound from that direction.

He turned and saw a light under the laundry room door into the Steers' part of the house.  Sam moved quietly and listened at the door.  It sounded like someone moving about the hallway.  Pulling the door open a crack, he didn't see anyone, but there was light from downstairs.  Moving to the top of the stairs, he saw that a light was on in the front parlor.

Tiptoeing his way down, he hid around the corner of the front parlor, just in case there was someone there. Slowly, he peaked into the room. It was empty.  Then from the kitchen, he heard the tea kettle start to whistle.  Again, he moved quietly and slowly, ready to run if he had to.

Looking in, he saw someone sitting at the kitchen table.  His back was to him.  He let out a little gasp.  The figure turned around.

"Well, look who's here.  Sam come on in."  It was Albert Steers.  "You're looking fine.  Survived your first big adventure with the Club."

Sam walked in a few steps and immediately stopped.

Standing by the stove, pouring hot water into two mugs, was Mrs. Steers.

"Oh, Sam," she picked one up and put it down in front of Mr. Steers.  "It's good to see you."  She gave the stunned, Sam a big hug.

"I thought you were dead," he said as the tears rolled.  "I thought you were both dead.”

"Well, Sam, we won't leave you again," said Mr. Steers, taking a sip from his mug.

"Of course not," said Mrs. Steers, pulling away from Sam and going over to pick up her mug.  "We have lots of things to do.  And, by the way, I've been meaning to ask you.  Have you been having any bad dreams or nightmares lately."

Several weeks had passed since their trip to Fingal's Cave and Sam couldn't think of one.

"No," said Sam with a quizzical look.  "I don't think so."  He grinned just a little.  "No bad dreams.  And I have lost some weight.  In fact, I've been feeling really good."

"Very good," said Mrs. Steers.  "That's very good to hear."

From somewhere, Sam heard a buzzing noise that got louder and louder until Sam closed his eyes and shook his head.   He sat straight up in bed.  His alarm clock had gone off.  It was 6:30.  He remembered he had set it to get back to his morning school routine.

A few moments later, it hit him.  "I was just dreaming."  His eyes teared up.  "But it seemed so real.  Maybe my dreams will be like that more."  He snuggled back down in bed and went back to sleep, but only until his Mom woke him.

"Hey, are you awake?  How about some French toast?"  Emily was starting breakfast.

Sam yawned and stretched.  "I am now."  Sitting on the side of the bed, he felt chilly. He peeked out the window.  Snow was falling. He looked around for his new robe and then remembered his Mom had washed it.

Hurrying to the laundry room, Sam saw his robe on the dryer. He felt a cool breeze coming from the Steers’ part of the house.

“Burr…  Why isn’t the heat on?”  Sam pushed the laundry room door closed and slipped his robe on, immediately feeling warmer. On the floor, he spotted the laundry room key under the corner of the dryer.  He picked it up and put it in the door's lock.

Pointing to the key, he said.  "That's where you belong."  He started to leave but stopped.  “Didn’t Mom…?  I thought Mom had locked that door.”

The Time Travelers' Club -- Chapter 125: Some Closure

"Amazing.  Simply amazing."  Leightstone walked a few paces to the left then back to the right.  "I had no idea that someone was able to use that incantation on a wooden sculpture.  We will definitely need to have some research done on this."

Leightstone stood in front of Dr. Herkeimer's chair, watching the eyes in the wood face carved on the high back of the chair follow him as he moved back and forth.  He had found documentation about the chair's origin in some papers in Dr. Herkeimer's desk.  Purchased in Switzerland, the chair came with provenance dating it back to the late 1780s.  Leightstone was having it packed up and shipped to a secret location where it would be studied further.

The International Council and several members of the East and West Coast Clubs had taken over the Herkeimer mansion, searching for clues to his madness.  So far, their efforts had turned up nothing about his motives.  His captured followers professed to know nothing.  They said that they had all been coerced into the group.

Still sitting in his cell, Fulop had provided information about the laboratory in the basement.  He and Mrs. Labuler had become friends.  She brought him his requested reading material -- all classic works of literature.  His last words to Leightstone was "Keep me here.  I've got plenty to read and I'm well fed.  The dead Doctor never treated me this good."

And now, they were searching Fulop's laboratory.  Anything of importance had been packed up and taken away.   In a far corner of the basement, Darren and Lewis were working on cracking open the wall safe. Leightstone had joined them.

"According to Dreda, there are lots of secrets in there," said Leightstone.  "Dr. Herkeimer had blackmailed most of his group into joining him, so we must be very careful with any sensitive materials."

"I agree," said Margery Price, in her English accent, another member of the International Council.  She and William Trenda had joined them in the basement.  "From what we've gathered, Mrs. Caligar said that Herkeimer had kept more than just blackmail material in the safe.  She mentioned other documents that he had found over the years regarding the Club."

Trenda stepped over to Darren and Lewis.  "In other words, be very careful."  He then turned to Leightstone.  "And where is Dreda?"

"She is with her Father.  She is under arrest, but was released to him a few days ago."  Leightstone watched Darren and Lewis fiddling with the lock.  "She's not to leave his side.  It was the Council's decision to remove her powers, but her parents had pleaded to keep her abilities to use the incantations."

Price added a few words of sympathy.  "If it's true what she says about the information in this safe, we'll probably reverse the sentence."

"Let's hope she is," said Trenda.  "She's good at using some of the more unusual incantations.  She just needs help right now."

"Aha," exclaimed Lewis. "I heard something that sounded promising." Lewis grabbed the safe's handle and gave it a hardy tug.  The thick door popped open and a light came on from inside.

"Maybe it's really a refrigerator?" Darren joked about the light.

"Well, look at that," said Price.  "Have you ever seen such a stash?"   They all stood amazed.  The wall safe was really as large as a bank vault.  It had shelves with stacks of papers, books, boxes, and bags.

Leightstone led the way into the safe.  His first stop was at a box labeled "Vincent Waldhead."  He lifted the lid to peek inside.

"Well, looks like Doctor Herkeimer had a lot on Vincent," said Leightstone.

Vincent was now under the protection of the West Coast Chapter.  He had come peacefully and quietly, telling them anything they wanted to know, including the secrets for which he had been blackmailed.

"We'll be able to give that to Vincent," said Trenda.  "He can dispose of it."

"I agree," said Price, lifting her skirt as she stepped over the vault’s threshold. "I will add that we, meaning you and I, Rufus that we need to confirm his statements about the contents."

Leightstone nodded and put the lid back on the box.  "Agreed.  Trenda will do that before you leave, then you can take it."

Lewis nudged Darren in the side.  "Ask him."

"No, you ask him.  You're the one who wants to know."

"I was not."

"What are you two going on about?" said Trenda.  Darren and Lewis both turned to look at him.

Darren spoke up.  "We were just wondering what happed to the tall brute and..."

"The little fellow."  Lewis ended the sentence.

"Ah, Bruno and Fan. As best we can tell, they have yet to turn up."  Trenda rubbed his chin.  "Who knows?"

Meanwhile, Xavier and Rose were upstairs in the Doctor's bedroom.  Rose perused the books on the shelves.

Xavier was running his hand across the top of a wooden box.  A shiny metal plate on top had the initials "U.G.H." etched into it.  He was puzzled about it.

"Check this out," said Xavier.  "This is labeled "ugh."

Rose walked over.  "I'm going to guess that may be Dr. Herkeimer's initials.  His first name was Ullwyn."

"Oh, poor guy.  His initials spelled "ugh."  How sad is that."  Xavier was pushed aside by Rose.

"Let's just see what poor Dr. Ugh had hidden, shall we."  Rose tried to open the lid but it was locked.  Frustrated, she pulled out a  pocket knife from her skirt pocket.  Running the blade around the lid and the lock, she gave a few twists of the knife.  The lock clicked.

"Ah ha," she exclaimed.  Putting the pocket knife away, she opened the lid and they looked inside.

There sat a small package in wrapping paper and a bow.  Rose lifted it out and set it on a nearby table.

"What do you think this is?" said Xavier.

Without answering, Rose lifted off the lid to reveal a tea set -- a pink tea pot with painted flowers, four cups and sauces, a creamer and a sugar bowl.  All waiting to be used.

"I wonder," said Rose softly to herself.

"Looks like nothing to me," said Xavier.  He turned and left the room.

Rose ran her hand over the teapot and put the lid back on the package.  She stood there for a moment before slowly walking back out in the hallway.  Just as she was about to head down the stairs, she heard a rustling noise then a door opened.

Turning, she saw that a door at the end of the hallway had opened just a little. Inching her way to it and ready to strike, she grabbed the knob, pulled open the door, and peeked around it to see who was inside.  Rose chuckled.

Darren had come up the stairs and could see Rose looking in a room, talking to herself.  As he approached her, he could hear part of what she was saying.

"Yes, he is safe," said Rose.  "Everything went according to plan.  Don't worry about anything..."  Rose saw Darren and closed the door. "Oh, I didn't see you there."

"Who are you talking to?" said Darren.  He quickly opened the door, thinking he would scare someone inside.  All that was there was a long wool overcoat.  Darren looked at her, then at the coat.

"It's just a closet with a wool coat.  Hmmm... Making plans with the mysterious Mr. Coat," said Darren, winking at her.

Rose played along.  "Yes, we're going out to dinner next week.  He wants lamb chops."

Darren grinned at her.  "You've got spunk.  I like that."  He walked back down the hall.

Rose thought to herself.  Too bad you don't like girls.  She looked at the coat and closed the door.   She walked towards the stairs but stopped when she got to the Doctor's bedroom.  She saw the wooden box.  She went in, picked it up, and went to join the others.

The Time Travelers' Club -- Chapter 124: A Promise

As the fight between Ully and Selwyn got worse, Sissy tried to stop them. "Stop this!  You two shouldn't fight.  You're upsetting mother."

Selwyn pushed Ully back causing him to fall on his behind.  Sissy got between the two boys.  She smacked Selwyn in the stomach with her small hands.  He wasn't fazed by her meager hits.

"Shut up you," said Selwyn and pushed her backwards.  She tripped and fell sideways into their mother's flower garden.  Sissy let out a scream.

Ully jumped up.  "Don't treat her like that," Ully shouted and leapt onto Selwyn. Ully pulled on Selwyn's hair and kicked him in his stomach.  The fight turned bloody when Ully punched Selwyn in the nose.  Selwyn stumbled back, grabbing his nose.

"Ah man, now you're dead!"  Selwyn took a swing at Ully who ducked and was able to jab Selwyn in the side.

"Stop it boys this instant."  Their mother had gotten up and was leaning over the rail.  "Stop it.  Your sister needs help."  The two boys continued to fight.  Getting agitated, their mother called for the housekeeper.

"Lucy, please come out her.  Sissy needs help and those boys won't stop fighting."

Lucy came out of the house and ran over to help Sissy up out of the flower bed.  "Sissy, can you hear me?"   Lucy noticed blood on the side of the girl's head.

"Oh no, Sissy, can you hear me?"  Lucy was yelling at Sissy.

Now the boys had stopped and backed off from each other.  They both looked at their sister.   Lucy was still attempting to get the girl to wake up, gently patting her on her cheek.  Their mother had come out into the yard.

"Quick, get her into the house.  I'll telephone the doctor."   As she turned to go back up the steps, she yelled at the boys.  "This is all your fault.  You two and your stupid feud.  I'll take care of you two later."

With Sissy in the housekeeper’s arms, her mother held the door open and they went inside.  Ully walked over to the flower bed and noticed a sharp rock with blood on it.  He could feel his anger raging inside.

"Now look what you did."  Ully turned to Selwyn.  "This is all your fault.  She's hurt."  Ully felt his hands curl into fists and before Selwyn had a chance to defend himself, Ully hit him.   Selwyn threw up his arms to protect his face and quickly backed away.

Selwyn ran towards the back of the house and headed towards the dock.  Ully tripped in the yard as he ran after him.

"I'm going to get you," said Ully.  "I'm going to make you pay for what you did.  You’re nothing but a bully."  Ully had gotten to his feet and was chasing Selwyn.

By now, Selwyn had made it to the end of the dock and was untying the small row boat.  He grabbed the oars and started to row out in the bay.

"Come back, you coward," yelled Ully, but it was too late.  Selwyn was too far away.  "I'll teach you to pick on a little girl!   I'll get you."  Ully knew he would be back.  He ran back up to the house.

The doctor had just arrived.  Lucy had taken Sissy upstairs. Their Mother was just taking him upstairs to the girl's room as Ully came in.

"Is she alright?" asked Ully.   Neither gave an answer.  He raced up the stairs after them, taking two steps at a time.

They went into Sissy's room.  Lucy was dabbing a wet cloth on Sissy's temple and behind her ear.

The doctor took a look at her.  "How did this happen?"

"She fell and hit her head on a sharp rock in the flower bed," said their Mother.  "Is she going to be alright.  She doesn't seem to be responding."

Ully stood in the doorway and watched, feeling helpless.

Out in the bay, a crack of thunder and flash of lightening illuminated the ocean sky.  The wind picked up and the waves began to roll higher.  The storm was moving in quickly.  Selwyn had stopped rowing the boat and was sitting, watching the dock.  The rowboat began to rock harder and harder.

Soon, the storm clouds rolled in and a soaking downpour hit just a few yards beyond the rowboat.  Selwyn panicked and rowed as fast as he could, but he wasn't fast enough to outrun the rain.  It hit hard.

Back in the house, the doctor had examined Sissy.  "Her neck and the back of her head are swollen where she hit the rock.  We need to ice the areas and see if we can't get the swelling down."

Lucy ran downstairs and came back with a big bowl of ice and towels.  Ully stood by watching as they put ice on her neck and head.  He started to cry.  His mother came over and held him.

"She's going to be alright, isn't she?" said Ully between tears.  He buried his face in his mother's arms.  "Tell me she's going to be alright."

As the words left his mouth, Sissy sighed heavily.  Her head fell to the side and she let out a long gasp of air.  Immediately, the doctor attempted to revive her.  Ully began to cry harder.  His Mother let him go, hurried over to Sissy, and held her hand.

"Sissy, can you hear me?  Sissy!"  Her mother began to shake her arm.  The doctor stopped his attempt to bring her back to life.  He turned to Lucy and shook his head.  She began to sob.

Ully stood frozen, unable to move, staring at his lifeless sister.  He put his forearm to his mouth and began to scream.  He ran to the bed and grabbed her hand.

"Come on, Sissy, let's go have tea.  Come on and get up.  Sissy, you have to get your birthday present.   Wake up, Sissy!"  Ully cried so hard he could hardly breathe.  Lucy wrapped her arms around him, but he wouldn't let go of his sister.

"No!  She's going to get up.  Wake up, Sissy!  Wake up!"  Ully finally laid down next to his sister.

"Let him be," said the doctor.  "Give him some time."  Lucy backed off.  Their mother still held the girl's and Ully’s hands.

Later that evening, Ully still sat next to Sissy, holding her small hand.   "I'll get him for this, Sissy.  I promise I will make it alright.  I'll find a way to make it alright."

His mother watched her son fall deep into grief, fearing what the loss of his sister would do to him.