Chapters and the Hourglass of Time

  “Look, Billy,” Rohan started, “you’ve been through enough already. I didn’t want to make this experience even more traumatic. That is why I was reluctant to tell you more than you needed to know about our final mission.” Rohan took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. “Many things have changed, it is true. Pollution caused global warming. When the ice on the poles melted, the balance between fresh and salt water in the oceans changed, causing weather patterns to change too. Storms and hurricanes began to form in places where they never happened before. They also became stronger and less predictable due to the rising water temperatures in the oceans. Some cities were completely wiped out. Those who survived moved to bigger cities.”

  Billy listened silently, his face solemn. Rohan’s story sounded like a horror movie. The worst part of all was that Billy knew that the things Rohan described were really happening.

  “Bad weather wasn’t the only problem,” Rohan continued. “Wide use of ODS made the ozone layer dangerously thin.”

  “What’s ODS?” Billy asked.

  “Ozone Depleting Substances,” Rohan answered. “These are chemicals that people used a lot in the twentieth- and twenty-first centuries.”

  “And how is it bad?”

  “The ozone layer protects us from harmful ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun. This radiation causes skin cancer and attacks our DNA,” Rohan explained. “In the place we are going, heatstroke and sunburn are ancient terms. There, you either get exposed to the sun or not, and if you do, your skin will turn to blisters in less than an hour.”

  Billy gasped for air. “My dream!”

  “What dream?”

  “Just before I woke up, I had a dream.”

  “What did you see?”

  “Not much really. I just saw these white blisters on my arms and my face. And the pain. I could literally feel the pain.”

  “Interesting.” Rohan seemed worried and curious at the same time.

  “Why? Does it mean anything?”

  “No, I don’t think so”—Rohan shook his head—“just a bad dream.”

  A faint sigh of relief escaped Billy’s lips.

  The fire in the fireplace had almost died out. He rekindled it by tossing in some tree bark. A burst of embers made the room brighter.

  “So, how do people live then?” Billy wondered.

  “Some cities built domes.”

  “Domes?” Billy imagined a giant half sphere covering an entire city, protecting it from the deadly environment.

  “Others dug in.”

  “What do you mean?” Billy asked.

  “They used the metro tunnels and mines to build cities under the ground.”

  “So, which one are we going to?”

  “Neither. We are going to a lake.”

  “Huh?” Billy’s eyebrows rose.

  * * *

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  I Wish I Could Play with It More

  “Do you remember the underground lake I told you about?” Rohan asked.

  “The source of the crystals?”

  “Right, only now the lake is no longer under the ground. A number of earthquakes over the years pushed it up to the surface.”

  “Wouldn’t the earthquake destroy the lake?” Billy asked.

  “You would think so. In reality, the lake seems to exist in its own dimension. Nothing affects it; it doesn’t drain and it almost doesn’t dry out like other lakes.”

  “So why are we going there?”

  “To destroy it,” said Rohan firmly.

  That was the last thing Billy expected to hear. “What . . .? How . . .? Why . . .?”

  “If the lake doesn’t exist, the crystals lose their power.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I experimented on a small amount, and it worked.”

  “How are you going to destroy the lake if not even the earthquake could do it?”

  Rohan squatted beside his bag, unzipped the top and opened it. Inside, Billy saw a

  bottle with a colorless liquid and a clock connected to the bottle with electrical wires.

  “A bomb?”

  “A chemical bomb,” corrected Rohan. “When the contents of the bottle interact with the substance in the lake, a chemical reaction will occur. The entire lake will turn into a vapor.”

  “But why do you want to ruin the crystals at all?” Billy cried.

  There was a tone of desperation in his voice. Until now he didn’t realize that even though he badly wanted to get home, back to his parents and friends and away from all these troubles, somewhere deep in his mind he had hoped he would have a chance to keep the hourglass.

  “This is the only way to stop the madness,” said Rohan.

  “I don’t follow you.” Billy was lost.

  “Using the hourglass to build a better world was a utopian idea. By solving one problem we created another one, which otherwise would’ve been avoided. Over the long years of my life I’ve learned one valuable lesson: a trouble-free life is a myth; it simply doesn’t exist. Only by overcoming obstacles, do we become stronger. Humanity grows stronger.”

  He noticed Billy’s solemn face. “I thought we’d been through this already.”

  “I know,” Billy replied. “Only I wish I could play more with it.”

  Rohan made a conspiratorial face. “Hey, how about this time you flip the hourglass?”

  “Really?” Billy’s face lit up. “You’d let me?”

  “Sure,” Rohan nodded. “Just finish changing.”

  Two minutes later Billy stood ready. He wore the same protective suit as Rohan.

  “How does it feel?” Rohan asked.

  “Boots are a bit too big,” Billy complained.

  “Better than too small,” Rohan assured him. He picked a helmet from the pile of clothing and placed it over Billy’s head on a thin metal ring around his neck. He pushed down and twisted the helmet until it snapped in place.

  “Looking good,” Rohan said, satisfied.

  “The suit is kind of sticky,” noted Billy, trying to move his arms.

  “Right, almost forgot,” Rohan picked up a belt with a small metal cylinder, attached to it horizontally, and buckled it around Billy’s waist.

  “What is it,” Billy asked.

  “It’s a utility belt. The cylinder on your belt is your oxygen supply.” Rohan slid the cylinder to the back.

  “We can’t breathe there at all?”

  “Yes, you can breathe. Only the level of oxygen in the air is very low. With no extra help you’ll feel tired and fatigued very soon, as if you were climbing Mount Everest without an oxygen mask.”

  “How long does the oxygen supply last?”

  “About two hours,” said Rohan, connecting two tubes that were coming out from the cylinder to the valves on the suit—one above the belt and one below.

  “There is a button on the side of your cylinder. Try pressing it,” Rohan said when he finished.

  Billy reached with his left hand behind his back and felt the button. He pressed it. The suit instantly filled with air.

  “Wow,” Billy exclaimed, “I didn’t know it was inflatable.”

  “Now you look like a space man.” Rohan grinned.

  “The air is kind of cold.”

  “Don’t worry. The microcomputer on your utility belt is going to read your vital signs and adjust the temperature inside the suit to your level of comfort.”

  “Oh yeah,” said Billy, “I can feel it. It’s getting warmer.”

  “The computer automatically maintains a microclimate inside the suit, preventing your body from overheating during hard work.”

  “What hard work?” Billy asked worriedly. He still had blisters on his palms from his last visit to Egypt.

  “Some of the heavy machinery that provides life support for the cities was left on the surface. Workers from time to time have to come out to perform maintenance.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  “Well,” Rohan picked up the backpack with th
e chemical bomb and strapped it to his back. “Shall we?” He nodded at the hourglass.

  Billy wasn’t certain. “Are we going just like this?”

  “We travel light, remember, in and out.”

  Billy guardedly took the hourglass and held it aloft in front of him. “Is it already preset?”

  “It’s all yours.” Rohan lowered Billy’s visor and then his own.

  Billy took a deep breath and flipped the hourglass.

  * * *

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Sibling Rivalry

  Darkness fell. Dim glowing light glimmered from the crystals when they began to move. As they gained more speed, the light became brighter and brighter until the crystals turned into myriads of shiny stars, circling all around Billy. His knees became weak but he kept his balance. He didn’t want to miss any of this. The thought that he might be seeing this spectacle for the last time made him feel even more mesmerized. The sparkling stars circled around faster and faster until they all blended into one magical whirlpool of light.

  Suddenly the ground beneath Billy’s feet became unsteady. His legs were sinking, and his body tilted to the side. He looked down but couldn’t see anything—the light was too bright. Billy lost his balance and would have fallen if it wasn’t for two strong hands that grabbed him by his shoulders and held him straight. Billy gasped and looked up. It was Rohan.

  The bright light dissipated. Billy gazed around. They stood on the slope of a sand hill.

  That’s why I was losing balance, he thought.

  “Are you all right?” Rohan asked, still holding Billy’s shoulders. In the bright sunny day the visor of his helmet didn’t seem as dark as in the hunters shed.

  “Yeah, I’m fine, thanks,” Billy murmured back.

  “I’ll take this if you don’t mind.” Rohan gently took the hourglass from Billy’s hands and wrapped a piece of cloth around it. Then he put it on the sand and took a small box from his pocket. He flipped its lid open and brought the box closer to his visor.

  “Is that a compass?” Billy guessed.

  Rohan didn’t respond.

  “Is that a compass?” Billy repeated louder.

  Rohan took his eyes away from the box and stared at Billy.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” He reached for Billy’s helmet and clicked a small switch on the metal ring.

  “Can you hear me now?” his voice sounded inside Billy’s helmet.

  “Loud and clear,” answered Billy.

  “One click—short distance radio,” Rohan explained about the switch. “Two clicks—long range. We keep it short.”

  Billy nodded.

  “And yes, it is a compass. Well, sort of. It’s a GPS locator. Not only does it show the direction, it also tells you the distance to the POD.”

  “The POD?”

  “Point of Destination.”

  “Got it. Are we close?”

  “Almost there.” Rohan closed the lid and pocketed the device. “This way.” He picked up the hourglass and led the way. Billy followed right behind him.

  Walking on the sand wasn’t as unpleasant as Billy had expected. He remembered burning his feet while trudging on sand like this only a few days ago. A few days for him and millenniums of evolution for the human race, he thought.

  The sun above was merciless. The hot air lingered over the dunes, distorting their images. Yet, the temperature inside the suit was rather cool—the computer’s countermeasure to the increased blood circulation during the walk. Billy praised the innovation.

  The trail wriggled like a snake in between the sandbanks. Although the suit protected him from the heat, it couldn’t make sand sturdier. With every step, Billy’s foot sank a half step back. The extra effort drained his energy. There was no point in complaining—Billy saw Rohan struggling forward as well.

  Being familiar with Rohan’s definition of almost there, Billy mentally prepared himself for a long hike.

  He was genuinely surprised when the desert suddenly ended, and the trail brought them to a rocky formation colored in peculiar shades of red and yellow.

  “The lake should be on the other side,” announced Rohan after confirming with his GPS.

  The solid ground under his feet and the thought that soon he’d be home gave Billy a boost. He wasn’t tired anymore; he felt excited. Rohan didn’t say anything when Billy passed him, as if he’d rather have him in front than lagging behind.

  When Billy got to the corner of a large rock and stepped up to the big opening, he stumbled unable to take another step. He saw the lake all right. However, it wasn’t the view of the lake that made the blood freeze in his veins. He saw soldiers. Lots of them. The same soldiers from that chapter when he was a slave. They lay on the ground motionless, scattered all over. They were all dead.

  Rohan caught up with Billy. He stopped, speechless. Then he gently put his hands on Billy’s shoulders and squeezed them tightly.

  “Are we in the past?” Billy asked.

  “That’s impossible,” Rohan replied.

  They gingerly moved forward. When they got to the nearest soldiers, it became clear what killed them; the skin on the parts of the bodies that weren’t covered by robes was completely burned.

  Rohan prowled slowly among the corpses, looking for anyone alive. Billy couldn’t take it any longer; breathing heavily, he stood aside, his heart pounding. The microcomputer on his belt was humming perplexedly, apparently having difficulty reading his vital signs.

  A sudden rustle caught Billy’s attention. He glanced in the direction of the sound and saw a man, hidden in the shadow of a big rock. The man sat on the ground, his body leaning against the rock. Rohan noticed him too.

  “Khamunaph?” Billy whispered in disbelief.

  “Brother!” Rohan exclaimed.

  Billy’s eyes widened. What?

  Rohan bolted to the High Priest. He landed near and lifted his visor.

  Khamunaph slowly opened his eyes. “Rohan,” he pronounced wearily with dry lips.

  “Here, take this.” Rohan disconnected the oxygen tank from his belt and tried to put the breathing tubes on the High Priest’s face.

  “No need for that.” With a weak motion Khamunaph pushed the help away. “It’s too late for me, anyway.”

  “Why are you here . . .? How did you get here . . .? How did you know?” Rohan removed his helmet and put it on the ground.

  “Did you really think there was only one plate?” the High Priest asked. “How many ways can you modify the plate?”

  Rohan shook his head. “Only one, brother, only one.” His eyes turned watery.

  “You are not the only one who thinks three moves ahead.” Khamunaph forced a fading smile. “I outwitted you, Rohan.”

  “Yes, you did, brother. Yes, you did.” He gently tugged Khamunaph closer and put his arms round him.

  When Billy approached, he had an awkward feeling—never had he dreamed of seeing Rohan embracing his worst enemy like that. Then he took a closer look at the High Priest.

  “I can’t believe it!” Billy exclaimed. “This is exactly like my dream!” He pointed at the white blisters covering the High Priest’s arms and face. “Only I thought the dream was about me.”

  Khamunaph gave Rohan a curious look. “Is he a glimpser?”

  “I’m not sure.” Rohan shook his head. “That was only one dream.”

  “What’s a glimpser?” Billy asked.

  “Some of those who had come in contact with crystals obtained a unique quality,” Rohan explained. “They became capable of seeing fragments of a possible future in their dreams, in the form of glimpses. We called them ‘glimpsers.’ Very rare occurrences, though.”

  Rohan addressed his brother again, “How did you manage to bring all these soldiers? They are not Librarians; none of them have the hourglass.”

  “The panel,” whispered Khamunaph.

  “You built the panel?”

  “I think we both knew that it was only a matter of time.” The High Priest closed h
is eyes, gathering strength to continue. “I think that whatever happened today is for the best.”

  “I never wanted it to be like this,” Rohan said.

  “I know,” murmured the High Priest, “and I do not blame you.” He paused. “If you ask people what the worst drug in the world is, everyone will give you a different answer. I found mine—it is power. Once I had a taste of it, I couldn’t stop.”

  Rohan embraced his brother more strongly in his arms. “I love you, brother, I always have.”

  “I know . . .” The dry lips barely moved. “Take care of . . .”

  The lips stopped moving. The High Priest’s eyes turned into two glass buttons.

  “I will.” Rohan placed his hand on his brother’s face and slid it down. “You know I will.”

  Billy didn’t feel comfortable standing there any longer. He wanted to give Rohan some time alone, so he turned around and walked towards the lake.

  He kept on thinking about what had happened. So, Rohan was royalty too. That explains his ability to travel so much. I’m not just a Librarian—Billy remembered their conversation in the car. Although Rohan had never mentioned his relationship to Khamunaph, all this time they were brothers. What had happened between them? They weren’t always enemies. What put them on opposite sides of the barricade? Wait a second—if Rohan and Khamunaph were brothers, then Anna-Maria was Rohan’s niece. Was she the one who Khamunaph asked Rohan to take care of?

  * * *

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Forget Me Not

  With his mind deep into his thoughts, Billy didn’t notice how he got to the lake.

  It was nothing like he imagined. The water wasn’t just dark; it was completely black. The entire lake looked more like an oil spill.

  Billy squatted down at the edge. There was a thin line of crystals—a result of thousands of years of evaporation. Now Billy understood what Rohan meant when he said the lake almost never dried out. Billy stretched his arm out and dug his gloved fingers into the crystals. They sparkled in the sunshine just like inside the hourglass.

  He took a few steps back, picked up a small rock, and tossed it into the lake. The rock hit the water, creating a few splashes. There was something strange about it, though. Billy picked up a bigger rock and threw it farther. This time he noticed that the splashes were all black. The water wasn’t transparent at all. It was rather creepy. Billy found a very big rock. He had already raised his hand when a voice in his helmet sounded, “That’s enough.” Billy looked back. Rohan stood behind him. His helmet was on and his face was mournful. Billy let go of the rock. He felt embarrassed at his childish behavior.