Voyage to a Secret Island

Lester was bored. He was at a loose end. Nothing interesting to do. He decided to pay a visit to the garage to see if he could find anything to occupy him. Searching through the items in an old wooden box, he found a newspaper. Fllipping through, he stumbled on a column with a caption, 'TIME TRAVEL! TRY THESE''. Curious, he decided to read further. He discovered that the equations and formulas for time travel are in a book hidden in a cave on an island. He ran down to his friend's house excitedly holding the paper.

"Eugene! Eugene!! Eugene!!!"

"What Lester? What's the matter? Why the excitement?" Eugene asked.

"I have something I want to show you. I have something you really need to see." He handed over the paper to him with excitement.

"Wow!! You don't mean it. Is this for real?" Eugene asked with eyes wide open.

"I believe it's real. That should be the reason my dad kept it in a file tagged 'Confidential'."

"What should we do?" Eugene asked.

"I have an idea. Let's show the paper to Prof. Culkins. Perhaps he will tell us what to do," Lester replied

Prof. Martins Culkins is a lecturer in the department of physics. He is an ardent researcher. He has watched a couple of science fiction and futuristic movies. The one he talks about most often is, 'Back to the Future'. A movie about time travel. He always says he is in search of the formulas and equations needed to build and design a time machine. He is often called, 'the Phantom Prof.'

"Prof. Culkins, we have something we want to show you," they both spoke excitedly. 

He liftted up his head and adjusted his glasses. "And what is that in mother earth that's making you both so excited?" He asked.

"Please take a look at this," Lester handed over the paper to him.

"My goodness! What on earth! Is this real?" He exclaimed.

"Yes, I believe. I found it in a file tagged, 'Confidential'."

"Prof. Culkins, does the island truly exist?" Eugene asked.

"Yes, it does. Only that it isn't easy to reach."

"So, what do we do?" Lester and Eugene asked unanimously looking at each other and then at him.

"I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll go in search of the island and find the book."

"Yeah!" Lester shouted looking at Eugene who smiled and nodded.

          ********

"Hi! Mum, Hi! Dad. I'm going on an excursion tomorrow and will not be back till three days time."

"Why in three days time?" Lester's dad asked.

"It's a field trip and we have a lot of places to go. Besides, there are a whole lot of things we've been taught in class that we need to see."

"Is it so necessary you go? How about our family get-together tomorrow?" His mum asked.

"Yes! Mum I just need to. This trip is important. Marks will be given for it and used as my C.A."

"And what's the meaning of C.A.?" She asked.

"Mum, it means continuous assessment."

"Is Eugene also going on this trip? Also is there anyone I can contact in your school concerning this field trip of yours?" His dad asked.

"Yes dad, he is. You both know Prof. Collins well. He is aware of the trip. Besides, he is also on the team. 

Lester's dad picked his phone to call. Hello! Prof. Culkins. This is Fred Chantel, Lester's dad."

"Yeah! Mr Chantel. It's so nice to talk to you. Your son is such a wonder kid. It's anything the matter?"

"No, nothing that really. Just want to know if Lester's class is going on a field trip. He told me that his department is organising a field trip for his class. He said he would be going for three days and that you are also on the team. Besides, he said it's very important because it forms part of his final scores. Please Prof. Collins, is it true?"

"Yes, Mr Chantel everything he told you is true. You don't need to worry. Your son is in safe hands. He will be taken good care of. He will come back home safely that I assure you."

" Thank you very much," Fred replied and the call ended.

"You are free. Only be careful."

Ok, dad".

"Please be careful my love."

"OK, mum I sure will."

Eugene also told his mum about the field trip. She had mixed feelings about it. It was an arduous task for him to make her believe. He told her to call Prof. Culkins to confirm. He affirmed it and told her not to worry about her son's safety. She was also more at ease when she realised that Lester will be going on the trip.

The following morning, Lester packed his things. He bid his parents farewell and set off for Eugene's residence.

"Hello! Mrs Breadsworth."

"Hello! Lester," she replied. "And how are you doing?" She asked.

"I'm OK. And you?"

"Am fine and good," she replied. "Eugene told me you are going on a field trip organised by your department in school,"

"Yes, ma'm."

"And when will you be back?"

"In three days time."

"Ok. Just wanted to be sure."

"No problem, ma'm."

Eugene kissed his mum. She embraced him and also Lester. She told them to be careful and stay safe. They met Prof. Culkins at the train station and embarked on their journey. They alighted at the last stop and boarded a bus to a sea port. Arriving there, they made enquiries about the Island of Pathos. Most people they asked told them that they don't know any island by that name. Prof. Culkins was deeply surprised.

"Oh! So we're on a fool's journey?" Lester asked.

"I think so," Eugene replied.

"No. We are not. Definitely not. That am sure of," Prof affirmed.

After several enquiries, they met a man with a wry look. He looked like someone from a mixed descent. They summoned courage to approach him and asked if he knew anything about the island. Petranda Zulah told them that he had heard of such a name and was very sure that the island existed. He told them that he had never been there but he and his men were ready to go on the voyage if he be paid. After much negotiations, a price was reached and they embarked on the journey. Lester and Eugene were very excited because they have never gone on a voyage and they loved adventures.

It wasn't a smooth sail. It was two days of sea turmoil and rage. Lester and Eugene were afraid and were about losing hope. But for the expertise of Petranda and his men, their boat would have sank into the sea. At the dawn of the third day, Petranda's men could see an island afar off. They beckoned on Prof. Culkins and his boys. They jumped with excitement and embraced one another. At the shore of the island, they saw the skulls and bones of dead animals. The island looked deserted. There were no humans and houses in sight. They could only see birds.

"Prof. Culkins, is this the island of Pathos?" Lester asked.

"Yes! Am very sure of that," he replied.

"Why are there so many skulls and bones all over the shore? Don't you think we are in danger ?" Eugene asked.

"Probably there are bones of starved and age long creatures. As for our safety, we have nothing to worry about. We've got Petranda and his men with us." Turning to Petranda and his men, he asked, "Does anyone have an idea about the meaning of all these?.

"No! None of us do," Petranda replied.

As they moved further into the island, they saw a lot of strange birds and animals. Petranda and his men were at alert with their rifles. They killed some animals that were about attack them. One of the men stepped on a stick and a sharp knife came out from the tree beside him and cut off his head. When that happened, they were all careful with their steps watching the ground until they left that part. 

Next they were standing in front of a large muddy ground. Prof Culkins told them not to go any further and that it's not just muddy,. He said he had read about something like that. Though it appeared shallow, it was as deep as the height of a skyscraper. He pushed in a long stick to show them and it swallowed it.

"Will you stay behind with Petranda while I go?"

"No, Prof." they both replied.

"But, it's dangerous. I want to take you back home safely."

"Prof., you don't have to worry about us. We're well able. Isn't it?" Lester asked turning to Eugene.

"Yes!" We are fit and able."

"Ok boys! Let's move. To the search!"

"To the search!" they shouted.

 They took long tree plant ropes and swung across. One of the men's rope cut while he was almost on the other side. He fell into the mud and immediately he was out of sight. Petranda was angry that he had lost two men. He blamed himself for bringing them to the island. He told Prof. Culkins to pay him the money left. He refused. He said that the deal was that balance would be paid after arrival at home. Petranda knew he and his men had no choice but to continue the journey. Going back without Prof's guide might be more dangerous. They passed a long wooden bridge and by the time they were half way the bridge, arrows were flying towards them. They didn't see anyone shooting the arrows. They hurriedly ran to the other side. An arrow met one of Petranda's men on his arm. It was taken out and some medicinal leaves were squeezed together and placed on it. It was dark and they couldn't go any further so they searched for a place to pass the night.

"Look! See!! That's the cave on a hill!" Shouted Lester.

"Oh! My God!" Eugene shouted with eyes wide open.

"Yes! Yes!! Let's move on. We're almost there," Prof. beckoned on everyone.

They all climbed the hill to the top. Lester and Eugene were assisted up by Petranda's men. Bats flew out of the cave. Petranda's men killed snakes and scorpions at the entrance of the cave. They shot them. Prof. saw the book inside a casement and a bottle kept beside the book.

"Wow!! So this is the book we've been searching for," Lester spoke with eyes wide open.

"I guess so," Prof. Culkins replied.

"Can we see what's inside?" Eugene asked.

"OK."

"But why will someone keep such a book here?" Lester asked.

"I guess there's something mystical about the book," Prof. answered.

The front page says that anyone who finds the book has the right to use what's in the bottle and the person is only granted just three wishes. Prof. flipped through the book and shook his head.

"Prof. Culkins what's the matter?" Lester asked.

"It's incomplete. The formulas and equations are not all in here."

"So, what do we do?" Eugene asked.

"It says that anyone reading this should take note that the rest formulas and equations are in another book in a twin island."

"And where is the twin island?" Lester asked.

"I don't know," Prof. replied.

Petranda and his men searched the cave for treasures and all they could find were clothes and scrolls. They were disappointed but still took them. Petranda beckoned on everyone to leave. Prof. Culkins used the portion in the bottle at the bridge so that they could walk across without arrows shooting at them,. He used at the muddy place so that they can walk on the muddy ground and at the sea shore so that they can arrive home safely without any turmoil or wreck.

"Mum! Dad! Am home," Lester shouted.

"Wow!! We missed you so much," his mum spoke with teary eyes embracing him.

"Son, how was your trip?" His dad asked.

"Fine. Interesting. Wonderful. I missed you both so much. Thank God am back home," Lester replied.

"What happened? We were worried. You stayed more than three days. We were about going to the Police."

"Mum, sorry for that. We had few hitches on the way."

"Ok. Thank God you're back home."

"Yes. I'm happy to be back home."

"And how is Eugene and Prof. Culkins?" His dad asked.

"They're fine, dad. They've all gone home."

The following day at school they rushed to Prof. Culkins' office. They met him reading the book. He embraced both of them and thanked them for accompanying him on the trip.

"Prof. Culkins, so what's next?" Lester asked.

"Are we yet going for another trip?' Eugene also asked.

"I'll be glad to," Lester said.

"Oh! My boys, let's just keep our fingers crossed and be expectant," Prof. spoke smiling at both of them.