Hell in the Computer

        Hell in the Computer

Suzanne Marsh

2024

Aunt Mildred’s attorney, his glasses at the tip of his nose his balding pate sweating, began to read?:

“Alistair McCooke I leave to you my computer, it is not to be shared with any other

member of the family. I do not have the password, that you will have to guess at.”

I had no clue as to why she left me the old IBM, she had purchased new to record her thoughts, at least that is what she had said. As I stood listening to the attorney drone on; just as he was finishing he stated that I had inherited Aunt Mildred’s house. I had no idea why she even mentioned me in her will let alone leaving the computer and house to me, she did have several children. Her children, grinned, I wondered what they found so amusing. When the attorney was finished, he handed me the keys to the house.

I had not been to Aunt Mildred’s home in years, I put the address in the GPS and headed the general direction. I pulled up and stared, this was not the house I remembered, this was a huge old Victorian house, with gingerbread trim, the house was pink and purple. No wonder her children were laughing as I took the keys. I opened the door, strode into the interior, I began to look into the different rooms. I located the library, it was done in oak, with a huge old Victorian desk, with the old IBM computer sitting on top. I had no idea what was on the computer but I was determined to find out. I opened the long front desk drawer, there were a few pencils and pens, but nothing of consequence. I began to look in earnest for the floppy disks, I knew went into the computer. I still had no idea what could have been on those disks; I was soon to discover the reasons Aunt Mildred had hidden the disks in a place no one would have expected. What they contained would determine the fate of our entire family.

Aunt Mildred had been what my mother referred to kindly as rather eccentric, she was a very strange woman. I sat down at her desk, and began looking for floppy disks. There were none in the desk drawers. Next I checked the closets in her study. Where could she have put those, they were the key to finding out what she was trying to tell me. I still did not understand why me, of all people had been designated to read the disks. I continued looking, there was a small floor safe, maybe that was where the disks were. I am not a safe cracker but I began to play with the dial. Do you have any idea of how many number sequences there are in the world? I never did until I tried to open the safe. My last attempt of the day, after struggling for several hours, was her date of birth. The floor safe opened, sure enough there were the floppy disks.

I took the first one out, Aunt Mildred had made it easy for me, she had actually numbered them. I put the first disk in, figured out her password SMELT. She began by saying she had found a way to travel in time, I was beginning to understand the eccentric part. She talked about going back to Germany and Scotland, then she began to write about her adventures in Czarist Russia. I began to read, somehow this chilling episode in her life began to make sense

Czarist Russia 1918 Tsarkoe Selo

I am working here in the small infirmary here at Tsarkoe Selo, as a sister. What a whirlwind I have found myself in. I met the grand duchesses Maria and Anastasia, who come to cheer the soldiers. Maria, is around my age sixteen, I hope we become friends. She is so vivacious and beautiful, a bit plump. We began to talk as Anastasia began to tease the officers she was cheering up. Maria stepped in, telling her to stop, then giving her a long look. Two days later I met the Czarina, Olga and Titania. The Czarina Alexandria is imposing but also very caring for the soldiers and officers here at the infirmary. A few days later I found myself in the large gardens, there was Maria and Anastasia.

It was a warm spring day, at least warm by Russian standards, we strode along there were roses blooming, Maria picked one and gave it to me. I will keep it as proof I met her, Maria asked I would like to meet her father and mother. My reply was an instant yes. Here I was twenty years old, a time traveler from1964 and meeting people I had only read about in history books. The following morning, I was again sitting in the rose garden when Maria and Anastasia sauntered past. Maria sent Anastasia ahead of her to the infirmary. Maria, told me that her parents would be honored to meet her friend, I was invited to tea at four that afternoon. I gasped at Maria,” what do I wear? What do I do? How do I address them?: Maria laughed gaily as she replied:

“You curtsy first to the Czar then the Czarina, they are just like any other parents meeting

you. You will be fine.” We walked toward the Alexander Palace, then we entered. Maria led the way into the entrance hall. We walked toward what Maria referred to as the Palissandre Room, I was in awe as she opened the door. There sat the Czar and Czarina, Alexei, Olga, Titania and Anastasia. I curtsied to the Czar who smiled as he stood up, the Czarina also stood up. I had no idea what to say, Maria spoke quietly:

“Mama, Papa I would like to introduce Mildred Sommers, she is a nurse at the infirmary.” The royal couple sat back down. Alexandra picked up a small brass bell that summoned her maid. A few moments later dinner arrived. First the soup pirozaki, then fish and roast with vegetables especially potatoes. I was later told my Maria her father loved potatoes. Finally desert, which were sweets or fruit. Then coffee. After meeting the imperial family, the thought of them being murdered in another year over whelmed me. They were just like any other family, I had to conceive a way to convince them that they had to get out of Russia at once. Maria, after dinner offered to walk me back to the infirmary, she had one of the cassocks follow behind us. Once out of earshot of the Czar and the rest of the family I began:

“Maria, there is something I must tell you. I am from the future, I know it sounds crazy

but it is not. I stepped through some stones near the palace, I want to try to save

your family from certain death.”

Maria blanched:

“You sound as if you have met with Rasputin, our spiritual advisor. I can not leave

here, not knowing the fate of my parents, brother and sisters. I will have you talk to

Papa and Mama in private.”

I looked carefully into those huge blue eyes before replying:

“Maria, even if you can not convince them, you should think about saving yourself. You

have so much to offer the world.”

She thought about what I said:

“We will talk again Mildred.” We were back at the infirmary.

The following morning Maria walked into the infirmary alone:

“Mildred, my mama would like to meet with you today, papa will be there. We will at dinner

time again.”

That was fine with me, I just had no idea what to say, dinner had been a very polite affair, nothing more. Now I was going to have to explain how I had gotten here through the stones. My thoughts were interrupted by Maria:

“Mildred, Rasputin will be there also. Be careful.” With those words spoken we went off to our duties. I had read a great many things about Rasputin most of which were derogatory. Maria and I once again strode toward the palace. The Czar was in his study, he motioned us in:

“Maria has told me about you, what is to become of the House of Romanov?”

How was I to answer:

“Sir, I came through stones I am from the year 1962. I am a history major at the University

of Buffalo, in New York State. You and your family will be executed, the date was July 17,

1918. Your entire family was murdered, I don’t know how many I can get through the

stones but I want to try.”

The czar listened, then a door off his study opened, in strode a wild eyed, wild haired man, I was face to face with Rasputin. The czar trusted him almost above anyone else, Nicholas informed me about me, Rasputin listened then replied:

“It is in God’s hands not mine, but I tell you Nicholas, what she says is possible. The stones

could help you out of this situation.”

Nicholas turned away as he considered the options:

“Take Maria, Mildred, keep her safe, it is two years from now that you said we will die.

The rest of us stay, Maria goes with you.”

I stood there gawking, what was I to say to this? Maria, had tears welling in her eyes:

“Papa surely you can’t stay here they will kill you.” She hugged him tightly as he continued:

“It will be better if you go with Mildred, you will be safe in the United States, but you must

never reveal your identity to anyone. For all intense and purposes you will be a peasant,

but at least you will survive.”

Maria accepted what her papa expected of her, she was closest to him.

“Very well papa, I will go, if Mildred is correct, perhaps someday the Romanov’s will

rule again.”

The following morning Maria and I climbed up the snow covered mountain, we entered the stones.

2024

I finished reading the second last floppy disk, it was seven o’clock the following morning. I was determined to find out what happened to Maria. I put the last disk in and began to read:

“Alistair, if you have gotten to this disk, then it is time for me to tell you, Maria came with me. She lived here with me until she met a young man named Victor Krensky, whom she married, they had a son Gregori, I don’t know if he is still alive, I lost contact with Maria after Victor passed away. Maria gave me something, she wanted me to give to her son, it is an icon that belonged to her mama. She took it the night we left, she made me promise to tell her son Gregori who she was and who he is, the last of the Romanovs. I have entrusted you with this task, I trust you more than the rest of the family. I know they think I am eccentric, and I am. The icon is wrapped in a newspaper the date July 17, 1918, it is located in the desk draw, there is a hidden panel. Feel around until you find a small wooden button, push that. I began a thorough search of the outside of the desk, finally I found a small round button smooth against the surface of the desk wall. I opened the compartment, there was the icon of the Virgin Mary, Maria’s icon, wrapped in the New York Times with the headline:

Czar NicholasII, his wife Czarina Alexandra and their children murdered. I also located something I had never thought possible, it was a hand written letter from Maria to me, it read:

Dear Alistair,

You so not know me, my name is Maria Romanov. I am the grand duchess of Russia.

Your aunt has told me much about your career as a journalist. Please find a way to locate my son Gregori, perhaps someday he can be acknowledged as Czar of all Russia For this I thank you in advance. I know this must confusing, but it is not. I escaped Russia through the stones thanks to your Aunt, my dearest friend. Do this for us.

Love

M

There was the big family secret, Aunt Mildred was a time traveler, who took pity on her friend, and helped her to stay alive while the rest of her family was wiped out.

The following morning, after a good nights sleep, I began pouring over everything Aunt Mildred had told me. I then began to look for Gregori Krensky. I found one listing, in Rochester, New York. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed the number, am deep voice answered:

“Yes, who is this?” I began my explanation, I made it as brief as possible:

“My name is Alistair Mc Cook, I am Mildred McCook’s nephew, are you Gregori Krensky, born

January 30, 1965 to Mary and Victor Krensky?”

The voice on the other end hesitated:

“Yes, why?”

I told him then who he was, that he was a Romanov. I did not tell him about Aunt Mildred’s activities. I would tell him the whole story as time went on. The computer once I had gotten all the information, destroyed itself in a poof of smoke. The computer from hell no longer was useable.