Time Machine Miracle

The time gate was closing and only one of us could pass the gate. It was a frustrating moment. I was looking dejected and could not stop looking at him. We were too close to get to the black hole shadow.

I could not believe my journey was over there. I wished I could grab his hand. I could not count the seconds, I saw lights, lightening and I could see him going down, and he vanished. The gate opened and I got into it. Next thing I could see was my younger brother standing in front of the power box, with a half-burnt shirt, and smoked face.

“ Oh Lord, What happened ?” James asked and ran to me.

I hit the ground and I could see my husband running to grab me. I was breathless and my face was covered with tears.

“ What’s going on? What happened darling?” Henry held me in his arm and pointed at James to bring some water.

I could remember I repeatedly call his name “ Orlando, Orlando”.

Henry put me in the bed. It was dark and cloudy outside, but I could only see and hear the lightning. It was a rainy night in London. The raindrops hit the window gently and I shed my tears with every drop. I could not breathe deeply, I wanted to shout and break everything, going mad until I get tired.

I heard footsteps entering my room, but I didn’t want to know who was coming. But I could say it was Henry. He sat down on the bed and took off his boots. Put his hand on my arm.

“ Why are raining like that? it breaks my heart love” he said and kissed my forehead.

I held his arm tightly, I wanted to stay in his arm and cry all night.

“ I don’t want to talk about it, I can’t believe he’s gone," I said and kept crying.

He hugged me and starting rubbing my back. It was warm and it made me comfortable. I stopped shaking and I could not feel anything and then I fall asleep.

I could see him in my dream grabbing the wine glass from the cabinet and fill it with wine, holding a cigarette in his hand. Turned back and looked at me.

“ Good morning little sister,” Orlando said.

I could not believe he was there, tall and skinny, in his coat, a bright mind. He started the phonograph and put down his glass and said: "Shall we dance ?”

I grabbed his hand without hesitation and we started dancing. “What has happened to you Orlando ?” I asked him.

I was in tears and I couldn't look at him. He started singing with the song.

“ Nothing happened dear, You are always worrying about me. I am older than you” He whispered.

I opened my eyes and the morning sun was shining. The curtain was dancing with the morning gentle wind. I got up and walked out of the room, looking for him if he was grabbing that wine or playing with the phonograph.

He was not there. I knew nothing is going to be fine and I was wondering if I could see those blue eyes again. I heard the door was opening. I walked to see who is coming in.

“ Good morning Elizabeth, “ James said and put down the basket.

“ Hey, I fetch the tea," I said and walked to the kitchen.

“ Henry is at work, I wanted to stay here with you if it’s okay with you,” He said.

“ Of course James, you are my brother, stay here” I replied.

He moved the chairs and took off his coat. After breakfast, he asked me to rest and asked me if I can talk to him about what happened.

I walked out and sat in the balcony. The sky was clear. But still for me were the lightning and dark sky. James walked in with coffee cups in his hand and a big smile on his face.

“ Why are you smiling ?” I asked

“ Today I met a girl," He said and giggled.

I looked at him and giggled back.

“ You can make talk, James,” I said.

“ Oh no, you talk without me making you do it. So I just listen, like when you listen to us" he said and sat down.

I couldn’t talk, I had a bad feeling talking about it., but suddenly said: “ I think we lost Orlando last night.”

I was crying and I did not know how James would react. He put down his cup and started walking away. I saw him walking away and I stood up to follow him. He turned back and said:” Oh I gave her a wrong number.”

“ What ?” I asked and I was confused.

“ Maybe there is a way we can bring him back,” He said and got excited and went on “ See I engineered that time machine. I can fix it, go back and bring him back.”

“ But he dragged into the black hole, James there’s no way we can bring him back when we don’t know where he is right now,” I said.

“ No, look we travel back to 2020 we bring him back and if the machine works we don’t have to travel here, to this time “ He replied.

I was thinking about what I was going to tell him. I put my hands on my head and said “ The machine is not working, that’s why he could not pass”

He put his hands in his pocket and replied “ Let me try, at least we have done something “

I looked into his eyes and it reminded me of our older brother, I nodded my head and said “ Okay “ grabbed his arms and said “ No one goes in, not this time”

He gave me a hug and said “ I’m going to fix that bloody machine and bring that bad boy back “

We both walked in and started working on the machine. The place was mostly burned but we had extra wires and materials to fix the machine.

It was evening and we were working on the core of the machine suddenly I saw my husband looking at us with a shocking face and shouted:” What the hell is going on with you two “

I ran to him, kissed his lips, and grabbed his hand and said cheerfully “ Come, baby, we are fixing the machine, we are bringing him back” 

“ Okay, so that’s what makes you radiant like that. I haven’t seen you like that after that night in Paris, after… “ He stopped talking and looked at both of us and said: “ Nevermind, I make some tea .”

Quickly James hit me with a wrench and naughtily asked: " What was it in Paris that night ?”

“ Go to hell, fix that piece" I replied.

He got annoyed and sad and kept working on the piece. Some hours later we were done and the house was a mess and we were all waiting for the big moment.

“ start the machine, James,” I said and stood next to Henry. Held his hand and holding my breath.

“ Okay kids stay away, time is set for July 2020. And Jesus please help us if you are out there looking at us, laughing. You ready guys ?" he asked.

We both said yes and he stood next to electricity power and pulling down the sticks and the machine started working for 30 seconds and suddenly it went off.

“ What ?” I asked loudly.

“ the machine is not working, we stuck here in the time and he ‘s not back. Damn it" James threw his glasses and I was still there standing, looking at the machine.

“ I can’t believe it “ I sighed.

We were all depressed and each of us sitting on one corner of the house thinking about him. It was a long night and the worst one. I was thinking “ this is it, not seeing him anymore”

“ Do you like to go out tomorrow? “ Henry asked.

“ That would be wonderful, tomorrow morning. Let’s see how is London in 19^th .” I said and smiled coldly.

“ I’m sure you and James will find a way to fix this,” he said and hold my hand. Both walking in the backyard and talking about memories and shed tears.

Tomorrow morning we were ready to do a bit of shopping in London. Buying more teacups. I saw James looking out of the window, in a good shape. Not really sad, at least not showing he is crying inside for something which is not coming back.

“Darling you can walk downstairs, we will be there in a couple of minutes,” Henry said.

I picked up my hat and purse. Walked down the stairs and opened the door. Suddenly it was like the last time I was time-travelling. It was light bothering my eyes, I put on my had and looked straight. I could not believe what I could see. I could see his shadow and he was standing there with flower bouquet in his hand. Walking to me and took off his hat and said: “ Miss me, little sister ?"

I was shaking, and my tears wouldn’t let me see things clearly. He held me tight and I started touching his face to make sure if he was there standing that close to me.

“ Oh look he’s here “ James walked out with a cigarette in his mouth. Hit his arm and said “ Welcome back big bro”

I hug him and said:” I thought I lost you”.

“ I thought that too,” He said.

“ Ready for London tour? “ Henry closed the door and said.

We hold hands and walked down the streets, smiling again, joyfully. He was there and I still can’t believe it.