A Page of: The Time Traveler and the Immortal
“We’ll find out why one day,” Robert promised, placing a comforting hand on the teen’s shoulder.
“Thank you,” Jeremie said, smiling up at the man. He blinked and the man was gone. The buildings around him showed extreme age and deterioration. He looked around, surprised to see the town almost devoid of life. Longing to find his only friend in this life that he had been given, he turned around and took in more of the desolate town.
“Jeremie, over here!” Robert called out.
Jeremie turned back and found his friend crossing the street, giving it a look though nothing seemed to have used it for a long while. He was shocked to find Robert’s attire to have completely changed to a blue jumpsuit and his brown hair free to the wind blowing. As he came closer he admitted, “I was starting to think I’d missed you through the wars.”
“Wars?” Jeremie echoed in shock.
“Come on and get a bite to eat. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Robert asked, leading the way to a shop doorway. He opened the door as a bell rang out to announce their presence. “Hopefully you’ll be here longer this time, though we’re gonna have to move. This town’s turned into a ghost town.”
“Give me a history lesson first,” Jeremie said as the two stepped over to a grimy yellow table.
“Well, its 1974, so you missed, what, 64 years this time,” Robert explained. “That’s the biggest jump yet, isn’t it?”
“64 years, esh,” Jeremie mumbled.
“What can I get you two?” a gruff older woman’s voice asked.
“Oh, two Pepsis, please,” Robert said, giving the purple haired woman a polite smile.
The woman gave a smack of her lips and turned around to leave them.
“You said wars?” Jeremie asked, worry plain on his face.
“Yeah, I even served in the first World War,” Robert started with as he picked up a paper menu from its holder behind the napkins. “Was worried the whole time I’d miss you so I managed to get out through a section eight. Made them believe I was too crazy to serve. Through the second World War the factory was building plane parts so I did that up until the factory shut down. Not enough people here to work anymore.”
“You know what you wanna eat?” the purple haired lady asked, sitting down two glass bottles.
Robert took another glance at the menu in his hands and said, “Yeah, I’ll get a burger and fries. Jeremie?” He looked over the paper only to see an empty seat across the table from himself.
“Where’d your son disappear to?” the woman asked, shock on her face. “Wasn’t he just here?”
“He probably just went to the bathroom. I’m sorry,” Robert quickly said, giving the woman a smile. “Just give him the same.”
“Alright,” the woman said, sounding unsure. She gave the seat a second look before leaving to make their food.
Robert let out a sigh as he put back the menu. He knew he had to get out of this town before someone noticed he hadn’t aged, but he wouldn’t leave without Jeremie. He just hoped the leap wouldn’t take as long as the last.