Chapter 7

We don’t go back to the hospital; instead I want to find out information about the three people in my memories. If I find them, then I may not need to go back to search the hospital. On the second day, of searching old newspapers, we find an article with their pictures on the top. It reads:

April 11, 2038 The Daily News

Three Doctors Arrested

Three doctors were arrested today for stealing hospital equipment. The use for the stolen equipment is still unknown. The doctors refuse to answer for security reasons they say. The hospital staff was shocked to discover that their own co-workers were guilty of such a thing.

"Charlie was always super nice." says one co-worker.

"I'm shocked to hear that the Millers were involved in this." said another. The hospital officials have declined to talk.

Charlie Fareman, Meril Miller, and Sheila Miller have been working for this small town hospital for fifteen years. Charlie was found in the Records Room in the basement eating lunch.

The Millers were found having a discussion, which the authorities have stated was of no importance. Authorities found all the stolen equipment in a room not far from them. They did not resist arrest and are expected in court tomorrow morning.

Derek and I look for the next day’s article. This one is short.

April 12, 2038 The Daily News

Doctors Have Been Sentenced

Doctor Charlie Fareman -45, pleads guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison. Doctors Meril and Sheila -45 plead guilty to accessory and were sentenced to twelve months in prison.

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Well, there goes that idea. My hopes for easy answers are shattered. I sigh in defeat. Then another question pops into my mind, as well. Why is there no mention of me? Where was I when they were arrested? Did I leave? Is that why they were sloppy and got caught?

Did I run or did they let me leave? The only way those questions will get answered is to talk to them. I search through more information looking for where they were sent. After I write the information down, I get up to leave. But, Derek wasn't finished yet so I went to look at what he was reading. He’s copying their addresses. I shoot him an inquisitive glance.

"I think it may be safer for you if we go to their houses first. Charlie may have a wife that's willing to talk to you. I can take care of going into the Miller's house. If this doesn't work then we can go to the prisons." He explains. Yet, another reason why I tell myself that I’m lucky to have found him.

We walk out of the library and instantly I feel as if something is wrong. The air around us is stuffy and rain starts pelting me. Before we make it to the truck, hail starts raining down. The next few minutes are a horrible mess. Sirens start going off, people are running everywhere.

I don't know when I lose hold of Derek's hand, but I hear him yelling for everyone to calm down. Then I hear a noise that sounds like a roar, maybe even sounds like a train. I feel the hairs stand up on my arms. Next thing I know my feet start to lift.

I grab a hold of something and I hear Derek screaming an anguished, "NOOO! Let go of me!"

I glance behind me. He’s being held back by others. Suddenly they release him and, I notice as he comes toward me, he’s walking with a rope attached to him. Once he gets a hold of me, the others in the library start hauling him back.

No sooner than we make it to the library, something hits me from the back, and I hear glass shattering. Everyone starts screaming but, before I can register anything, I lose consciousness.

When I open my eyes it’s not Derek I’m looking at, it’s another memory. It starts off with me yelling at someone. I’m screaming something about the importance of learning real history, while he’s yelling about taking someone with me for safety.

"I love you, Daddy, but you raised me to do what I feel is right. We have a chance to tell about events that happened centuries ago. Things that weren't recorded. I don't want to drag someone else with me. I won't be gone long, I promise."

I gasp, in my mind, as I realize that I’m about to see my dad.

"Please, you don't understand the dangers. You don't have anyone going with you. Anything can happen to you and I wouldn't even know."

"I can take care of myself. I will just be careful and try to stay hidden."

Before he can say anything else, I walk into a room behind me and step on a machine. It looks like a treadmill. When I climb on it, I punch in some numbers.

I hear my Dad say, "Wait!" but it’s too late, I’m soon immersed in blackness.

When I open my eyes, I’m standing in a forest. Trees are everywhere, leaves are on the ground, and I can hear chirps of birds and animals. I walk off to the west. I feel a little grimy so I need water and decide to follow the sounds of a river. It’s cold but I didn’t care as I jump in to clean up.

As I‘m climbing out I hear horses galloping through the leaves. I crawl out quickly and hide in the bushes. The two men jump off and clean up while their horses drink the water. I notice on one of the horses there is a man tied up and laying across the back.

While the men are gathering fire wood, I creep over to the horses. When I look at the person laying on the horse, it’s my Dad. I let out a big gasp that startles the horses. The two men come rushing back with their weapons drawn. There’s a tall one and a short one. The chain mail they’re wearing has a red and black shield on it with a raven in the center.

"Wait, please! This is my father."

"Then you are a witch, too?" asks the tall one curiously.

"Witch? No, no! I'm not! We are new here."

"You dress like a witch.” He says with conviction. I glance down at my clothes. “We will take you to our priest. He’ll tell us if you are a witch." the short one said. He’s carrying daggers and looks ready to jump me.

"Daddy wake up, please!"

I start shaking him but he won’t respond. Next thing I know, the short guy has one dagger at my throat and one in my back. At least, I believe that it’s a dagger.

"If you're not a witch, then I will take you for my wife. You're the prettiest girl I have ever seen. Now be a good little girl and climb up on that horse."

As I’m watching this part of the memory, in horror, I can feel my heart accelerate. The events have already happened and I can't change them.

Somewhere in the distance I can hear Derek pleading for me to wake up and come back to him. But I can't because I am still unable to pull myself from this memory. In a way, I don’t want to leave because I still need answers. My father is right. I shouldn't have left.

I watch as the horses gallop to the castle. The short man, whose name is Jeremiah, won’t stop trying to grope me and he laughs every time I slap his hand away. My dad doesn't wake up the whole ride despite my constant pleas. I watch as the priest approaches the town on the horse.

He’s wearing all black with a red raven on his chest. He orders me and my father to the dungeon. The memory becomes blurry.