Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 22:01:13 -0500
From: Lee McDougal <leo1980@gay.com>
Subject: "Through the Time Warp" Chapter 6

It's the second Thursday posting...but at least we still have a weekly
posting thing going on.  :-) Please email me at leo1980@gay.com or
leo1980@sonet.net if you prefer.  And as usual...my site is at
http://home.gay.com/leo1980 if your not already there.


Through the Time Warp
(My adventure with Nsync)
Chapter 6


	"You can't stay here Justin!  What about the group?"  Chris
screamed at him.

	"Forget the group, what about your family and friends?"  I asked.

	"Yeah, think of your parents.  Don't you think they'd miss you?"
J.C. asked.

	"We can't make it home without you Justin."  Jerry threw in.

	"Why can't you just leave me here?  Just take those jewels and
leave.  I'll be fine on my own, and you don't need me."  Justin pleaded.

	"I know you care for me dearly Justin, but your friends are right.
You can't give up your world for me, or anyone.  You can't be a part of my
world that way.  My world is that of happiness, and no regret. You would
destroy that if you came in with that baggage.  I will miss you Justin, but
I know in my heart you were never mine to begin with."  Mary said.

	"But don't you love me?"  Justin asked.

	"I do, but I don't know you that well either.  We have only spent 3
days together.  It takes a long time to build the bond that you desire."
Mary told him.

	"But you understood me better than anyone else."  Justin said.

	"Yes, and others will know you too, but you have to get past
yourself first.  And that's not an easy task.  It's something you must do
on your own.  But my prayers will be with you."  Mary said.  She kissed him
once, and then left the room.

	"You learned a lot Justin.  You have seen that you can love
someone.  And you learned that you need to make a change."  Josh told him.

	"Yeah, I guess I did learn that."  Justin said as we all started
the time swap.

	In a faint corner I heard Mary say something...but not with her
mouth.  I think I heard her thoughts.  `Goodbye Justin, I know I will see
you again.'

	Mary stood out in my mind for a long time.  It was obvious that she
was more than she seems.  Perhaps we would all see her again.

	After the around 30 second pit stop at the van, we were off again.
For a second while in the van I pondered the idea of clinging to the van,
but I knew the results were not worth the risk.  I could accidentally pull
the van with us, and we'd have the driver to deal with and instant death
when we finally made it back...or worse I'd just get lost from everyone
else.

	As the lights died down, my vision started to return.  This was my
4 stop on the time express, and I was still amazed by it.  This time we
were in the middle of some woods.  It was actually quite beautiful.  But I
had no idea where we were, or when we were at that matter.

	"Wow, we are in the middle of nowhere again!"  Chris said jokingly.

	"I bet we are somewhere in the past.  We were in the future last
time, and it seems to be going in that pattern."  I mentioned.

	"That's true, but what part of the past are we in?"  Lance asked
me.

	"I don't know.  But that does make me worry."  I said pointing out
a huge footprint, or whatever it was.

	"Holy cow!  It's large enough to set in." Josh told us.

	"I know, I don't think I want to meet what made that." Jerry said
holding on to Josh's arm.

	"This is just as guess, but what if we went back to prehistoric
age?"  Justin asked.

	"I hope not.  I mean I love dinosaurs, but I never wanted to meet
one in person."  I said as I took Lances hand.

	"Everyone stay calm.  I'm sure we are just jumping to conclusions.
That could be fake.  Or a fluke, like there's only one of those things left
or something."  Chris tried to tell us.

	"One of whatever that is will be more than enough thanks."  Joey
said.

	"Obviously we don't need to be here if it comes back.  I think we
should look for another one of these and get out of here as soon as
possible."  Josh suggested holding up his jewel.

	It was a "Good idea."  We all agreed.

	From there we started probably the scariest of our adventures.  I
don't think any of us will ever forget this.

	We walked around all packed close together, each suspecting
something to attack us at any moment.  We were all men, but that footprint
had made us all feel so small.  I knew that Lances grip on my hand
tightened, but I couldn't tell if it was to comfort him or me.  But it
seemed to have a mutual effect.  I was glad that it was daylight at least.
Of course if it was night we probably wouldn't have noticed the foot.
Perhaps our fear is what kept us alive, or kept us from getting to our
destination faster.  I couldn't really tell either way.

	"Where are we going?"  Justin asked.

	"I don't know, but I'm looking for a dry spot.  It looks like it
could rain."  I said observing the dark sky.

	"Looks like it.  Maybe that thing will hate rain too."  Jerry
suggested.

	"Maybe, but I'm more worried about why we were brought here.  Every
place has had something important attached to it.  What can we learn from
dinosaurs?"  Joey asked.

	"We'll learn how to die, if we aren't careful."  Chris stated
sending chills down everyone's spines.

	"Let's just keep moving for now.  I hear something."  Lance said

	It was true, I could hear something from the distance as well.  I
didn't want to imagine what it could be.  I couldn't tell if it was coming
towards us, or away from us.  But I know it was a loud sound.  I was hoping
that it was a lot of smaller things, instead of one large thing.  Though if
they were meat-eating dinosaurs, I guess we were dead anyway.

	The further we walked, the louder the sound got.  I was sure that
it was headed towards us now, but I didn't say so to the others.  By the
white look on Lance's face I knew he was already aware of the fact.  What
was it though?  It could be a heard of elephants, dinosaurs, TV evangelists
, or something scarier than that.  But seriously I was sure that whatever
it was...I'd be seeing it soon.

	"What is that sound!  It's driving me crazy!"  Chris said.

	"I know man, let's run!"  Joey suggested.

	"You guys, as fast as it's going, we won't be getting away."  Jerry
told them.

	"That doesn't mean we shouldn't try."  Justin argued.

	"Let's be smart about this.  I see a cliff up there.  Let's go up
there and see if we can see anything."  I suggested.

	"I like that idea, come on babe."  Lance said as we ran towards the
cliff.  The others followed.  Soon we were all huddled on a high cliff.
Luckily it wasn't very steep and we were able to walk up most of it, and
only had to climb the last little bit.

	Gazing out into the horizon I saw what was chasing us, or at least
coming in our direction.  It was a large long neck dinosaur.  A
brontosaurus if I remember correctly.  It was huge, and wasn't going that
fast at all really, but with his size, he was covering a lot of ground.

	"Damn that thing is huge."  Justin said.

	"Yes, but it's a plant eater we are going to be fine."  I told
them.

	"Not if steps on us."  Jerry pointed out.

	"I don't think he will.  Were high enough up that it'll probably
walk right past us."  Joey predicted.

	"But with that size it would shake us off this cliff."  Lance added
to the mix.

	"Good point man.  I think we should look for a place a little
further away, and we still need get out of the rain.  It looks like it's
about to start."  Chris said as the first drops started.

	So we left the cliff and headed in a diagonal direction from the
dinosaur.  I was still relieved that it was a plant eater.  But then again
even if he was a meat eater, I doubt he would have gave us a second
thought.  We wouldn't have been more than a snack for him.  Like Jerry
said, the danger was more of it stepping on us.  At least we now knew we
were in the dinosaur era.  I wish I knew what year it was, because I always
wondered if the scientists and their carbon testing were correct, or just
bull.  But I doubt any of these dinosaurs are going to tell me.

	We walked another 10 minutes, before I heard the dinosaur walk past
us.  It was amazing.  I could see it when I looked around, and let's just
say it was the coolest freaking thing I've ever seen!  I wished I had a
camera with me, but I didn't have time to pack!  Doh!

	After a long walk...probably at least an hour.  We found a cave.  I
didn't like the idea of staying there.  But it was pouring rain.  It was
the cave or swim.  To be honest, I probably would have chose swim, but
Lance took me by the arm and dragged me along.  I guess now is as good a
time as any to say...I'm afraid of the dark!

	For the longest time I couldn't see anything as Lance lead me into
the cave.  I wasn't sure how he navigated us, but soon he found a large
smooth rock for us to set on.  He helped me onto it, cause it was a little
higher than normal setting height.  Then I helped him up.  I laid my head
on his shoulder, and wished I were anywhere but here.  But at least I was
with Lance.

	"What's a matter Lee?"  Lance asked quietly.

	"Nothing I'm fine."  I said not really lying.

	"Are you sure, you're shaking some?  Are you cold?"  He asked.

	"No, I'm just a little nervous here in this cave."  I admitted.

	"Are you afraid of the dark?"  Justin asked from across the room.

	"Yeah a little."  I admitted.

	"Me too, could I set with you guys?"  Justin asked.

	"Sure, we don't bite."  Lance said.

	Justin had never expressed any interest in spending time with Lance
and me, but I guess it was a nice change.  Of the 5 guys, Justin was the
one I knew the least about in person.  Well, Josh too, cause Jerry has kind
of hogged him!  But I didn't mind.

	I knew I would get to know him through Jerry's observations later
on, if we ever got of this crazy ride.  I wished that we could find the
next crystal and get out of here.  I don't like dark, and I hate being the
bottom of the food chain.

	"So, is anyone else starving?"  Joey asked.

	"Yes. Yep.  You bet!"  Everyone answered in there own fashion.

	"Does anyone have any food saved from the last trip?"  Josh asked.

	"I brought some stuff."  Chris said.

	"What you got man?"  Justin asked excitedly.

	"I have some crackers and a couple of candy bars.  I got them at
Mary's place."  He explained as he pulled them out of his pockets.

	"You stole them?"  Justin said a little upset.

	"No she said we might need a snack and gave them to me."  Chris
said.

	"I hope the candy bars didn't melt."  Lance said as he got one for
us.

	There was very little to go around, and I only ate a couple of the
crackers.  I told Lance to share the chocolate with Justin.  I was afraid
the sugar would make me sick.  I have problems with my sugar, when I've not
eaten anything.  I think the food just added to the hunger.  We really were
in the need for a good meal.  But that night we went to sleep the best we
could on the rocky interior of the cave.

	Lance and I laid on each other as much as possible for comfort
reasons, but it's hard to make rock comfortable.  Sleep didn't come to me
that night.  I didn't mind, as much since I could cuddle with Lance, and
occasionally I would play with his hair.  He was so beautiful when he
sleeps.

	The next morning those sleeping were awakened by a lot of noise.
Apparently this cave wasn't as vacant as we had hoped.  A troupe of
triceratops was heading towards the entrance of the cave.  It freaked me
out; I started screaming for the others to get up.

	I managed to get Lance up on his feet, and run out of the cave, but
the others weren't as fast.  They got up and started screaming.  I couldn't
look, but I could imagine that they were getting crushed to death.

	"I hate it when they scream.  Silly humans, why can't they just
start a conversation like a normal being."  Someone stated.

	"Who was that?"  I asked.

	"It was he!"  Lance said pointing at one of the dinos.

	Soon they allowed the others to join us.  The dinosaurs were
talking, and they knew what humans were.  Does that mean humans exist in
this time period as well?

	"How are you speaking English?"  I asked the one speaking.

	"Oh, we have learned quite a few languages from you humans.  Always
popping in when least expected.  Usually talking about time travel, and
such nonsense."  The Dinosaur said.

	"Um, what's your name?"  Justin asked.

	"My name is Tri-horn.  It was given to me by the first English
speaking human I met.  He was a good man.  He said he was traveling in time
to teach others new things.  His trip here was to study the languages of
dinosaurs.  After a lot of study, he found that we used a similar speech
pattern, and could learn from each other."  Tri-horn explained.

	"Wow!  So we aren't the only time travelers then."  I said in
amazement.

	"Oh of course not, don't be silly.  You guys have been showing up
for ages.  All from different times usually.  The last human I saw was from
the 25 century, I believe that's how he said it.  Though I never have
completely understood your timetables.  I just took their word for it."

	"How did you learn to speak English so well, it must have taken a
long time?"  Jerry asked.

	"Not at all, despite what your scientists my think, we are actually
very intelligent.  Though I must say I do grow bored of human knowledge.  I
prefer the simple things, like eating leaves and walking in the sun on a
nice day."  He told us.

	"I think we all feel that way at times."  I agreed.

	"So how did the others travel through time?"  Chris asked.

	"I'm not sure if they knew.  Many of them seemed to be a victim of
it.  And some used machines of course, but most used these jewels.  They
are quite beautiful.  What method did you use?"  He asked us.

	"Well, a little of both the jewels and the victim theory.  We have
a couple jewels, but we don't know how to use them to get home though."
Chris answered for us.

	"Ah, I see.  I believe you have to have 6 jewels for that.  Yes!
That's what it is.  You have to have all 6.  The number of jewels you use
can effect the power of the time change.  You have 2, so you can go quite
far in time now.  But it is still too variable.  Or can't be controlled.
Try to find the other 4."  He suggested.

	"But what if someone else has the other 4?"  Josh asked.

	"Possible, but not important.  Someone most likely has your two
jewels as well somewhere in time.  You can go to any certain time, and get
an object, and if you go 5 minutes into the future, the object won't be
there, but if you go back 10 minutes from there.  The object will be back.
And you could have 2 of them."  Tri-horn explained.

	"So we could go back to right before I found the red Jewel, and get
another one?"  I asked.

	"I suppose yes, but it wouldn't do you any good.  The jewels are
color coded for a purpose you know.  No, the best thing you can do I'm
afraid is to continue to let the time flow manipulate you.  It's the only
chance you have of finding the other jewels."  Tri-horn told us.

	"But if we did want to go back to somewhere we've already been?"
Justin asked.

	"With 2 jewels it might be possible for one or two of you to go,
but it's risky with all 6 of you I'm afraid."  He answered him.

	"But how would we do it?"  Lance asked.

	"Just put the Jewels together, and state the time you want to go
to.  Oh, and you'll still be inclined to time switches even if you use that
method.  Only using all 6 to transfer to somewhere will return the balance
of time."  Tri-horn stated.

	"But what..." Justin started.

	"No more questions humans.  My brothers and I have traveled a long
way, and we must rest.  I'm sure you have to be going along now.  Your time
shift shall be starting soon.  I'm good at these things."  Tri-horn said
shipping us off.

	And he was right, we would be leaving soon, but not before we found
something that someone had dropped.  There was an envelope lying on the
ground.

	"Hey were did this come from?"  Justin asked picking up the
envelope.

	There were two things in the envelope.  A yellow jewel, and a note.

	The Note:

Dear Tri-horn,
	Finding that I would not need this extra yellow jewel that I
collected, I thought I'd leave it here for anyone that came along.  Thanks
for all the advice you gave me on time travel.  I'm sure it will come in
handy.

Sincerely, Ben Franklin

	"Ben Franklin was a time traveler?"  Justin asked in amazement.

	"Apparently, he was.  And he left you a yellow Jewel."  Lance
stated.

	"It's mine?"  Justin asked.

	"You found the envelope.  It's only fair that you should get to
keep this jewel.  Just don't try to use it to go back to see Mary."  I
asked of him.

	"Don't worry I won't.  I loved her and all, but you guys are right.
We have to get home.  No matter what it takes."  Justin said.

	Soon the time warp opened.  We didn't need the power of the crystal
that time.  But we were one step closer to finding home.  And now that my
suspicions were answered, I knew we would make it home someday!

To be continued.

I'll have more for you next week...hope you liked the dinosaurs, though I
guess I didn't describe them very much, but I assumed most of you know what
what they look like anyway.  :-) If not ask, and I'll send you a better
description of the terrible lizards.  :-) leo1980@gay.com