#TimeTravelingGhost Part 31: Episode 2: 1937: The Hindenburg Part Q

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 8/13. Wednesday POST-SIZED snippet

I was seated at a table with three other unaccompanied women, including Miss Pang. I resisted altering Emily and my plan for fear of spoiling it. That didn’t mean I would waste an opportunity if it arose.

When the youngest woman asked me what I did, I replied, “I’m a prestidigitator, commonly called a stage magician. I do the usual things, but I specialize in reading minds and foretelling the future.” Any other answer would have been suspicious and awakened fears from Miss Pang who had witnessed my performance in the lounge.

There was a rapid plunge in my social capital in the #wake of this announcement. Oh well, only Miss Pang concerned me, and she ignored the conversation.

“Do a trick for us,” the young woman asked.

“I’m sorry. I don’t have any of my gear. Most involve sleight of hand, except for the divination and mind-reading. I’m an experienced medium.” I hoped my memory was correct that spiritualism was in vogue.

“Oh, tell my fortune, please,” the woman said.

I smiled inwardly, knowing she was playing right into my hands. “That is a bit of a problem. Ever since getting on the Hindenburg, I can’t see anything, just darkness and… Anyway, it’s never happened to me before, but I’m sure it’s nothing.” I tried to make it sound slightly ominous while not overplaying my hand.

“You read minds as well?” Miss Pang finally deigned to notice me. “Surely you haven’t lost that?”

“No, ma’am, or should I say, Miss Emily Pang, the reporter from Arkham. You’re someone with an interest in mind-reading. Oh… well, that’s enough. Perhaps we should talk later. Tomorrow, privately?” With anyone else, I wouldn’t have tried that, but I knew that Miss Pang took mind-reading seriously.

I could feel her appraising me and imagined her thinking, “Is she German counterintelligence, a humbug, or the real thing?” It was time for me to stop; otherwise, I would seem too eager.

“You must read my mind too,” the young woman jumped in again.

“I think that is enough on the subject,” I said.

The fourth woman finally spoke. “Indeed, more than enough.”

“Tomorrow, then,” Miss Pang said.

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 32: Episode 2: 1937: The Hindenburg Part R

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 15. Injustice

After dinner, I returned to my cabin and updated Emily. She listened attentively. At first, her brow creased, and I imagined her thinking me a dunce for not sticking to our plan. But as I continued, they smoothed, and she nodded. I finished: “So I have an appointment with Miss Pang to discuss mind-reading tomorrow.”

“That was well played. And you’re right; Miss Pang will suspect you of being from counterintelligence.”

Then her brow furrowed again, and she changed the subject. “I’ve been wondering why you’re so eager to help me, when you could travel to wonderful, exotic places rather than spend time on a doomed ship.”

“I’ll give you three reasons. First, the Hindenburg a world class experience, with good food and pleasant company. Second, while I’m no social justice warrior, the Nazis are a blot on human history. You can’t imagine the depth of their crimes. The injustices laid at their door would boggle your mind. Third, I came here looking for a travel companion and found you—reason enough for me.”

“You have a colorful vocabulary: ‘social justice warrior,’ ‘laid at their door,’ ‘boggle your mind.’ I get what you’re saying, but watch it when talking to Miss Pang.”

That led to another lesson on 1930s idioms. After that, I had great success experimenting with sleep.

In the morning, breakfast went without a hitch, and I got to sample clotted cream with my fruit—not bad—and was careful to tip discreetly.

By early afternoon, I’d settled into the lounge. Miss Pang came in later, but I held off talking to her until she had a few drinks.

I’d switched back to Champagné cocktails on Emily’s advice. She had also suggested the Kir Royale or LZ-129. She said they were more ladylike than whiskey sours. The #latter had some appeal, but it was late in the day for orange juice. So, I selected what I had ordered the day before, Champagné cocktails. I needed to drink something alcoholic. A sudden interest in sobriety would raise suspicions.

As Miss Pang finished her second drink, Emily took a place at the door, watching for SS rabbits. Taking a last swig of my Champagne, I set off across the room, and I had almost reached Miss Pang when a German-sounding fellow stopped me. “You’re the magician, aren’t you? Your trick impressed me yesterday. Such precision; it really looked like someone had picked up the glass, and there were no visible wires. Wunderbar!”

I nodded politely, hoping he wouldn’t ask me to join him for a drink. That was when Emily signaled, and three rabbits entered. At first, I thought the German fellow was a blessing in disguise, since I was talking to him, not Miss Pang.

But only at first, because the three of them marched over and surrounded us. The cold, hard glint in their eyes was as terrifying as the death's head insignia and swastika of their uniforms.

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 33: Episode 2: 1937: The Hindenburg Part S

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 17. How athletic are your characters?

“You look pale,” the man said, his voice made harsh by a German accent.

Pale? Of course I was. I was being interrogated by an unknown German, surrounded by Nazi rabbits that no one but Emily and I could see. My instinct was to run, but that would have been futile. I’d never been athletic, and even if I could outrun them, where on the Hindenburg could I go?

I supplied a plausible answer to the man’s question: “Last night’s fish may not have agreed with me.”

I had trouble keeping my eyes off the rabbits, so I focused on the man’s face. It faintly resembled Bismarck’s except for the bits of food in his walrus mustache. It was a ludicrous note that helped restore my equilibrium. As long as I kept my eyes off the rabbits, I’d be okay.

“At what theater will you be appearing? I would like to see your show, and I think my friends would enjoy it too.”

With his thick accent, I couldn’t tell if he’d emphasized the word “friends.” I instantly pictured brownshirts dealing with a suspected spy—me. It wasn’t fair, but with his SS companions, I couldn’t help it.

“Bijou, I think. My manager handles those things, but I’m pretty sure that’s the name.” It was the first likely theater name to pop into my head. They certainly couldn’t know all the stages’ names.

Then, behind me, I heard Emily say, “It’s on the Lower East Side. You’re part of a festival planned around the showing of ‘The Great Gambini.’”

I repeated what Emily said.

“Good, I will be sure to book tickets for your show, and maybe you can read my mind. I’ll be thinking sweet things about the woman I’m with,” he finished with a leer and a wink. It reminded me of my #father.

With that, he left to join his table, leaving a #wake of unease behind him. I signaled a steward: “An LZ-129 and whatever Miss Pang is drinking.” The order gave me time for the rabbits to wander off, and LZ-129’s orange juice would help wash away the taste of that last wink.

As the rabbits exited the lounge, I joined Miss Pang. I smiled, raised my old-fashioned glass, and toasted her. The tangy orange juice combined with the mellow bite of quality gin soothed my ruffled nerves. It was going to be a long day.

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#TimeTravelingGhost 34 EP 2T: 1937: The Hindenburg

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 23rd

“I can’t believe you did it,” Emily murmured from behind me. “I cracked.”

“Oh, ye of little faith,” I thought. Not that I blamed Emily for being surprised, but it was too soon to congratulate myself. I didn’t have the film yet.

I looked down, finding my glass empty. I’d been putting those cocktails away. Another wouldn’t hurt, and I needed something to calm my strained nerves. I waved for the steward and ordered a Champagne cocktail. Miss Pang declined my offer to buy her another drink.

Using my “mind-reading” ability, I sensed she thought I was trying to get her drunk

Bull’s-eye, she would be right.

“And a Monte Cristo,” I added to the steward.

His foot scuffed the floor, and his gaze wavered, but he didn’t say anything. Behind me, Emily groaned. I’d done it again. Maybe the drink wasn’t a good idea.

“That’s a ‘Croque monsieur’ that’s dipped in egg and pan-fried.”

“That we can do, Mademoiselle.” The steward resumed smiling, thinking, “Miss Moneybags will be happy, and I’ll be richer.” Heavy tipping on a luxury #cruise like this had its perks.

“So, the next thing,” I said when the steward was gone, “is I tell your fortune, you’ll doubt me, and then I’ll tell you a few more things to #restore your confidence in me.”

“Okay, read my future.”

I looked to see if anyone else could hear, then lowered my voice. “The Hindenburg will blow up in New Jersey at the mooring mast. You are not among the survivors.”

Her face went as blank as the steward’s a few minutes earlier. Then she asked, “I die?”

At least she wasn’t laughing. “Yes, and the film is destroyed at the same time.”

Her eyes widened. “So you’re a spy!”

“If I were a spy, I would have the captain arrest you and confiscate the film. It’s really a harebrained idea to convince you that I can read minds and see the future when I could have you arrested. That’s why I showed you evidence of my sincerity.”

I jumped as she waved her hand. “My God,” I thought. “She’s going to have me arrested!”

The steward appeared at her shoulder. “Jack Rose, please,” Miss Pang said. “My friend is paying.”

“That’s it? You believe me?”

“Let’s say I don’t disbelieve you. I still don’t know what you want. But given the things I’ve seen…”

Her statement shifted into a question: ‘Where did I see them?’

“Heidelberg. But that’s something a spy would know.”

“True, but for now, I choose to believe you—with reservations.”

“Well, that was easier than expected.”

“I could make it harder. What am I thinking?”

Our drinks arrived, and I waited until the steward was out of earshot.

“You want to get roaring drunk, find out who I am, and see if I’m any good in bed.”

Miss Pang choked on her drink, and Emily gave the back of my head a solid smack. But if Miss Pang believed my prediction of her imminent demise, what else could she be thinking?

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 33: EP 2: 1937: The Hindenburg Part S

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 8/27

“I might have had some of those thoughts,” Miss Pang replied to my injudicious comment. Rather than shocked, she sounded amused. She had drunk almost as much as I had, but unlike me, she didn’t have ghost-given resistance.

“Pardon me,” I said. “I may have had too much to drink. Let’s say two out of three. The third is something two ladies shouldn’t discuss.”

“Nice save,” Emily said, “but don’t press your luck.” Remembering the whack she’d given me, I didn’t want to find out what would happen if I blew things.

“To the first, then—beastly drunk. And a pardon in advance for anything either of us might say while in that condition.” Miss Pang raised her glass, and we clinked. After that, I could hardly refuse.

“And to the second,” she said, lowering her glass. “Who are you really, and what do you want?”

“I am Luminelle Bijou, and I truly can tell the future. And what I told you is true. I also see that we are on the eve of another great war, and if…”

I stopped to look around, forgetting Emily was keeping watch.

“If the information you have doesn’t reach the right hands, the Germans will have an unbeatable trump card. I can get it into those hands, and please don’t ask; it’s an occult secret.”

“So you know how to escape but won’t share it?”

“Miss Pang, I wish that were true, but when this is over, I'll be as dead as you. If it is any consolation, I know a great #adventure awaits you on the other side.”

“Save your platitudes. They make your story less believable. Dead is dead; the priests lie.”

Miss Pang’s words were beginning to slur, and her sentences were a trifle disjointed. I pushed half of my sandwich her way. It wouldn’t do if she passed out.

“I know nothing of God’s will or even if there is a God, but we'll meet on the other side. You don’t want to face me knowing you passed up the chance to get one over on them. I hate the Nazis as much as you do. Let me help you.”

“Okay. How about number three, and you can get it personally?”

Behind me, I heard Emily say, “Don’t you dare!”

“I will have to decline. I am tempted, but it would complicate things when we meet again.”

I hoped all that #computed because if not, I would have to take her up on the offer and face Emily’s fury later.

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 34: EP 2: 1937: The Hindenburg Part T

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 8/29. Is anyone late?

We had a few more drinks and some drunken conversation. My alcohol tolerance came in handy; while I grew noticeably tipsy, I was steadier than Miss Pang, who was two sheets to the wind by the end. She lamented it was too late for love, reminisced about her hometown, and asked me the meaning of life. When she began railing against the Nazis, I put her to bed.

Emily tactfully didn’t follow us into Miss Pang’s cabin—which was just as well, given where Miss Pang had hidden the film. Otherwise, I maintained my ghostly virtue.

When I returned to my own cabin, I was feeling sober. I announced, “Got it,” and held up the film.

Emily responded with a wry smile to my news. Then she promptly changed the subject. “I want you to forget all that. I was beastly drunk and dealing with being told I was about to die.”

“Oh, you remember me talking to you from when you were alive.”

“Vaguely. This flight is a blur to me. The image of fire blots it out. But I’ve remembered flashes of you.”

“I wonder if that is history rewriting itself or proof that you can’t change history?”

“I don’t remember much. Do you… Did we…?” She stopped, with a smile #pasted on her face.

“I forget.”

“What? How could you forget?”

“You told me to forget, so I did. I’m a good, obedient little girl.”

She shook her head in frustration. The least she could have done was boo.

“No, we didn’t. I’m not that kind of woman. I may have been a lush and a glutton, but drunk seduction is out of my league. Even when you’re the one doing the seducing.”

The comment earned me the evil eye, but I couldn’t #help myself, she was fun to tease.

“I was very drunk; I’m not like that.” She repeated.

“Now it’s you who needs to forget it; it’s water under the bridge.”

The rest of the voyage was uneventful. We saw the rabbits occasionally and concluded they were keeping tabs on Miss Pang. She avoided me except at meals, when we were polite strangers. The only interesting thing was Emily and me discussing what to do next. It turned out to be an intriguing list. A compilation of everything from time tourism to noble attempts to change history. Ultimately, we postponed the final decision until after we delivered the film.

[Time for readers to decide where to go next.]

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.

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 35: EP 2: 1937: The Hindenburg Part U

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 31

When the fateful day arrived, Emily and I stayed glued to the observation windows. Passengers came to admire the New Jersey countryside below, and then left to pack.

Miss Pang took a seat in the lounge near us and ordered a Champagne cocktail. She glanced my way, but no more.

Next to me, Emily said, “I’m watching you. If we don’t crash, I want to catch you before you slip away.”

Her use of "I" confused me, but I followed her gaze to Miss Pang. I nodded. “I wouldn’t expect less of you. If we don’t crash, I’ll be happy to hand her the film and apologize.”

The landing mast came into view, a tall, spindly structure. Below was a mixture of pine forests and sandy fields. The aerodrome building loomed large, and I could see the people clearly. “Which one will I be giving the film to?” I asked.

“He’s next to the terminal. I’ll lead you to him.”

“There’s a crowd down there. Are they all needed to land this thing?” I asked, looking at the lines of men in uniforms. What I mainly noticed a field of bobbing white hats.

“First time, bud,” the man next to me said. “Don’t worry. They’ve got it down to a science. We’ll be on the ground in a jiffy.”

I nodded thanks, wondering if he would remember those words later.

The tableware in the room rattled, and the ship groaned.

I felt sick to my stomach. Things were going to get very bad soon. Some people around me might die. I hoped the steward survived. He’d treated me well. It #frustrated me that there was nothing I could do to help these people.

A stray thought popped into my head: “What will they think when they can’t find my body? Mlle Bijou was on the #manifest, or will my name disappear?”

I glanced at where Miss Pang had been sitting, but she’d disappeared. The cocktail was untouched—a mocking symbol of an unfinished life.

I wondered about her absence, but there wasn’t time to think about it.

“Passengers, please prepare for landing,” the captain announced over the intercom, repeating the message in German.

I took Emily’s hand. “Ready.” My voice sounded unsteady. She nodded, and I focused on dematerializing. A process that always seemed to take forever, though in truth it was only thirty seconds. The man next to us gaped as he stared at me. The next few minutes would scar him for life. My disappearing act was only the beginning.

I tugged on Emily’s hand and stepped through the wall. It was like walking into a gale. The wall was thin, and I was outside the ship in an instant. The ground looked very far away.

My head spun, and my stomach lurched. What if I fell? I had no idea what would happen if I ran out of energy and materialized again. Emily had carefully pointed out that I only thought I couldn’t die. Even if I were right, I suspected a fall from this height would hurt.

“My God, I’m going to fall!”

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 35: EP 2: 1937: The Hindenburg Part U

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/1

“You can fly! Come on, Bijou! Fly!”

I could hear Emily’s voice in my ear. I believed her, but my stomach was in free fall. The ground was fast approaching.

“#Please!” Her voice failed to puncture my panic.

Blood pulsed in my ears
     Heart pounded
         Crashing
             into the soldier’s
                 white hats

“Bijou, fly!” Her order cracked through the air.

I closed my eyes, spreading my arms.

          Be a raven

                    Swooping for food.

                              On the porch

Then, the air stopped rushing by, and I opened my eyes.

I was gliding away from the airfield over a sandy field, toward a tree line, away from our meeting spot.

My arms were so tired I’d never get back there.

I aimed for the trees instead. I could materialize there and rest.

My landing would have been disastrous except I passed through the bushes, slowing my momentum. Then, I was down, in a heap, under a pine tree. Too exhausted to move, I waited.

That’s where Emily found me. “There you are. That was touch and go, wasn’t it?”

Her tone was forced; too jovial. But I tried to respond in kind. “I’ll try not to keep you in #suspense in the future.”

She helped me sit up and said more seriously, “You look awful. It’s like you’re not all here. Really. You seem transparent. Like—like—a white beach pebble. Translucent—that’s the word.”

“I feel more like a hollow stone—a gray, worn stone.”

“I hope flying wasn’t too much.”

So do I. I was looking forward to gallivanting around time with you. There are so many interesting places and people to see.”

“It sounds fun. We could be the world’s greatest tourists.”

I closed my eyes; the light was hurting them.

“Bijou?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re an ace. You didn’t have to help me; you could’ve taken advantage of me. Hold fast; don’t wink out.”

“I’ll try.”

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 36: EP 2: 1937: The Hindenburg Part V

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/3

I woke up to #soft sunlight filtering through the branches of a pine tree. At first, I didn’t know where I was, so I rolled over to sleep off my hangover. It wasn’t the first time I had awoken in an odd spot. At least this was better than a park bench covered with newspapers.

“Thank goodness. I was afraid I’d lost you.”

The voice was familiar.

I sat up, feeling the pine needles #snap under me, and looked into the face of Miss Emily Pang, the ghost.

“How long was I out? Our mission?” my reply #stilted by remnants of sleep.

“An hour, maybe half. We still have time if we hurry. Make yourself look like you barely escaped.”

When we emerged from the trees, we could see the Hindenburg. It lay in a tangled, smoking heap. The ship’s braces were twisted or broken. I gasped. The pictures I had seen didn’t capture the true devastation and tragedy of the accident.

“If only we could have prevented it,” I said, hurrying to catch up with Emily.

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 36: EP 2: 1937: The Hindenburg Part V

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/5

The scene was chaotic when we arrived at the crash site, which allowed us to #zoom through the crowds with ease. Fortunately, Emily’s contact was still waiting at their rendezvous point, a look of concern and alarm on his face

He was a regular-looking bloke, except for a #pumpkinish head. He looked nothing like the spy I had imagined

“Are you Dr. Hadron?” I asked, walking up to him. Actually, I was confident he was Hadron. Emily had led me to him and now stood back to watch how I did

“Survivors should go to the building over there.” He pointed to the nearby building, making it clear that he wasn’t interested in me

“If you’re Dr. Hadron, Miss Pang gave me something for you. She said it was important”

I had his attention, and as Emily had predicted, he looked suspicious. “And where is Miss Pang?”

I dropped my voice. “She went to stop saboteurs. I don’t know where she is. Here, sir. This is for you.”

I handed him the envelope with the film and turned to leave.

“Wait,” I heard behind me. I had no intention of waiting and dodged the hand he tried to put on my shoulder.

“I said, wait!” It wasn’t a request anymore but a command.

Pretending I didn’t hear, I ducked into a crowd.

“Stop him,” I heard, and panicked.

I considered running, but that would suggest I had something to hide, making the film suspect. I took a deep breath, then another, and continued at a leisurely pace into the densest group of people around me.

Once I was out of his line of sight, I changed my travel outfit into a Red Cross uniform modeled after one I had seen nearby. It was just a matter of reimagining it. There was a risk with so many people around, but I had to take it.

When I stepped out of the crowd, I resisted looking toward where Dr. Hadron was and a few moments later slipped around the corner of a building and stopped. Only then did I look back, breathing a sigh of relief at seeing no pursuit.

“I’ve got to hand it to you—you think fast,” Emily said. “Though you didn’t have to worry so much, no one was listening to him.”

“Thanks. You should have told me. Anyway, we should leave before he finds help. That means deciding where we’re going. I’m still in favor of visiting Amelia Earhart.” I knew how she would respond and was ready for her when she disagreed.

“We should kill Hitler and head this war off. We could do some real good.”

“Before we tamper with history, we should learn more about how things work. So let’s compromise and find someone who knows about time travel.”

She looked dubious and then shrugged. “You can do that?”

“I can try. I found you that way. Come on,” I said, taking her hand. “Think along with me: ‘Take us to someone who can explain time travel.’”

Emily nodded.

“On the count of three,” I said. “One, two, three.”

Continued in—EP 3: 2025: Arkam Part A

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 37a: EP 3: 2025 Miskatonic University

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/9

The building at the aerodrome and the throbbing #drum of emergency vehicles faded, replaced by the trilling of crickets, the splash of a fountain, and a courtyard containing a central statue and a fountain. Night enveloped the scene in eerie shadows. Grass carpeted the courtyard, silver-gray paths threading through it in the moonlight.

“I know this place,” I said. “But I can’t put a name to it.”

“Miskatonic University, the Metaphysical Research Building.” Emily supplied a name I instantly recognized.

“It’s very familiar to me, but I don’t know why,” I said. “I can even tell whose statue that is, Dr. Armitage. That’s the building’s official name: the Henry Armitage Building.”

“I don’t think the building was called that when I wrote about it. The students’ preferred name was Hex Hall.”

Is that you, Henrietta?” A man called to us from one side. I turned and saw a gentleman with a neat goatee, long, shaggy brown hair, and suit past its prime.

Near him was a rabbit. Instead of wearing a Nazi uniform, this one had on a t-shirt with a coiled rattlesnake and the words “Don’t Tread On Me,” cargo pants, and a red cap emblazoned with the MEGA logo. The final touch was an AR-15 slung across its back.

“Why, I thought you were dead. It was quite the scandal…”

“Professor Skully,” I cut him off.

The rabbit was paying far too much attention to our conversation. I sensed it would be dangerous for the rabbit to know who I was.

“You’re mistaken.” I continued. “Let’s go somewhere private and talk. I’m struggling with the #current assignment you set us.”

I hadn’t fooled the rabbit, though. It formed a gun with its fingers and pointed it at me, taking careful aim. Then pretended to shoot me. A smile creased its lips, and then it mouthed “bang.”

It was like an electrical #current passed through me. The rabbits had a personal interest in me!

Note: TimeTravelAuthors 9/9 Tone of your story. I think this bit sums up my tone nicely: creepy, weird, with many homages, and a tongue-in-cheek flavor.

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 38b: EP 3: 2025 Miskatonic University”

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/11. How do you keep up urgency in your story?

I hustled Professor Skully into his office. Emily stood outside the door, keeping watch. The prevalence of fascistic rabbits, supernatural creatures, and disasters was enough to #instill a sense of urgency in my life.

“What’s going on, Professor Dubois?” Skully sputtered. It was a wonder I’d gotten him away from the rabbit without his going off. “If this is a game, the university will be most displeased. Body parts scattered in various cemeteries, your lab vandalized, and now you waltz in at the middle of the night. If I weren’t #monitoring the courtyard, who knows what you might have gotten up to.”

“I assure you, this is no game. Before I explain, I need you to answer one question: Are you in league with the rabbits?”

“Rabbits?” Skully’s eyes bulged. “What are on about? I warned you not to experiment on yourself!”

Either he was an excellent actor, or he knew nothing about our invisible rabbits.

“Well, never mind them. I just had to check.”

I held up my hands to stop him from speaking. “What I am going to tell you will sound fantastic. But I assure you it is the truth. Please, I need you to accept it and then answer some questions.”

“I’ll take your comments under advisement, but make no promises.”

“I’m a…”

My statement remained unfinished because of Emily’s warning from outside the door. “It’s coming.”

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 39c: EP 3: 2025 Miskatonic University

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/13. Saturday excerpt (optional word: fire)

“As melodramatic as this sounds, listen: Your life may depend on it,” I said to Professor Skully. His face was dubious before I even started. “I need you to pretend that I’m a confused student with an assignment question. It sounds crazy... but I have no idea what you wanted us to do the other day.”

My sudden, nonsensical change of words was because I could see the rabbit standing and listening at the office window. Finished, I mouthed, “Please.”

Skully’s eyes bulged, and his hands were positively twitching. “I don’t know who you think you are, coming into my office with this poppycock, but I’ve had enough.”

I would obviously have to do some fancy dancing.

“If you give me some time, I can explain. I assure you, I thought that’s what you wanted. The equations may be garbled, but I wouldn’t submit an assignment as a joke. I need you to work with me.” I emphasized some words, trying to convey my message.

“Very well, I’ll hear you out, but no more of your poppycock about…”

I cut him off. The cat would be out of the bag if he said “rabbits.” “Of course not, Professor. I thought you would laugh at some nonsense. I didn’t know it would #bug you. You know how I like a little joke now and then.”

“Indeed, you were always a bit of a card.” His tone indicated he was being polite, and he considered me far more than a “card.”

Emily waved at the window, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

“#Bless you for playing along. Things are complicated, so you’ll have to take some of this on faith. I am a ghost.” Skully opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off with a hand gesture.

“I am probably the spirit of Professor Henrietta Dubois, but I’m a little hazy on those details.”

“Okay, I’ve had enough. Whether you’re insane or a joker, the board of regents will be #firing you, tenure or no. I will see to that.”

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 40d: EP 3: 2025 Miskatonic University

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 9/15. Any miracles?

I’d known it would come to this. Words wouldn’t be enough to convince Skully.

“Watch,” I said, pressing my fingers against the top of his desk. At first, the desk was solid and resisted me. Then my hand sank as though through #bog mud and every bit as unpleasant. When I pulled my hand out, I was holding a handful of pencils and pens from inside the drawer.

“That wasn’t a miracle,” I said. I had no idea whether it was occult or scientific, but I knew no divine intervention was involved. I was neither a saint, demon, nor bodhisattva.

“It’s a trick. Do it again!”

“No, it’s hard work. You said I died, and here I am. I just dematerialized my hand and pulled stuff out of your drawer. For heaven’s sake, this is the Metaphysical Research Building. You can’t get any more metaphysical than a spirit.”

Skully stared at me for a full minute before finally saying, “Okay, you’re a ghost. Why are you visiting me?”

I resisted the urge to say that I was the Ghost of Christmas Past. This wasn’t the time for one of my corny jokes. Remaining serious, I said, “I need you to tell me about time-travel.”

“What? You’re the expert on that. I only know what you told me.”

“Then repeat that.”

“Wait a second,” I said, holding up my hand. “I want my partner to hear this. Don’t worry, she won’t bother you. It’s as hard for her to materialize as it is for me to do the reverse.”

I politely ignored Skully’s open-mouthed stare and cracked the door so Emily could listen.

That done, I said, “Okay, I’m ready now.”

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 41e: EP 3: 2025 Miskatonic University

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/17. Wednesday snippet (optional word: strange)

Skully gave me a dubious look. I supposed the situation was #uncanny, but I had nailed it when I said this was the Metaphysical Research Building. One should expect the #bizarre.

Clearing his throat, he began. “You were studying parallel universes and time-travel. All semester, you’ve been saying you were on the verge of a breakthrough.”

“Three weeks ago, you showed up with a rat dyed pink, claiming it was from the future. I was skeptical, so you promised to deliver next week’s newspaper. I joked, ‘Next week’s laundry #list would do.’”

“The following day, you took a vacation. Events #crowded in after that. The day after you left, someone ransacked your lab and burned your notes. That evening, police found your body cut in half in two different cemeteries. It was quite the scandal.”

“Did you find the newspaper?” I asked.

He reached for a desk drawer. “It was rather gruesome…” He stopped, his eyebrows knit in puzzlement. “No, I don’t remember any newspaper.”

“Time-pressure,” I thought. The paper or the memory of it would destabilize this timeline. That I knew about time-pressure, AKA time-stability, showed that I understood more about time-travel than I realized. From what the professor had said, that made sense. Time-travel had been my area of research. It was just a matter of stimulating that knowledge to resurface.

“There must be time-wardens or something that disposed of me,” I said, swallowing the word “rabbits.” I sounded #crazy enough already.

“Go on, tell me about time-travel itself,” I said.

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 42f: EP 3: 2025 Miskatonic University

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/19. Any references to other time travel works in your story? — No

Still puzzled, Skully opened the drawer and pulled out a local newspaper. The front cover announced, “The Pendulum Murder,” and underneath, “Another Spooky U Mystery.”

He rapidly closed the drawer. “From the day after you were discovered. Nothing futuristic about it.”

“About time-travel?” I nudged.

“Right, let’s see. You said, ‘Most people picture time as a single immutable line. My theory—and by that I mean your theory—is that time is closer to a high-pressure stream of water. All of time exists at once, and time-pressure keeps each contemporary timeparticle identical.’”

He took a breath, and I thought, “He has an excellent memory.”

He continued quoting me verbatim. “A small deviation in a timeline is easily corrected. For example, the rat I brought you. When I put it back into its cage, our timeline will be virtually identical to one where the rat wasn’t sent back in time. Even major changes may be smoothed over. If a large change remains uncorrected, that timeparticle flies out of the timestream, like a water droplet or minor spray.”

“Frankly,” he finished. “I thought all your drinking had #fried your brains.”

Emily called from the door, “Someone is coming.”

“Thank you, Professor Skully,” I said. “I suggest you forget this conversation, or you may wind up dead. There appear to be other time-travelers, and they don’t want to share their secret. Oh, and also, I was just a confused student and have left.”

“Wait,” he began, but I had already taken Emily’s hand.

“Best if I’m not seen here.” I didn’t add, “Especially if they’re #enamored with our rabbits.”

Judging by the loud voices down the hall, we would soon have visitors. We had to go now, and Amelia Earhart was who I thought of first.

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 43: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart. 1 of 3

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 9/21. Characters’ sincerity? (Judge for yourself)

First came the shock of water lapping around my knees, followed by the roar of the surf filling my ears. Only later did I notice the briny odor and the bright, clear stars overhead.

“Where are we?” Emily asked as we waded up onto a beach of coral sand.

“Meeting Amelia Earhart. I’m not sure where or when. I didn’t have time to consider our destination. Sorry for not consulting you.”

“It’s all right. I have to reflect on your conversation back there. There doesn’t seem much point in changing history if it only affects…” Her voice trailed off as she searched for a word.

“A timeparticle,” I supplied.

“Right. What’s the point if it only affects a single timeparticle?”

“Guess it’s like being a doctor. You can only save one life at a time.” I wondered why I was arguing. I hadn’t been keen on changing time to begin with.

“Like a combat surgeon. As the poem says, ‘In Flanders fields the poppies blow.’” [Note 1]

“I suppose,” I said, looking around.

Note 1: Flanders Fields

Part 2 continues in the next post.

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 43: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart. 2 of 3

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 9/21. Characters’ sincerity?

In front of us rose a dense wall of low, tangled scrub, and beyond that, the jagged silhouette of tall trees loomed against the night sky. I could identify palm trees among them. A cool breeze blew off the ocean, along with the steady drum of the surf. Out of the wind, the night was warm and humid. The air smelled of salt, leaf mold, and something faintly acrid.

“Heinr… Henrietta—Bijou?” She faltered and then asked, “What should I call you? That professor called you Henrietta something-or-other, but that’s not the name you gave me.”

“Mademoiselle Henrietta Dubois is dead, and I don’t even remember what her life was like. But Henrietta is easier than Luminelle. So, Henrietta Bijou will do.”

“Should I call you Hetty or Retta? What would you like?”

“Bijou. It’s easy, and what you’ve been calling me.”

“Okay, Bijou… Do you think there are timeparticles where there was no Great War and another war with Germany fizzles out?”

“It’s possible. If there are other time-travelers, it’s something they might want to do. Then again, maybe not. I’m guessing there’re forces working against that. Someone or something ransacked my office and murdered me.”

“Rabbits?”

“That seems like a good guess.”

“It never stops, does it, Bijou? We just keep doing it over and over.”

I changed the subject. Not to be a #jerk, but the conversation stirred up the shadows of uncomfortable memories and feelings. “I think I know where we are. Not the name, but the historical event. Let’s go find Amelia.”

I turned and walked down the beach. I found myself singing.

          Where have all the flowers gone?
          Long time passing.
          …
          Gone for soldiers, every one.
          …
          When will they ever learn?
          When will they ever learn? [Note 2]

Note 2: Where have all the flowers gone -The Kingston Trio

Part 3 continues in the next post.

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 43: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart. 3 of 3

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 9/21. How sincere are your characters?

I finished the song as we rounded a shallow point. Emily took my hand, and we stopped to look out over the water. The night was peaceful. The surf, the scuttling of crabs, and the wind in the nearby brush sang a mournful refrain to the lyrics: “When will they ever learn?”

“That’s a sad song. I’ve never heard it before,” Emily said and sang a snatch, “‘Covered with flowers every one.’” Then she added, “Flanders Fields goes, ‘Loved and were loved, and now we lie, in Flanders fields.’ I hate the rest of the poem.”

A fish splashed out in the water.

Emily continued. “I used to believe that at least they were at peace. The guns were silent, and treaties were inked. I thought, ‘We’re done with war, and they can rest.’ But here we are, ghosts. You’re from the future, singing another sad song about the needless dying. The guns don’t stay silent long, do they?”

“No, they don’t,” I said. “Nor the sound of jackboots. ‘Gotta get down to it. Soldiers are gunning us down.’ That’s from another song—the rabbits scare me.” [Note 3]

Note 3: Ohio - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 45: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart 1 of 2

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/23 Anger in your story

Emily was facing me now. Her eyes shone under the newly risen tropical moon. For the first time, I noticed the slight Asian cast to them, which made sense given her last name, Pang. A #mist had drifted in from the sea, casting a romantic halo around her face. “She isn’t bad-looking,” I thought, “if only there were fewer sharp edges to her personality.”

“Those lyrics sound angry,” Emily said. “But I think I understand. Like when we opened fire on the veterans in the Hoovervilles.” [Note 1]

“Yeah, it was like that. The National Guard shot students protesting a war. I have a question for you. Don’t answer if it’s none of my business, but as someone in military intelligence who’s also anti-communist, I wouldn’t expect you to be anti-militaristic.”

“That wasn’t a question,” she #pronounced, “but I’ll answer the one you meant to ask. Have you seen innocent people get shot? Or what an artillery shell can do to someone? I have.”

“Oh,” I said.

[Note 1] Hoovervilles

Continued in next post

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP #History

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 45: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart 2 of 2

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/23 Anger in your story

“I suppose it’s time I told you a little about myself. I’m told I take after my grandmother, a strong-willed woman. She was Chinese and met a dashing American officer. They later married. As you’d imagine, that caused quite a scandal. Not that anyone in the family talks about it.”

“I avoided marriage by becoming a stringer for the Arkham Daily Star. I think Grandma would have approved. My family didn’t.”

“It sounds like you admire her. Did you ever meet her?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I wish I had.”

Emily picked up a shell and tossed it into the water. “Anyway, about me. In 1927, I was in Shanghai when Chiang Kai-shek purged the Communists. It was the right time and place for me, though not for the thousands who were slaughtered. The streets literally ran red. I survived and sent dispatches home. That’s when the service recruited me.”

Her voice grew quieter. “I also witnessed what happened to the Bonus Army when we fired on our own veterans. I’ve seen it all and have no love for it.” [Note 2] [Note 3]

She finished simply: “I love my country, but not war and violence.”

“Thank you,” I said, starting down the beach again. I wondered how we matched up. She was a tough lady. From what I could tell, I’d been a professor who enjoyed food, alcohol, and esoteric studies. The image I had of myself was a soft spinster type. She wanted to save the universe, and I just wanted to gadfly around.

I wasn’t one for self-flagellation, so I set those thoughts aside. “Let’s look for Amelia,” I said.

“I agree.” If I read Emily’s tone correctly, she was glad to leave the subject behind.

[Note 2] The Bonus Army
[Note 3] Shanghai Massacre (1927)

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP #history

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 46: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart.

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 9/27 Saturday excerpt (optional word: pleasant)

The ocean mist that was drifting in was #pleasant after the night's muggy warmth. The beach had been fairly straight until this point, but with the limited visibility, we almost fell into what I guessed was an inlet to a lagoon. Soggy, burnt wood was mixed with the sand, and its faint odor perfumed the air. We still hadn’t seen Amelia, and I was more convinced than ever that I knew where we were. It was the #worst option, the one place I’d prayed we wouldn’t find ourselves.

“I think I hear something,” Emily said, pointing inland.

When I listened, I thought I heard crying, but it could have been the wind. “That way is as good as any,” I said.

The sound faded as we walked along the beach. No matter how hard I listened, all I could hear was the wind, the surf, and the scuttling of crabs, some of which were as big as a cat or small dog.

The memory of a pretty papillon named "Rindy" floated up into my consciousness, and I wondered if he had been mine.

“There it is again,” Emily said.

This time, I could plainly hear a woman weeping. The sound came from in front of us, off to the right.

“Amelia, Amelia Earhart!” I yelled, and the weeping stopped.

“There’s a path,” Emily said, pointing to a rough trail leading inland through the trees.

“I’m here! Thank God at last,” came a shout from the direction the path led.

We followed the voice and soon found a clearing. In the center were the ashes of a fire, scattered coconut, and crab shells. The scent of the jungle and sea mingled with the sour-sweet stench of death. On the far side of the fire lay a rotting corpse. Crabs that had nearly picked the skeleton clean scurried away from our light. The word “#gross” almost escaped my lips.

Just beyond stood a woman dressed in aviator clothes. We had found Amelia Earhart.

Note 4: Amelia Earhart

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP #historicalfiction

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 47: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart.

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 9/29. Author's choice/promo

“At last! I thought no one would find us,” Amelia said. “Fred went to find water; we have none. He’s been gone a long time.” She waved toward a row of coconut shells on the clearing's edge. Her rambling speech gave no hint of what our eyes could plainly see: a rotting skeleton and the jungle visible through the aviator’s translucent body.

I whispered to Emily so that the apparition couldn’t hear. “In 1937, Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, disappeared while crossing the Pacific. I don’t think she knows she’s dead. We need to break it to her slowly.”

“I didn’t hear a plane,” Amelia resumed. “Did you come from Howland Island? We missed it. Thank goodness we spotted Gardner.” [Note 5]

Note 5 Gardner/Nikumaroro
[Note 6] It is a #cardinal sin to omit the prompt word, so I cheated.
#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMPrompts #NMTTA #NMV366 #NMMP

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 47: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart.

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 10/5. Why are you important to the story?

As we stood there, trying to figure out what to say, the moon topped the surrounding trees. The apparition became even fainter.

“I need to tend the signal fire,” she said, gliding by us. It felt like a chill wind, and in the warm tropical night, it raised goosebumps on my skin. Inland, a bird #piped, eerie and forlorn.

“I suppose we should follow her,” I said, starting back down the track. “You’re lucky you weren’t caught in an obsessive loop like her.”

“Explain?”

“Classical ghost stories feature spirits caught in a loop created by unfulfilled desires, grudges, or death trauma. They’re doomed to repeat the same actions over and over.”

She nodded. “I might have been, except you came along. We wouldn’t be traveling through time except for you.”

She paused, thinking, then spoke. “Neither of us is a typical ghost, especially you. Are you sure you’re even a ghost?”

“It’s the only term I can come up with.”

The mist was thicker when we emerged from the jungle. White tendrils passed over the moon, causing an unsettling flicker. The clicking of crabs communicating had ceased in the direction the ghostly form had gone. Behind us, the sound resumed.

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMTTA #NMV366 #Spooktober

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 47: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart.

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 10/7. Something odd/weird you've experienced

We didn’t have to walk far before Amelia came into view again. She stood where the inlet met the sea. Creamy currents ran past her as the lagoon emptied. A signal fire danced in front of her. Its ghostly blue flames #curled and flickered. The exposed white coral behind her blended into her ethereal form. She appeared to be the spirit of the island itself: white coral edging a deep indigo ocean. It wasn’t the weirdest thing I had ever seen, but it was close.

Emily grabbed my arm, and we stopped. Turning to face her, I waited for her to speak.

“How are we going to convince her she’s a ghost?”

“I don’t know yet.”

She nodded. “We might not be able to do things like stop the Great War, but we can do little things, like freeing her.”

“We can do that, but there might be more we can do. Next, let’s find out more about the rabbits. I think they’re up to no good.”

She nodded in agreement.

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMTTA #NMV366 #Spooktober

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 48: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart.

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 10/11. Saturday excerpt (optional word: most) #Occultober 10. #Nephelomancy #SundayLit Colour

We approached Amelia and the signal fire. Its #blue flames gave off no heat, chilling us instead.

Stopping a few feet from Ms. Earhart. My prepared speech froze in my throat when she spoke.

“See the clouds?” She asked, staring at the sky that rimmed the ocean. “I’ve always loved flying in their midst and wondered what they said. I imagined them whispering their #most guarded secrets: ‘Life is short; soar.’ If there’s a God, surely he must speak through them.”

She raised a ghostly hand and pointed to the mist moving across the moon. “Tonight, they say, there will be an end.”

Her hand dropped, and she turned toward us. “You came to rescue me?”

“No. Just to visit.” I said. The comment was deliberately cryptic. I wanted to draw her in slowly.

“Then I’ll have to wait for a ship,” she said.

Emily spoke next. “There won’t be a ship. Nobody comes for you.”

“Then they’ve given up? Forgotten?” Amelia’s voice was thin. The last word was edged with despair.

“A hundred years from now, they’ll still be searching. You’ll still be inspiring women to be bold. That’s your legacy,” I said.

“Legacy,” her voice now laced with pride.

“Noonan?” she asked.

“He’s dead, too,” I said.

“So this is the end they foretold.” Her hand swept, taking in the sky. “Not a rescue, but death.”

“It’s time to soar. The clouds want to share their secrets with you.” Unlike her usual pragmatic tone, Emily’s voice held deep compassion. It touched me.

“You no longer need wings.” Emily continued. “Let go of the earth and take flight.”

A smile touched Amelia’s face for the first time. “Thank you. I didn’t realize. But I’ll be back. I want to be the first woman in space.”

With that, she faded. #God rays streamed from the moon, illuminating her. Then they were gone, and with them, Amelia Earhart vanished.

All that remained were the #marble-like embers of her fire. #Moon-bright #pellets that winked at us.

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMFic #Spooktober

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 49: EP 4: 1937 Amelia Earhart.

#Wss366 #TimeTravelAuthors 10/13. What does someone else in the story think of you? #SundayLit color

The spheres were round robin egg-sized #opals or #moonstones, with smoky #blue fire in their depths and pleasantly cool to the touch.

“Those could be dangerous,” Emily said. “I would hate for something bad to happen to you. I’ve never been much use for intellectuals, but I like you.”

“Thanks.” Then, in a faltering voice, I said, “I like you too. I’m glad we met.”

Holding out my hand, I continued, “You should take two of these.”

I was met with a questioning look, so I added, “It doesn’t make sense, but nothing that’s happened to me recently does. I just have a feeling that these were meant for us.”

Her fingers briefly touched mine as she took the spheres. Her fingertips were warm. Surprising for a ghost. That was another strange thing. But I was glad.

“Shall we find out about our ‘friends,’ the rabbits?'” I said, my hand still outstretched.

It tingled faintly in my grasp—a comforting feeling.

The foggy tropical night faded, replaced by a lush #emerald-#green light streaming down like sunlight #filtered through a stained-glass window, so brilliant that I was temporarily blinded.

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMFic #Spooktober

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 50: EP 5: Jurassic Era — Rabbits

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 10/15. Wed POST-SIZED snippet (optional word: give/gave)

Until my eyes adjusted to the emerald light, I thought we were still on Gardner Island. I could hear the surf, now sluggish, and the air was warm and humid.

My first hint that we had truly moved in time was the smell. The air still reeked of decay but now carried a resinous tang and the heavy musk of mud. Insect buzzing and a cicada-like chorus replaced the clicking of crabs.

As my eyes adjusted, the first thing I saw was a slow-moving stream edged with cattails as tall as me. It’s muddy water mixed with the turquoise ocean, lying in front of me. Turning around, I saw we were standing under tall conifers mixed with tree ferns. Their broad fronds filtered the light, casting a lush stained-glass pattern on the thick blanket of ferns and moss beneath them.

Emily gasped and pointed upward. Through a gap in the fern fronds, I saw small pterodactyls swooping down over the ocean like swallows.

“Jurassic Park,” I said.

She #gave me an odd look. “Park?”

The joke had gone right over her head. “It was a film,” I explained.

“The Lost World, Conan Doyle,” she said, matching my tone. I had the advantage, though. I’d heard of that.

“Journey to the Center of the Earth, Jules Verne,” I said. She would know that one.

“But we’re outside.” Emily’s comment #stemmed the flow of titles.

“Touché,” I said and watched her smile grow broader.

“Don’t move; there’s a damson fly on your back,” Emily said, stepping toward me. She slowly reached out to catch it, only for her hand to close on nothing. Her smile faded. “I forgot I’m a ghost. It’s still there. It’s huge and has lovely gold eyes and translucent blue wings. I wanted to show it to you.”

“I smiled and let her mispronunciation of damselfly pass. It was cute, given her normally proper speech.

Jurassic Era

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMFic

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 51: EP 5: Jurassic Era — Rabbits

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 10/23. Tell us about your enemies

“We should look for a hill and see if we can find a clue about where to go,” I said. Wandering aimlessly through the jungle behind us or walking along the beach, exposed to predators, didn’t appeal to me. Scenes from “Jurassic Park” played in my mind, like being chased by a T-Rex or some of smaller carnivores whose names I couldn’t recall.

It was quieter than in the movies, though. The only things I heard were the surf, the buzz of huge dragonflies, and swarms of gnats from the river. As for larger animals, all I’d seen were pterodactyls about the size of eagles and a glimpse of brontosaurus-like herbivores grazing in the waters of the river’s silty delta.

“I have a better idea,” Emily said. “I’ll fly up high and look around. You can look down here for clues, but watch out. I saw a small lizard over there.” She pointed to a thicket of short palm-like plants. Their stiff, waxy, blue-green fronds glistened faintly in the humid air and provided an excellent hiding place for whatever she’d seen.

While Emily scouted above, I gingerly poked at the undergrowth with a branch I picked up. When the #weedy growth proved resistant to my efforts, I persisted, using my hands when necessary.

Emily was descending when I found something interesting covered in moss, which I tore away. The first thing I noticed were bugs that looked similar to ones I was familiar with. However, I soon lost interest in them, pausing uneasily.

The gigantic half-buried vertebra that had first caught my attention paled in significance next to the carved chunk of obsidian lying just beyond it. Rust-red streaks mottled the stone, which bore the carving of a toadish face with bulging eyes, drooping lids, and flabby lips pulled back to reveal small, sharp teeth. Its neckless head merged into a body only hinted at.

First fascist rabbits and now this!

#Aghast, I stood pointing as Emily landed.

#TootFic #MicroFiction #Serial #TimeTravel #NMFic

#TimeTravelingGhost Part 52: EP 5: Jurassic Era — Rabbits

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 10/25. Saturday excerpt (Word: back)

“That shouldn’t be here,” Emily said, staring at the carving I had discovered.

“I couldn’t agree more,” I said. “But there it is.”

“Humans haven’t evolved yet.”

“There are sentient rabbits and who knows what else that science hasn’t revealed.”

She shivered and nodded. “The rock is foreign too. I didn’t see any volcanic activity.”

“Is that what you think is unnatural here?” I moved to toe the carving, but thought better of it. “It’s positively Lovecraftian!”

Emily looked blank, so I amended my statement to: “Nightmarish and occult, hinting at secrets and things that are better left unknown.”

“Sounds like the Nazis. And on a different subject, there is a ridge with limestone caves that way.” She pointed to the jungle. “There are some rough trails we can use, but be careful; there are big dinosaurs on them.”

I superstitiously covered the cursed stone #back up. I felt it would cause less harm that way.

She pointed at the stream. “Follow that for a hundred feet and you'll find a trail, oh, ‘Girl of the #Limberlost.’ I’ll fly overhead and warn you of any major dangers. Take care and keep your eyes peeled, or you’ll be in the soup.”

For a second, I thought she meant I’d fall into the murky river. I smiled as I deciphered it. It was my turn to be blindsided by period slang. The reference to “The Girl of the Limberlost” especially threw me. But, as a #Johnny-come-lately, shouldn’t I have had an advantage here?

"Roger that," I replied. That was from the '40s, wasn’t it?

“That’s solid. Let’s get this show on the road,” she responded, beginning to drift up.

Note 1: Girl of the Limberlost:
Note 2: Free to read at:

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 53: EP 5: Jurassic Era — Rabbits

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 11/29
#ScribesAndMakers 11.29 — Cantankerous?

It was interesting how my view of Emily had changed. At first, I had found her humorless and grouchy, almost #cantankerous. She was definitely serious, but she had a humorous side and was perfectly capable of engaging in verbal sparring.

She was a bit sadistic too. I could tell by the way her lips turned up in a smile as I pushed my way through the thick forest growth, and by her uproarious laughter when a #pillbox-shaped bug as big as my fist caused me to shriek in surprise.

We eventually reached the “trail,” a muddy, trampled swath of land that ambled through the forest. Fallen trees littered the path, and huge footprints lurked in the dense ferns, threatening to break the legs of the unwary. The expedition clothes I had manifested soon turned into leather chaps and a jacket. Despite the heat, it was better than being #rent by the long dagger-like thorns that hid amid the foliage.

My attempts to transform my clothes into futuristic lightweight armor were a flop. There were clearly limits to my power. As an experiment, I tried to manifest money and then a gun. Again, the experiments failed. I had better luck with manifesting a machete.

My woes weren't limited to the heat and flora. Clouds of gnats followed me. A safari hat with mosquito netting helped, but hindered my movement through the brush. The machete and short stints of immateriality were helpful, but tiring. Indiana Jones, I wasn’t.

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 54: EP 5: Jurassic Era — Rabbits

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 12/3

I was about to test whether an elephant gun would manifest, as it was a more appropriate weapon for the Jurassic era, when Emily shouted, “Off the trail! We have company!”

The edge of the path was about thirty meters away, with a tangle of crushed fern-trees and cattails blocking my way. The ground shook. At first, I frantically tried to scramble toward the edge, pulling at the ferns and clambering over logs. Ferns slapped my face leaving it stinging, and thorns tore at my clothes.

“Ahrrr.” My knee buckled as my leg plunged into a footprint the size of a drainage pipe and as deep as a #post-hole.

I tried to pull my leg out, mud dragging at it. I pulled harder, and my foot pulled out of my boot. Pain shot up my leg. It felt like my knee had become dislocated. Brown streaks and stars blurred my vision.

“I was a ghost,” I thought. “This shouldn't be happening.”

But it was.

I had to do something. Not only was the ground shaking, but I could also hear crashing trees and thunderous footsteps, like a stampede of elephants.

Time was running out.

“Breathe, breathe,” I whispered to myself. “Calm down. You can #cope. Breath. Fade away.”

The pain ebbed, and I floated up and then through the wreckage blocking my way until I was deep inside the forest. Once there, I materialized and collapsed. At least I hadn’t passed out as I did at the aerodrome.

My relief was brief. Overhead, the trees thrashed as if in a hurricane, and beneath me, the ground rolled in waves. The air was full of the sound of splintering timber. Deep booming grunts, like those of a giant hippo, drowned my scream as the head of a brontosaurus-like creature appeared. Vegetation dangled from its mouth like insane Christmas #decorations.

My instincts kicked in, and I tried to scramble deeper into the brush, but I couldn't move. I couldn’t feel my legs and when I tried to lift my arms, my hands only flopped. All I could do was close my eyes and pray.

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 55: EP 5: Jurassic Era — Rabbits

#Wss366 #MastoPrompt #TimeTravelAuthors 12/9

The rumbling of the behemoths diminished and then vanished. I opened my eyes. Emily was seated nearby on a mossy log with her mouth set in a concerned line.

“You okay?” she asked, biting her lip.

I felt heavy, and my legs were numb, but I could sit up. “Yeah, but I need to rest. I panicked a bit there.”

A smile touched her lips, easing the pinched look on her face. “I’ll say. Anyone would with those things coming at them.”

“How much more of this is there?”

“The good news is we can cut over to the ridge about a quarter mile out. The bad news is the slope’s wide open, so we’ll be plain as day. And believe me, there are some mean customers out there. Those boys weren’t stampeding for the sheer fun of it.”

My smile felt stiff. I could picture “mean customers” with lots of sharp teeth.

“Buck up; it’s the toll for being able to enjoy food and drink. Besides, you’re pretty spry. You have turning ectoplasmic down pat. If you didn’t—Ghost flapjacks.”

I laughed, “Ghost flapjacks,” that was a wonderful turn of phrase.

“Well, we’d better get moving. It looks like the no-man’s-land after the Jerries gave it a good shellacking.”

I groaned and got up, but was pleased to find my knee was better. There were lots of advantages of being a ghost.

My pleasure didn’t last long. As Emily had indicated, the trail became a quagmire of churned mud, torn vegetation, and a #soapy froth. It was a hellacious quarter mile.

Despite the “doughboy” slog to the ridge, there was only one incident. We had reached an open conifer forest running at the foot of the ridge when a stegosaurus burst from behind a grove of trees where it had hidden.

Fortunately, it wasn’t a carnivore. The only damage I sustained was a near heart attack when the immense beast lumbered past. It was almost comical, with its plates rattling, the thud of feet, and its tail striking against trees. There was a #chipped plate midway down its back. It was only funny because I was far enough away for the tail to pose no threat.

A minute later, Emily landed and apologized for not spotting it.

Note 1: Stegosaurus

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#TimeTravelingGhost Part 56: EP 5: Jurassic Era — Rabbits

**#TimeTravelAuthors #Wss366 #Mastoprompt 12/13

As the gentle #fluid #folds of the conifer forested hills ended, the ridge rose steeply in front of us. Although climbing it would be difficult, the incline was a good thing. I doubted the big dinosaurs could climb it. Still, I needed to watch out for smaller ones. Airborne reptiles didn't seem like a problem. The only ones we had seen were small pterodactyls. The largest had a wingspan of about one meter and was no more threatening than a fish eagle.

I zigzagged up the grueling slope, stopping frequently to catch my breath and to ask Emily, "How #far?" until she snapped, "How old are you? Three?"

Pterodactyls/Pterodactylus

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#TimeTravelingGhost EP 5 Part 57: Jurassic Era

#TimeTravelAuthors 12/31

Eventually, the cliffs Emily had mentioned loomed overhead. White streaks marred their limestone faces. And the smell!

The closer we got, the stronger the reek of ammonia became. Overhead, pterodactyls became more numerous. A few even buzzed us, checking us out. They varied in size, but none were large enough to pose a threat. When the base of the cliffs came into view, the source of the smell became obvious: heaps of pterodactyl guano. Insects swarmed, feasting on it. Dragonflies with wingspans like small birds, all wings—shimmering flashes of blue and green—in turn, feasted on them.

Then there were the caves. Some high-up, where pterodactyls launched themselves into the air. Others at ground level. It was these caves that we were aiming for.

Odonata (Dragonfly):

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#TimeTravelingGhost EP 5 Part 58: Jurassic Era

1/3/26 #TimeTravelAuthors Deal #Wss366

We approached the caves cautiously. The thrum of the dragonflies added to the sinister feeling. Inside, anarchistic cave-#drawings showed monstrosities with many tentacled faces fighting toadish creatures. Further down, the octopi beings were shown being roasted alive over huge fires. Underfoot, seashells, small bones, and scurrying beetles crunched.

A breeze blew from the far end of the cave, dispersing the stench we had smelled climbing the ridge. The open sky at the far end beckoned, offering relief from the ominous atmosphere of the cave.

Our relief was short-lived. Below, we could see a narrow strip of jungle stretching along an aquamarine sea. Islands dotted the water. Each of the four largest islands had a pyramid on it. Three white pyramids formed a triangle, with a towering, coral-pink pyramid rising in the center. An enormous eye, carved at the pinnacle of the fourth pyramid, peered over the others.

“What’s the #deal? The Eye of Providence? Freemasons? Here?” Emily questioned.

“I think you mean the Illuminati. That’s their symbol,” Bijou corrected her.

“Illuminati? Perhaps. Until recently, I would have thought you were a bit of a mug if you’d said that, but now, seeing it… it gives me the heebie-jeebies.”

Eye of Providence:

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#TimeTravelingGhost EP 5 Part 59: Jurassic Era

#TimeTravelAuthors 1/7/26 Name #Wss366 Dash

Bijou continued to look at the pyramids. “I wonder if Tolkien had visions of that?”

At Emily’s questioning look, she said, “He’s a famous writer from the 1950s. His villain, Sauron, was depicted as a giant eye that peered out over the world from his tower. ‘One ring to rule them all and in the darkness to bind them.’”

“That sounds grim.”

“I suppose it’s better than Lovecraft and beings that Should Not Be #Named.”

“I don’t suppose either of those offers any clues on what we might face?” Emily asked.

“Let’s hope not. They’re both way out of our league.”

“#Dash it! I was hoping for some help here.”

“I think Nazi Rabbits are more our speed. Let’s not wish for eldritch gods.”

“Well then, here is to Nazi Rabbits.”

Bijou finished the cheer: “And the Illuminati.”

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#TimeTravelingGhost EP 5 Part 60: Jurassic Era

1/15/26 #TimeTravelAuthors The cost of time travel #Wss366 pyramid #MastoPrompt aromatic

I kicked the detritus near the edge of the cave, then sat down with my legs dangling over the edge. An #aromatic breeze, reminiscent of ferns and conifers, rose from below, masking the odor of guano.

"If we want to learn what the rabbits are up to, we're going to have to go out there," I said, pointing to the surreal #pyramids.

“Can you fly that far? You'd be easy pickings out there on the water.”

“Yeah, I can’t see myself building a raft and paddling across open water. I don’t suppose we could just time-travel over there? We don’t seem limited spacially when doing it. And it doesn’t seem as taxing as dematerialisation.”

“All we can do is try.”

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#TimeTravelingGhost EP 5 Part 61: Jurassic Era

1/17/26 #TimeTravelAuthors #work #Wss366 #work

“First, though, we should watch from here for a few days. Whether it #works or not, having more information could be useful.

“I agree,” Emily said. “How shall we spend our time?”

I manifested a deck of cards. “How about pinochle or gin rummy?”

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#TimeTravelingGhost EP 5 Part 62: Jurassic Era

1/19/26 #TimeTravelAuthors A character's goal #Wss366 #coke (implied)

The two of us spent the next couple of days playing cards and observing the pyramids. We learned more about the former than the latter. I taught Emily pinochle, and she taught me bezique. She liked that pinochle was more intense; I liked that bezique took its time. We had plenty of it to kill. Now and then we mixed up the terminology, which led to some friendly squabbling.

More importantly, we learned creatures avoided the pyramids. This wasn't immediately apparent, as flying creatures took flight from the pyramid closest to us. That was until one flew near us.

“An ornithopter,” I exclaimed as a pterodactyl-like machine flew by.

“A what?”

“An airplane that flies by flapping its wings.”

Emily shook her head. “At least it’s not trying to kill us. Still, no sane pilot would trust that.”

“Sane or not, we had better try our experiment before one of those spots us.”

“Agreed. We’d be in a jam if they knew we were here.”

We joined hands and repeated together: “We want to be on the central island five minutes after the big ornithopter took off.”

The cave faded, and we stood with the central pyramid in front of us, a towering mass of coral.

Emily touched it and asked, “Do you think it grew here?”

“I don’t know. I’d believe anything at this point.”

“Holy moley! Wait, I think there’s writing over there.”

We walked down a beach of pink sand, prehistoric shells, and fine, black ash until we faced the words carved into the pyramid:

          OCULUS APERTUS ERAT
          ANTEQUAM REGES ESSENT

          We guided the fire.
          We guided the crown.
          We shall guide the end.

“Masons/Illuminati,” we said at the same time.

What followed was a laugh, a strained echo of our squabbling over cards.

The laughter trailed off as we looked at each other.

“Nazis, Illuminati, eldritch horrors—why do we have to be the chosen ones?” I said, collapsing against the monolith.

Ornithopter:

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