For those who may not know this about me, one of my hobbies besides writing the spiritual content I do for this blog, is to write young adult fiction. Many years ago, I actually completed a novel that was set up to be the first in a series, but unfortunately, my addictions got in the way and that series fell to the wayside. That’s why I decided about a year ago that the only way I was going to get back into this hobby again was to commit to writing at least a chapter a month. So I chose to start over and begin a new fantasy series, about a 12-year old boy who gains magical abilities far beyond anything he could ever have imagined for himself. Hopefully this story will one day be the first in its own series. Regardless, if you haven’t read any of the prior chapters for this ongoing novel, it’s never too late to catch up. I always include a link to a PDF file for all the prior chapters at the beginning of each of these monthly entries. Thus it’s my hope that each of you may join in to this ongoing adventure with Andy and his Zodiac Crystal, as I’m sure you won’t be disappointed if you do…
Click here for the PDF file of Chapters 1 to 38.
Andy and The Zodiac Crystal – Chapter 39
I rubbed my eyes and hoped it was a dream, but it wasn’t, as there I was, standing in total fear on my old porch, wondering who the stranger was in front of me. It was obvious to me that the Aquarius sign was a time-travel based one and while that may have seemed pretty cool to discover any other time, having to relive a very scary and painful moment wasn’t feeling all that fun right now. Even worse was the fact that I had transported back in time in bare feet. I was grateful at least to have some shorts and a t-shirt on.
Nevertheless, I continued to watch the unpleasant scene unfold all over again and decided to take cover in the woods behind a tree, so as not to be discovered. I had seen many time-travel movies before where nothing good ever came out of a future person running into their past self and I wasn’t ready to see if any of that science was ultimately true. So as I sat there on my Grandmother’s chair behind this large oak tree, I thought about the reality that I had actually time-travelled! For a brief moment, I felt some sense of achievement over that and enjoyed being reacquainted with the woods I had once been so fond of. The summer warmth felt nice and kind of soothing alongside the sound of rustling leaves. I decided enough time had passed to take a peek around the tree and see what was going on, only to find the porch was now empty.
I remember all too well what took place next. Sitting there in Mrs. Sampson’s home and thinking I was in a dream, only to eventually be taken in a police car down to the station where I learned that three years had indeed gone by while I had been in that cave. I pondered the memory for a moment and then started to realize I was still in the past. How the heck was I supposed to get back to the present with this Zodiac sign?
My heart began to race in fear as I thought about missing my Grandma and the conversation we had just been having a few minutes ago. Almost immediately I felt sick to my stomach and the dizziness started again. As my eyes blurred, I knew what was beginning to happen except this time I opted to keep them open because I really wanted to see the time shift take place. I’m not sure if that was a good idea though given my dizziness was becoming even more apparent. Suddenly the world around me began to melt. It was almost as if I had been staring at a painting that was rapidly become quite impressionistic. The trees and shrubbery were growing longer and wider and it felt as if I was moving away from all of them. Were my eyes playing tricks on me or was this simply the effects of this Zodiac sign, I didn’t know. And just at the precise moment where I thought I might actually throw up, I was back in my Grandmother’s kitchen.
“Yes, I’m an Aquarius.” My Grandmother said, as if nothing had taken place and I had never departed from her kitchen.
Maybe I was only gone for a split second in her eyes?
“Andy, is everything ok?” She said looking intently at me.
Obviously, she could tell something was wrong by the look on my face. After all, I had just gone backwards six months into the past and returned.
“Grandma, have I been here the entire time?”
“I’m not sure what you mean hon?”
“Since I’ve been sitting here having breakfast and talking with you, have I been here the entire time?”
“Well of course you have dear. What a silly question to ask.” She said gently.
“No, you don’t understand. But before I explain, I need to deactivate your sign. Aquarius!”
“Is that all it takes to activate and deactivate a sign’s ability, by saying it?”
“Yes, Gran, and that’s unfortunately been a problem for me because I sometimes forget that, only to find myself using an ability without any knowledge of what it does or how it works.”
“So I’m assuming you went somewhere then during our conversation after you said my sign?”
“Yes Grandma. When I said your sign, I had been thinking about the day I discovered the crystal and when I had met that woman, Mrs. Sampson. I had remembered her telling me my family no longer lived at the house I thought was still my house and it made me sad thinking about it all over again. And then suddenly I, and your kitchen chair, were immediately transported back to that day when I had re-emerged from the woods and met Mrs. Sampson at the door on my old porch.
“How amazing is that!!!” She said sounding extremely enthused.
“Trust me, it was far less amazing having felt dizzy, sick to my stomach, and fearing I was going to be stuck in the past forever.”
“But you’re not, and thank goodness for that.”
“You’re always so positive Grandma! I need a little bit of that to wear off on me.”
“You’re more positive than you think Andy! Don’t be so hard on yourself. So tell me, are you interested in trying a little experiment?
“What kind of experiment?”
“Well, what do you think would happen if you were holding onto my hand when you activate my sign. Will we travel together?”
“I’m not sure, but I do know that when I pause time or teleport and am touching someone else at the same time, that they can experience the ability with me. But I don’t know how this sign works and I honestly can’t say I know what even engages the time-travel.”
“Well dear, have you thought about the idea that maybe it’s your heart that’s the key?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well when you went back into the past it’s because you were thinking about how sad you were when you realized your home was occupied by two strangers. And when you returned to me here, I’m assuming you were probably thinking about missing me, am I right?”
“How did you know?
“Call it a Grandmother’s hunch Andy, but I think this ability, and probably some of your others are all about love. In this case your love for your family was the connection that helped you to travel back and forward in time.”
“It makes sense, but are you sure you want to try this? And where do you want to go anyway if it works?”
My grandmother than got up and went into the living room, where she proceeded to grab a picture off the mantel over the fireplace and then headed back into the kitchen.
“Let’s have a go, shall we? Go ahead and stand up and then activate the sign. But before you do, you might want to throw your sneakers on.” She said enthusiastically while reaching for my hand.
I couldn’t believe how calm she was, but that was my Grandmother and was just one of the many endearing qualities I loved about her. As I quickly grabbed my sneakers near the front door and slipped into them, I proceeded to grab hold of her outstretched hand.
“Aquarius…” I said the word, albeit somewhat fearfully and wondered what was going to happen next.
She then showed me the picture that was clasped in her hand. It was of her wedding day, several decades ago, a moment in time I know she still cherished, even to this day. She truly missed her husband, that much I knew. As I stared at the picture with her and then looked into her eyes, I watched as a tear fell down her face.
“Don’t be sad Grandma.” I said holding onto her hand a little tighter.
And suddenly like before, I began to feel dizzy.
“I think it’s happening Andy and now I know what you mean about the dizziness. Oh my!”
I closed my eyes again because that feeling of having an upset stomach still hadn’t passed and I really didn’t want to throw up. When I opened them, we were standing about fifty feet away from a church where all sorts of people were dressed up in suits and ties and gathered around its entrance. Suddenly the doors thrust open and there, heading down the stairs was a much younger version of my Grandmother, arm entwined into my Grandfather’s. She looked so stunningly beautiful and very happy. I looked up at her older version and felt she was still just as beautiful.
“Andy, you just gave me the best gift ever…” She said cheerfully while another tear fell from her eye.
As we continued to observe an event that unfolded decades ago, the gleeful couple got doused with tons of rice. They then entered a car adorned with “Happily Married” on the back window and cans hanging on strings from its bumper. When the car drove away, cans clanging on the pavement, I could feel the joy emanating from my Grandmother while my only thought was excitement on where in time we could time travel next.
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson
