Storm to the Past: A Time Travel Western (8 page)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Owen grabbed Nate’s hand, “We wish you a safe journey, but are you sure you want to sail out today? It’s starting to cloud up and looks like it may be rough weather.”

“I’ll be fine. Thank you.”

Nate hugged Abagail and Owen.  He climbed on his horse. Adam mounted his horse and both men rode out of town. Once they reached the beach, they dismounted. The clouds were becoming very dark and the waves were getting rough.

“That storm looks like the one we went through.” 

“Exactly. That’s what I’m hoping. I need to get out there. I’ve got sixty minutes before the big part hits. I have to get on the same exact course.”

“Well, my friend, be careful and get home safe and sound. I’m going to miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.”

Nate gave Adam a big hug and the two friends said goodbye one last time. Adam helped Nate get the life raft out and helped push off. Nate paddled to the boat. He climbed up the ladder, fired up the engines and back up on the deck, he turned and waved one more time. He wiped a tear from his cheek. Turned back to the controls, using the automatic motor to bring the anchor up. He shifted into forward and headed out to sea. He kept on course best as he could. The compass was still out of sync, so he used his charts and kept the boat going out to sea till he reached the same area. He dropped the anchor and waited for the storm to hit. He went up on deck and watched as the sky got darker and the water was becoming rough. The waves were hitting the boat pretty hard.  He saw the nasty clouds coming up from behind him and said, “Here we go. This it.”

He starts the engines, raises the anchor, and opens the throttle all the way. He heads back toward the harbor as fast as he can. The waves rock the boat back and forth and the storm is all around him. He holds his course, as the waves hit the boat head on. Nate holds on to the wheel for all he can. The storm is right on top of him. He knew this was an insane idea, but he keeps the engines open all the way. He battles Mother Nature every inch of the way, then he sees a giant wave coming right at him. He turns the boat directly into the wave. The boat is rocked and nearly capsized. He loses his grip on the wheel, slips and falls on the floor. He jumps up and grabs the wheel. Suddenly, the engine stops and all the power shuts off. Everything is deathly silent. He makes his way to the deck and looks outside. The silence was an eerie silence and the ship was surrounded by a thick fog as before. Just like before the fog clears and the power comes back on. He notices the satellite compass is working again. He turns on the radio and hears static and hopes the temporary fix he did to the radio worked and prays he made it home. He was almost out of fuel.

He turns on the Coast Guard channel and says, “May day. May day. Stranded at sea. Caught in a storm. Ran out of fuel, then he gives his position. He repeats the message and waits for a response.

After what seemed like an eternity there was a reply. “This is the US Coast Guard. We are deploying a rescue ship to your location. Is anyone hurt on board?”

“No. It’s just me. I’m fine. Just hit my head. Say, this is going to sound weird, but what year is it?”

“It’s 2015 sir. I will inform our medic you have a head injury. They will be there shortly.”

Nate made it home. He had tears of joy running down his face, he was so happy. About thirty minutes later, the Coast Guard came and took him aboard their ship and towed his boat back to the harbor.

The medic examined Nate and gave him an all clear. When he reached the home shore, he decided to go for a ride in his car. He enjoyed the ride very much.

EPILOGUE

Nate was so happy to be home, but he began to think about Adam and wondered how he made out. He remembered there was an old Historical Society group on the island. He was happy to see they were open and went inside. An elderly lady asked, “May I help you?”

“Yes. I was wondering if you have any records of a town near here from the 1880s? It was called Walton Town?”

“I’ll check,” and walked to another part of the building. “Actually sir, you’re standing in Walton Town?”

“What? What do you mean?”

“This area is Walton Town or at least where it used to be. The Town Elders of that town helped the town prosper and grow and it has become the city we all live in today. We have a picture of the Town Elders if you would like to see it?”

She handed Nate an old picture frame and in the picture Nate saw Adam and Abagail standing together with twin boys. Owen and Mayor Johnathan were all standing together outside Owen’s law office. 

Nate handed the photo back and said, “Thank you.” He turned and walked away with a tear in his eye.

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