'This chapter marks the end of Part 1.

Thank you for going on this journey with me...

TIME BETWEEN US

CHAPTER 4

"A time machine?" Erik repeated, thinking the idea completely outrageous, but already finding the concept fascinating. As Erik further examined the wondrous machine, Casper hardly slowed in his enthusiastic explanation.

"Just think of it Erik! We could go into the past and actually speak to the Son of God while He was on this Earth! Or we could go into the future and see how the future generations have advanced themselves, making sure the morals and values of God we taught their forefathers are still present. We...we could...even change the past for the better...if we wanted to!"

While Casper drifted off in his excitement, Erik began to realize why Casper had truly built the machine. He did not have the heart to tell the old man that tampering with the past was not a smart idea…potentially changing history and altering the course of nations. Despite his claims to the contrary, Erik knew there was a God; and he was fairly certain that He would not allow anyone to travel into the past.

Catching up to the old man, Erik listened as Casper was able to show the basic design and purpose to him, and the shock was replaced by intrigue and curiosity. Erik's architectural abilities, design and artistry skills provoked his interest in Casper's invention; drawing him closer to it as though it had whispered his name.

"There is one small flaw that prevents me from throwing caution to the wind and using myself as a trial example." Casper stated; awe filling his voice and his eyes as he walked around DIANA "Something with my redundancy sequencers is not right and I have tried every turn and twist that I can think of to fix them – but apparently my calculations are off in some way…"

Erik amusingly watched Casper circle DIANA several times, examining various places - tightening anything that seemed loose and double checking all the parts.

"…when I was a younger man, this never would have happened."

Erik had to laugh at that statement; Casper was one of the most intelligent men he had ever had the privilege of meeting and talking with, Erik could not see Casper as anything other than a genius.

"Together…Casper…together we will determine what the problem is and get it fixed."

Casper knew Erik could do it; there was no doubt in his mind. As they spent the next few weeks going over each part – piece by piece – Casper was more than convinced that Erik could have built the entire machine on his own.

"You really are quite brilliant, Erik…why have you never done designing or architecture for a living?"

Erik snorted – somewhere between comically and self-mockingly, "There are few people in the world today that will hire someone who has the brand of the devil on his face."

Casper looked fully into Erik's eyes – his spectacles dropping to the bridge of his nose – and smiled a crooked smile, "Is that what that is…I thought it was just some random scarring that was shaped like a 'D'…strange."

He pushed his glasses back up and snorted through his nose in disgust, "I cannot believe the intolerance of people."

That was it…nothing more was ever said about it.

۞۞۞۞

The weeks went by, and Erik and Casper found they worked well together. Erik felt a bond with the old man that he had never felt before...the bond of a son with his father. Having never known his father, Erik liked to think that their relationship would have been similar to this; educational, fun, and almost loving.

The evenings were spent playing chess and the occasional card game – learning English and Spanish, and getting to know each other more thoroughly. Casper questioned Erik about his past, and Erik slowly opened up to him concerning his years with the gypsies, the uncertainty of his lineage, and the twelve years he had spent at the Opera Populaire.

Trying to avoid talking about Christine was like avoiding the need to breathe, and Erik discovered that he needed to share the burden of the pain with someone…and Casper was willing to listen.

"After almost two years, I still feel the raw wound within me; will it ever go away?" Erik felt the bitterness creeping into his heart, something he had successfully circumvented for months.

Casper slowly drew air in through his nose and pursed his lips, "When I lost Diana and David, I thought my world has come to an abrupt and tragic end…they were the future and yet they were my present – my everything." Casper reflected. "Even after all these years, their loss is still an open wound on my heart…one that will never heal…" he lifted sorrowful eyes to Erik and mournfully smiled, "…I named the time machine after my wife because it is now my future…my hope for a better existence elsewhere."

Erik remembered the story of Casper's loss, the superstitious and judgmental men that he had called friends had turned their backs on him one night long ago…and in doing so, had hunted him down like a dog. They thought he had sold his soul to the devil with his talk of time travel and other fantastic things; things they did not understand – nor did they wish to.

The hunt had ended one night fourteen years ago when they had come in the late morning hours; disguised, drunk on suspicion and rage, and set his house on fire. It wasn't until the following day that Casper had returned from a lecture engagement to find his house burned to the ground and the charred remains of his wife and son, still asleep in their beds.

Casper had all but lost his mind over the following years. No arrests were ever made, as there was only Casper's uncanny knowledge of the men involved that assured him, beyond any doubt, that they had done it. His research and findings had cost him dearly; with the lives of the two he loved most in the world.

"I am an old man, Erik…love is out of my reach; but you…" he grasped Erik's arm in fatherly affection, "….you are young and I know that somewhere out there is a woman for you. A woman far better for you than this Christine could have ever been."

Erik shrugged his shoulders, not convinced by any means.

"I am not sure I will ever love again, Casper; I am not the sort of man that women want..." Erik drew circles on the table while sipping a glass of warm milk, "…if love is to be mine, it will have to find me."

The last statement was almost a whisper, but Casper heard it clearly. He lifted his warm gray eyes and smiled softly at Erik, "My boy, these things cannot be rushed, you will love again – and she will love you back – equally." A soft chuckle filled the dim room, and Erik arched a brow at his friend, "Besides…" Casper continued, oblivious to Erik's inquisitive look, "…most women cannot tell you what they want, so who are you to say you are not what they want."

Erik's hand absently stroked the rough, scarred surface of his once perfect cheek, and Casper knew exactly what was going through his mind. "That thing does not have to come between you and love, Erik…you seem to think it makes you a monster, and I guarantee that it does not."

That was just one of many times that Casper tried to make Erik see his worth, and he hoped and prayed that he was making a dent in Erik's hard armor of self-hatred.

It had been two years since Erik left France. The time had seemed to creep by when he was on his own; but now, he found his days filled with endless discovery and enjoyment…something he thought would never be his.

One cool, damp morning in mid November, Erik and Casper had arisen early to start upgrades and repairs on DIANA. Erik had left Casper in the kitchen and headed out to the shed to start his chores. After thirty minutes or so, Erik wondered where Casper had gotten off to.

Putting down the rag he had used to wipe his hands, Erik went in search of his friend, eager to see the results of all their hard work over the past few months. The machine was impressive and Erik fully understood the potential she had; he had never considered the possibility of time travel before, but as the facts began to unfold, Erik became a believer.

Calling out to him as he left the shed and headed for the house, Erik began to wonder if he had lain back down. During breakfast, he had complained of not feeling well and had brushed it off as exhaustion and being overworked.

"Casper…you old goat…where are you?" Erik called, rounding the side of the house and striding across the front porch. The house was quiet, but Erik sensed that something was not right. After years of using his instincts to stay alive, Erik had learned to trust them.

He walked into the kitchen and found Casper sitting at the table with the most peaceful look on his face; complete with a serene smile. The color drained from Erik's face as he rushed to his friend's side, but he knew Casper was already gone. For the first time in his life, Erik had to cope with the loss of someone close to him…someone he had come to care for…every much.

Daffy helped him carry Casper's body to the back of the beloved shed and lay him to rest on a small hill underneath a large tree; even marking the grave with a perfectly carved cross that Erik took a few hours to make.

There, beneath the stars that dotted the sky and the rustling of the evening breeze, Erik felt closer to God than he had ever felt. For so long, he had thought himself beyond redemption of any kind, but Casper had settled a ray of hope in his heart. Erik had never doubted the existence of God, only His willingness to love a creature as ugly as he felt he was; and Erik's inability to forgive himself for the things that had been done to him at the hands of the gypsies. They had left him scarred beyond recognition; he was certain his soul was not the thing of beauty that God had created it to be.

Daffy stood as still as a statue, his dark head bowed as if in prayer. Erik closed his eyes and bowed his head also; and soon, words and melody softly came to his mind and he graced the heavens with their beauty….

"I know your life on earth was troubled,
and only you could know the pain.
You weren't afraid to face the devil…
you were no stranger to the rain."

Finally allowing tears to flow, Erik felt the cleansing within him that only they could bring. He smiled toward the heavens, knowing his friend was looking down upon him.

"Go rest high on that mountain…
friend, your work on earth is done.
Go to heaven shouting
love for the Father and the Son."

Remembering the past year or so that he had spent with Casper, Erik reflected on their spiritual discussions. Casper had continuously reminded Erik that God never left him, that it was Erik who had abandoned Him. It had taken months, but Erik began to see his point, and God had made it clear as time had rolled on.

There were many nights that Casper had spent soaking in the bathtub, his voice raised toward the heavens in song….Erik's trained ear and perfect pitch cringed at the sound, but he knew that God only heard sweet praises being lifted to Him.

And Erik sang on…

"Oh how we cried the day you left us.
We gathered round your grave to grieve.
I wish I could see the angel's faces,
when they hear your sweet voice sing

Go rest high on that mountain…
friend, your work on earth is done.
Go to heaven shouting
love for the Father and the Son.

Go to heaven a shouting
love for the Father and the Son."
۞

Erik mourned him the best way he knew how…by finishing what he had started. One week later, Erik had made the necessary adjustments and was ready for the next big step – time travel.

۞Song is "Go Rest High on That Mountain", sung by Vince Gill. original wording was son.

TBC