Becker was torn. He'd woken up in the middle of the night with a dream about Sarah again, which was not uncommon. The dreams used to leave him in a cold sweat and unable to fall back asleep, but over the past year that had changed and he had made peace with them. This time it just left him wanting to know what had happened to her. He glanced at the diary on his night table, undecided whether it was a good idea to get back into reading it now or if he should wait for Jess.

He really felt he had gotten through most of the hard parts of her journal and he thought he could probably handle it, but he knew that Jess rather enjoyed the fact that he wanted to read it with her. She'd told him over supper that it made her feel special. He sighed and reached for the book, running his hand gently over the cover.

"I miss you, Sarah," he said aloud before drifting off back to sleep.


"So, are you ready for the rest?" Jess asked as she retook her spot at Becker's side. He nodded and she asked, "Did you want me to read it to you again, or are you okay reading it yourself now?"

"I'm fine reading it myself, Jess, but if you want to read it out loud I wouldn't mind. I like to hear your voice."

Jess bit down on her lip, but it didn't help her keep her pleasure hidden at the compliment. "I can do that," she agreed, taking the book from his hands.

"Good," Becker grinned, nervously slipping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her until she was cuddled against his side. She rewarded him with a huge grin before she began.


March 3rd 2011

Dear FA,

I know, I know, I rarely write in here these days, but the thing is, not much has changed. I'm still stuck in the future. I still find signs now and then of other humans living here, but I still haven't seen a soul, other than the stinkin' creatures of course. You know, I used to be completely terrified of insects, but after living with them for so long, they aren't that bad. Okay, granted, they try to eat me, but compared to the predators and the giant maggots, trust me, giant flying ants are the least of my worries. Anyways, they've been a useful distraction to the predators and henceforth unwittingly saved my life on more than one occasion when I was above ground searching for a new shelter.

Often I wonder, who BUILT these shelters? I mean, after the predators first attacked, when did people get the chance to build them? Did not the sound of hammering attract every predator in the area? Or were they built beforehand for some other disaster and, if so, what? What happened here? I search for clues in each shelter: notes, photographs, letters… So far I have not come up with anything. I suppose people are too busy trying to survive to document their lives. I know how they feel and while I'm determined to keep this journal, I certainly haven't been on top of updating it much lately. Every sense must stay focused on staying alive at all times. Here's hoping that next time I sit down to write to you, FA, I've rejoined other humans. *fingers crossed*. Oh, maybe you don't do that in your time though, so in case you are confused, we cross our fingers for good luck. Just a silly little superstition.

Take care,

Sarah Page


November 4th 2012

Dear FA,
Wow, to think when I wrote my last entry, I was hoping to start writing again more often. It's been what, a year and a half? I guess I don't have to worry about running out of paper any time soon with the rate that I write, though I am getting a bit close to the end of this book. FA, it's weird, but you get used to living this way. I've been on my own for three years now and while I used to be so overwhelmingly lonely, now I barely remember what it's like to have human companionship and the feeling has dimmed. That being said, I haven't stopped searching for the others. Maybe they are dead by now. It's been awhile since I've last stumbled across a "fresh" shelter. Months I think. I haven't given up hope completely, but I don't have enough hope left to be disappointed anymore when each new shelter turns out to be people-free. It's been three years, FA, and I wonder if Abby, Connor or Danny ever made it home. I wonder who is working at the ARC now and what happened to my little flat. The dates I write at the top of these entries aren't necessarily right. I've long ago lost track of the days and, while I think I'm within a month or so, there is no way I can be one hundred percent sure. FA I think that


Jess stopped there and Becker glanced down at the page to see what she wasn't reading. To his surprise, there was nothing else written.

"What? What does she think? Why'd she stop writing?!"

Jess giggled a bit and Becker frowned at her. "It's not funny, Jess."

"It is, Becker. Listen to yourself. You're panicking. I already told you she ended up in the past with Danny and I daresay you're worried a predator got her. In fact, you look ready to go shoot one."

Becker blushed a bit as he settled back down. "You're right, Jess. You had already told me, but it's Sarah we're talking about here and I hate hearing her say stuff like this, that she was out of hope."

"Sorry," Jess apologized, "for laughing."

He pushed his forehead against her ear, composing himself further. "It's fine, Jess, but I do want to know what happened. Keep reading."

Jess turned the page and Becker was pleased to see that more of Sarah's handwriting followed.


December 25th 2012

Dear FA,

Merry Christmas, if I have the date right. I'd like to apologize to you for that last entry. I got interrupted and fortunately NOT by a future predator. Now, I know I should just continue here and tell you what I was going to say, but honestly I can't remember. Whatever it was, I'm sure it is no longer important or relevant in any way, shape, or form.

But I should tell you this. While I was writing to you, suddenly my pen started moving on its own accord, pulling itself out of my hand. Would you believe, dear FA, that an anomaly had opened right beside me? I literally couldn't believe my eyes and I was, in fact, in such a state of disbelief that my mind refused to process that it was there at all for several long minutes. When I finally realised what had happened I darted through as fast as possible, giving no thought as to whether or not it would take me home or not. It didn't matter where it went because anywhere was better than here.

And now, FA, I am in the distant past which means that you most definitely exist again! Great news, yeah?! I thought you might appreciate such wonderful tidings on Christmas Day, though I doubt it'll be Christmas when you read this too. Of course, FA, now that I am in the past, you could very well be someone from the present. Do I dare to hope, FA, that you are someone from the ARC itself? Becker, if you ever read this, nothing that has happened to me was your fault. I also want you to know that I am okay and happy, and no longer alone.

When I first ran through that anomaly I found myself crashing headfirst into someone coming through from the other direction. I fell to the ground, disorientated and confused and it took me a moment to realise that I was suddenly safe in the arms of Danny Quinn himself. Yes, that's right; we have found each other once again. Danny told me that he made it home once, and that Connor and Abby had made it back safe too. I felt so light and carefree after learning that, as though a huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders. His brother, Ethan, he told me, had come through as well and had been killed by a creature.

We live here now, Danny and I, in a beautiful tree house that he had made, and which I improved upon greatly but tidying it up a bit and decorating it with flowers. The most delicious fruit grows in the area, some even upon the vines of the tree we live in and we can reach it from our window. I do wish you could try it, FA. There's a stream nearby with plenty of fish. I'm not sure what type of fish it is, definitely prehistoric something or other, but it's edible and tasty. There're dinosaurs here, but most are herbivores and haven't bothered us. Danny's fashioned himself a few weapons that work on the odd carnivorous one, and so far they are all small enough that we have had no real issues with them. Abby, if you're reading this, you'll love to know that we've even taken in one as a pet, a curious little herbivore that wouldn't leave us alone. Neither of us knows what type he is, but he's a bit demanding and bossy so we've taken to calling him Lester.

Anyway, in all the excitement, I'm afraid I lost my pen in that anomaly, and I thought I wouldn't be able to update you anymore, FA, but this morning Danny surprised me with some homemade ink and a quill that he had fashioned for me as a Christmas present. Wasn't that sweet of him? Only now I feel a bit badly since I didn't give him a gift. He says that after so long alone, my presence is present enough. Tell me that's not the corniest thing you've ever heard, FA.

Sarah Page


Becker raised an eyebrow at Jess, "Has, erm, has Lester read this?"

Jess giggled, "Yes, he said that if he wasn't so happy to hear she was okay, he'd be right offended. He also said that his kids have a new puppy that they're having trouble training because it's so disobedient and he's half a mind to call it Sarah."

"What about Danny?"

"Girl dog."

"Ah, keep reading."


January 10th 2013

Dear FA,

One of the coolest things about living in the past is that laws haven't been invented yet. Danny and I can do whatever we want, however we want, and not have to worry about what is and isn't allowed or what the rest of society thinks about us.

Now before you start worrying about what the hell Danny and I have been up to, I promise you that we're not getting into too much trouble… we can't! ;) No actually, we do have some great news though: We got married!

Now, I know there's no one here to MARRY us per se, but that falls into the whole little spew I gave at the start of this entry. Danny and I figure that if we're the only humans on earth, we can make our own laws and determine what needs to be done to be legally married or not. So… in the Jurassic or Cretaceous or Permian or whenever the hell we are (we don't actually know ourselves) you don't need someone to marry you.

In fact, let me explain to you how marriage ceremonies work these days. First, you have to carve your initials together on a rock and throw it into a river. Then you exchange hand-carved wooden rings (good thing Danny can carve!) and kiss in front of a reptilian witness named Lester. Dear FA, if you do not have a reptilian witness named Lester, we've created a clause in the marital laws that state you can rename any reptile for a period of up to one hour free of charge.

Sarah Quinn


February 25th 2013

Dear FA,

I have a confession to make: an anomaly opened today and we didn't go through. We both knew that we should, that we should be trying to get home, but we also both recognized the reluctance in each other's eyes. It was Danny who first openly suggested that we ignore it. Chances are it doesn't go home anyways. We can still see the flickering light on the horizon as we sit here, warm and safe in our tree house. FA, you might be wondering now why we don't just poke our heads through at least, see if it goes home and if not, stay here. The truth is, we don't want to know. If it goes to 2013 then we have a much tougher decision to make because while we belong there, THIS is home now. Danny and I are happy here together. We don't have to worry about society, time frames, deadlines, or anything else. We spend every waking moment enjoying one another's company and relaxing in the fresh air. We never have to be anywhere at a certain time and we report only to ourselves. The fruit is delicious and the fish is fresh and Danny rather enjoys catching it. Not to mention, the air is brilliant. We've grown accustomed to it and I'm not sure that my lungs would handle the pollution even in the countryside of modern-day England anymore.

And yet, we both feel guilty. We wonder if we are not abandoning our friends by staying. It's probably all moot anyways: if the anomaly there opened to 2013, we would have seen it lock by now as our friends at the ARC would surely have arrived hours ago, but by not going through, by not trying when it first opened, we feel that the decision is made, not just for this anomaly but for any that open in the future… if you can call it the future when you're living in the past.

Sarah Quinn


"I wish she didn't feel guilty about that," Becker said immediately. "I'm thrilled she's happy. She made the right decision for herself and Danny, obviously it was right if they didn't want to return."

"Yeah," Jess smirked, "And I wonder how she'd feel about you always feeling guilty about her."

"Touché," Becker smiled, but the point was proven as he almost literally felt the huge weight lift from his shoulders.


August 16th 2017

Dear FA,

Wow, it's been over four years since I've written. I guess I've been more than a little bit busy lately. We haven't gone anywhere, Danny and I, though anomalies open and close on occasion. We no longer feel guilty about it. This is home not only for us, but also for our two young daughters, and we would not uproot them for the world. It is such a joy to watch them play in the sunshine and romp around on the wooden tree house floor with Lester, knowing that they will never have to deal with peer pressure, job stress etc, unless they someday choose to look for London on their own, and we DO tell them stories about London, but for now they giggle and believe them to be naught but fairy tales. Their favourite "character" is ConnorTemple, though our own little Connor Quinn wonders why we made the Connor of our stories be a "boy", when it's clearly a girl's name.

Our Connor is nearly four years old already, and we sometimes can't believe how fast she's growing up. And even her younger sister Jenab is two and a half. We wonder if one day they might really desire to travel the anomalies themselves. After all, while this place is wonderful, there also isn't anyone here for them to marry when they are grown. Danny has written a new rule for this era, by the way. Children are not to leave home in search of boys until they are at least 35-years-old. It's the law ;) We'll see how that goes. That, however, is a long way off and as long as they are happy here, Danny and I are too. If Connor and Jenab decide one day to search for London, we will then decide if we wish to go with them, or to stay here. While neither of us can picture ourselves without them at this moment, we both know that we will be old by then, and we aren't sure that travelling the anomalies would be a good idea and we know that more than likely, we will have to let them go. The thought already breaks our hearts and we don't even know if they will leave us or opt to stay.

But even if we found our way back to 2017 now, we cannot guarantee that our children will not one day move far away, and we believe that here is the best place for them to be raised. We are sure in this decision. Besides, there is no way to tell where the anomalies may lead and if they would go to modern day England if we stepped through, and so, FA, I do not want you to think that we are regretting our decision because of this entry. This was just me thinking on paper about the unknown future, which I was bound to do whether we were here or anywhere else. For now I delight in watching the children grow up. As I write this, I can hear their giggling as Danny carts them around on his shoulders.

Sarah Quinn


May 5th 2022

Dear FA,
I'm afraid that this will be my last entry, mainly due to the fact that I have no more paper after this page. I know I rarely update anymore, so it does seem weird to think that I'm going to miss you, FA, especially since I don't know you, but I really will. Danny is going to wrap this diary in a sandwich bag that he's had since millions of years from now, and then build a box to keep it cool in hopes that we can preserve this diary until you, FA, can find it. I know, dear FA, that the chances are slim still, but I do so love to dream and I am thankful to have a supportive husband who encourages me to do so and doesn't laugh at me for it. Dear FA, how could I have been so lucky that the only man on earth is the one I loved when there were billions more? Ours is the love story of many millennia.

Connor is now eight-years-old and Jenab just turned seven the other day, such a curious age. They are both so full of questions. Connor always wants to hear about our childhoods. She asks about our parents and our friends at the ARC. Jenab's questions usually focus more on the "Magic Anonaminallies" (she can't pronounce 'anomaly' no matter how hard she tries!) that sometimes open and she also seems fascinated by our stories of modern technology. If only one of our girls decide to travel the anomalies one day, my bet would be upon Jenab. She longs for adventure, that girl does. During the days, Connor prefers to stay home and help her mama cook and clean while she listens to stories, but Jenab gets bored easily and is much happier when Danny takes her fishing. She caught two on her own the other day and she was so proud! Danny and I were also proud of her and I overheard Connor tell her they were the best fish she'd ever tried, but then she also added on, "Don't tell Dad!"

FA, I don't want to bore you by bragging about my girls, but I do wish you could hear Connor sing! She's amazing! I've been teaching both girls lately to read and write and do arithmetic, just as they'd learn in school. It seems pointless at times, but these are skills they might need if they ever do stumble into another human era and they seem to love their lessons. Danny teaches them to fight, and he tries to teach me as well. Jenab enjoys these lessons as well, but Connor hates them. She asks me if she can skip the fighting lessons, but I think it's important for her to learn in case she ever has to defend herself or her younger sister (who I'm sure will be the one to get them both into trouble one day!)

Last week an anomaly opened again and both girls begged us to go through. They didn't want to stay on the other side, they just wanted a quick peek. It's the first time they've asked and it surprises me really that this wasn't sooner in coming. We told them no and, as usual, forbid them both from leaving the tree house until it closed again a few hours later. Jenab protested more than Connor. Danny and I discussed it after they were asleep and decided that one day we should perhaps let them, if Danny takes a peek first to make sure it's safe on the other side. Perhaps it will satisfy their curiosity for a time, but the fact that THIS anomaly is now closed and we don't know when another will open makes this mother's heart beat a little bit easier for the time being.

Well, FA, I guess I'm running out of space here, so I say goodbye and wish you as much happiness in your life as I have in mine. Oh, and Danny says hi.

Yours truly,
Sarah Quinn


Jess closed the book with a sigh. "It's so romantic, really."

Becker nodded. He wasn't really the romance type, but it was hard not to be when it was his dear friends they were talking about.

"She really is happy," he said. "Did you notice, it was three years she was in the future for? That's exactly when the nightmares stopped being nightmares."

Jess turned to him questioningly. "What nightmares?"

He blushed and then told her about the dreams he'd suffered through for years.

"Becker, why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Yeah, Jess, big tough soldier boy still has nightmares? How would people feel about trusting me with their lives if they thought I was weak?"

"Bad dreams don't make you weak, Becker, they make you humans. You're allowed to have emotions, you know."

"Maybe," he admitted softly, "But only around you."

Jess grinned and then turned serious, looking him deep in the eyes. "Becker, she wished FA happiness. Do you think you could ever be as happy as Sarah was?"

Becker felt himself lost in her gaze as he nodded, "Yeah, Jess. I'm starting to think maybe I could be."

Like the evening before, he allowed himself to kiss her, but this time he didn't pull away quite as fast. The kiss was soft and sweet and when they did finally break apart he just grinned at her. She grinned back. The sat in silence for a bit, until Jess finally broke it. "What you thinking about now?"

He laughed, "Just wondering if you could use those computer skills of yours to search for a Connor or Jenab Quinn."

Jess chuckled as she jumped up from the sofa and reached for his hand, her eyes sparkling. "Let's get on it then," she said as she pulled him towards the door.