Note: I've rewritten most of this, it is my story but I had it under Professor Elvira before. I will be the happiest person in the if someone would review me...

This takes place after the events in the time machine movie

Chapter 1

Alexander leaned against the bound bamboo rail and absentmindedly ran his fingers over its smooth, weatherworn surface, his fingers tracing the deep grooves that had been carved into it where the railing was connected to the other bamboo supports. He allowed his thoughts to wander as he watched the Eloi prepare for the night, the sight of the rays of the setting sun striking against their cagelike structures still would never fail to cause a sense of awe to fill him even after all of these weeks. The hidden mystery and beauty of this land that he had once known so well never ceased to amaze and surprise him in the most startling ways. In a way this world was very familiar, yet in another way it was so different from what he had ever seen that it was almost impossible to imagine.

He looked down below him and saw the gently flowing water that covered the bottom of the canyon. He could see Torin carrying a basket brimming with strange looking fruit across the long bridge that connected the Eloi homes that lay on either side of the canyon. The bridge creaked loudly as Torin made his way across. He was carrying the basket by its two handles that were woven into the sides, but it must have been quite heavy, because as Alexander watched Torin crossing the bridge he seemed to stumble from the weight of the object he was carrying.

Alexander cupped his hands to his mouth and called out "Ho! Torin! Need a hand?"

The Eloi stopped and turned to see Alexander far above him, leaning over the bamboo railing to wave at him. Torin set down the basket and called back, "No thanks, I've got it."

Alexander grinned. "Well, alright, just make sure you don't hurt yourself there." He watched as Torin laughed and hoisted up the basket, continuing his journey across the bridge without any more trouble.

Alexander turned his attention elsewhere as Torin made his way across the bridge and he saw that the Eloi were beginning to bring up the boats. He watched as several Eloi pulled the boats up from the river, water cascading down the boat sides as they were hoisted upward with ropes and set on the wooden platforms that stood against the cliffs. Even though the Morlocks were gone the Eloi still pulled up the boats from habit, this measure making them feel safer even though there was no longer anything to fear from leaving them in the still waters.

The sun had begun to sink above the horizon and a brilliant violet hue outlined the clouds as the sky began to grow dark. Alexander felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned to see Mara standing behind him. The light from the setting sun reflecting off of her hair made it appear a radiant gold, her whole body seeming almost luminescent.

"You know," she said softly," It's getting dark."

"Yes, I know," Alexander replied as he turned his gaze back to the sunset. " I just wanted to stay outside for a little bit."

Mara smiled. "Alright. I'm going to go find Kalen before it gets too dark."

Alexander raised an eyebrow. "He's gone wandering off again?"

Mara moaned." It would appear so. The little rascal. I'm going out to find him."

She began to walk in the direction of the bridge across the connected wood platforms that lined the cliff and had almost disappeared behind a corner when Alexander called, "Would you like me to help you look for him?"

"No, I'll be alright," he heard Mara answer, vanishing behind the corner.

He leaned against the cliff wall and took a deep breath, rubbing his temples as he tried to clear his thoughts. He closed his eyes. There had been so much going on in the village these past few weeks. The Eloi seemed to only just begin to realize that they were truly free of the Morlocks, having been haunted by the creature's presence for all of their lives. Their nightmares had ceased, and the Hunters and Spies were no longer there to strike fear into their hearts, yet they had almost been not willing to believe that it was really true, that the nightmarish creatures were truly gone and that they were rid of them forever. It had taken some time, but the Eloi had slowly begun to accept that it truly was over.

Alexander opened his eyes and looked up at the remnants of the moon that shone brightly as the stars began to appear in the night sky, the sun finally disappearing over the horizon. The fragments were strewn across the dark sky where the whole moon had once stood, only another testimony to what the arrogance of the human race had caused. Alexander could not help but wonder if these people, too, were destined to make the same mistake.

His thoughts were abruptly interrupted as he suddenly heard an eerie howl sound through the air. "What the heck was that?" he muttered, glancing upward.

He saw that the other Eloi across the canyon had also heard this sound, because some of them were looking around in puzzlement, while others had looks of terror on their faces. Still all too clear in there minds was the memory of the Morlock Hunters and their inhuman howls as they had preyed upon the Eloi.

He realized that the sound had come from the woods and he ran across the platforms as he tried to find Mara and the others.

Alexander found Torin and the others gathered on top of the cliff, a large group of men and other Eloi were scattered among the cleared area, many of them casting nervous glanced towards the trees where the sound had come from.

Alexander maneuvered through the crowd of Eloi to where Torin stood, warily watching the woods for any sign of danger. Alexander stepped up to Torin and the sound of the leaves crunching under his feet alerted Torin of Alexander's presence. Torin spun around, looking tense, but when he saw who it was he seemed to relax, though Alexander noticed that Torin was still keeping a careful eye on his surroundings as though he feared he was about to be attacked.

"Torin, what was that sound?" Alexander asked in a hushed whisper. He noticed that some of the Eloi were carrying sharpened staffs and he was beginning to get the feeling that whatever was out there wasn't good.

"We don't know," Torin replied, his voice a hushed whisper. "No one wants to go look."

"You mean that you've never heard anything like that before?" Alexander inquired, feeling a shiver run down his spine as he recalled the eerie sound of the creature.

Torin did not answer right away and seemed to be trying to find the right words. "We're…not sure," he said at last. "But…Gaden is missing."

"W-what?" Alexander said hoarsely. Gaden was one of the strongest Eloi in the colony. If he was missing because something out in the woods had gotten him- Alexander suddenly felt sick. He couldn't stand here and do nothing. He grabbed a torch from one of the other Eloi. "Come on. We have to find him," he said firmly.

Torin stared at him with a look of disbelief on his face. For a moment he looked as though he was about to argue. He opened his mouth to say something but then stopped when he saw the look Alexander was giving him. It said clearly that if Torin were to back down now that Alexander would forever think him a coward. Torin closed his mouth and nodded.

"Alright," Alexander said, turning to the rest of the group. "I need two more to come with me."

For a moment there was dead silence. All the Eloi were now directing their gaze upon him, and not a single one of them moved. Most of them were looking at Alexander with skepticism and doubt, while others looked almost outraged. Finally two young men stepped forward from the group and one of them said, "We will go."

Alexander nodded. "Follow us. We'll find out whatever's out there."