"It was confusing, having two "mes" in the same body. I could reason and think calmly, but the rage and despair bubbled within. I tried talking to my past self, telling him that it would be better in the future. But his rage did not allow him to listen. So, I went to where Nell Ferguson lived."
-0-
He heard the man's yells, and the pleas of the woman. Yes, that was the night when Nell had been murdered. He came closer, hoping to get there in time.
"I had to get rid of it. It was evil. It breathed… there was something wicked in it."
"That box was not your concern. What will I tell them, that my stupid wife lost it? I have to teach you a lesson."
Nell screamed and then the scream was cut short. He hoped that he was choking here and she could not scream. There were sounds of trashing as Nell fought for her life.
It was enough. He barged in and grabbed the man, Ferguson. He meant only to subdue him, but the raged bubbling in him exploded and Ferguson died messily, as Nell screamed and ran out.
He let her go. Chasing her would only put her in more danger
He looked at the torn body of Ferguson. He sighed. He was out of control then, and there was nothing he could do about it.
At least when the authorities came, they would believe Nell's word about this monster tearing in and killing her husband. No inconvenient questions.
Time to go back. To see if Beverly had woken up.
-0-
Beverly fought against the man choking her. Then the pressure ceased. The man was Chester Simms again, and she could escape him. She ran from him, as he came closer. Then there was this door. If she could reach it, she would be safe.
The door opened and Frank Carruthers was there.
"I will take it over now"
Beverly woke up.
-0-
"I came back to Professor Romney. He called the hospital and was given the news. "Beverly is awake and asking why she is there."
We went down the stairs. On the way I saw that one of the paintings had changed. It was been a seaside landscape, but now it was a still life. Signed Timothy Royce"
Had my trip to the past changed it? Maybe because Tina Royce lived that she could care better for her son, and the son managed to become a painter… Or her grandson…
"Of course, Romney would say that the still life had always been there. "Heather said. "When you make those trips to the past to change things, the people you leave in the present have a new set of memories. We learned about it the hard way"