Time Storm Shockwave by Juliann Farnsworth Read Free Book Online Page B

for the first four years. I guess I was trying to find myself—” he paused “—I didn’t believe in any of the stories back then.”
    Her interest piqued. “What changed your mind?”
    He cleared his throat. “A friend of mine told me about an experience he had here, and I trust him. I had to find out why.”
    She nodded her understanding. “Okay …so you just decided to go out and solve one of the biggest mysteries in the world?” 
    He was silent, and then said, “Actually, at first, I think I was just hoping that the sea would just swallow me up somehow.”
    He didn’t say anything more, and she turned to face him, “What do you mean?”
    “I went through a bad divorce, and then my parents died. After that, I felt as if I had no purpose in life. I guess, I just thought, for a while anyway, I …” he left his sentence hanging.
    She waited to see if he would continue. When he didn’t, she changed the subject, “Do you have any kids?”
    “I did,” he said quietly.
    For a while, t hey sat in an awkward silence. Finally, she asked, “Do you think Stewart will still be angry?”
    “I have no idea. I haven’t known him that long , but we are friends. I’m really surprised by his behavior—” he looked away sadly “—I really don’t understand why he just walked off that way.”
    “Maybe —” she said hesitantly “—his reaction wasn’t that strange.”
    “Why do say that?” He stared out at the water without speaking.
    “Well —” she took a deep breath and averted her eyes “—we didn’t make it very easy for him, no warning or anything.”
    When he finally spoke, his tone held strong regret, “I suppose you are right. I guess I thought his jealous act was a little funny, but I would probably have been angry too. I am surprised that you always seem to be defending him though. I don’t think he has been very nice to you.”
    “People have their reasons. Please try not to be angry with him for that—” she said quietly “—I’m sure he was genuinely trying to protect you.”
    He stared at her, confused. “Why would he ever think he needed to protect me from you?”
    She broke the lock he had on her eyes, and turned to away.
    When she didn’t answer, he prompted, “Ashlyn?”
    “Don’t worry; I’m sure things will be fine after we get back.”
    “I hope so—” he clinched his jaw “—I truly …hope so.
     
    ***
    On the second day of their return trip, when they were still about seventy-five miles from their destination, storm clouds began to gather.
    “So much for the clear skies—” Ashlyn looked up “—do you think we’ll have bad weather?” It was almost dark.
    “Maybe some rain but …” he drifted off as he studied the sky. The clouds were oddly shaped and seemed to be swirling a bit. He glanced down at the instruments and then at Ashlyn. “We may get lucky after all,” he grinned at her.
    “ What? I’m confused.”
    “Look at the compass. ”
    She focused on the spinn ing needle, and then she understood.
    “ Honestly—” she shook her head “—the rest of the world freaks out when their instruments stop working, and you are excited. I know this is what you are researching and all, but are you sure we are safe?”
    “Well …,” he shrugged, but didn’t finish.
    “Oh great—” she punched him in the arm playfully “—you are supposed to lie to me if you don’t know.”
    He cocked his head and thought about it for a minute. “There have been literally hundreds of reported missing boats and planes. Maybe we will disappear—” he made a ghostly sound “—Ooh ooh!”
    “You are mocking me, sir,” she accused him.
    “Me? I’m hurt—” he laughed “—you said that if I didn’t know that I should just lie to you.”
    She rolled her eyes, “Ha ha—wrong kind of lie. ”
    He dropped the anchor. “I’ve been looking for a year and have found some anomalous electromagnetic readings in a few places, but this is the first time that