Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: TRAVEL (07/08/21)
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TITLE: I Knew This Morning Was Different | Previous Challenge Entry
By Patricia Turner
07/12/21 -
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Sitting up, I blinked to moisten my eyes so I could survey my surroundings. The room was a cavernous cement cube with glass windows spaced sparingly along one wall. There were no colors, or beauty of any kind. It was a study in sensory deprivation.
“Dr. Havenor, how do you feel?” The voice an amplified whisper, and I could detect neither male or female in the tone.
“It’s a little hard to tell,” I rasped, my throat still aflame. “I just woke up from a mid-summer night’s dream. Though I know not the season.”
“You awoke in the year 2144. We must observe you to determine whether you will be safe in your new environment.”
“So, what’s your name? Could you tell me the current date? And, for how long you plan to observe me?”
A door opened in one corner of the cube, and a slender person wearing something akin to an astronaut’s spacesuit came toward me wheeling a shiny metal cart abristle with instruments.
“98537 I’m called, said the voice. Today is May 28th. The duration of observation depends on our results.”
At least I heard my actual name. I was handed a thermos and instructed to drink the contents. I was parched as noted, sending up a quick and silent prayer. The contents had a pleasant taste and I upended the container, consuming every drop.
“You were just given a nutrition drink as it was in your time and was preserved especially for you.”
As the being began running wands from the machine over my body I still had no idea if I was communicating with a person or machine. Ronald Reagan was president when I entered the space program, eventually making use of my upper level science degree to participate in the program to be preserved for perpetuity.
“Another drink?”
“I’m okay for the moment. I did have a companion. A dog. His name was Lincoln. Do you know anything about him?”
The person looked at a device on the machine with a screen. There was a flash, and the being responded. “It looks like Lincoln awoke on his own…oh, just a few days ago.”
“So, he’s alive?”
“He’s quarantined elsewhere, Dr. Havenor. I can’t tell you where. But he’s okay.”
Observational studies continued for what seemed weeks. I was chafing badly to see more than this empty and monotonous room. I desperately wanted to see Lincoln, and was encouraged the few times I heard a bark. I had the distinct idea that “they” were worried that “we” might bring harm to “their” environment. I still knew nothing about the “person” bringing my meals, now comprising textured vegetable protein “beef”. I had discerned that if there was anyone in the facility at night they slept and had no communication with me.
I’d explored the walls and the only door of the space, praying daily. Occassionally, I was heartened to hear Lincoln bark somewhere beyond my walls. “We’ll be gone soon old boy,” I promised.
The night came. I’d ascertained that Lincoln was on the other side of the thick concrete wall.
The single door in my space seemed a bit loose. I felt for the knife under my mattress, and decided to see if I could jimmy it open. It moved enough to allow me to slip through. I listened but heard no alarms.
Now to find Lincoln.
He barked, evidently hearing me. His door was more difficult, but I was able with the knife to break his lock. Panting, he leaped into my arms, washing my face with a raspy tongue.
“Okay, boy. Let’s get out of here!”
With Lincoln following me, we started for a door.
“Halt!” It was the same voice everyone seemed to have.
We ran. Two shots rang out. Falling, I heard the reverberations.
I woke up like most mornings and found myself home, sighing happily. I knew this morning was different. We were home. Our home of peace and rest. Our eternal home. Home with Jesus. Our journeys through time and life were done.
Lincoln is here too. Yes, I believe dogs go to heaven.
Thank you, Jesus!
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I, too, believe dogs (and other animals) will be in Heaven!