The Time Capsule

Chapter 9

Devin watched his girlfriend leave the restaurant and was also frustrated. He’d planned to have a serious conversation with her but needed to get her alone. He was concerned about what would happen when he shared his secret with her. However, he knew they were getting closer and closer, and that he could trust her. He had also started thinking about proposing to her at graduation in a little over a year.

On the last day of the Christmas Break, he’d told Sawyer he was thinking about letting Britany in on the secret. Sawyer had only met Britany once and thought she seemed nice. He’d said it was up to Devin, but the more people who knew the better the chances were for the story of his healing gift to leak out.

Devin agreed that he wanted to limit the number of people who knew. Currently, there were only three, now that he’d told his parents.

The night before, he had demonstrated what he could do. They were shocked and had many questions, which he patiently answered as best as he could. Fortunately, they saw the wisdom in keeping it secret for now.

Devin still wanted to add one more person in on the secret. As wonderful as he and Britany’s relationship was, that wouldn’t continue if there were secrets between them. He even decided on how he would tell her. He’d give a brief description and then demonstrate it for her, in the same way he’d first demonstrated his ability to Sawyer.

But tonight didn’t feel right for that conversation. They needed to be alone for a conversation like this, not in a public place. Devin just wanted to tell her and no longer have this secret between them.

After putting his jacket on and dumping their trays in the trash, Devin headed out the door and watched as she pulled out of the parking lot. While he started walking, he pulled a stocking cap onto his head to protect him from the bitter winter air, then there was a horrific crashing sound. It came from the direction Britany had just gone. Moments later, he heard someone scream and sprinted towards the crash. He wondered if the scream had come from Britany. Had she witnessed a collision? As he ran, his mind jumped to another possibility—maybe Britany had been involved in the crash.

It took less than two minutes for him to run the quarter-mile, and as he approached he knew his latter thoughts were correct. A steaming truck and a familiar car sat in the intersection, crushed together. A radio was still on and music could be heard coming from the truck. There were several bystanders, most talking on cell phones, and one taking pictures.

As Devin got closer, he heard a man in the crowd say into a phone, “She was kinda breathing or gurgling when I first got here, but she isn’t anymore.”

Devin raced to the open passenger door and climbed inside. It was getting dark, but there was enough light coming from the truck’s one remaining headlight for him to see that the trauma was extensive. He grabbed her right arm at the wrist and waited, but he didn’t feel anything happen. Devin released her arm and then grasped it again. Still, nothing happened. Finally, he took his fingers and felt for a pulse in her neck. There was nothing there.

The horror slammed into his gut. I was too late. If I could’ve gotten here faster, I could have saved her.

I was too late. If I could’ve gotten here faster, I could have saved her.Devin could save many lives, but the one person who mattered the most to him, he couldn’t do anything for. He climbed out of the car and sat on the curb, sobbing forcefully.

* * *

A few months later, at the end of his junior year, Devin withdrew from school. He was wasting time. He needed to find out what this gift of his could do.