The Time Capsule

Chapter 6

Once Sawyer shut his car door shut, he burst out laughing. “I can’t believe you did that. Did you see the look on her face? Her eyes were open so wide they could’ve fallen out.”

“I know. It was a stupid thing to do. It seemed like a good idea at the moment.” Devin joined in the laughter.

“I was almost as shocked as she was. All I keep hearing from you is how it has to stay a secret, and then you do that. You haven’t even told Britany, and you think you’re in love with her. Was it really the first time you healed someone else?”

“I swear it was. I never even thought it might be possible. I was as surprised as you.”

Devin started the engine and the boys continued on their journey. Sawyer pulled out his phone and called Malcolm to let him know they were still on the way, even though the boys were nearly an hour late, and to make sure some food was saved.

“Have you still not told your parents about this?” Sawyer asked.

“No, I haven’t. I have no idea how they might take it.”

“After what we saw today, I think it’s probably time to tell them,” Sawyer advised.

“I guess I should. I’ll think about it.”

The snow had let up, so Devin drove faster. Up ahead was an elementary school whose parking lot was empty because of the Christmas break.

“Devin, pull over in that parking lot for a minute.”

“The lot isn’t plowed and I don’t want to get stuck in the snow. We’re late enough already.”

“It’s not deep. You’ll be fine.”

Devin slowed the car. “Why? I’m hungry and we’re way late. I’m hoping they saved us some food.”

“I want to try something.”

Devin didn’t say anything else, suspecting where this was heading. When the car stopped, Sawyer unfastened his seatbelt and dug a small folding Barlow knife out of his pants pocket. His father had given it to him as a gift years ago, and he always carried it with him.

He slipped his arm out of his sweatshirt and opened the blade. He put the edge of the blade against the meaty part of his forearm and tried to make a small cut, but found he couldn’t bring himself to slice into his arm. He’d accidentally cut himself with this same knife several times over the years, but to do it intentionally was a different matter.

After watching his friend try several times to cut his skin, only to stop at the last second, Devin said, “Are you going to do this, or can we go eat?”

“This isn’t as easy as it looks. How about you do it?” He tried to hand the knife to Devin.

Devin pulled his hands back. “I’m not cutting you. No way! And you better not get blood on my seat.”

Sawyer returned his focus to his arm, and after concentrating for several seconds he jabbed the point into his skin and created a tiny puncture. It was so small it wouldn’t even require a bandage.

Devin started laughing. “Really? Is that the best you could do?”

Sawyer said nothing and held out his arm. Devin touched his friend’s hand. Both boys felt something, and then the small incision was gone.

“What did you feel?” Devin said.

“I felt movement in the wound, the incision closing. At the same time, there was an immediate end to the pain. It all happened so fast.”

Devin smiled. “It had to happen fast. That cut was so small it would’ve healed on its own in another minute or two.”

“What did you feel?”

“Same as last time. It was like something left me but was immediately replaced. Even though the injury was much smaller this time, it felt the same. It was a warm sensation, if that makes sense. Not at all unpleasant. If that’s all, can we go now?”

“Let’s try one more thing first. Try the un-heal.”

“You need to come up with a better term. So you want me to split open your skin?”

“Sure. We know you can do it to yourself. Let’s see if you can do it to someone else.”

“So, where do you want it? On your throat?” Devin smiled.

Sawyer shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. My arm is fine.” He held out his arm to his friend.

Devin focused on the idea of splitting open the skin and touched Sawyer’s arm. Instantly a massive wound burst open. It was far more extensive than either boy expected. It was over four inches long and quite deep. Devin lurched back, banging his head on the driver’s side window, and Sawyer screamed. Devin recovered quickly and grabbed the arm at the elbow. The horrendous mess of bleeding flesh started closing, and in seconds was gone. Both boys were breathing hard from the shock of what happened.

“Did you mean for it to happen like that?”

Devin looked at his friend and shook his head, still in shock over what he’d done.

“I guess it’s a good thing you stayed away from the throat. My head might have been severed.” Sawyer joked.

Devin didn’t react to the humor. “Can we get going now?”