Temporal Exploring 101 - Deep Future

IV.24 We are not going to win, are we?

The four of us were lounging in one of Kerrington Manor's sitting rooms, chatting and watching TV. Madison was reclining in an easy chair and Nancy and I were sprawled on a sofa, with Natty sitting on another chair holding Madison's guitar, diligently practicing basic chords. True to her word, Nancy's cousin had started to teach Natty to play the guitar.

Personally I thought that while Natty might be a genius when it came to math, she did not appear to be specially talented when it came to playing a musical instrument.

I had shown my friends the map I had taken from the Pyrtar's apartment and told them what I had learned from going through some of the documents and files positioned on the desk. Natty thought the map looked a bit like the kind of drawing you might find in a fantasy novel or in a fantasy role playing game, depicting imaginary lands where Orcs, Elves or Dwarves dwelt. That might be so, but I thought it extremely unlikely that the Pyrtar had been interested in reading such novels or playing that kind of game.

There was a knock at the door, and a maid entered.

"Miss Madison, there is a telephone call for you, from California."

Madison got up from her chair. "Thank you, Mary-Ann." To her credit, she appeared to be able to recall the names of  the maids and servants at Kerrington Manor better than Natty or I. Or maybe she just had been paying attention where we had not. "Where can I take the call?"

"In the main living room, Miss Madison. Lady Kerrington asked me to fetch you."

"Alright. Lead the way, Mary-Ann."

As Nancy, Natty and I had nothing better to do, we followed Madison and Mary-Ann to the living room where Nancy's parents and Ms Cavernough were having tea.

Madison lost no time to pick up the receiver.

"Ally, is that you? How come you are calling again so soon?" There was a pause as Nancy's cousin listened to what was being said on the other end of the line.

Another call from her girlfriend in California, then. It was obvious from the expression on Madison's face that the news Ally had for her were not good.

"What? But how is that even possible?" For a few moments, Nancy's cousin listened. "Oh no. That's awful." She was sounding worried and rather upset. "Yes, of course. I am glad you told me." She sighed. "Yes, that's right. We have to hope for the best. Thanks for calling. Yes, you too. Bye." She hung up.

"What's wrong, Madison?" Lady Kerrington asked. "I hope nothing has happened to a member of your family."

Madison was still looking shocked. "No, it's not that. Mom and Dad and my sis  are alright, thankfully."  She took a deep breath. "A friend, Fabian Kline, was attacked and beaten up when he attended a rally. He is a well-known activist of the movement. It is possible and even likely that they were trying to set an example. Fabian is still in critical condition, they fear for his life."

"That is terrible news," Nancy's mother commented.

"If you can think of anything we can do to help, do not hesitate to tell us," her husband added.

"No, I am afraid there is nothing anybody can do, at this point," Madison replied. "That is, other than wait and hope that Fabian will recover." She wiped her eyes. "If you will excuse me, I will be in my room for a bit."

"Of course, dear," Lady Kerrington said. "Just tell us if you need anything."

"Thank you, Aunt."

We watched Madison leave the room.

"The poor girl," Nancy's father mused. "The situation in the States appears to be both escalating and deteriorating in a rather alarming manner, don't you think so?"