The Protector

“Who are you?”

“They call me Marcus.”

“Am I dead?”

“No, you’re still very much alive.”

“What happened?”

“You’ve been what they call, phased.”

“Phased?”

“Yes, phased.”

“What is that?”

“You’ve transitioned halfway into another dimension.”

“What?”

“You’re still in the universe you know, but you’re not.”

“Am I dreaming?”

“Ouch! Why did you slap me?”

“Did you feel that?”

“I said ouch, didn’t I?”

“Then you’re not dreaming. You’re not dead.”

“How did this happen?”

“We were forced to do it to you.”

“Why?”

“It was the only way to save life.”

“I can’t remember. How was my life in danger?”

“You were in a car crash.”

“What happened?”

“A pickup truck ran a red light. The driver was involved in a high-speed chase. We didn’t see it until the last microsecond. There wasn’t enough time to warn you.”

“How did you know I was there?”

“I was in your car.”

“I don’t know you. Why were you in my car?”

“That’s my job. I’m a Protector.”

“What’s a Protector?”

“We keep people safe.”

“How?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Can you please un-phase me?”

“That’s complicated also.”

“What do you mean?”

“We can’t undo it. It has to wear off. It won’t wear off for at least a week.”

“So, what am I supposed to do for a week?”

“You can join the Protectors.”

“What about my friends? My family? Aren’t they going to miss me?”

“We’ve got that covered.”

“What do you mean?”

“Follow me.”

“Where are we going?”

“Just to the next room over.”

“Who is that?”

“That’s you. Not really. It’s a clone. But they think it is.”

“Hey, Mom. Dad.”

“They can’t hear you.”

“OK.”

“You can’t interact with anyone. Or anything.”

“What have you done to me?”

“I told you; we saved your life.”

“Do they think I’m dead?”

“No. They think you’re in a coma.”

“And I’m stuck like this for a week!”

“At least. Sometimes it takes longer.”

“Oh God! I can’t handle this.”

“I’m not God.”

“I wasn’t talking to you. And it’s just an expression.”

“All we ask is that you give the same courtesy that was extended to you. You have the chance to save someone’s life.”

“OK. What do I have to do?”

“Just follow him around.”

“So, it will be a man.”

“Yes. It might seem kind of creepy for a man to be following a woman around.”

“Understandable. But won’t he see me or know I’m there?”

“Did you ever see me?”

“No.”

“I’ve been following you for 3 years.”

“3 years!”

“Yep. Do you remember when you were lighting that gas grill?”

“Yes. You had to remind me.”

“It wasn’t your smartest move.”

“I know. I know. I don’t like to think about it. Let’s not talk about it.”

“Do you really think that a 250-gallon propane tank could explode inside a house without causing any damage?”

“I never thought about how it happened.”

“What about when everything went wrong and you missed your plane?”

“Yes.”

“Did you hear what happened to that plane?”

“No.”

“Look it up.”

“It crashed!”

“Only one survivor. He had a Protector with him.”

“So, you knew that the plane was going to crash?”

“No. But we’re allowed to travel up to 12 hours back in time.”

“So why didn’t you alert everyone?”

“It’s been attempted in the past. It always ends with the Protector being locked in jail and often the protectee dying. So, we normally stick to protecting the one we were sent to.”

“So who is my protectee?”

“His name is Gregory Bell.”

“Good name.”

“Here he comes right now.”

“Is he drunk?”

“No. Worse. He’s asleep.”

“What should I do?”

“What would you want done if you were asleep at the wheel?”

“I would want someone to wake me up.”

“Can you imagine waking up in the middle of traffic?”

“Good point. Maybe I can gain control of the car.”

“That would work.”

“But how? I can’t interact with anything. I assume that includes the car.”

“We have special gloves for that.”

“OK. I’ll give it a try.”

“This is yours.”

“What is it?”

“Your gloves and your time manipulator.”

“How do I use it?”

“It’s self-explanatory.”

“OK, Mr. Bell. Here we go. That was easy. And now I’ll take a back seat.”

“What? Where am I? How did I get here? Lawndale Mall? OK, I know where I am. Let me get home. Ugh! My God! I could have sworn I saw somebody sitting in my back seat through the mirror!”

“What’s going on?”

“What do you mean?”

“He saw me.”

“That’s not possible.”

“He screamed and said he thought he saw someone sitting in his back seat.”

“I’ve never heard of a Protector being seen.”

“He saw my reflection in the rearview mirror.”

“That’s something I’m going to have to investigate. But stick with him. He’ll be pulling off any moment now.”

“Well, I can’t sit in his back seat now, can I?”

“Get down on the floor.”

“I didn’t know that I would be riding in discomfort for the week.”

“OK, you can see me in the mirror. Can you hear me? No answer. I take that as a no.”

“Home at last. Now I can get some real sleep. Sweetheart, I’m home. That’s right, I’m not married. After 15 years with a woman, she walks out on me. Let me get something to eat. Who am I talking to?”

“This guy is accident-prone. He left the gas flowing on the stove and a scented candle burning.”

“Oh no! I think that I left the stove on. Guess not. Let me blow this candle out. That’s done also. I must be more tired than I thought. Let me get back to bed.”

“Yes. You go back to bed. I’ll fix all of your mistakes.”

“Thank you.”

“You heard me.”

“I’m so tired.”

“Go to bed.”

“Who’s there? I know I heard someone.”

“You’re dreaming. Go back to sleep.”

“What a weird dream. I’m so glad I’m off today. Alexa, what’s the weather today?”

“The current temperature is 70 degrees. Today it will be partly sunny and dry with a high of 85 degrees and a low of 70.”

“Let me take a shower. There I go again, talking to myself. Ugh! Oh my God. I’m going crazy. I’m seeing things. I’m hearing things. I’m talking to myself. I need to see a doctor.”

“No! You don’t need a doctor.”

“Alexa, did you just say anything?”

“My last message was the weather forecast for today. However, you do have one notification. Did you want to hear it?”

“Not now.”

“OK.”

“That wasn’t Alexa.”

“I’m ignoring you.”

“It’s too late. I already know that you can see and hear me. What I don’t know is why?”

“Are you a ghost?”

“No! There’s no such thing as ghosts.”

“Are you an angel?”

“No. I’m a living human being. But I’ve been temporarily phased.”

“What’s that?”

“Not getting into a deep description that I don’t fully understand myself, let’s just say that it means that you’re not supposed to see or hear me.”

“So you’re just as puzzled as I am.”

“That would be true. You can’t tell anyone about me. They’ll probably lock you up.”

“Why are you in my house? Why were you in my car?”

“I was sent to protect you.”

“Protect me! From what? Or who?”

“I don’t know. All I know is that I can’t be changed back to normal for at least one week. I was saved by one of the Protectors, and he asked if I could simply pass on the favor to someone else. They assigned me to you.”

“Who are they?”

“I’ve only met one of them.”

“How do you protect me?”

“Well, already you fell asleep at the wheel. I parked your car at the mall. You left the gas on without a flame on the stove and then lit a candle. You dropped a glass last night next to your bed. It hasn’t been 24 hours yet, and already I’ve protected you about eight times.”

“So if I’m going to be talking to you, what do I call you? Protector?”

“No. My name is Gregory Knight.”

“My name is Gregory. Wait! Did you say Gregory Knight?”

“Yes, Gregory Knight.”

“My grandfather’s name was Gregory Knight.”

“Common name.”

“Let me grab something right quick.”

“OK.”

“Here. This is a photo of my grandfather. He died a year before I was born.”

“What! That’s me. I took this picture just a month ago.”

“A month ago! I’ve had this picture my whole life. I turn 35 in two days.”

“This doesn’t make any sense. I have to go and talk to Marcus.”

“Who’s Marcus?”

“He’s my protector. And the guy that phased me.”

“Marcus! Marcus!”

“How can I help you?”

“You put me with my grandson! My unborn grandson! My daughter isn’t even married yet. Am I in the future?”

“The future. Yes and no. Time doesn’t really have meaning to Protectors.”

“But why did you put me with my grandson? He can see me. He can hear me.”

“You didn’t have a conversation with him, did you?”

“Of course I did. He’s the one that figured out I’m his grandfather.”

“Protector rule number one: do not communicate with the protectee.”

“You never gave me any rules. And you communicated with me.”

“extenuating circumstances. Go back. You still need to protect him. Do something to make him think he was dreaming.”

“OK. Let me try to put a timeline together.”

“I thought you had to go somewhere.”

“I did.”

“You never left.”

“I paused time.”

“You can do that?”

“How do you think I got in your car? But that’s getting off subject.”

“It’s amazing.”

“You’re about to turn 35. I died a year before you were born. That was 36 years ago. What year is this?”

“2063. Why?”

“2063 minus 36—that’s 2027. That’s next year. I die next year!”

“You died a year before I was born.”

“I’m from 2026. How do I die?”

“Armed robbery. You were shot protecting Dad on their original wedding day. Dad was three hours late, and Mom was furious. That is until Dad told her what happened. They say it was all over the news. Here, we can Google it.”

“I’m happy to know that Google is still around.”

“Google, find news video on the death of Gregory Knight.”

“I found 3,784 videos.”

“Give me videos from the day it happened.”

“I’ve narrowed it down to 125 videos.”

“Play the top video.”

“Local hero Gregory Knight was shot today trying to protect his future son-in-law, Matthew Bell. Gregory and Matthew were at West Point Market to get a bite to eat. It was said that the two did not get along well and wanted to bury any hatchets before the wedding. That wedding would have been going on right now, but an armed robber saw Matthew examining the wedding ring and demanded that he hand it over. Gregory slowly got up and stood between the gunman and Matthew. After unsuccessfully trying to talk the gunman down, he tried to disarm him. The gun fired, and the bullet hit Gregory in the stomach, exited from him, and grazed Matthew in the leg. Reports show that Gregory is in critical condition, while Matthew has already been released to comfort his fiancée. The wedding has been postponed for a future date.”

“Matthew Bell. That’s who my daughter will marry. When I return to normal, I guess I’m going to have to be nice to him.”

“Don’t you get it? You now know when you will die.”

“I realize that. I’m a little disturbed by it. I don’t know what I can do with the info yet. But I will work on it.”

“I can help. Don’t go to West Point Market that day.”

“I don’t know. I think it will take a little more than that. I don’t know what led us there. It’s not a normal place I’d go.”

“If it was me, I’d just wear a bulletproof vest everywhere I go on the wedding day. And get Dad to wear one also.”

“Bulletproof vest! That’s crazy. Actually, that’s not a bad idea. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“What are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know yet. You can go about your day. Just ignore that I’m here. I’ll try to stay away from mirrors so that you don’t see me.”

“That sounds good to me. So, what do I call you, Greg, Gregory, Grandpa?”

“No Grandpa. You can call me Greg.”

“Well, Greg, it’s been a week now. Are you going back to your own time now.”

“Not that I won’t miss you, but I really hope so. I hope that I will get a chance to meet you. As a baby that is.”

“I hope so. Take care.”

“Take care Gregory. .. Marcus, is there any chance that I’d be returning to normal soon?”

“Yes, it’s about that time. All you have to do is get your family to leave the room and we’ll switch the clone out for the real you.”

“Get my family to leave? Why? How?”

“They can’t see both of you together.”

“But they can’t see or hear me. I can’t interact with they.”

“Your grandson saw you.”

“And not even you know why or how. Never mind. I’ll think of something.”

“What’s going on. Is he flat lining. Please, quick. Go get a nurse.”

“OK. Let’s do this.”

“Hey, he’s waking up.”

“Gregory! Are you ok?”

“Oh! I’m fine. What happened?”

“You were in a car crash. The doctors have no idea how you survived without major injuries.”

“Doctor, please, let me stand up.”

“That’s not a doctor, Dad, that’s Matt. I told you about him.”

“That’s Matt. It’s good to meet you, Matt.”

“Wow! You took that lot easier than I thought.”

“I’ve learned to trust my daughter. So, when’s the wedding?”

“How did you know?”

“I can sense these things.”

“We haven’t set a date yet.”

“What about June 5th.”

“June 5th? That’s the only date we thought about. June 5th it is.”

“Well, today is your big day!”

“I can’t believe it’s here already.”

“Do you have the ring?”

“Yes. I have it right here.”

“Put that back in your pocket.”

“Still plagued by that reoccurring dream?”

“It was something that I lived through.”

“You were in a coma. You dreamed it. And besides, we have no plans to go to West Point Market.”

“That’s a relief.”

“We have about 3 hours before we have to be there. Lets get a bite to eat.”

“I’m ok with that.”

“I know a place not to far from here. I’ve been there before. They have great food. We can walk there.”

“OK. Lead the way.”

“Here it is.”

“You do realize the name of this place, don’t you?”

“Of course. West Point Tavern. Don’t worry. I’m not going to get drunk. I’m only here for the burgers and fries. I told you, they’re great. You got to try them.”

“My point it West Point.”

“Tavern. Not Market.”

“Could it be that the News made a typo? Could they have got the location wrong?”

“I don’t think so.”

“I told you to put that ring away. Oh No! Here he comes.”

“I think you should give that ring to me.”

“I will do no such thing.”

“He got a gun. He got a gun.”

“Sir. I don’t think you want to do this. My friend here is getting married in a few hours. Don’t take this happy day away from him.”

“I’m only concerned about my day being happy. I know gold when I see it. I can sell that for a lot of money. That will make my day very happy. I can easily kill you first and then take the ring. Or would you rather get out of my way.”

“Freeze. Put the gun down. There’s no way out of this for you.”

“You called the police? When?”

“Yesterday. I have friends on the force. I asked him to follow us.”

“I’m starting to believe your story.”

“Local hero Gregory Knight saved the life of his future son-in-law, Matthew Bell. Gregory and Matthew were at West Point Market to get a bite to eat. It was said that the two did not get along at first but over the last few months they have become best friends. An armed robber saw Matthew examining the wedding ring and demanded that he hand it over. Gregory slowly got up and stood between the gunman and Matthew. After unsuccessfully trying to talk the gunman down, he tried to disarm him. Somehow, Gregory expected something to go wrong. He called a friend on the police force who wish to remain unnamed. The officer was able to disarm the gunman without a shot fired.

The wedding is going on right now. We are here outside waiting for the bride and groom to emerge as newlyweds. We wish them a wonderful happily ever after.”

“I guess I can officially call you Pops now.”

“No. Never Pops.”

“Now that its all over, I have a confession to make.”

“What?”

“I’m the one that had you phased.”

“What! Why?”

“To save your life.”

“What?”

“Young Gregory needed to get to know his grandfather.”