Book of Time XIV

Sage retraced her steps,
leaving the thieves' car behind
to hike Beech Mountain.
Tracing the yellow brick road,
a light led her through the night.

She asked, "What is that?"
The silhouette resembled
someone in armor.
Her hike became a mad sprint
back to the DeLorean.

When she reached the car,
it was illuminated
by the armored guide.
Sage caught her breath while leaning
on the DeLorean's hood.

Opening her eyes
to the refracting image
of her family,
Parsley and both her parents,
memories played in reverse.

Then she saw a sword
dividing the car in half,
but the armored guide
called the sword back to their hand.
Blinding light poured from the car.

Averting her eyes,
she heard a voice call her name.
Delaney cried, "Sage?
How on earth did you find us?"
Sage replied, "That's my line!"

Sage could not see straight,

and Evelyn said, "Take these,
the sun does not play."
Her hands struggled to find them,
but she got them on her face.

Delaney hugged her,
Will joined the embrace.
He said, "Sage, listen.
This place, we're in the future."
Sage said, "I came from the past."

Richard Auriga
Nassau County, NY