STORY

Dr. Grey- The Time Traveler

As usual Edward woke up early in the morning for school. He got out of his bed, went straight to the bathroom, took a shower and wore his uniform. ‘Boring’, he thought to himself. Edward was not just a normal guy. He did like video games but preferred visiting new places and exploring new things over them. He wanted to travel the whole world. Straight from the hot dreary deserts of Abu Dhabi to the cold dry deserts of Alaska. From the Eiffel Tower to the magnificent Taj Mahal. He wanted to capture the whole world in his camera. But he knew it was not possible. His parents were always busy. They did not have time to take him to different places.

Edward got ready, ate his breakfast and left for school. As he stepped out of his home, he felt the light warm breeze touching his face. It was a perfect day. Spring, Sun high in the skylight breeze. All of them made a perfect platter. As he was walking down the pavement, he heard some footsteps. He turned around but found no one. He started to walk again. He again heard the sound of some footsteps, this time followed with the tik- tok of a clock. Edwards’s heart started beating faster than ever! He slowly took out the bottle from his bag pack and turned around. Again he could see no one.

‘Mr. Footsteps, don’t think that I can’t see you, I am really smart!’ Edward said though he was scared. He turned to his original place. ‘AHHHHHHH…..’ he screamed and fell back on the ground. As he was turning around, he saw a tall man, wearing a long white coat, the kind worn by doctors and black trousers. He was wearing horn- rimmed spectacles and looked like one of those evil scientists from the super hero movies. ‘He must be some evil scientist trying to kill me. I must run away.’ Edward thought to himself.

‘Oh c’mon I’m not some evil scientist who is trying to kill you!’ said the man.

‘How did you know what I was thinking?’ Edward asked, still lying on the ground.

‘Well, you know Edward…..’ ‘You know my name!!! Oh God, you must be some murderer who is trying to kidnap me to get money from my parents!’ The man was interrupted by Edward.

‘Well,’ the man said who looked really disappointed,’ I am Dr. Grey. I am a Time traveler. I can hear what you think and do what you dream you dream of.’ He said to Edward with a smile. He looked manipulative. ‘What do you mean, err… Dr. Grey?’ Edward questioned him. He found the man, who claimed to be a time traveler, really interesting. Of course, anyone would find a time traveler interesting. ‘I know you want to travel the whole world…..I can help you with that.’ Dr. Grey said, this time with a friendly smile.

‘Yeah….I really want to travel around the world. Can you really help me with that?’ Edward asked standing up and cleaning his shorts.

‘Want to try?’ Dr. Grey asked. Even before he could answer, he was in some other world. Everything went black; he was being pressed very hard from all directions. He saw Dr. Grey with a stop watch his hand eyes closed. He was murmuring something. In no time he was in the middle of a crowded street. Neon lights were everywhere. Bid billboards covered the glass buildings. Everyone was busy in their own lives. In a matter of time, Edward realized he was in the city of his dreams, New York.

‘Dr. Grey’ Edward screamed with excitement. ‘I Know kid.’ said the time traveler rolling his eyes. There was a click. Again, same background, pressure from all directions and then there they were, in front of The Eiffel Tower. ‘Oh God!!! I Wish I had bought my camera!’ Edward said, unable to control his happiness. ‘Even if you had bought camera, you wouldn’t have been able to click photos.’ Dr Grey informed. ‘Why?’ asked Edward.  ‘Time leaves no traces!’ answered Dr. Grey.

Click! They were standing in front of the magnificent Taj Mahal! ‘Breathtaking!’ exclaimed Edward. ‘Indeed.’ said Dr. Grey. Click! They were in front of the Big Ben. Another click. The Leaning Tower of Pisa. Click and they were in the middle of The Amazon Forest. It was raining heavily there. ‘Oh no! I’m all wet. Mum’s gonna kill me.’ Edward said in a disgusted tone. ‘No worry, you will dry in your next destination.’ Edward looked at the Dr., confused.

With a click they were again time travelling. They were now in Abu Dhabi. The hot winds were blowing in all the directions. ‘Oh we dried up!’ Edward looked up at Dr. Grey and smiled. Dr. Grey smiled back. ‘I told you!’ he said.

With another click they were back to their original place, from where they had started their world tour. ‘It was a breathtaking journey Dr. Thank you. Thank you so much!’ Edward exclaimed with joy. He started jumping up down. He could not express his happiness in words.

There was a click sound again. Edward turned around but this time he could neither see any monument nor Dr. Grey. He had disappeared mysteriously. Edward smiled to himself. ‘Thank you, Dr. Grey.’ He smiled and said to himself.

Edward returned home. Smiling and regaining his memories.

‘How was your day, Edward?’ asked his mom.

Edward turned around, smiled and answered, ‘Great! Amazing! It was fun.’

Edward said and went to his bed. He could not stop thinking about the adventures of the day. He heard a click.

‘Dr. Grey!!!’ he jumped out of his bed. But he realized it was just his clock, nothing else or… no one else!

-PALAK SINGH

IX-A