Tempus Fugit!

The following story I wrote for a Latin class, and although it really has no Christian point to it or anything, I decided to post it for those of you who enjoy short fiction. The story was, however, partly inspired by Paul and Barnabas' experience in Lystra in Acts 14:8-20. Please check it out. I find the story sad. The people in Lystra were so deceived, that when Paul through Jesus' power healed a cripple, they concluded that Paul and Barnabas were the gods Hermes and Zeus.


The Future: Year 2512


    Spencer, Cassie, and Anthony stared in wonder at the odd-looking vehicle in front of them. It looked like a car(minus wheels) from the 21st century, but the high-tech dashboard revealed it to be much more advanced than even modern vehicles. On the side of the machine was printed the phrase Semper Fidelis.
    “What is this thing?” Cassie finally asked.
    “A time machine,” answered Spencer as he led the other two teens closer to the machine. “My grandpa invented it.”
    “Does it really work?” asked Anthony as he ran his fingers over the frame.
    “Yep, and I've even spied on my grandpa a couple times when he tried it out. I think I could work it myself. Do you want to try it? Grandpa is out of town.”
    “Yes!” Anthony nodded his head enthusiastically.
    “I'm not so sure...” Cassie replied. “What if it's dangerous or your grandpa finds out?”
    “You're just a chicken, Cassie!” Anthony declared.
    “There is nothing to be worried about,” reassured Spencer as he climbed into the time machine. “That's why Grandpa named the machine Semper Fidelis. He believes it will always faithfully bring him back.” Cassie grudgingly followed the boys. Fear gnawed at her as Spencer started up the machine. “What year do you want to go to?” he asked.
    “Ad infinitum! To infinity!” answered Anthony excitedly.
    Spencer laughed. “I don't think it can do that.” Spencer put a date into the computer. Everything went dark except the lights on the dashboard. Then suddenly scenes from the past began to rush past the windows. Fear gripped Cassie even harder. What if the time machine landed them somewhere dangerous, i.e., the middle of a war? She shuddered as the scenes continued to rush by at an increasing speed, but then suddenly they stopped.
    “Where are we?” asked Cassie, her whole body shaking with excitement and fear. She peered out the windows. Tall buildings with elaborate columns and arcs surrounded them. The time machine had landed in the middle of a wide street. Statues and alters decorated the surroundings. People stared at them. Some of them seemed terrified, while others just stared in wonder and curiosity.
    “Don't you recognize this place? This is Ancient Rome!” declared Spencer. He opened the door to the time machine, and they all stepped out. The people crowded around them and nervously reached out to touch them and the time machine, as if they were afraid it was all a dream. They muttered among themselves in a foreign language.
    “What are they saying?” asked Anthony.
    “I'm not sure. I don't know much Latin, and I've only read it, not heard it spoken.” replied Spencer. A man pushed through the crowd excitedly, waving his arms and yelling.
    He pointed at Spencer and called out, “Mercury!” Then he pointed at Anthony and Cassie. “Apollo! Diana!”
    “Oh no! They think we're gods!” exclaimed Spencer. He began to yell at the crowd. “No! No! No! We're just people.” Anthony and Cassie joined in, but it was to no avail. Priests came out of one of the temples and began to make sacrifices upon the altars. The women began to sing and dance. A man led the kids into a house and presented them with a feast. Many people followed them and presented them with gifts of food, animals, clothing, and jewelry.
    “This isn't all that bad,” declared Anthony as he popped a juicy grape into his mouth. He had tried on a tunic and toga, and now he wore a wreath of laurel leaves on his head. He fiddled with the strings of a lyre which was one of the many gifts they had received. In truth, he made a perfect Apollo.
    “I think we should leave now,” Cassie suggested.
    “Oh come on, Cassie! Isn't this fun?” Anthony popped another grape into his mouth.
    “We should at least make sure the time machine is still where we left it,” insisted Spencer. “I don't know what these people have done to it.” Finally Anthony consented to their wishes and followed them back outdoors. People were still singing, dancing, and making sacrifices. Cassie felt sorry for all the poor cows being used for sacrifice. If only they could convince them they weren't gods.
    “Oh no!” Spencer groaned. “It's gone!” The kids frantically searched the forum, but the ever present crowds made it impossible to search well. Finally, they stopped to rest.
    “Hey, look at that!” Anthony pointed at a table of idols that a man was selling. He walked over to the table and picked up a figure with a lyre. “Is this supposed to be me? I am certain my muscles are way bigger than that.” Anthony flexed his muscles.
    “You are too full of yourself,” Cassie observed.
    Anthony stepped back to place the idol back on the table but tripped and fell head first onto it. The table toppled over, and the idols crashed to the ground.  A frightened  horse threw its rider and rushed into several other merchant booths, spilling the merchandise. Cries of fear and anger arose from the people. The man selling the idols yelled angrily at Anthony. “Deus non es!” The crowd joined in his cry and shook their fists at the kids.
    “Run!” yelled Spencer. Anthony and Cassie ran after him. The angry mob followed them. To elude the crowd, they dashed into a small nearby temple.
    “Now where do we go? They will find us soon,” panted Cassie.
    “Salvete!” whispered a voice. “Salvete!” The kids turned around to find a lady hiding behind a statue of Jupiter. She motioned for them to follow. The kids shrugged their shoulders at each other and followed her to another room in the temple. Their time machine sat safely in the center of the room, an altar before it. Apparently the people had decided to worship it also.
    “Thank you,” Cassie told the lady. The woman smiled understandingly. Suddenly, the cries of the mob could be heard in the temple.
    “Hurry, let's go!” Spencer yelled. Anthony and Cassie hopped into the time machine.
    “Vale! Pax tecum!” the woman whispered to Spencer as he followed them in.
    “Vale! Pax tecum! Farewell! Peace be with you!” Spencer called out to her. Then she was gone. The scenes began to fly by the windows as before, and suddenly they were home. The kids toppled out of the vehicle.
    “What do you think you were doing?” boomed a stern voice. Spencer's grandpa peered down at them through the ancient glasses on the end of his nose. The kids looked at each other sheepishly. “Did you enjoy your time in Rome?” He nodded towards Anthony's attire. Anthony cheeks turned scarlet. “I imagine you didn't expect me home yet. Tempus fugit! Time flies fast, doesn't it?” The kids nodded. “Now I am sure you will enjoy cleaning up my work room for me. Although I am positive time won't fly quite as fast for you as it did in Rome.”
    Spencer and Anthony moaned. Cassie gave them an “I was so right” look.
    “The cleaning supplies are in the closet. Now, I have some business I need to take care of. Make sure you are done by the time I get back.” With that said, Spencer's grandpa locked the time machine and walked out the door.