Grace

Chapter 1

Merlin's Beard ! ! ! ! !

It was a pleasant morning and I was on my morning jog around the neighborhood. My neighbors, Mr and Mrs Smith greeted me and I returned their greeting. We spoke about the weather for a few minutes and went on with our jogs. It was my favorite time of the day. Taking in cool, fresh air and running to my heart's content to release all the negative energy has now become my addiction. As I neared the neighborhood park I smiled. There is nothing like sitting with the trees for a while and admiring the beauty of nature. Most of the early morning joggers were there. Mr and Mrs Smith, Mr Gallagher, little Emma and Mrs Candace with her dog Max. I smiled and waved at them all and so did they. I sat down at an empty bench and chugged my water. I sat there for a while. taking in every inch of the beautiful park with my eyes. I had it all etched in my memory but it still fascinated me. I got up and made my way out. There was something wrong today. It felt like the scenery was somewhat different. When I rounded the south corner of the park my suspicions were confirmed. Usually the south end was deserted except for the occasional joggers who would pass by. But today there was a man leaning against the big Banyan tree. He wasn't like any ordinary man. When people wore tracks and sweat shirts for jogging and morning trolls he was clothed in the most formal attire. With a suit, blazer and a fedora he looked like someone who came right out of the Eliot Ness movies. Besides who wore Fedoras these days?

I moved on and when I passed the guy he called my name! "Ms. Vivian" That was a shocker. How did he know my name?! He wasn't even from the neighborhood. That voice was so deep and gruff it made me flinch. I turned back and walked to him. For the sake of etiquette I kept the fear and shock out of my voice. "Yes. Do I know you?" I asked as politely as I could which I was bad at. Apparently people tell me if somebody angers me and I don't know them I am impolite. So I tried my best. He looked up. I was blown by his looks. With eyes were the deepest blue with twinkles here and there, hair deep red and golden sun kissed skin he almost had an angelic glow to him. He smiled and said " No, but I know you." He stretched his hand and I shook it. "I'm Merlin. And I'm a messenger of God." That caught me. Wasn't Merlin a fictional character?! " Wait" I said. "Aren't you a wizard?". He chuckled. "Yes, I was a wizard. Now... let's just say I got promoted." I laughed at that. So this crazy guy was not just messing with me but also trying to make me laugh. "Okay. Look I appreciate it that you have termed yourself the messenger of God and Merlin and all but enough. Stop messing with me and tell me how you know my name?!" He smiled again. And I reached the end of my calm. " My dear I am not messing with you. It's the truth." he said. Yeah, and I'm the easter bunny with a giant fluffy tail. He chuckled again. "You have a very funny subconscious my dear" he said. So he must have heard me somehow. Huh. "No shit Sherlock." I retorted. He chuckled again. " Look man.. okay Merlin I have to get to work and it would be nice if you quit this act and leave me alone." I said. He smiled... again and said " My dear look around you." i turned and looked. Time seemed... FROZEN! Mr and Mrs Smith were sitting on the bench unmoving and Max had his mouth open and his drool was hanging in the air. I turned back to Merlin "You're telling the truth aren't you?!" I said. It was quite silly of me to ask that but I couldn't stop myself. He shook his head and I got it. No, he wasn't messing with me. "Why are you here?" I asked. He straightened from the tree he was leaning from and walked closer. "We have work for you." he said. Now it was my turn to chuckle. " You kidding right?! i mean I am an ordinary person. What do you have to do with me?!" I said. "My dear you are much more important to us than you think. You are wanted for a mission. A mission, if you succeed will reward you better than you thought."

"What mission?!" I asked curiously. "The timeline has been disturbed which is creating an alternate reality. You have to alter it back." he said. I started sounded so much like my favorite movie! "Are you sure?! Cause you sound like 'Dr. Emmet Brown' from 'Back To The Future'!" He smiled and said " It is your favorite movie isn't it ?! I gotta say it is a classic. I like it too. But no my dear.I am not joking. The timeline has been disturbed in 1809 and we have to fix it before the present is altered. For that we need you."

"Why me?! " I asked. He politely said "Because it has to be you." I was stunned. Wow! I was Marty McFly! I was MARTY MCFLY! I turned away from him with a shocked expression. "MERLIN'S BEARD! ! ! ! !"

So how was it?! This is my first fiction so be patient and review people!