Hortons Bend

thickened and was glowing brightly. Something wasn’t right. Ronnie quickly jumped from his knees when he thought he saw movement in the distance. What he saw at that moment went against everything he could ever imagine. His surroundings offered limited visibility but yet he could clearly see multiple adults wearing very little clothing moving in their direction. The figures eyes glowed just as the mist did and Ronnie began to worry. He realized he was still clutching the copper plate when he looked over to his brother and said, “J.W.! Listen to me! Take this and run. Now! Do not look back.” J.W. had been drilled on an escape but had to ask “You’ll be behind me?” Ronnie nodded and pushed his brother in the direction of their boat.

    Ronnie began to slowly move towards the edge of the field. He watched as his brother made for the bank of the river. J.W. only looked back once as he slid into a break in the cane stand. The figures were no more than twenty feet away when he came to a stop and faced his pursuers. Ronnie realized then that somehow he had walked back into the past. What other explanation could there be? The fifty plus men facing him were costumed in clothing from the 16 th Century. They were striking men with a fierce composure. The young members of this group were carved lean bodies that carried no fat. An older man led the group and was obviously an important figure to them. His adornments gave credence to his status. Easily eighty years old his shoulders sagged. His wizened eyes glared disappointment and hate at the intruder. Ronnie began to take in the whole of the group. Some carried clubs while others with bows stretched tight kept their arrows pointed at him. Those standing in the front of the group pointed to Ronnie. While their eyes glowed, these ghosts of the past opened their mouths but nothing came out but a piercing shriek. Ronnie started to run but he knew there would be no escape. He prayed J.W. could navigate the river home. He looked beyond his captives and was astounded. He could barely believe his eyes once again as he made out the images of Mr. Tom Horton who was holding his crying wife in his arms. As the ghostly strangers closed in, Ronnie felt certain that this was his last intrusion into the past.

    Chapter Two
    Located in the basement of the Coosa Valley History Museum is a small archaeological laboratory. While it is well lit, the uninitiated visitor first notices an earthy smell from the artifacts that are harbored in this repository. Whole pots line the shelves while trays along counter tops are covered in lithic debris. One large table is dedicated to dusty ceramic sherds embellished with intricate designs stamped into them centuries ago. The lab’s appearance of chaos is just that: an appearance. Upon closer inspection, labels from designated locations adjoin each grouping of artifacts. Grid maps with meticulous notes are within arm’s length for those who work here. The only disarray to be found is located behind the cabinets where some cobwebs flutter whenever the lab door is opened.

    Archaeologist Paul Brody sat at an empty table hovered next to a lamp inspecting a faded parchment. At age 45 he was showing some grey in his longish hair. He had accepted his fate in regards to needing glasses this year much to his chagrin. He had often mused that it was difficult for an archaeologist to realize that he was turning into an artifact in his own right. Brody was in deep thought as he squinted at the parchment oblivious to the visitor at the doorway. A young woman’s voice called out” Brody….they’re locking up the museum…it’s quitting time ya know.” Brody looked distracted and replied “Is it already?..Jeez I got caught up in these manuscripts and lost track.” Darwin Maddox rolled her eyes and laughed. She had seen this scenario working at the history museum all summer. Darwin was the museum’s graduate student who was on loan until her fellowship money ran out. At only 23 years old, Darwin was a good looking young woman with an athletic body and dark chestnut colored hair. Her looks got her noticed but her grades allowed her to graduate much earlier than her peers. Already this young lady’s accomplishments in graduate school had gotten the attention of archaeology’s elder scholars.

    Darwin continued to chuckle “Hey you might want to think about living here in the present…you do have a life in the here and now.” Brody stood and looked at