Forest Guardians Chronicles: A Matter of Humanity by Beth Roose (smart ebook reader TXT) 📗

Marsha!” He put his bowler hat on and twirled his cane as he walked to the bar with Marsha, the dogs, and little did he know, Morgan.

The bar was empty, except for the bartender. Gazing over at her, Bat inquired, “Miss Marsha, what would you like?”

She responded quickly and firmly, “I will take coffee, and Rue and Wolfe will take a bowl of water, please.”

Bat looked at the bartender and said, “You heard the pretty little lady.”

The bartender nodded, acknowledging the requests that were just made. “Bat,” Marsha began, “I know you do not know me, and I do not know you, however, I would like to ask you something.”

He nodded, signaling for her to continue on, “Miss Marsha, ask me anything. I will try to answer, but you look so serious. You should not look so worried; it causes frown lines. I would hate for you to have to see Doc Holiday for frown lines.”

Looking cross, Marsha questioned the recent rude comment made by her new friend. “Why is that, Bat?”

Laughing, he answered, “Well, you see, Doc, well, he is not known for pain-free treatment.”

Marsha, gasping in horror, responded, “Oh, I see, Bat. Then I will avoid Doc Holiday. Seriously, Bat. I need to talk with you about something extremely important that will be exceedingly difficult to believe.

“Now,” he turned his hips towards her, “You have my attention, Miss Marsha. Go on.”  He looked down at Wolfe looking up at him. He petted Wolfe as he looked up at Marsha. She asked Bat if there was a meteorite gemstone under the gold tip of his cane.

Nodding in response, Bat asked, “how do you know that?”

Marsha took a deep breath and began to explain. “Now, this is the part that will be hard to believe. Bat, I am from your future. I am from the year 2020. There is a hybrid human and four drones that are devastating parts of the United States.”

Bat looked at her and laughed. “Hybrid human, what does that mean?” he exclaimed.

Marsha continued, ignoring the recent interruption. “We splice DNA genes together to make a hybrid. Someone made a hybrid human and spliced its DNA with a hornet. The Hornet Queen and her drones could kill everyone in the Ohio Region. We have the Hairy Men of the forest helping us. Really, I have seen the Hairy Men myself. Everyone knows the Indians have treaties with them. Were you aware of that? Bat, we must perfect the formula to fix this problem. The last part of the formula, which is a sliver of that gemstone in your cane is the last and final ingredient we need in order to succeed.”

Bat looked around the bar, making sure no one could overhear them. “This cane, it has special powers. It creates a protective blister around me, and with the gunfights that lawmen have nearly every day, it is essential I have this protection.”

Marsha began, “Bat, I understand in the future we will call that a force field. It is a special one of a kind gemstone.”

Bat looked from side to side and Marsha could see a negotiation coming down the pipeline. Finally, he asked. “Could you please give me the ability to time travel?”

Marsha responded, “Sorry, Bat. I cannot. I am sorry. It was a total accident that it happened to me.” He stared at the girl with a crossed expression.

“Well then how are you going to get back to 2020?” he asked.

“Not too sure, Bat. I do have a plan. Could I write out a note to my Dad for future reassurance that I am alright?”

Bat pondered for a moment. “I’d like to think about this, Miss Marsha. I just do not want to risk losing my protective blister.”

Awestruck, Marsha looked at her new companion in disbelief. “Bat, you are telling me that you would risk the future of all of mankind because you’re afraid?”

Bat answered rather timidly. “Miss Marsha, that was harsh and you are far too beautiful to say such ugly words. Let me fix that.” He leaned in and kissed Marsha.

“Bat, I do declare, I believe you are flirting with me.”

He gazed into her eyes. “Could be my dear.” Bat heard gunfire outside the saloon and was in action mode almost instantly. “Miss Marsha, stay put!” Bat ran out the saloon doors with Wyatt trailing closely behind him.

Marsha looked down to pet Wolfe and noticed Bat’s cane sitting there. “Oh no!” she cried out. Marsha grabbed the cane and looked at Wolfe. “I have a job for you. Maybe they will not see you, plus you will be protected by the forcefield. Take this to Bat. Then, run as fast as you can and get under the porch or behind the water trough. Now, go Wolfe! Go! You must save Bat!”

Wolfe ran as fast as the wind. He found Bat at the end of the street by the farrier barn and he was pinned down behind the water trough, while Wyatt hid behind a tree across the street. Two drunk cowhands were shooting at Bat and Wyatt. Suddenly, Bat realized he did not have his cane and just then, he saw Wolfe running toward him with his most prized possession. Bat, knowing that the dog was looking for him, whistled for Wolfie. The pup sprinted his way, delivering the cane safely and soundly. “Alright, boy, you stay here. I will take the cane and take care of these cowhands.” Bat tapped the top of his bowler hat with the tip of the cane. He stood up and demanded the cowhands to drop their weapons and began to walk towards them. Wyatt, still cowering behind the tree, yelled for him to go back. Little did Wyatt know, Bat had all of the protection he needed. Bat walked up to drunken troublemakers with his hand outstretched, reaching bravely in their direction. Noticing what he had in his hand, both cowhands surrendered their guns, placing them on the ground and backing away in uncertainty. Wyatt, noticing that