Secrets of Time

Somewhere on the coast of England. 2100

The wind blew cold across the bay causing the man hiding in the shadow of the old derelict pier to shiver uncontrollably. He had been here now for hours watching and waiting for a sign of his pray.
His concentration was interrupted by a beeping sound coming from his wrist. Lifting up his arm he looked at his watch, its dual display flashing red. Scanning the horizon then looking round he watched as a silver swirling vortex appeared in the sea wall behind him. Moving further into the midnight shadows of the pier he crouched down behind on of its supports keeping his eyes on the vortex, watching as two figures appeared.

Oxbridge University. 2150

By rewriting special relativity to create a timeless universe I have shown that time travel could indeed be possible. Joe finished his paper placed his pen on the table and looked up scanning the library for signs of life. It was as quiet as it always was as no one ever used the old library anymore everyone else used the new virtual library at the other end of the campus His peers would laugh at him when he turned down their invitations to join them in the VL, but Joe liked it here surrounded by old wooden bookcases filled to bursting with books on every subject, in fact every book ever published was to be found on the shelves around him. He loved the feel of old books, the texture of the paper in his hands as he turned each page and he found writing with pen and paper to be very therapeutic. A loud banging noise broke the silence making Joe look round. His eyes came to a stop on a man who was stood just in front of the big wooden entrance doors that led from the main hallway. He paused on him for a moment taking in his features. The man was around 6ft tall with dark brown hair cut short and well built. 'Probably very muscular under his black suit and tie' Joe thought as the man moved towards him.
'Joseph Foster?' the man asked.
'That depends on who's asking. What do you want him for?'
'I have been asked to give him this.' the man continued pulling a white envelope from his inside pocket.
'What is it?'
'It is only for Joseph Foster. If you are him then I can give you it.'
'I am Joe Foster' Joe replied showing the man his University ID card.
The man looked at the ID for a moment before handing Joe the envelope.
Joe looked down at the envelope then looked up again to see the man was no longer standing there. Looking round he realised that the room was empty again.
Looking back down at the envelope Joe turned it over in his hands. 'I wonder what it could be and why they are using paper correspondence,' he thought.
Turning the envelope once more so that its back was facing him, he placed his hands on the edges and peeled it open. Pulling out the letter he started to read.

'Meet me at your usual spot by the river at midnight.
I have a proposition that believe me you will not refuse.

X

P.S
You must not tell anyone about this meeting.'

He sat for a while staring at the letter trying to work out what it could mean. The doors of the library banging for a second time made Joe aware of his surroundings again.Quickly putting the letter into his pocket he looked up to see Dave and Si his two friends and room mates walking towards him.
'You still here Joe, what is so interesting about this place that you forget to meet us?' said Dave
Joe looked at his watch. 17:30.
'Sorry just got engrossed in my work for physics.' Joe said trying not to show he was not telling them the whole truth.
'C'mon we'll miss the match if we don't hurry up.' came Si's voice
Joe quickly packed his books into his bag and the three of them headed for the door.

*****
After getting in from the match Joe had sat re reading the letter over and over for hours trying to figure out what the man wanted him for, what position he had for him that he could not refuse.

Joe looked at his watch. 11:30, standing up he walked over to the door put on his coat and headed out as he always did for his late night walk. But tonight was going to be different, Joe did not know it yet but tonight was the night his life would change forever.

*****
Joe stood at his usual spot leaning on the railing looking down into the water. In the distance the bells of a clock tower chimed twelve. As it chimed for a twelth time the wind picked up making Joe shiver. Looking around for signs of life Joe could see no one, yet he had the feeling he was being watched. He turned back to look at the water again. Looking down he saw an old fasioned rowing boat  below him, sitting inside it was the man from earlier.
'Glad you came Joseph, please come down and join me.'