A young man awakens in a hospital bed with no recollection of how he got there or even who he is. Only the ministry of defense can help him discover his past. He agrees to go with them and knows that he was found at the age of 10 in a coma which lasted for 12 years. And so began an incredible journey that will not only uncover the truth of his past life, but will explain the origin of his strange and extraordinary powers. It will involve him in a fight against terrorism and ultimately in the defense of the entire planet against an even greater threat from beyond our solar system. Along the way, he finds friendship in the unlikeness of places. Could he also find love?

LOST IN TIME

By DAVID PROTHERO

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 David Prothero
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-2041-2

Chapter One

It was a sunny September morning. A young man lay in a white, sterile room, tubes attached to his body, wires connected to monitors. The only sound was the constant beep from the heart monitor indicating that he was alive. The room was bare, none of the flowers or cards that usually surround a sick man. Without any notice the young man began to stir; slowly at first, hands twitching then eyelids flickering, his eyes opened into a world full of confusion and mystery. What was yet to come would test the young man's very sanity.

* * *

As I lay there looking around, a nurse walked into the room. she lifted a board from the bottom of the bed and made some notes, walked around the bed and checked the monitors and the drips that were feeding me. As she did, she looked down at me as she must have done so many times before. Shock showed on her face as she realised that I was now conscious.

'My God,' she said, 'You're awake. How do you feel?' I did not answer. She stroked my face with a damp towel. 'I'll fetch the Doctor,' she said as she left the room. A short time passed, and then a doctor walked into the room. He came closer to the bed.

'How are you feeling?' he asked. I tried to talk but, though my mouth moved, no words came out. 'It's all right,' said the doctor, 'your vocal cords are dry. They've not been used for a long time so be patient—you'll be talking in no time. Do you understand me? Just nod your head if you do.' I moved my head slowly, nodding that I understood. 'well, at least he understands us, nurse,' said the doctor. 'as soon as you are moving your head and arms a little more we'll be able to answer any questions you have—maybe by writing on a pad. Is that OK?' I nodded slowly again. 'OK nurse, I think we can start to remove these tubes and the monitors,' he continued. 'I want you to be patient. It will take you a long time to regain the use of your limbs after being in a coma for so long, but we have a great team of specialists here that can help.'

I remember thinking: in a coma, I wonder how long I've been here! as time went by I regained the use of my hands and arms and was able to write. The first shock I experienced was when the doctor asked me what my name was. I paused for a moment, thinking then wrote: I don't seem to know. The doctor said, 'Don't worry, it's normal when you've been in a coma for as long as you have. It's normal to have some loss of memory.' I took up the note pad and wrote: why, how long have I been in a coma? the doctor answered, 'we're led to believe it is twelve years, but you have only been in this hospital for two years.' at that point I felt completely lost and very depressed. Then the nurse spoke.

'We, the nursing staff here, have given you the name of David—if that's OK with you.'

* * *

As the weeks and months went by I regained my speech, then the use of all my limbs but, even after three months, I was still unable to remember a single item of my past and this was quite annoying. Being told constantly not to worry; it's all right for them, I thought, They know who they are!

One day I had a visit from a smartly-dressed, very official looking, man in a suit.

'Good day sir. My name is John Henderson,' he said producing an ID card indicating that he worked for the Ministry of Defence. He pulled up a chair and sat down. 'I believe you have still no memory, David. I may call you David—is that OK?'

'yes,' I replied, 'everybody else does.'

'Has anybody told you of the circumstances in which you where found?'

'No, and it's not that I haven't asked, but no-one seems to know.'

'The reason I ask,' he said, 'is that there have been a lot of rumours going round, especially in the early years after you were found.'

'Found?'

'Yes, you were found—but look, I don't want to discuss this with you here now. I believe that, except for your memory, there isn't much more that they can do for you here. The medical staff say that you are remarkably fit and healthy—that's why we, at the MOD, want you to come with us so that we can help you.'

'Why would the Ministry be interested in me?' I asked. 'What's so special?'

'Like I said, this is not the place to discuss the matter.'

'Hold on there! something's not right here,' I protested. 'I'm not happy about just coming with you, to God knows where, on your say-so!'

'Look, we are trying to help you here.'

'That's what you say, but you're not telling me anything,' I said.

'OK, the only thing I'm allowed to tell you is where you were found.'

'What do you mean found? this is sounding more like science fiction!' I saw a strange expression cross his face.

'Go on then, tell me what you are allowed to.'

He sighed, 'as I was saying,' he said, 'all I'm allowed to tell you is that you were found on a small island close to the Isle of skye in scotland.'

'... yes—and?'

'Sorry, that's all I can tell you at this time.' With that he rose and said if I wished to know more then I'd have to go with him. 'I'll be back tomorrow morning to pick you up,' he said. 'Remember, we are the only people who can tell you what you wish to know.' He left the room, leaving me even more puzzled than I was before.

I wondered why he could not tell me here. What do they know? I lay there for a while thinking, then got up and walked over to the window to view the world passing by, as I had done so many times since regaining the use of my limbs. Why couldn't I remember anything that happened to me? My head felt like it was going to explode! Just then nurse Harvey, Mary as I had come to know her, came into my room.

'Hi Mary,' I said.

'Hello David, what's the matter? you look upset,' she asked.

'Oh—it's that guy who came to visit me. He said he was from the Ministry and had information about who I am.'

'Well that's good—isn't it?'

'Well it would be, but he said he wasn't allowed to tell me any more than where I was found. Very strange! What's the big secret? I don't understand and it's doing my head in!'

'OK,' she said, 'where did he say you where found?'

'Near the Isle of Skye.'

'OK, so walk down to the hospital library and log onto the Internet,' she said. 'Oh, I'm sorry David I forgot you've been in a coma for over twelve years. You won't know what the Internet is.'

'Funny thing is,' I replied, 'I think I do.'

'Look, I'll tell you what,' she said, 'I'm on my dinner break now, so come on. We'll go down to the hospital library together and I'll help you to log onto the Internet.' She helped with my dressing gown and together we walked out of the room. I had spent so much time in there, I felt nervous leaving. Mary linked arms with me and that made me feel a lot better. As we walked down the corridor, I noticed a man. He looked familiar. I knew where I'd seen him. He was outside the door when that Ministry guy had come to see me. I'd caught a glimpse of him when he left. Why was he hanging around? Must be keeping an eye on me! God, I'm getting paranoid!

'Here we are David,' said Mary. 'Right, sit down and let's log on. OK, I'll type in "strange happenings on, or near, the Isle of Skye, Scotland—year 1995". Tap on" enter" and see what happens. Here we go—this must be you. Boy found unconscious on island September 1995.' She read on, 'The unknown boy was found completely naked by a middle-aged couple named Mr & Mrs McClain while walking their dog. The boy was about ten years old, but was found to have no...