Aqua Fin
Crossing The Crucibles
By Sherman E. Hister
ISBN: 978-1-952320-21-7
Aqua Fin Crossing the Crucibles
Copyright © 2020 by Sherman E. Hister
All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events and incidents are totally the product of the authors imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, events or locales, is entirely coincidental. Opinions expressed are entirely those of the author.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
For permission requests, write to the publisher at the address below.
Yorkshire Publishing
4613 E. 91st St,
Tulsa, OK 74137
www.YorkshirePublishing.com
918.394.2665
Published in the USA
Chapter 1
Happy Birthday
On the day of Miller James’ birthday, his life was going to change. Miller didn’t have a clue, but because it was the first day of his summer, and he started it appropriately according to that day. “Radio on,” was all that was said to add to the tranquility of his bedroom. The sun was out and noticed as Miller peered out into the great blue wonder of the sky of another day. He usually wore swimming shorts in case he got hot enough to jump into the pool in his parents’ backyard. Miller usually did whenever returning from the adventure of the day. Miller happened to be an avid mountain bicyclist. If he had a day of warm freedom to his time he probably went depending on the time he got up.
Since the song on the radio was one he liked he got to his dresser drawer for a shirt, and then tied his all-stars on. This led him to the kitchen for a purple carbonated beverage and banana for his breakfast. After throwing away the banana peel, and chugging down the rest of his drink. He went to the garage where Miller’s bike was a put together design. He acquired parts over the years to fix broken pieces, and add to his bikes performance. The funny thing about the bike was that when he got it for a present it was too big. That only meant he would have to adapt, then grow for it to fit. So as well, for the crashes caused by demounting, would allow Miller to learn how to fix parts on his bike consistently through the years until: the wheels fall off. But this meant its appearance was definitely a put together mess with no real matching color scheme. It just worked and worked well for Miller.
He had his headphones on to keep the music going while beginning his journey. Miller always took his helmet whether or not he wore it until he got to the trails. As he made his way out of his neighborhood he was excited that he wouldn’t have to worry too much about traffic for it looked as if only those who were going to be late to work were trying to get there. This meant a lot less time for Miller to have to wait on traffic before crossing the road.
The end of another spring brings on the warm fun of the summer months. After realizing his future did not call from a distant land, he was relieved to be dwelling in the country he is from to seek what he was called to do. This is where he was meant to construct and create a life he was actually being called to. In his room he was finding out he was meant to make what is to be heard, rather than be seen like he has always thought.
On the way back home that first day of his summer he took the regular trail that he happened to nearly jump off his bike into the road he traveled along to grab a man who seemed to trip off the curb backwards while reading the mail he had just pulled out of a mail box. The mailbox belonged to the water treatment facility in that area of the city. It’s location was right in front of the facility right off of the very busy route at a time when most who traveled it were probably returning from work.
Miller moved very hastily to make sure the man was safe even though it wasn’t apparent if he was in serious danger. When Miller had pulled the man to safety, the lab coat wearing, stranger was a bit disheveled. When the man’s bearings came to, Miller was surprised with the calm nature of his talk. “Well, thank you my friend.” This was all Miller needed to hear to know the man was all right. Miller didn’t really feel a need to say anything but, “No problem.” He still felt the rush from his ride, and even himself didn’t feel to startled by what had happened. He moved in reaction he hadn’t been really thinking.
“Wait.” The man called to Miller’s attention. “Young man, you might have saved my life.” Miller didn’t really know what to say because his reaction occurred due to not wanting the man to be harmed. He stopped and put his feet on the ground. Turning to allow the man to talk. “My name is Fredward Sampson, and I am a scientist here at the water plant.” Miller said to him, “I’m just a high school kid, my name is Miller. Are you alright?” The man was now picking up the scattered mail that had fallen out of his hand when he fell. “For the most part. I didn’t realize how close to the curb the mailbox was.” They both turn and look at the mailbox together, the giant yellow mailbox. It was odd looking to Miller, but it seemed to fit the spot. “What did you say your name was again?” Miller asked. The scientist was staring at the mailbox only thinking of the under carriage he had seen before Miller yanking him to his feet. Miller had not known the fear aspect that Dr. Sampson had felt. The car was a good enough distance away the car would have stopped, but what if not and what if Miller hadn’t been there. These thoughts ream through the man’s head. “Sorry what? I didn’t hear you.” Fredward looked at Miller.
Miller asked again what he had asked before. Fredward was forthright in saying, “Dr. Sampson, Dr. Fredward Sampson. I’m a scientist here at the treatment center." “Well it is probably time for me to be getting home. Hope all is well.” “Well wait a minute if you don’t mind, is there anything you might need help with? You said you were in school, and I’m sure mid term’s are coming around. I’m pretty well educated and if you needed any help in that case. I mean I do feel obligated. That was a pretty serious situation I got myself into.”
Then he looked closer at Miller, and had an odd understanding. “Between you and me son what have you been up too?” Miller couldn’t understand the intensity of that question when obviously he had been riding trails on his bike.
Miller stood there wondering if he was being played for a guilt trip, or was the man trying to figure out what to give him. “Look I’ve been riding my bike on the trails back over there, and when I saw you fall I only did what I hope someone would do for me if that happened. So you don’t owe me anything just do the same thing for someone else.” Miller couldn’t understand the man’s insistency on paying him for his reaction not knowing the level of fear Fredward had reached. Miller was old enough and conscious enough to hold his own. He was about to finish high school, and didn’t just do school work. Miller worked a lot during the summer’s to save up for college.
The scientist knew it wasn’t his place to think anything of the guy who just saved his butt, no matter how many experiments he had done on human beings. “You’re right, you are obviously riding a bike because you are sitting on one. Do you have a moment for me to discuss this matter with you? You seem like a very caring person for your age, and I just need a moment to return to a state of peace.” Miller had calmed down and realized that Dr. Sampson had been shook up quite a bit. “Okay yeah man, I didn’t know your state, but I guess it was because I wasn’t the one that fell into a busy street.” “Thanks.” The weary scientist took a deep breadth. Then he took a far look off into the distance. After a moment Miller took his cue. “Okay man, you good?” The scientist looked at him with an urgency of thank you. “Don’t worry dude, you are okay and it won’t happen again.” Miller gave a pat to Fredward on the shoulder.
“Young man seriously, would you take a moment to speak with me.” Fredward knew that if Miller hadn’t have been in the place he was at the time he fell that could have probably been it for living.