C3 Chapter 3

The car pulled up to the old stone building. The building was magnificent. Old but well taken care of. The old stones lined the building and there were two dragon statues out front. The children gasped when they saw it. They had lived in this town their entire lives but had never been to the museum. Their parents were always too busy. Jenna had only been here once on a school field trip in the second grade but that was just a distant memory now.

Jenna parked the car and they all got out. Melanie gleamed with excitement. " this is so cool! I hope the inside is just as cool. " Jenna laughed and smiled. "I haven't been here since I was young but I remember it being pretty fantastic. " Max had brought his handheld game with him. Jenna walked over and took the game and put it in her pocket. " okay you two. Time for rules." Both twins rolled their eyes. " Jenna we are 10 now. We're practically adults. We don't even need a babysitter. " said Max. Jenna laughed. " you two are super impressive kids. I'll give you that but there are going to be a lot of people here today and it's my responsibility to keep you safe." She said, eyeing them both. The twins groaned but listened. " you two are to stay together, with me at all times. There will be much to see. They even have vendors out front and a few special new attractions inside. The museum is celebrating its 500-year anniversary. It's going to be packed. Now if we do get separated, I want you to find the front of the building and wait by the doors. I'll find you." They both rolled their eyes but agreed.

These two children had no idea what the real world was like and Jenna felt a little annoyed they didn't understand the importance of an adult looking out for them. Jenna had wished so many times for that alone. She had to grow up more quickly than other children her age. She was pretty much on her own with some occasional guidance.

They walked to the front entrance. Pebble stones lined its path. Jenna smiled at Max and Melanie when they saw the dragon statues. She told them to stand next to them so she could take a picture. They took silly pictures before they headed inside.

Inside, the floors were marble and the stone was still present on the walls. The museum was massive and beautiful inside. It was almost like a castle. They waited in line as they took in all of its glory. " wow" said Melanie. " look. This was a castle. It belonged to the king and queen, Richard and Angela. " she pointed to the plaque she had read that from. Jenna nodded. " that is pretty cool." She said looking at it. " I know that the town here is old but it's weird to think of that long ago. Can you guys imagine having a queen and king now? Everything is so manicured and well taken care of now in this town. The castle doesn't match." Melanie laughed. "I bet the whole town looked so much different 500 years ago." Jenna nodded. "I bet it did." Max nudged Jenna "it's our turn to pay." He pointed to the line. They quickly moved up to the window. " hi, how can I help you? " asked the ticketer. " we need 3 tickets. " Jenna smiled. " of course. Here you go. And today don't forget we are celebrating 500 years. There's a special exhibit with different clocks and photos." Jenna took their tickets " thank you. We'll check that out."

They walked through into the main area and grabbed a map. There were so many different rooms with different exhibits. Max looked at the map "let's go to the exhibit on the town first. I know we learn different things in school, but id like to see what they have. " Jenna nodded " okay, then Melanie gets the next pick " Max agreed.

They followed the map until they found the room. It was massive. There were old horse-drawn carriages, pictures of the town, and what people would have worn 500 years ago. Jenna studied the pictures. She found a picture of the church they were just at yesterday. It looked the same but everything else was different. The town was still beautiful but a 500-year-old way. People walked the streets, there were horse-drawn carriages on the main street. It was surreal.

Melanie called over Jenna " look at this picture. This girl looks a lot like you." Jenna looked and Melanie was right. They could be twins. " that's so strange," said Jenna. Max nodded " you have a doppelganger " they all laughed. "I guess I do. One from 500 years ago ." She shrugged.

Melanie smirked, " well it's my turn now. I want to see the clock exhibit that the guy at the front mentioned. " Jenna nodded. " okay. Let's head that way. " they followed the map until they got to another room.

So many different clocks lined in this room, watches, clocks on walls, and grandfather clocks. All different. " wow .this is cool." Said Max. The three of them walked around the room observing the different clocks. A man approached them. " are you enjoying your day at the museum ?" He asked. Jenna nodded. " we are. Thank you."

"You know the grandfather clock you are standing in front of now has a legend behind it. " Jenna looked at the old clock. It was larger than the others in the room and was made of almost a black-colored wood. " it does?" she asked. " yes. This clock was rumored to change your destiny. " he smiled. Jenna looked at the clock " but how would a clock even do that?" The man smiled almost magically " it was rumored to be a time machine. " he grinned. Melanie and Max were both captivated by this. " wouldn't that be so cool to travel back in time?" Asked Max. Melanie nodded in agreement. " it would be amazing " she said excitedly.

Jenna smiled at the two children. She knew that this was make-believe but she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like. She could have a new destiny. One that she could mold. So much was out of her control. Her mother, her housing situation, and where she was placed. Even next year when she aged out of the system, she'd be on her own.

She sighed as the two children marveled at the clock. " well thank you so much for telling us that." She smiled at the man. " no problem." He said as he winked at her.

Jenna rolled her eyes " what a creep." She said under her breathe

" Alright, max. Your turn again." Max pointed to the map to a new exhibit and off they went but she couldn't help thinking about the time travel clock