Ackworth School Physics Sci-Fi Story

"Boys and girls, in this lesson we will be finishing our models. Please get into your groups and get on with it."

Carly groaned. Making a model of a time machine with her two arch-enemies was not her idea of fun. Still, she dragged herself over to a bench with Jack, the class brain-box and Amy, who she found very annoying. "We've still got to add these gears", said Jack eagerly. "And this generator and these wires." Carly yawned loudly. It seemed an age before their teacher stopped them working. "Each group is going to give a demonstration. Who would like to go first?" Jack nearly hit Carly in the face as he thrust his hand up and waved it. The teacher beamed at his enthusiasm. "Okay, Jack's group. Come up to the front." Jack started babbling, pointing at bits of the model.



Carly gazed out of the window, squinting in the sun. "...and this button activates the gears." Jack pressed it down, and there was a purple flash, lots of smoke, then nothing.

Carly woke with a start. She was in a dark alleyway. Where was the classroom? Jack and Amy were next to her, looking dazed. "Wh...what happened?" Jack looked round. "Victorian Britain" he murmured. "The time machine must have worked." "How do we get back?!" shrieked Amy, a little hysterically. Jack rolled his eyes. "Fix the time machine, of course." He examined it closely. "All the pieces are here, just a bit muddled up. We must have somehow overloaded it with energy." He scratched his head. "Unless...Carly, was it sunny in the classroom?" Carly nodded. "What's that got to do with it?" "The sun provided the time machine with all the energy it needed." Carly felt sick with worry. "Can we reverse it?" Jack nodded. "Of course. Pass me that wheel and that screw. Fix that wire there..."

Slowly the time machine began to take shape. Jack sat back and wiped his forehead. "It's done. But one thing; when we get back, no time will have passed. Just pick up where we left off. Okay?" They pressed the button and everything disappeared into blackness.

Carly staggered round. She was back in the classroom. She regained her balance and listened to the teacher. "Not bad" he said, "but room for improvement".

"It'll never work!!"