Back to the Future and Back to Your Heart
Ch. 1 Waking Up
I opened my eyes expecting to see the dark color of my bedroom walls, and Edward s angelic face. Instead, I saw tall rows of corn and wheat, plus a crow that flew over my head. I closed my eyes again thinking I was imagining it or still dreaming, but when I reopened them, I saw the same thing I saw before. Sitting up, I found more things come into detail. I was laying in dirt, still in my raggedy T-shirt and shorts. No blanket on me, totally barefoot and quite chilly. It felt no other temperature I d experienced, though I wasn t completely freezing to death.
This cannot be happening. What s going on? Where am I? I mumbled under my breath. I stood up, looked around and saw miles of field ahead. I had to cover my mouth to keep from panicking. When I turned around to put my back to it, I saw that just 10yds away was a road; and a non-paved road at that. I walked slowly toward it as if it were to disappear. Without shoes, I had to walk on the soil along the dirt road. Thinking maybe if I follow it, I ll be led to a town. There I will ask to use someone s phone. I will find out where I am and call Edward so I can go home to Forks and pretend that this never even happened.
I walked for miles before a town came into view. My feet hurt and were dirty, and I felt numb from the chill air. I felt so relieved the rest of the distance to the town felt like nothing. I stopped short when I realized it didn t look like a normal that I knew of farm town. Everything was old-fashioned looking. I stopped next to a small shop when I had an epiphany.
Oh my-how could-where? I peered around the corner watching town citizens walking along the streets, or women and future farmers arriving with baggage, getting off trains. With that I confirmed my thought; I was in the 1900s.
I hung around the side of the shop until dark. I was starving by then. I have to do something! I can t just sit around here forever. I thought to myself. I got up from where I was sitting and snuck through the back of the shop when the owner left for home. When I stepped inside and my eyes adjusted to the light, I saw the store had everything. I had no money so I wouldn t have anything with me except for what I was wearing. Which left me with only one thing to do.
Oh boy. Edward would be ever surprised at this. I would have to steal. I helped myself to some food. Washed my feet out back where someone left some soap and water. Changed into the clothes they had- man were these old-fashioned things crazy- plus two more sets for the trip. A luggage cart that was fairly small and I doubt would ve even been used. Some money for the trip, and a train ticket. By the time I was done, I felt like a kid again- getting dressed up for Halloween. I ran through the middle of town to get to the train station. I was going to Chicago. There s a midnight train and it s the closest city. Not to mention it s March 21st, 1918, one day less than 4 months from Edward s 18th birthday-which I know he didn t get to thanks to the Spanish influenza.
If I have any hope of getting home, it would be to find Edward and keep an eye on him until I figure something out. I don t know how I m going to find him, but I m sure if I find out what hospital Carlisle was working at I m pretty sure there s more than one because of how many people were-excuse me- are sick with it I ll find Edward. I have a hard time remembering it s March of 1918. I d managed to keep a straight face when the manager at the station told me. When I walked out the where I got my ticket, the employee was yelling for anyone else who need to catch it.
Me! Wait! Wait for me! I shouted as I ran to the door and climbed inside. And old man with a gray hair and a white mustache was checking for tickets. I followed him to the back, sat, gave him my ticket, and put my stolen luggage box in the seat next to me. I was wearing a stiff beige coat with brass buttons from the top at my neck to the bottom. My skirt was past my ankle, and was a dirty shade of pink, almost brownish. My shoes were brown, and I didn t know how to describe them except that they were heels. They hurt my feet too, so I took them off along with my coat. I had a loose white blouse underneath that was actually quite comfortable. I was dressed to play the part, it s better to blend in I guess, when in another time. Since no one stared at me when I was walking down the aisle.
I placed my coat between my ear and the window. I was crazily tired but I realized just before I fell asleep just how big this whole thing was.