CH 5

1884

"I still don't understand, who are you again sir?"

"You may call me Catarunga Ms. Wells. And I have been following your career for quite some time." The mysterious man said with a smile.

"I must apologize then, for I think you have me confused with someone else. My brother perhaps?" Helena stated, knowing that she could be in trouble for such acts, it was one thing for her family to think her mad but the world. Well the world would actually lock her up and throw away the key. Even her father has stated that particular sentiment before, the only thing holding that back was the Wells' reputation. Thus discretion became her loyal mistress, Helena knew her quite well.

"Oh no Ms. Wells, societ may damper your ability but I am never one to keep you from your truth." Catarunga stated, a small smirk of knowledge played at his lips, as if truth was being held back by the skin of his teeth.

"Well kind sir, please inform me of my truth. Obviously I am oblivious to such knowledge." Helena grinned, hiding her genius behind the vdil of her station. Even if he offered her the moon she couldn't take. She knew insane asylums well from the fact that one was located on the way outside of town. She would die before anyone would dare guide her there.

"Oh no Ms. Wells, I think you know your truth, but I think you have never been asked before. So may I offer you the opportunity to further investigate your truth?"

"And what truth would that be?" Helena questioned.

"To investigate endless wonder."

"But sir, won't I go mad, for your very description leaves no answers, just a continuum of questions?" Helena inquired, her interest more then peaked despite herself control. "Oh no Ms. Wells for I think you will thrive in the chase of the question, for answers only give an end, where questions are just the beginning. So the only question I have left for you is... are you ready?" Helena took the card he handed her and smiled.

2014

Helena's trepidation was an unwelcome feeling. She was Helena Wells, the only time traveler in ever sense of the phrase that exists in human history. She would be damned if she let anything get the best of her. Yet there she stood frozen in pure panic.

Even when she closed her eyes her fear increased because of the one thing she had been running from seemed to invade her mind. Myka's face was the only thing she saw when she closed her eyes. Three years ago that use to bring her peace but now it brought sadness. For Helena it was not seeing Myka that brought such horrid depressing feelings, it was the look on her face. That look of disappointment. It was the one thing she never wanted to do to Myka again, and yet...

"You know staring at your feet won't make them move." Claudia stated with a knowing look.

Helena closed her eyes and smiled. "Did I ever tell you about the first time I came to the Warehouse? " Helena paused for a few moments before continuing. "Well I was not more then two years older then when you first came here. For my time, being from a wealthy family and unwed at that age was scandal to say the least. So I was fairly jaded when it came to new experiences but oh outside my mind wandered. All of those possibilities behind that door..."

1899

Helena was nervous... for the first time in a long to her nerves were getting the better of her. Since the only other time that happened was when she was four years old, it was a horrible experience.

"You know waiting out here will not answer any of your questions. "The young woman said from behind Helena, which caused her to jump.

"Do you have no manners... child?" Helena stated as she turned around. She expected that from an American voice, but she didn't expect the person in front of her to say it.

"Oh Ms. Wells you will learn that nothing here is what it seems. Do come along though, we may draw a crowd if people see us together. It is one thing to know something exists, but for the outside world, well their heads would spin from such knowledge. Don't look so shocked... I dare say I am being polite when I give that description." The young girl smiled and walked on in front of Helena.

"Who are you?"Helena said in amazement, for it was one thing to be so young and intelligent, but to be someone of her age and station... it was a wonderous accomplishment, to say the least.

"For now you may call me Irene, that is until I come into my full station then I would prefer you call me Mrs. Freddericks. Now come along, Catarunga is not one to wait patiently for to long."

Helena watched in shock but followed the intelligent girl into endless wonder.