"This isn't happening!" I shot up from the couch and darted for the door but my legs gave way and I fell on my stomach.
"Whoa! Careful." Jim rushed to my side to help me up. He felt so warm as he put his hands on my shoulders.
I swated at him. "No! You died!"
Jim was the confused one now. He wasn't sure whether or not to leave me on the floor or continue helping up. As far as he was concerned I had lost my mind...and maybe I really had lost it "I think you should sit back down, miss." He cautioned.
I pushed him away. I don't know why I did; I was freaking out and didn't know what to do. I found it in me to move and bolted for the door. Jim was quick though and grabbed me by the waist and held me back. "Calm down." He said and hauled me back over to the couch where flopped me down. "SIT." And he held me down by the shoulders for a few seconds. He grabbed a chair and slid it closer to the couch and sat down. "Let's start over, shall we? My name is Jim. I'm the Captain of this ship. Can you tell me your name?"
I stared at him intently. I wasn't making a very good second first impression, now was I? "Brair. Briar Edwards." My hands were shaking and my right leg wouldn't stop tapping the floor.
Jim smiled. "Briar Edwards." Despite the circumstances it was nice to hear him say my name. "My crew and I found you floating in a lifeboat. Can you tell me why? Do you remember?"
I continued to stare into his deep blue eyes. "I was on a ship with other pirates...decent pirates."
Jim raised a brow. "Decent pirates?" He chuckled a little. "That's the first time I've heard that."
"Its true." I told him. "I would have died without them."
Hearing this Jim became more serious. "Can you elbrate on that?"
I wasn't sure if telling him about Silver was a good idea, or even Stickler. How would that alter things? I was trying my best to put all the pieces together while maintaining a proper composure in front of Jim. Well...as proper as I could manage. "I'm tired and my body aches...and I'm hungry."
Jim sat back in his chair and gave a short sigh. "Of course. I must apologize. I shouldn't have handled this situation more delicately."
I wasn't used to hearing Jim speak so formally. Was he really this way when we first met? I had become such good friends with him that I got see a different side of him. Now it had all be reversed.
Jim sat up and put the chair back in its rightful place. "If you promise to stay put I'll go get you some food. How does that sound? Do we have a deal?" I nodded. "Good," he said. "Then I'll be right back." He left the room and I heard him lock the door.
I was given the chance to take a real breath and my hands finally stopped shaking. My nerves were shot and I could do nothing but get up and pace the room. Somehow I had gone back in time and the stone in my pocket was the only clue I had as to how I made it back here. If it was possible to travel to the future like I had from the very beginning, then it was possible to go back, too.
Jim returned soon after I let my thoughts run wild. I was in mid pace when he opened the door.
"Take a seat. I don't think eating while standing will be very comfortable."
I sat back down on the couch and Jim handed me the plate of food. It was the same: chicken with mash potatoes and vegetables. As I took my first bite I could feel the tears coming again. I was so sick and tired of crying all the dang time, but I couldn't help it.
"Are you going to be alright?" Jim asked.
I sniffed. "Yes." I said with a full mouth. "The food is really good."
"We'll be reaching Montressor Space Port in about a week. Maybe we can find someone there who knows you."
I shoved my mouth full of food again. Nobody knows who I am besides Silver and I had no idea where he was. As least I knew wasn't dead...
I decided it was best to tell Jim part of the truth, or at least more of what I knew from the first time around. "I don't know anyone there and no one will know who I am. I'm not from around here."
"What do you mean?" Jim took a seat again but he kept the chair where it was. I guess he figured I wouldn't try running again.
"It's a long story," I started. "But I'm from earth. I met this pirate named Silver. He helped me, he and his crew. If not for him another pirate who goes by the name of Stickler would have killed me and left my body on Jaggerveen. That's where I ended up, you see." I dabbed at my tears.
Was it safe to tell Jim all this? I didn't know.
"Wait!" Saod Jim. "You know Silver?"
I found it hard to swallow all of a sudden. Was I not supposed to tell him this much. "Kind of..."
Jim seemed more inclined to hear me out. "Tell me, how was he? Did he look alright?"
It was sweet to see Jim act the same way when he first found out I knew Silver. I nodded to him. "He seemed okay, but I have no idea where he is now. He saved me from when our ship was ransacked by pirates." I paused. "By Stickler."
Jim slumped back in his chair. "I'm guessing you have no idea what Stickler's motifs are, do you?"
I shook my head and watched as he clasped his hands together and looked to the floor, deep in thought. "Earth?" It sounded like Jim didn't believe me. "Where did you hear about earth?"
I set my empty plate of food to the side. "Because that's where I'm from. Some how I traveled through time and wound up on a planet called Jaggerveen...Like it told you."
"Is that even possible?" Jim asked.
I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. I mean, I guess so seeing as I'm here and all." I suddenly got an idea and held out my arm to him. "Take a sample of my blood. I'm one hundred percent human. I have perfect DNA."
Jim waved a dismisive hand. "There's no need for that right now."
I rested my arm at my side again. "So, you believe me now?"
Jim scratched his head. "I'm having a hard time with that."
I wanted to say more to him. There was so much I wanted to say. But how could I? I was here now...at the beginning. Our relationship was at ground level. If I told him the whole truth that I loved him...I might as sign my own death warrant.
Suddenly, the pocket with the stone started to get hot and the objects and walls in the room started to shift. Startled, I grabbed on to the side of the couch and that's when I saw that none of this bothered Jim. It was as if he wasn't seeing the same thing as me...He probably wasn't.
The scene changed and I was standing in the Benbow Inn. I was wearing a dress Sarah had given me.
"Are you okay, Briar?" I heard a soft voice.
I turned to see Sarah standing behind me. I was so happy to see her that I let my emotions fly and hugged her. Realizing what I was doing I quickly let got of her. "I'm sorry!"
Sarah chuckled. "Oh, no it's okay. You just suddenly spaced out. I was worried there for a second."
I tried to collect my thoughts and think of something to say that wouldn't be too weird. "I'm okay. Where's Jim?"
"Jim? He left yesterday, don't you remember? After you told him you had seen Stickler around town he rushed in to the city. I'm not sure when he'll be back."
Okay, I thought. I had a better sense as to where I was now, but I had a feeling things would change on me again.
"Why not go outside and get some fresh air?" Sarah suggested.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
Being outside and near the garden was what I needed. I hadn't been here for so long I was starting to get sentimental. The flowers, the clouds and green grass, it made me feel at peace. Being here felt so right. This was home to me and I was scared that I'd never see it again, and yet, here I was.
The day continued on as if nothing had changed. People acted the same; had the same conversations; ate the same food; wore the same clothes. I felt like I was dreaming, so much so that my head started to spin. I had to retreat to my bedroom. All of my belongings were still there the way I left them when I was first trying to settle in.
The air was stuffy in the room and I opened a window to let some fresh air in. I laid on my bed and stared up at the ceiling until my eyes became heavy.
Next I knew I was standing in the middle of town with people rushing by me. Confused and still feeling slightly dizzy I stumbled back and bumped into someone.
"Oh! Sorry..." I turned myself around and nearly cursed. Lucard was standing right next to me. He seemed just as shocked as me.
"Oh!...I'm sorry. I didn't see you there." He told me with a silly look on his face.
"No," I told him. "It's my fault. I'm not looking where I'm going." I rubbed my head, feeling worse.
"Lucard! Wait for me!" It was Maria.
I was starting to remember now. This was the day I met the two of them.
Maria looked at me surprised, too. "Hi there. Is my friend bothering you?"
I shook my head. "No," I looked at the two of them in bewilderment. How was this all happening? I could feel the stone against my leg as it sat in my pocket. Could this small red stone do all this? Was this the treasure...the power Stickler was after?
As I continued to stare at Lucard it was only then that I finally realized who he reminded me of: it was Jim. He had his blue eyes and handsome smile. He even had his hair, only it was slightly darker. I had no attraction towards him, but yet he reminded me of Jim so much...and I didn't know why. I don't know why I didn't see it sooner.
I was going to ask him a question when everything around me spread out like a oil painting and then I was squished inside a bathroom stall. I felt a certain chill and looked at what I was wearing: it was the little black dress Jim had given me.
I opened the door to the stall and stared at myself in the mirror. I was slimmer around the waist but not quiet to the point where I had worked so hard to get to...to be "perfect" for Jim.
Music could be heard just outside and I walked out to join the crowd known as the night life. The club was just as I remembered. I could feel the vibration of the music rush pass my skin and as I walked further along I found Jim waiting for me on the dance floor. My heart dropped to my stomach. The butterflies in my tummy were back. If I did this the first time I could do it again. I walked up to Jim and let him take charge as a new song started to play. He put one hand on my back and pulled me in ever so slightly and rested his head on mine. I could smell his cologne.
If there was a moment I didn't want to lose it was this one. That night at the club with Jim had been one of the best nights of my life. It was one of the few times I had been this close to him.
I love you. I love you. I love you. I said it repeatedly in my head as I let the sound of music shower over us.
He was so confident in his movements and I followed his every step.
And then it all changed again. I was sitting in class with all my classmates surrounding me. Jim was at the head of class and reading from a book while we all followed along. I was irritated. I didn't want to be ripped from that precious moment, yet here I was...forced to watch Jim from across the room.
When was it going to end? When was it going to stop? I needed a moment to catch my breath and collect my thoughts. There had to be a way to control this stone. I rested my hand on my pocket where the stone hid. Taking it out to look at it would be too risky.
Again and again the scenes changed. I was unable to chose how long I wanted to stay in those memories; those moments of utter bliss when I shared them with Jim.
I was beginning to see a pattern. Every toss and turn was a memory I was fond of in a way, or with a person I cared about. The stone was trying to tell me something. At least that was the feeling I was getting. But it was driving me insane. I wanted to tell someone but I couldn't bring myself to do it. They'd think I was crazy.
"Are you listening to me, little bird?"
I spun around to see Silver. We were standing in the alley where he suddenly showed up after being away for so long. "What?" I said.
Silver seemed impatient. "I said Stickler is here on Montressor and he has his eyes on you. You have to be careful!"
Silver wouldn't think I was nuts, would he? I took the stone from my pocket and held it front of him. "I have it!" I could see that I startled him with this news. "I don't know how or why, but I have what Stickler wants. This is the second time I've had this conversation with you. I know what's going to happen."
I saw the light from the red stone reflect in silver's one good eye. "Briar...where did you get that?" He reached to touched it but I stuffed it back in my pocket too fast for him to grasp it.
"It's hard to explain. Just trust me when I say that I know what's going to happen. You should let Jim know you're here. He misses you."
Silver furrowed his brows. "Briar...you're not making any sense."
I almost laughed. "It doesn't matter. This conversation will be over soon. Just trust me." And I was right, but it was different. I was standing in place while everything fast forward around me. I saw the finals run by in a matter of seconds. The storm on the ship was over before I could fully comprehend what was really going on. The massage Jim gave me was a blip. And then it suddenly stopped. I was looking at Jim's back. This was very familiar and a memory that wasn't too old.
Stickler was just outside and Jim had me come in here to speak with him privately.
For a while nothing was happening and then I turned to open the door and that's when Jim said: "I'll follow you."
Hearing him say that made me so happy. "Please don't follow me. It'll only bring you pain." I told him. Everything in me was telling me to stop and turn around...to look at him and tell him how I felt, but I was too weak, too scared to change anything.
"Briar...what are you saying?"
"I don't want you getting hurt."
Jim wasn't able to answer me back as I opened the door and was met by gun shots and collapsing stairs. We were at the vatican.
"Jim!" I screamed. "I'm right here!"
"I'll get you back, Briar! Don't you worry."
I wanted run right then and there but Stickler was stuck on my hip and I could shake him from me.
I saw my opportunity to jump and went for it and just like the first time Jim's fingers slipped through mine and down I fell.
There was no time to catch my breath as I was soon pulled out of the water and forced to keep moving.
"They'll be after us soon with their solar sails. We need to hurry." Stickler said.
I rolled my eyes. If only I could shut him up and possibly steal his gun. If only I could alter the situation in my favor...no matter how small. I needed to think of something and fast!
As we neared the open caved room with the black smokey figure standing under the light, I pushed Stickler away from me and ran for it. I ran back to the enterance and smiled as I saw Jim and the others make their way in.
"You guys!" I yelled.
"Stickler!" Jim yelled and pointed his gun at the enemy.
I could never reach him, though, as the ground shook and I fell over, losing my balance just like before. When I got back up I could see Jim running toward me.
"No, get out of the way!" I told him. "Stop!" But it was too late. I didn't say it soon enough. Or maybe he couldn't hear me.
I watched a second time as Jim fell to his knees and collapsed to the floor. "No!" I screamed and rushed over to his side to turn him over on his back. It was exactly as before: Jim was dead.
My tears found their way back on my cheeks. I couldn't stop crying...I couldn't save him. And then I realized something: the stone was gone and I looked to my side to see the mysterious figure bending down to my level. It gave me the red stone again and placed it in my hand.
I remembered everything now. But why was this thing...this creature helping? What reason did it have to do anything in my favor?
And then I was back again...stuck in that councel room until Jim walked through the door. We had the same conversation before the scene changed again.
Again and again I was reliving specific moments of my life, unable to change them do to fear of messing something up. But in result to that it meant something else too: I couldn't save Jim. No matter how hard I tried to tell him to stop.
By the fourth time around I was so fed up. I couldnt keep track of what was going on anymore. My head was aching, my heart was broken. Was there really no way around this? I didn't want go keep watching Jim die. It hurt worse every time. It was a reminder that I wasn't strong enough to change anything or save anyone.
"It's a monster!" One of the pirates shouted as the black, smokey figure turned to look at us. I knew I had a few seconds before Jim showed up and I turned to take Stickler's gun.
"Stickler!" And like that the ground shook. I fell to one side while Stickler lost his footing and fell a few feet away from me.
I dropped the gun as the ground shook beneath my feet again.
"Give that back!" Stickler reached for me and pulled at my hair.
"No! Not this time! I won't lose!"
"Shut up!" He yelled.
"NO!" I kicked him and hurried to my feet and pointed the gun at Stickler's head. I hesitated for a second. The thought of taking another person's life, even if it was someone like Stickler, frightened me. There was no time for second guessing myself though and I fired. The bullet grazed Stickler's cheek as I was brought down by one of his men, dropping the gun by the sheer force of him bringing me down. My aim was off and I wasn't able to end his miserable life after all.
"Briar!" Jim shot at the pirate who held me down and I felt his weight topple over me.
I pushed him off with all my strength and got up to run. I ran as fast as I could. Jim was right there and he was closer than before.
I felt certain that my actions had changed the outcome of this even for the better.
Something in Jim changed though. I saw a look in his face that had me thinking otherwise. "No!" He shouted.
I looked back at Stickler for just a second and saw him raise his gun at us both. I didn't bother telling Jim to get out of the way because there was a better way to save him. I kept running and finally I reached him; I put my hands on him and pushed him back.
A gun fired.
"I love you, Jim!" And then there was nothing. Complete and total darkness.