Horror Vacui
A/N: The phrase 'horror vacui' means 'fear of the void'. I don't know if it's obvious what that particular void is yet but I'm hoping to clarify that in this chapter. Thanks to those who reviewed!
Oh, and I had a few grammar errors in the last chapter. One I think that might be confusing was when Suze said, ' "…Because I really do have other things I could be doing, Joan. Like homework and," I checked my watch, "I have to be hope soon for dinner." ' It's really supposed to be 'home' not 'hope'. Heh, my bad!
Arda Silverlace: I like Doc too. He's adorable. ^_^ And don't worry, Paul or perhaps Jesse will come into the picture soon. Read on and you'll see for sure. –grins- Thanks for reviewing! Oh, and thanks for the idea on my story! Brilliant idea!
NiceHayley: You really think it's good? Why thank you! I'm really flattered! And because I don't want you to loose your sanity here's the next chapter. Enjoy!
Muzacgurl: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you liked it. :)
Chapter 2: Entering the Void
I wasn't sure what was happening or where in the world I was going but a few seconds after that eerie yank I heard an angry whooshing sound in my ears and then I quit flying backwards and I landed on my butt on something hard. Gradually daylight began to return.
This wasn't turning out to be a very good day.
I blinked and gaped at my surroundings. Today became even shoddier, if that is even possible, at that very moment.
No longer was I near the graveyard by the Mission Academy, nuh-uh. I was now sitting on the left side of a dirt road with tall green grass on both sides of the road, a wooden fence outlining acres of the pasture to the right. If I'm not mistaken I think I saw a grazing cow in the pasture too. To top it all off, a blazing sun beat down on me, unmercifully.
Even though I now had a colossal headache from all that I have been through and witnessed and my bottom now hurt something awful, I couldn't help thinking only that, 'My pants are so ruined.'
What is wrong with me?
Here I am, somewhere by myself, I've just been through what I assume is a black hole and all I can think about are my black pants. I am such a freak.
But to my astonishment when I glanced down at my waist what I saw wasn't black $50 Capri pants.
No, I wasn't naked, you weirdo.
God.
But it was just as horrific in my opinion.
I was wearing —get this—a dress! And not those simple, short, skimpy, spaghetti-strap, summer dresses either (which wouldn't have been too bad), no. Not even a prom dress. It was the type of dress that Elizabeth Swann wore on Pirates of the Caribbean. Only worse. It was a chocolate brocade afternoon dress with fringe trim on the sleeves and bodice with brass front buttons, and a lace collar insert and an elliptical skirt.
I think I screamed.
What?
You can't actually blame me. What would you have done if you had been trying to "mediate" a ghost and suddenly was sucked into another dimension then to your utter amazement you were now wearing an ugly heavy dress?
I assume you would do the same.
I managed to get to my bare feet (I didn't even have my black boots anymore. What gives?!? I bought them on sale too!) even though it was difficult because of all the layering of the dress and stuff. I grabbed the material of the skirt and shook it frantically, hoping if I whipped it hard enough back and forth it would diminish and I would be back in my sweater and black pants (and my leather Bat-Girl boots) dealing with Joan.
It didn't work.
All I accomplished through this was the full realization that I wasn't in my time period anymore. I mean look at it my way:
This ring I put on must be some time warp magical devise and when put on, it will suck the thing with the ring on into another era. What else would explain the sudden change of scenery, the different clothing and the fact that I no longer have footwear? Nothing else would unless I'm suffering from a concussion that was caused by Joan when she pulled my hair.
But I am so much tougher than that to get a concussion just by someone tugging my hair. I am a mediator after all.
A bright idea popped into my head. I could take the blasted ring off and go back to my time period. Brilliant Suze!
But as I started to slowly withdraw the ring from off my left thumb, that familiar dragging sensation returned slightly in my stomach. I hastily put the ring securely on again. No way was I gonna go through that hell again. No freakin' way. I sighed deeply.
It took me a few minutes to comprehend this newfound information.
Oh my God. I'm in another time era. I'm apart of a different time period other than the 21st century! And I can't even return to my own century.
Oh, my poor mom! She will be positively frightened when I don't come home for dinner. Unless she thinks I'm out with some new friends or a guy I met - as if. But then when I don't return by midnight she should be worried so much. And poor Father Dominic! I bet he will be just as concerned as my mom when I'm labeled 'missing'.
These thoughts were running through my head when I suddenly realized just how scorching hot it was in this old fashion dress. How can girls wear these things every single day? It's torture!
I let go of my skirt and took a hold of my right lace sleeve trim and began tearing it off. It helped a bit but I was still hot. As I was tearing of the left sleeve I heard the close sound of hooves on the dirt path. Looking up, a rider on a light tan colored horse greeted my eyes.
Well, whaddaya know. There is life in this time era. Speaking of which, I don't even know what this time era is yet. Judging by my fancy garb and the horse I'd say perhaps the 19th century. I'll ask the dude coming ahead maybe.
Subtly, of course. I don't want anyone in this time period thinking I'm nuts.
I shielded my eyes from the sun with my right hand in order to get a clearer view of the rider who was gradually coming closer.
I could tell at a distance that the guy was wearing a tan cowboy hat and clothes akin to Jesse's although this dude's shirt was sky blue. Interesting.
He was also something of a hottie. As he neared I could tell he was muscular and he had a toothy white grin that seemed just for me, but maybe that was because I resembled what a prostitute would look in the 1800s. I mean, I had torn off my sleeves and in this era they might consider that as too revealing and I wasn't even wearing shoes or gloves (Weren't gloves a must for girls in this time period?). But this dude also had light, extremely light blue eyes that matched his shirt.
Eyes just like…wait. What the—
"Paul?!"
There was no denying it. That huge grin totally gave him away.
"Hello, Suze. Or should I say Susannah?" He pulled back on the reins, making the horse snort and stop beside me.
Oh my God. Paul was here. How?
"What are you doing here?" I inquired overly suspicious, remembering I hated him with all my heart.
"Is that the kind of way to welcome your knight in shining armor?"
I folded my arms across my chest. "Yes, as a matter of fact, it is." If that knight is you. "Now, what are you doing here?"
"Well, Suze," he dismounted his horse. "The thing is that after you disappeared, your mom called Father Dominic since your brother, Brad, told her you had detention. Then I guess the good ol' Father told De Silva who instantly came to me demanding what I did to you." He rolled his eyes as if Jesse's tactics bored him and studied my new look.
"He does have some reason to be angry though, seeing as it's partially my fault you're here."
It took a moment for this to sink in because I was momentarily ecstatic because Jesse had been concerned for me. But when it finally did sink in, I was furious.
"What do you mean? How could this possibly be your fault?" I asked icily. "Don't flatter yourself by saying it is, okay?" It's too confusing.
Paul gestured at my left hand. "See that ring of yours? I have one too."
Holding the reins of his horse Paul began walking in the direction he was heading when I had stopped him only a few minutes ago and I just then could make out that on his left ring finger he wore a ring identical to my own. Reluctantly I followed him. I needed answers desperately and so far he wasn't helping much.
"That doesn't answer my question." I said stubbornly.
Paul just smirked again. "I know."
He is such a schmuck.
"Do you plan on answering any of my questions any time soon?"
Did I mention he had on those creepy cowboy boots with those pointy sharp little spurs on each boot end that clanked ominously as he walked as well? Not a good sign.
"Maybe after your first shifter lesson today."
I halted. "Shifter les—what? I can't have lessons now! If you haven't noticed we're in a different era of time." Besides I was praying and hoping he would forget about that and just leave Jesse and myself alone. Clearly he hasn't.
Damn.
"So? What difference does it make if we're in the twenty-first century or the nineteenth? We made a deal. You're gonna get the lessons whether you like it or not." I didn't like the way he said this, like it was a definite thing and I had no say in it. He was also completely calm when he talked which isn't unlike the way he speaks in the 21st century but here, when women were thought of as the weaker sex, it was almost sinister. He had also stopped walking a few seconds after I had so he was only a couple feet away.
I guess this 19th century air was getting to my head because all I said in response was; "I refuse," like a spoiled brat…like Maria would.
Paul didn't seem to think I had any refusing rights if the way he roughly grabbed both my arms was any indication. It's funny how a person's expression can change all of a sudden. One second he was coolly smiling and the next his face was contorted into lines of rage.
"If you repudiate the lessons precious De Silva is gone for good. I can do much worse to him here, in the late 1840s, than I can ever do in the future." Paul spat vehemently. "If it comes to it, I will prevent his death now and you won't even meet him in the future."
My mouth opened into a faint 'O' of recollection.
That's right. God, that's so true. I love Jesse and if Paul made it so I never meet him in the future my life would have no meaning. I'd be heartbroken without knowing it. But I don't want to let Jesse die either! That would feel like suicide on my part.
Paul had basically admitted what year it was without meaning to, I'm sure which was a tad bit helpful. Jesse was born in 1830 and died in the year 1850. Paul had said it was the late 1840s so I'm guessing that the year is 1849 because it can't be any earlier otherwise Paul will have to wait so much longer in order to stay true to his open threat and it can't be any later than 1850 otherwise Jesse would already be a ghost.
But either way I flip the coin I lose.
Paul must have seen the distress in my eyes, which caused his trademark smile to return.
"You've no choice, Suze."
I didn't reply and I think Paul got it somewhere in his thick head to kiss me because the next thing I knew his face was coming closer.
"I'm well aware of that, Paul," I stated slowly. "And that's why I've made up my mind." And with that I kicked his shin viciously but I don't think it did much good since I was after all barefooted.
Just my luck.
But Paul let me go anyway, looking somewhat vexed that I wouldn't let him do any thing but he soon recovered his composed manner.
"Where you going, Suze?" He asked idly as I had begun walking hurriedly in the opposite direction.
"Away from you."
He chuckled and turned his horse around and began trailing me. "And do you happen to know where this path leads to?"
"No," I answered simply, hoping he'd get the message that I no longer wished to talk to him. My feet were starting to sting from slapping against the dirt road again and again, which had an occasional sharp rock strewn carelessly there that just so happens managed to find its way under my foot, but I trekked on. "But as long as you're not there, I'll be happy."
I don't know what Paul made of this comment since I couldn't see his face but I didn't really care.
"Then it seems you will never be happy again."
This was an unnerving statement and I didn't really appreciate it. And I know I've said numerous times before that politeness is a useful weapon as physical violence but I was unable to follow through with that in this particular circumstance. I snapped.
"Paul, would you please, for the sake of my saneness and your yet-to-be-broken nose, just shut up?" So much for the polite aspect but at least I said please.
He just laughed loudly and mounted his horse still pursuing me except now on horseback.
How lovely.
"You'd get to where you want to go faster, Suze, if you rode with me."
Now isn't this familiar? Me walking away from Paul and him still following after I show no interest in him or getting a ride either. This had happened once before. Talk about déjà vu.
And you remember how that turned out.
"Actually—" But Paul interrupted me.
"You know some dangerous folk often use this road."
"That explains why you're here, I suppose?"
He smirked. Clearly he enjoyed being called dangerous.
"Robbers, wanted cowboys, people who've broken the law and are up to no good. People who know things most others don't." Was there some hidden meaning behind this or was he just stalling?
"Hmm. Is that so? And you fall somewhere under that last category?"
Paul nodded with a distant look on his face for a moment. Probably cooking up some diabolical plan. But a second later the look was gone and he was leering at me once again.
"You're heading towards Carmel-by-the-sea, California if you wanted to know. Only half an hours walk away."
"Right," I said nonchalantly. "Thanks for the update."
"It's true. The place may look a bit different but the land and landmarks are primarily the same just younger if you know what I mean. And there's no tall steel or concrete buildings, all the houses are made of wood. Most people walk place to place but the rich have horses or wagons."
Where did that come from? I thought he was trying to get me to ride with him. If I know the terrain there's no reason I need to ride. A wave of doubt overcame me.
"Any wild animals I should worry about while I'm at it?" I asked sarcastically.
"No, I haven't seen any animals that would harm an innocent damsel yet," he said, winking meaningfully.
For some reason I think we were talking about two different types of animals. I was referring to the cute furry ones with huge eyes that have more than two legs while he probably wasn't.
Then he turned his horse around and headed in the direction he had originally been going without saying a word to me. Not that I cared, but still.
I continued on but was stopped by his voice.
"Be ready for that lesson. I'll see you later, Suze."
As if he would actually know where I went once I got to Carmel. Puh-lease.
Whatever.
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A/N: Hope you guys liked it. It was kinda difficult to portray Paul, with his evil demeanor and dishonorable intentions. What do you think? Did I do an okay job?
And did you get the impression of what the void was? Or do I have to give more hints?
Please review. I need your opinions! All of them, the good and bad.
