Disclaimer: Please see chapter 2…. No excuses this time for those of you who are lazy.

Chapter 3: June 2006/1873

I had karate that night. I went, though I wasn't feeling too good. I made it through the black belt class and then was on the point of collapsing. I remember it like it was yesterday. My head felt like there was a whale on top of it. I was sweating and felt hot, but I was cold to the touch. My best friend was very much concerned.

"You should go home. You look like you are on the point of collapse." She told me. I wanted to thank her for stating the obvious. I was sitting down at the time. I couldn't find the energy to move. My boyfriend, yes, I did have a boyfriend, came over, scooped me up, and carried me to my car. After setting me in the driver's seat, he ran back in to get my stuff.

"Do you think you can drive? Or do you want me to drive you home?" He asked after returning. I reassured him I could drive and that he had no need to be concerned. That wasn't all truth, but I had an odd feeling that letting him drive me was a bad idea. Like something was going to happen and he didn't need to be there to see it. He didn't like it, but I told him I was going to be fine and that he should continue with the rest of his classes. He finally gave in.

I made the drive home in relative safety. I found that the headache gave me an ability to focus that I never have had before. Odd, I know. I could never explain it; I still can't. All though the drive was a success, after getting out of the car, I had to drag myself to the door of the house.

My family was immediately at my side, asking me all kinds of questions. All I wanted was to go to bed, though I was touched by their concern.

"Are you all right? What happened? Do you need to go to the hospital?" My mom demanded. I shook my head. No hospital. I knew that would be a bad idea. I felt like a diver getting ready to take a deep plunge. It was very weird. Something was happening. I couldn't explain it.

My mom and dad walked me upstairs to my room. After making sure the hospital still wasn't an option and with many promises of checking up on me, they left me to go to sleep. I undressed quickly, or as quickly as I could. I felt like I was swimming through water. Every one of my movements was forced against some unseen will. I lay down to sleep.

I must have drenched the sheet in the first five minutes of laying there. I thought I was going to dehydrate due to all the water I lost. My body alternated from hot to cold and back. I was dying. I just knew it. Finally, darkness overcame me and I slipped from conscious to unconscious.

I woke up standing. Now, many of you will find this impossible, but all of it is true. I woke up standing in the middle of some sort of sidewalk. I was wearing a full length skirt of some dull brown material; my shirt was white with some lace at the ends of the sleeves. My first thought: I'm dreaming or delusional. Of course, that proved not to be the case. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

It was evening. The sun's last rays were fading over the horizon. Numerous buildings surrounded me. There were a few people walking around and every now and then a carriage would roll by. Due to the setting sun, I figured it was evening time and that most people were eating. This would explain the lack of people on the sidewalks. I wondered if anyone had seen me arrive. I still thought I was dreaming, though. I pinched myself. No effect. I was still in this town or city or whatever it was. I started walking.

I kept walking; just walking. Every few minutes, someone would pass by me on some errand or other, but the for the most part I had the sidewalk to myself. At one point, a gruff looking man passed me. I just couldn't contain my curiosity any longer. I had to know where I was.

"Excuse me, sir. Do you happen to know the name of this town and the date of today?" I questioned. He stopped and looked at me like I was the dumbest person in the world. He wouldn't have been too far from the truth at that moment.

"You're in Paris, mademoiselle. And the date of today is June of 1873. Good evening." He briskly walked off. I stood there stunned. 1873? Paris? Could it be possible? I had time traveled. Impossible, I thought. You can't time travel by being sick and going to sleep. That was crazy. Right?

I stood there for a few more minutes thinking about it. The sun went down and the gas lamps along the street lit up. I made up my mind. Even if I was dreaming, it was a very realistic dream. I had better act like this was real until something proved it otherwise. I continued walking.

As I walked, I reflected on all of this. I didn't notice the scenery changing or the buildings becoming more ruff looking and unkempt. Nor did I notice the three men that fell into step behind me. Despite what some people now may say, there were rapists back then. These three gentlemen happened to be some of them.

I finally looked behind me and saw them. Knowing they couldn't mean anything good, I broke off into a run. Have you ever tired running in a full length skirt before? It is quite impossible. I didn't get very far before one of the men grabbed me from behind and shoved me into a wall. He pressed his body up against mine, pinning me. He smelled of beer and cigarettes.

I then took notice my surroundings. I still berate myself for not noticing them sooner. My karate instructors always told me, "Watch where you go. Don't ever be caught off guard when it comes to surroundings." And there I was, caught like a fish in the net. Of course, if it wasn't for this, I'd never have met Erik and I wouldn't be here telling you this story.

We were in a neighborhood full of bars and prostitute houses: the red light district. I was in the bad part of Paris. There would be no one to help me except myself. But, I all of a sudden felt weak and I just couldn't shove the man's weight off me.

"What's the matter, sweetheart? You scared? Nothin' to be scared off. My boys and I just want to have a little fun. Even a sophisticated girl like you will understand that." He laughed. It was horrible. I knew right then and there what my fate would be. I struggled and tried to scream. He laughed harder and so did his buddies who had come up.

"Now. Now. There's no use screaming. No one will hear you. Besides, just cooperate and you won't get hurt." Yeah, right. Using my last bit of energy, I planted my hands against the wall and shoved backwards hard. The man, not expecting it, fell back with a shout. It was then I heard carriage wheels. I let out a high pitched yelp for help. My attacker shoved me against the wall again. My head clipped the corner and I fell to the ground. Touching my brow, I could feel blood. Darkness started appearing around the edge of my vision.

The last thing I heard before falling into the darkness was a voice shouting, "Unhand her, you scoundrels." The voice was dreadfully familiar but I couldn't place it in my state of mind. I finally fell into unconsciousness for the second time that day.