CHAPTER 3

Alyse Fletcher was embarrassed but not surprised when her body's first reaction to hearing she had somehow travelled back in time, was to throw up.

That was twice in the past day that she had been sick with very little being eaten between those times so she wasn't feeling particularly great. The man and woman (she really needed to find out their names) were very helpful as the lady held her hair back for her and the man offered her a handkerchief and a flask of water once she was done.

"Ne t'inquiète pas chérie, ça a été bouilli," the lady said after she saw Alyse's look towards the flask. If this was anything she remembered from History class regarding the 18th century, it was the lack of hygienic drinking water and the monopoly whisky companies had on the public due to the fact. Don't worry my dear, it's been boiled.

After taking it and rinsing her mouth, Alyse truly didn't care of decorum or propriety, and decided to just take a seat right there on the ground lest she pass out and collapse on the floor.

1763. The 18th century. Over 2 centuries before she was born. Over 2 centuries before 2021. 258 years before where she was 24 hours prior. What the fuck happend? How the hell had she ended up over 200 years in the past? She had no idea what had happened and didn't have long to figure out how to explain herself without sounding crazy lest she become another witch burning statistic she'd read about in her History books. Her mind was blank, and all she could hear was a loud ringing in her ears. How the hell did she get here?

The man and woman looked down at her with worry. She must have looked insane. Dressed inappropriately for the time, screaming for help, not knowing what year it was and throwing up when being told.

"Où sont tes parents? Pourquoi es-tu seul ici?" The woman spoke once again. Where are your parents? Why are you out here alone?

Alyse had to think fast. She couldn't get back through the stones, she had already tried. She needed these people's help even just to get food and shelter.

"Mes parents," she started. "Ils sont morts dans un incendie, il y a quelques jours. Je ne savais pas quoi faire alors je me suis enfuie. J'erre perdu depuis." They died in a fire a few days ago. I didn't know what to do so I just ran away. I've been wandering lost ever since.

"Oh ma chere, je suis vraiment désolé. Veuillez vous asseoir à l'intérieur de ce chariot. Je ne veux pas que tu aies froid." The woman replied, ushering her into the carriage. Oh my dear I'm so sorry. Here, please sit inside this carriage. I don't want you to get cold.

The man looked at them both and stared at Alyse sitting in the chariot. Just as the lady was about to get in behind Alyse, the man spoke and gestured over to the field. "Juliette, mon amour. Puis-je vous parler un instant? En privé?" Juliette, my love. May I speak with you for a moment? In private?

The woman left almost immediately and they both turned to the spot where Alyse was just sitting.

For the second time since meeting these people, Alyse was left alone with her thoughts and was trying to put together everything that had happened. Juliette. So that was the lady's name. Alyse couldn't hear what the two were speaking about but she was almost positive it was her and how crazy she appeared. What were these two people supposed to do? What was she supposed to do? She had to figure out a way to get back home, but she had no idea it was even possible. She had no idea if she was even in the 18th century. Was this all a big joke? Were these two crackheads living a completely desolate life away from all things modern? Was the cheap, illegally bought wine from the corner shop she had drank laced with something and this was all a drug-induced dream? Surely she wasn't actually in 1763, lost with no way to get back to the 21st century. It was mad. All she needed was to sleep, and by sleeping she'd reset whatever the fuck had happened and wake up completely normal.

By the time Alyse had figured all this out, Juliette and the man Alyse assumed was her husband came back over - the man looking distinctly more unhappy than his wife.

"Ma chère, nous voyageons jusqu'à Douvres et aimerions que vous veniez avec nous. Nous nous arrêterons ce soir à Édimbourg, donc si vous souhaitez y rester, vous êtes les bienvenus, mais vous pouvez rester avec nous si vous préférez." the woman spoke softly. My dear, we are travelling down to Dover and would like you to come with us. We will be stopping tonight in Edinburgh so if you would like to remain there you are welcome to but you can stay with us if you prefer.

Alyse didn't know what to do. To leave the stones with these people, would mean leaving the only spot she was familiar with in regards to going back home. The stones were how she got here, so they must be how she got back. But she had already tried that and it hadn't worked; she had leant on it and cried on it last night and nothing had changed. Maybe there was no going back, and these people were the only way of surviving what had happened. She had no idea what she would face if she declined their offer. Hell, she had no idea what would happen if she accepted it, but she at least knew she was with two seemingly caring people that she could vaguely trust. She was a 14 year old girl lost, unaccompanied in 18th century Scotland wearing completely inappropriate clothing for the times - she didn't even want to think about what could happen to her should she encounter the wrong sort of people. She knew what the smart thing to do would be.

Taking a deep breath, she resigned herself to what she hoped was a good idea. "Merci beaucoup, vous êtes très gentils tous les deux. Je vous serais très reconnaissant si je pouvais venir avec vous. Je n'ai personne et j'apprécie votre générosité. Je m'appelle Alyse." Thank you so much, the both of you are so kind. I would be ever so grateful if I could come with you. I have no one, and I appreciate your generosity. My name is Alyse.

The woman smiled at her. "Ce n'est pas un problème ma chère. C'est notre devoir chrétien d'offrir d'aider un enfant dans le besoin. Je m'appelle Juliette et voici mon mari Louis." She gestured toward the man next to her. It is no issue my dear. It is our Christian duty to offer to help a child in need. My name is Juliette and this is my husband Louis.

"C'est un plaisir de vous rencontrer tous les deux. Merci encore," Alyse responded, looking between the both of them. It's a pleasure to meet the both of you. Thank you again.

Juliette and Louis entered the carriage and shut the door behind them. As Louis knocked on the roof of the carriage to signal to the driver to lead on, Juliette looked softly towards Alyse and said, "dors ma chère, je suis sûr que tu as passé un moment émouvant et qu'il nous faudra un certain temps avant d'atteindre Édimbourg." Sleep my dear, I'm sure you've had an emotional time and it will be a while before we reach Edinburgh.

Despite waking up an hour ago, Alyse didn't need much convincing before she passed out before them.


published: 16/6/122

updated: n/a

Okay, long time no post! Over a month? I know, I know; I'm really sorry. I admit I have no excuse other than uni is no joke and to start writing a new story during the final term? Dangerous and probably not a good idea. Deadlines are stressful. Either way, I hope you enjoy this chapter and that it makes up for a month of no updates. We finally know who Alyse's rescuers are and she begins making plans for her future in 1763 - will she get back home? And what's in Dover that Juliette and Louis are going to? Will she go with them or stay in Edinburgh?

Please rate and review to let me know what you thought of the chapter! Thank you!