"You can't merely jump to such... Absurd conclusions, my dear."
"I don't know what to think, sweetheart. When President Lincoln requested I replace McClellan, why, I said yes without a moment's hesitation! ... Christine, tell me, have I been foolish?"
" The Raife I know is many things, but he is not foolish. I know you want to free the slaves more than anyone, even if many of our friends don't. All we know is that someone attempted to hurt our poor boy yesterday. And that is all we know."
"God, what if it were Ashley? Since that girl, Spencer, reappeared into our lives I haven't been able to read Ashley at all."
"Dear, what do you mean by 'reappeared'? I've never known her nor her family name since yesterday; she has an incredibly odd name for a girl, it would have been good gossip.
"You haven't. When I took Ashley on my trip to meet some of our oversea colleagues in France, the two met in our summer home.
"I remember I was bedridden with Aiden so I couldn't join you. But I don't recall Ashley, or you for that matter, ever telling me about any guests.
"Well, it was rather curious... Ashley brought her back from a trip into the fields and was very taken with her. No one came for the young girl, she was harmless and Ashley insisted she stay with us-
"Why Raife, you let our Ashley alone with a girl from the streets! Did you not think to investigate her?
"Of course I did, let me finish. Her family is old nobility in France, but the father made some bad investments and landed with massive debts they couldn't afford. The Carlins spiraled into ruined, even selling their estate could not repay everything. Their only option was to flee overseas. The Carlins bad planned to escape on a cargo ship headed to Brazil. What's even more curious is, the ship they were on, according to hearsay... Disappeared.
I could hear the voices from the ajar oak door as Ashley and I traversed the carpet. As interesting the mansion was, breathing life into a 19th century I could've never imagined from my textbooks, I was only fixated on the voices beyond the door
I reached for the door handle, but a soft warm hand tugged me back.
"Spencer wait," Ashley spoke softly, "could you not mention anything about the time travel, or Arthur? I know you could hear them. What they're saying is true, but I'll explain the rest later."
What they were saying is true? That I was from this time? Impossible. But I couldn't argue with Ashley now there were so many holes to what I know so far. I could only bite my tongue and wait. But God, it was infuriating to be as in the dark as I am right now.
Ashley pushed the door opened wider, and the older Davies hushed at our entrance.
"Oh good morning Ashley, Spencer. Would you two like some-"
"Wait, were you just talking about my family?" I don't understand. I travelled back in time. How could I have another family? The Kyla in my time and the past Kyla bore a distinct resemblance, but I certainly did not think of it... Unless I also had a double?
"Oh did you two overhear our conversation just know?" Christine sounded incredulous. I really don't care less how rude I am being right now.
"Sorry Mother, but what of Spencer's family? Father never told me this."
Raife shook his head, "You were too young to understand, and I didn't want to spook you," he turned to me. His eyes shined pity, "Spencer, I believe your family is... is gone. I had heard their ship never reappeared. I don't know why you were abandoned. When little Ashley and I found you, you did not remember anything, I only found out all of this by feeding some coins to a one of your family's former employee."
But that can't be. I never met Ashley since yesterday, and he tells me we were some sort of childhood friends? All my life I remember living with my family, in the present. This just got too weird, too fast.
I pace around their luxurious dining room, trying to make head and tail of all this new information. I met Ashley in present day, where she time travelled me to the start of the Civil War. Apparently we are childhood friends and my past "family" disappeared, "But what happened to me then?"
Ashley looked up. She had been very quiet this whole time, and her sultry eyes locked with mine. She opened her mouth, "You disappeared. I had finally convinced Father to bring you back to America with us. The day before we were to depart, you and I were playing in the strawberry fields."
Her dark eyes pierced into me, searching me. For what, I don't know.
"We were playing and you chased me. I ran and hid in the bushes but you never came to find me. Spencer, we looked everywhere for you but you were never found.
Raife nodded, "Ashley was heartbroken, and refused to leave until we found you."
Ashley walked towards me, "I had no choice but to leave. And, until this day, we never found you."
Christine joined in, "I see. No wonder Raife wasn't surprised when Ashley brought you into the house yesterday."
Ashley and I exchanged glances. It's kind of hilarious her parents are so clueless about her time traveling antics. She smirked at me. Her sultry demeanor was madly attractive, I had to tear myself away before I did something embarrassing.
Raife cleared his throat and stood up, "Spencer, I am very glad we have met again, and I know Ashley is ecstatic." I saw Ashley's cheeks turn a subtle and adorable shade of pink.
"But most importantly, we want to thank you for saving Aiden yesterday. As of now, I really have no clue who was behind it nor their motive, but I am ever so grateful that you were there," Raife continued, "Tell me, I know virtually no women in the field of medicine, much less practicing. And you have incredible talent. I know I will be overstepping some lines by asking you this, but my regiment departs for the battlefield in less than 5 hours. Your skilled technique will make my men practically immortal-"
"Wait, Father! You are asking Spencer to risk her life! I just reunited with her and there's not a chance she will be leaving again so soon!"
"I agree Raife, what are you thinking?" Christine chimed, "It is unbecoming for a woman to be in the battlefield."
"I'll do it. After all, I am a doctor. I'll do my best to save their lives."
"Excellent!"
"Spencer!" Ashley shouted, her face was panicked and confused, "Can I talk to you?"
"... Yes. Excuse me, Mister and Misses Davies."
We stepped out into the hallway, with her dragging by the wrist. I relished into her soft touch.
"What are you thinking?! You have no idea what's going on-"
"No Ashley, I don't! You don't tell me anything, and everything I find about myself don't add up! Do you know what it feels like to find out you might have been living a lie?!"
"Spencer you can't leave with my father to the battlefield."
I shake my head with an exasperated sigh, "I can't sit around here, waiting for you. I don't even know if you can bring me back to my world, my time."
Ashley grasped my hands whispering, "I... I can't right now. I promise you I will, if you want me to. But not right now. We need you here."
We stood in silence for a while. Looking at her, I can see her conflicted expression. I can feel she genuinely wants to help me. I chuckle to myself all of a sudden, "Look, I don't know how many times I can endure saying I don't know what is going on. So... The only thing I can do is trust you."
Ashley looked up and curved her lips beautifully, "I promise I won't let you down. I will get you out of this mess Spencer."
"So what do we do now?"
"You will go with my Father."
"But you said I couldn't go-"
She smirked devilishly, "That's because you can't go with you me. We have a date on the battlefield, you will have to convince my Father to bring me with you."
Jeez, this woman is going to be the death of me. I guess there really is no other way out of this warped mess than to go with the flow.