?

?

Dallas and I were transported to a large field where there was nothing in sight except for an endless expanse of grass, a few hills in the distance, and some trees scattered here and there. A lone bird of prey soared over me, and the wind that carried it made me realise how much cooler the temperature was here than it'd been in San Antonio. I thought it was rather strange, but shrugged it off and simply pulled my black bomber jacket out of my backpack and threw it over the white Hollister hoodie I was already wearing.

I rubbed my horse's neck for a moment, finding that he didn't look as relaxed as I am used to seeing him, and I softly told him that everything was all right. Once he eased up, I got my phone out of the pocket at the side of my riding leggings and opened 'Google Maps', knowing that I would definitely need that tool if I stood any chance of getting home. However, I instantly found that there was no signal in my current location. I tilted my head at the realisation that the date and time hadn't changed.

"Great," I muttered. "I guess we'll just have to wing it for a bit."

I used the sun's position to determine where the southwest is, marked the direction in my brain, and got my earphones from my backpack, figuring that some entertainment would be useful in making this whole experiment feel a bit less dreadful. Then I climbed onto my horse's back, rubbing his neck once more before gently nudging him into a working trot as Pink Floyd accompanied me with their music.

An hour or two must've gone by and I allowed Dallas to get some rest by hopping off him, loosening his girth, and letting him graze freely. I took that opportunity to check my phone for signal once more, and huffed when the bars at the top right corner of the screen retained a question mark symbol. What's more, the date and time were still synchronised to what I suppose is my 'original time-line'.

It wasn't until then that I realised that the sun was starting to hide away, when my calculations dictated that it must only be around 15:00. I shrugged and let that thought go. I probably just got way too into riding and lost track of time – it's not the first time that has happened.

Wanting to cover a bit more distance before night inevitably fell upon the Texan landscape, I returned to my horse and tightened his girth again before hopping on and continuing towards the southwest while praying we weren't getting too off-path. But there's bound to be a highway at some point, or a back road, or a farm. I'm really not too worried.

Sadly, night caught up to us only some thirty minutes later and I resigned to setting up the camping tent for the night with the help of my phone's flashlight, knowing that continuing in the dark would be almost as stupid as my teammates' idea to build a ducking time-machine.

Finding that the sun's departure from the sky left behind a lot more cold than I'd been expecting – it's spring in Texas, after all – I wrapped myself in my Avengers blanket and curled up in my sleeping bag, really wishing that I'd brought a lighter as the night grew cooler and cooler with each passing hour.

"Those three are so dead," I whispered to myself through clattering teeth.


Two-and-a-half days went by without us running into any signs of humanity – let alone civilisation.

After riding for some hours, I decided to stop by a small creek and I let Dallas roam freely for a few minutes while I used a stick to draw an admittedly crappy map of Texas on the dirt.

The grasslands had turned into a thick pine forest at some point and I racked my brain as I tried to figure out where we could be. Perhaps I calculated wrong and ended up going east instead of west? But how could I have done that? Unless we accidentally ended up in a different dimension, the sun will always rise in the east and set in the west.

"Maybe Henry entered the wrong coordinates," I suggested to Dallas, who really didn't care about my ramblings as he kept on munching on grass. "If we're further east than I'd anticipated, we could turn around and perhaps we'll get to Houston eventually…"

Hoping for a miracle, I moved to check my phone once again, and sighed in frustration when I saw that it still hadn't found a signal. "How can this be possible?" I wondered aloud. "It's 2021!"

As expected, my horse didn't answer. All I got was a side-eye from him.

I shivered a little as a gust of wind hit me and I tugged the sleeves of my hoodie and jacket downwards, as if covering my hands would make their job in keeping me warm more effective. "There's something seriously wrong with the climate," I muttered. Then I bit down on my bottom lip and returned my attention to the crappy map before me.

"I'm not sure if we should keep heading to the southwest..." I mumbled. "Perhaps we could go South… We'd eventually come across the border n' someone could point us in the right direction… Though that could be dangerous… What do you think, Dal?"

I paused my ramblings to take a sip from my water thermos.

"Y'know, we could also go North," I suggested. "Maybe we can get something fun out of this nightmare and go to Fredericksburg."

Dallas walked closer to me, forgetting for a moment about the endless rows of grass he had free access to as his pretty blue eyes made contact with mine.

"Sure, let's do that," I concluded with a shrug. Screw making it to San Antonio. All I have to do is find some signal – or a forking telephone booth – and call home in another two-and-a-half days to let them know I'm all right.


"Finally!" I cheered when my luck changed some thirty hours later.

Dallas and I stood atop a hill, which overlooks a valley that contains a modest arrangement of mostly stone homes with straw roofs. I found the architecture to be slightly peculiar and… well… way too old-fashioned. I also thought it was a little strange to see that there were no real roads nearby, only some faintly traced dirt paths. It was even stranger to find that there were no visible cars in the little town; only a couple of wooden carts.

"An Amish group, perhaps?" I wondered.

Whatever. Humans are humans – even if I don't really like them. So I let out a sigh of relief and gently nudged Dallas into a canter, feeling eager to find a working phone to contact home and let them know that I'm still alive.

I slowed down my horse when I passed by some fields that had some crops in them, wanting to be respectful of what was probably the livelihood of the inhabitants of the town.

As I walked past a rundown wooden fence, I noticed a tall, lanky guy with black hair collecting some of the food and throwing it into a basket. He didn't appear to be much older than myself, and he had a rather friendly-looking face; so I decided to address him, putting on the most polite tone I could muster, "Hey. Sorry to bother ya'. Could you tell me where I am?"

The guy turned to look at me with a confused frown on his face.

"Do you speak English?" I asked, tilting my head. "Hablas Inglés?" I tried in Spanish, now wondering if I might have accidentally crossed into Mexico at some point.

He immediately nodded, his frown fading as he gave a little friendly smile. "Yes, I apologise. I was startled by your appearance," he replied in a thick British accent. Oh, cool, a foreigner!

I looked down at myself, feeling slightly offended by his reference to my 'appearance'. If anything, he's the one dressed a bit strangely, considering the peculiar bright red neckerchief that hangs around his neck. I'm not sure if that's fashionable outside of 'Scooby-Doo', but I decided to skip over the comment.

"Sorry. I'm a bit… actually, very lost," I said, biting down on my bottom lip as I glanced at the village around me once more. No signs of electricity, no cars, no modern farming equipment...

"Well, you are in Ealdor," the boy interrupted my train of thoughts, "a village in the outlying lands of Cenred's Kingdom."

"Cenred's Kingdom?" I echoed while tilting my head, feeling utterly lost at the mention. Then a thought occurred to me and I giggled a little while asking, "Wait, is this some ultra-realistic LARP game?"

"I am sorry?" the boy asked, frowning once again.

"Doesn't matter," I waved him off. "Am I still in Texas?"

"Tec…sas?" he repeated slowly, causing my breath to hitch in my throat. I'm starting to think that something went very wrong with the time-machine. "Sorry," the boy continued, "I do not know any places that carry such a name."

Dear heaven, please tell me this is all a big joke.

"Okay… uh," I gulped, trying to think of an easier way to explain things as my heart began to race. "Am I still in America?"

The guy tilted his head, his blue eyes narrowing as he regarded me with a heavy dose of confusion. "America?" he asked.

"United States of America?" I tried again, but his expression didn't show any signs of recognition.

"I am deeply sorry, miss. I have never heard any mention of these places," he responded with a sympathetic look.

"Fork," I muttered, letting my head drop as I felt some colour leave my face.

This isn't real. This isn't real. This isn't real!

"Perhaps someone in the village could help you," the guy suggested. "My mother might know someone who has travelled beyond the realm."

I nodded, letting out a shaky sigh, "Okay, I guess it won't hurt to ask."

"Very well. Follow me, then," he responded with a small grin.

I hopped off Dallas, figuring that it wasn't very nice to stay on him when my companion had to walk, and I quickly loosened his girth and secured my stirrups before motioning for the guy to lead the way.

"I'm Astra, by the way," I spoke again in an attempt to make friendly conversation and maybe distract my brain from the confusing and dreadful thoughts that swirled around it. "What's your name?"

"It is nice to make your acquaintance, Astra," the boy replied, offering a little smile. "My name is Merlin."

"Oh, cool! Like the wizard!" I exclaimed. A connection to popular and historical culture surely indicates that we're not as lost as we could be. Imagine if we'd ended up in, like, Mongolia?

The boy suddenly froze and I tilted my head in confusion. "What wizard?" he asked, looking somewhat panicked. "I know not what you are referring to. Magic is outlawed."

I frowned. How can magic be outlawed if it's not real? I guess this is a LARP thing, after all, and this guy is incredibly committed to his role. All I have to do is find someone who's a little bit more willing to break character and I'll be fine.

"Right. Never mind," I mumbled, suddenly feeling annoyed that he wouldn't simply drop the act for a second to help out a lost girl. Nevertheless, Dallas and I continued to follow him towards the stone and straw homes.

Merlin stopped in front of one of the buildings, which was average-sized in comparison to the others around, and he nodded towards the door. I ordered my horse to stay and thanked the boy when he graciously opened the wooden portal for me. Geeks can be chivalrous, too!

"Mother, we have a visitor!" Merlin announced.

A middle-aged woman with dark hair, blue eyes, and kind features came out of a room and approached us. I grinned a little at the sight of her clothes – they were the textbook image of how a medieval peasant woman would have dressed, which confirmed my suspicions.

She seemed startled when she saw me, her eyes widening as she looked me up and down. I guess Merlin doesn't bring many girls home.

"Nice to meet ya', ma'am. I'm Astra," I introduced myself, extending a hand for a hand-shake.

"Likewise, dear," she responded, her accent the same as Merlin's. "Please, call me Hunith," she added with a warm smile and she tenderly took my hand in both of hers. I nodded and attempted to show a smile as well.

Merlin quickly explained to his mom that I'm lost.

"I fear there is not much I can do to help you," the woman responded sympathetically. "I have never heard of this Amaarica place you speak of."

"Do you know someone who could help her?" Merlin questioned her.

"No one that I can think of at the moment," she answered him with a pensive look.

My eyes darted between them for a moment as exasperation grew within me. I guess the time has come for me to be more direct.

"Sorry, but I have to ask," I cut in with a huff, "is this some kind of LARP thingy?" They shared a stunned look. "Because I've been away from home for days and I'm exhausted, and kinda scared, and I don't have time to play dragons and wizards."

"My apologies, I did not understand any of that," Merlin said, tilting his head in confusion yet again. I blinked rapidly and averted my gaze as I racked my brain for other possibilities regarding my whereabouts.

Oh, crap! Am I stuck further back in time than I could've possibly thought?

No, how would that even be possible? Henry's smart, he wouldn't have messed up the year when entering the settings into the computer!

Hunith placed a soft hand on my arm and I gulped as I met her gaze, finding nothing but kindness in her eyes. I don't think she's just playing with me… Or she's a darn good actress…

"You are more than welcome to remain here for the night," she said gently. "There is a spare chamber you can sleep in."

My eyes widened and my heart stopped for a moment, the idea of staying in someone else's home appearing horrifying in my mind. "Thanks, but I don't wanna intrude," I responded, my voice a bit shaky.

"You would not be, I assure you, dear!" she responded with a smile.

I bit down on my bottom lip and averted my gaze. I guess it wouldn't hurt to sleep on an actual bed…

"We would be glad for the company" Merlin threw in.

"All right," I relented, suddenly feeling very shy as my body cowered a little. "Thank you so much. Both of you. Let me know if there's something I can help you with – dinner, cleaning, laundry… just say the word."

"Tush tush, dear. You are a guest here," Hunith said while gently touching my shoulder once more. Then she turned to address her son, "Merlin, show her to her chamber."

He nodded and gestured for me to follow him deeper into the house. I shot Hunith a small smile before going after the boy.

I bit down on my bottom lip again to force back a groan when I realised that they didn't have any actual beds. Just… wooden floor. But at least I have my sleeping bag.


The next morning, following a surprisingly delicious breakfast that Hunith cooked, I went outside to sit on a rock that stood inside a paddock that Dallas had been graciously given.

In a final attempt to get out of the puzzling mess I found myself stuck in, I pulled out my phone and prayed that it might somehow find a signal. The screen showed '20 May 2021', signifying that five days had gone by since I was sent back in time. And there still wasn't any signal.

I suddenly heard a gasp behind me, which made me jump out of my seat and turn around.

It was Merlin, who was staring at me – or rather, at my phone – with his eyes widened and his mouth agape.

"C'mon, please tell me you've seen a phone before," I said, remaining stubborn that I could still be in 2021, somehow. "Y'all can't be that isolated from modernity."

Ignoring the guy's stunned appearance, I turned off the device and connected it to my solar charger. I have to make the most of the sunlight hours.

"What on Earth are you talking about, Astra?" Merlin asked in bewilderment. "And what is that? Did I fail to mention that magic is outlawed?"

My biggest fear seems to have been confirmed… but I want solid confirmation. "Please tell me that I'm still in 2021 and that this really is a LARPing game," I begged, my heart racing again.

He tilted his head in confusion once more as he said slowly, "This is the year five-hundred-and-three after Jesus Christ."

My heart stopped working and I plopped down on the rock again, hiding my face in my hands. "Oh, forking manure. I'm so gonna kill those three idiots," I mumbled to myself.

Dallas must've sensed my change in mood, for he moved closer to me and gently nudged my shoulder with his muzzle. I gently stroked his forelock. At least I have him… there's no one else I'd rather be stuck out of time with.

"Does this mean that you… come from… the future?" Merlin asked softly while sitting down on the grass a metre or two beside me. "It would explain a lot… your clothing… that strange item of yours… the way you speak..." he trailed off and froze, his eyes widening again. "Are you a witch?!"

"Yeah, I guess I am from the future," I sighed, "but I'm not a witch, I promise." He seemed almost… disappointed at that? But I decided to ignore the strange change in his expression as I explained, "My school's gonna have a science fair, and my teammates thought that it'd be smart to build a ducking time-machine, and they actually managed it, and we were testing it, and somehow I ended up in the freaking sixth century."

Merlin seemed confused once more, though he was no longer alarmed.

"Look, I even have a picture of it!" I said, and quickly went through my photo gallery in search of a picture of the time-machine.

Merlin looked like he was about to pass out when I showed it to him.

"Sorry, I guess this is a lot for you to process, huh?" I noted sheepishly and shoved my phone back in my pocket. "I'm in the same position, t.b.h," I added with a sigh, feeling my stomach churn.

What the heck am I gonna do?!

We stayed silent for a few minutes before Merlin spoke up again, "So what will you do? Would you be able to construct another… time-machine?"

I chuckled dryly, "Oh, no, no way in heck. I have no idea of how it works. My teammates are the geniuses… I was just their guinea pig." I huffed in frustration and let my head drop to my hands again as I felt some tears pool in my eyes. I can't cry in front of this guy! "I suppose I'll have to survive here until they figure out a way to bring me back home," I added in a mumble.

Some minutes later, the boy proposed that we should explain my situation to his mom, and, once we'd done so, she offered for me to stay with them for as long as I needed. It took a bit of convincing on their part, because I truly hated the idea of intruding in their lives; but they both assured me that it was fine and I finally agreed to stay with them. I mean, it's not like I have a better offer…