A Mist of Frozen Ashes

Chapter 3

116 years. I've been asleep for 116 years! What the actual fuck?! I must've said the last part out loud because the bodies around me stiffen.

"Is there a problem?" Head Huncho probes. Wrapping my wrists around the chains, I thrust my arms downward. The action places a terrible strain on my already sore shoulders. The bolts fly off and the hinges fall from the crumbling brick. Four guns aim at me in an instant. I slump to the floor and tilt my head back on the wall. Everything and everyone I've ever known is gone. What the fuck am I suppose to do now?

"What's your name?" My handsome captor appears to consider his options before responding.

"Kaius."

"Kaius," I drawl, testing the name on my tongue. Slowly, I rise to my feet, wincing at the pain in my side and now my arms. "I'm about to blow your mind Kaius."

He quirks a brow. "Oh, yea? How so?"

"The last time I was awake was in the year 2023."

The young man standing off to the side gasps and stumbles back. "Holy shit. She's an Ancient!"

The girl hits his chest with the back of her hand before hissing. "Don't believe everything she says, dumbass!"

Kaius looks down at me. The expression on his face is unreadable. I wonder what's going on inside his head. Likely, he thinks I'm lying. Any reasonable person would be skeptical of a random woman in the woods claiming to be a time traveler. "I'm sure you know I'll require proof of your fantastical story."

"Any sane person would." I fold my arms, cross my ankles, and lean against the wall. "Ask as many questions as you like. Though I should warn you, I tend to get stabby when I'm in pain so try to keep it short."

Amusement sparkles in his hazel depths. "I'm not worried. If what you say is true, how are you alive?"

"Cryostasis." No response. "And from the deadpan look in your eyes, I'm going to assume you have no idea what that is. Basically, I was frozen alive."

The female screeches."What?!"

"Why?"

"Oh, you know, a little of this and that, pissed off a couple of people. The usual. The devil's in the details. The point here is that I was supposed to sleep for ten years. Instead, here I am, a hundred years later, talking to future earthlings with glow guns and lightsabers." The deep breath didn't help. I have this overwhelming sense of hopelessness creeping up on me. How am I meant to navigate this world? Maybe death would be a better option. This must be how Captain America felt. Damn, Steve Rogers is probably dead too. What a legend.

"Fin," Kaius says suddenly. "Go find Soren and bring her to me."

"Yes, Commander." The young boy, Fin, scrambles out of the room to follow his orders. A faint smile touches my lips. I remember my days as a cadet, eager to get out into the field. If I could go back, I'd appreciate those days a little more. God, I can never go back. My chest constricts.

Those hazel eyes watch me carefully. Bit by bit he's piecing together a puzzle within his mind, deciding the best course of action. "You mentioned taking orders."

My chin dips down. "Nice observation."

He stares, willing me to say more. I may have agreed to answer questions but I never said it would be easy. Where's the fun in that? You've got to take pleasures where you can.

Kaius steps forward, towering a full head over me. I have to tilt my head to see his eyes, a powerplay if I ever saw one. His voice drops an octave. "You can talk willingly or I can make you."