The Time Capsule

Chapter Seventeen.

       “W-what?” Nadia stammered, disbelief radiating throughout her body. “That’s not possible. Just because-”
“You almost killed all of us, and you can’t believe it? You controlled the Dream Realm , and you can’t believe it?” Roman sighed. “I think you need to start believing.”
“Take her to the nicer cell. We’ll tell you the results when we get them. At the moment, though, you’ll have to ponder your wrongdoings in silence.” Cyrus waved his hand at the guard.
He pushed her out the door, walking down the corridor for several minutes without pause. At last, they arrived at a narrow wooden door. He opened it, shoving her inside. Nadia heard him lock it.
She surveyed her surroundings: A small single bed with a thin blanket and pillow in the far left corner, a washbasin, sink, and a small lamp sat on the right side, and a tiny circular rug and chair were in the middle. Nothing fantastic, but better than dangling upside down with a nosebleed for hours until you pass out from exhaustion.
She stumbled over to the washbasin, quickly dunking her head and hands in the water, trying to rinse the blood away without getting her entire body wet. A clock ticked leisurely on the top of the door, always watching, always listening. Or, at least, it seemed like that to Nadia.
Once clean-ish, she curled up under the blankets of the bed and fell immediately to sleep. Right as she was beginning her dreams, she heard something knocking faintly far away. ‘What is that?’ Nadia put the pillow over her head. Finally, the knocking grew louder, and she finally pulled the pillow off her head, being wrenched from her peaceful sleep.
The door opened abruptly, revealing Roman standing at the door, scowling. “Apologies for waking you up, but we have many matters to discuss.”
“I just went to sleep. Thank you.” Sarcasm dripped from her voice.
“You care about sleep at a time like this? Although… I do suppose you have been in a cell hanging upside down for two days. That would make even the strongest mortal tired.”
“I was in that prison cell for TWO DAYS?” Nadia sat up, gritting her teeth. A headrush hit her like a ton of bricks, and she fell back on the bed, rubbing her eyes to clear the dizziness. After a few seconds, she sat back up, opening her eyes.
Roman studied her carefully. “Perhaps you should get some sleep. I will see you in a few hours.” And he shut the door. Just like that.
Nadia had a confused expression on her face. ‘I was in there for two days? I just fell asleep. Then he came into my room. And just left. Okay… then…?’ She laid back down on the bed, curling up in a ball, frustration and thoughts threatening to overwhelm her.
Sometimes, when she began to think about everything problematic in the world, her own mind would threaten to consume her. It felt like her world was spinning out of control, with no light. Just darkness. Time didn’t matter. Just worry, mortality, and morality. She always had to force the thoughts away because if she let them carry her away in a current, it would be too strong to escape.
Sleep accompanied by nightmares plagued her for several hours. Eventually, she decided to just get up and do something to distract herself from her problems. Nadia did some push-ups, sit-ups, squats, planks, etc. She hated being stationary for too long.
At last, a knock on the door sounded. Nadia stood up, wishing that there was some kind of food or drink she could have. Alas, there was none. “Come in.” She said, leaning against the wall.
Roman and Rosa came into her room, Rosa sitting on the bed and Roman standing beside the door. He silently shut it, crossing his arms. “Did you get some sleep?” He asked.
“Yes and no.” She shrugged.
“I got you some water.” Rosa held up a cup, grinning. She threw the water out of the cup and at Nadia.
“What are you-” Nadia closed her eyes, bracing for the splash of liquid on her clothes. It never came. Opening her eyes, she looked at the water suspended, frozen in time, inches away from her clothes.
“Intriguing…” Roman observed, coming over to the water and touching it. “You made time stop. But would you mind unfreezing my sister?”
Nadia glanced over at Rosa, still grinning, holding out a cup that was now empty. “Oh no! I’m so sorry. I don’t know how-Uh-How do I unfreeze her?” She turned pale, her thoughts in a frenzy.
“I could technically unfreeze her. But I need you to do it. Practice.” Roman gestured to the water.
“What if I can’t unfreeze her? What if-” Nadia’s heart pounded.
“Think of something that made you emotional. Close your eyes and focus on the memory. Then hold your hands out, and voila. It will work.” He tilted his head, walking back over to the wall. “Focus.”
“Ok. Um… Do I say my memory out loud, or just think about it?” Nadia looked to Roman for advice, but he gave no answer. ‘Great…’ She closed her eyes, trying to wrack her brain for a memory that made her emotional.
It hit her: The day that her aunt knocked on the door. The day that her parents died in a car crash. The day that her world turned upside down. She remembered that she had been reading a book upstairs in her room. A fantasy novel. Nadia remembered the door opening downstairs, and she shut the book, running downstairs. Her aunt had such a solemn face. One of sorrow. One of pain.
Tears ran down her face as the world went in slow motion. Her aunt explained what had happened, and Nadia had fallen to the floor. Her aunt had held her for the longest time, the two of them sobbing together.
Nadia felt tears run down her face, snapping out of the memory, holding out her hands. Rosa immediately started to move, and her once playful grin turned to worry.
“Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Rosa stood up, frowning.
“She unfroze you.” Roman responded, his eyebrows narrowing at Nadia.
“You froze me?” Rosa squinted at Nadia. “You keep on getting weirder.”
Nadia felt the water splash her shoes, not even caring. She realized something vital: If she could control the Dream Realm, almost kill a bunch of Councilors, and freeze Time… she could be almost unstoppable.