"You still don't believe me, do you?" Killian asked, parking the car outside of a dilapidated building.
Thora snorted, "No, I don't. I mean, would you believe some randomer if they told you they were from the future?"
Killian climbed out of the car and Thora followed.
"Well, I'm from a time when it's possible so yeah, I probably would." He grinned and walked towards the old building.
Thora hesitated, "You're expecting me to go in there? That's the kind of place people go to hide bodies."
Killian turned, looking thoroughly amused, "So are dodgy hotel rooms but you're still here, aren't you?" He grinned at her lack of reply. "This will give you the proof you need."
He walked off, not looking to see if she followed. Thora sighed and trudged after him, staying alert for any nasty surprises. They found a rusted side door, Killian pushed it open and went in first. Thora stole a moment to herself before she went in after him, it wasn't enough to prepare her for what was on the other side.
Instead of the inside of the building, they'd walked out to another street, but this was different. It looked like something out of a period drama; women walked by in little hats and big dresses, men in long suits and top hats, who looked down their nose at Thora when they walked past. The streets were dusty, the air smoky, and not a single car was in sight. The buildings looked ornate and the brickwork was painted brownish red.
Thora couldn't wrap her mind around what had just happened.
"Where are we?"
Killian chuckled, "I think a better question might be, when are we..." He waved her over, "Come on, I'll explain once we're off the street. We're drawing too much attention to ourselves."
His eyes darted to a group of men and women who were pointing their way and whispering. Thora didn't like the look of it, no matter which time period they were in it usually spelled bad news. She hurried after Killian and they rushed down a narrow street. Thora tried to ignore the smell coming from some of the gutters, as well as the random spillages from the windows nearby. It finally dawned on her when they were, she'd listened enough in school to know what a few of the finer details actually meant.
"The Victorian times? That's where, or when, we are? Seriously?" She asked of Killian, still following him down the winding street.
"Well done, you get a gold star." Killian seemed to find himself extra amusing.
"But... how?"
Killian glanced to her, "Time travel," he said simply and winked.
Thora rolled her eyes at him, about to argue with his lack of explanation when he pulled her into the recess of a doorway. He put a finger to his lips and leaned his head out cautiously. Thora tried to look but he pulled her back with him.
"Damn, they're closing in," he swore under his breath.
Thora was very aware of how close they were right now, she never got this close to anyone.
"Who is? You need to tell me what's going on."
"I know, I will, it's just... the people who are after you, more of them are here. They've been hunting us, trying to stop us from helping you."
He pulled out his device. "Hey, they're too close, get everyone out and I'll meet you at the rendezvous."
He pocketed it again and pulled Thora back down the street.
"Where are we going now?"
Killian was sombre, he kept looking over his shoulder and pushed them into a run. "Somewhere else, somewhere we should be safe to talk, at least for a little while."
They ran down the street and came back out where they started, people had now gathered in droves. Kids in dirty, holey clothing were begging for scraps at the feet of the rich- of course, they were painfully ignored or shooed away. Killian tugged on Thora's arm and they swerved through another doorway when a call rang out behind them. Killian slammed the door, and Thora turned to see their surroundings had changed, again.
They were now standing in the middle of an open field; a large, extravagant country house stood several feet in front of them. Nothing else could be seen for miles around.
"What now?" Thora asked, she was tired of running, of getting no answers.
Killian smirked, "We find the others."
He walked towards the huge house and Thora stared incredulously. "That's your rendezvous point?" Killian grinned at her, Thora shook her head. "If your friends have somewhere like that, why were they hiding in town?"
Killian arched a brow, "Because we have to keep moving, we can't stay long in any time period."
"Why not? How does it all work?"
"You're not very patient, are you?"
Thora scoffed, "I think I've been pretty patient so far."
"Complaining and questioning me every five minutes isn't patience."
"Yeah well you kinda have my life in your hands, excuse me for being curious." Thora scolded.
Killian opened his mouth to speak when the doors to the house opened. A tall, thin man wearing aviator goggles and a flight jacket, stepped out. He seemed to be around their age, dark hair and pale complexion, like he didn't get out much. He beamed at them regardless.
"About time."
Killian embraced the man in a bear hug.
"Getting really old that one, Haz," Killian replied with a chuckle.
"Aren't we all?" The man grinned, only faltering when his gaze fell upon Thora. "Is this? It has to be, h-hi," he greeted Thora, holding out his hand. "I'm Harold Menston, it's good to finally meet you."
Thora didn't shake his hand, staring from him to Killian, who shook his head.
"She's not the trusting type."
Harold retrieved his hand, "I should've known." He eyed Thora again then gestured to them both. "Come in, she's waiting."
"Who is?" Thora asked but instead of getting an answer, she was ushered towards the doors.
Thora had to rub her eyes this time, she'd seen a lot of strange things already that day but this took the biscuit. A sprawling, cavernous room spread out in front of them where Thora had assumed a grand hallway would have been. It looked like a museum, glass cases full of artifacts were strewn everywhere. A small group of people had gathered in the middle of the room, watching and waiting.
Killian moved forward and stopped in front of an elderly woman, who smiled fondly at him. They exchanged a few quiet words and a moment later the woman walked towards Thora.
She smiled softly, tears filled her eyes, "Hello, Thora. It's good to see you again."
Thora frowned, "Again? Sorry but I don't think we've met before."
The woman's smile faded, "I don't suppose we have. Well, there will be time to discuss all of that," she gestured forward. "Are you ready to change your fate?"
