𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚋𝚕𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚃𝚒𝚖𝚎 [Book One]

7: I know you. Sort of. In a way.

Andy sees my expression and looks confused. "Is everything alright?"

I ignore her and try to get a closer look at the woman in front of us. The seat is blocking most of her body, but I can see a bit. I draw in air sharply. The hair... the way she holds herself... it is unmistakable.

"Anne?" I mutter under my breath.

Malik, who has been looking out of the window, gives me a concerned look. "Something going on? What's up with you two?"

"Oh my god." I mumble in shock, then try to find the right words to tell Malik and Andy without breaking down. "You two, do you see that woman in front of us?"

They both nod.

I take a deep breath. "I- I think I know her. From back home."

Malik looks at the woman I am referring to, then at me. "Are you sure? Who was she?"

I nod. "I am sure. Her name was Anne Fletcher. She-she was the daughter of the Prime Minister and she was honestly one of the best people in my life." I take a shaky breath. "She helped out, she was there for my mom the entire time and everyone thought she was dead."

"How did she die?" Malik asks gently.

"There was an explosion in a factory where she worked part-time, because she was only around twenty years old. It injured fourty-eight people but she was the only person who died. She was like a big sister to me. After all that..." I trailed off.

Malik looks at me. "Right. Take a deep breath. Try to figure out what she would be doing here."

I do so and look at her again. The marble took us back in time randomly, so what is she doing here, a presumed dead person?

Andy turns to us. "Why don't you go and ask her? She's not evil, after all."

"That is a fair point." is all I say.

"Good luck." Malik says.

I clear my throat and try to get her attention. "Umm, excuse me?"

To my gratefulness, she turns arpund but does not seem to recognise me. "Yes?"

I look at her face, reminded of everything that happened back home. "Are you Mrs Anne Fletcher?"

She nods. "Yes. Why do you ask?" Suddenly, a look of recognition and shock passes her face. "Wait a moment... Luke? Is that you?"

Overcome by emotion, I nod silently.

Anne looks at me in confusion and alarm. "I- what are you doing here?"

"It is a long story. I thought you were dead!"

Anne looks sheepish and somewhat upset. "I- I never wanted you to find out..."

"Why? What happened?" I say.

She takes a deep breath. "The explosion... I faked my death, Luke. The marble... it took me here and I couldn't save the future. I had to try again, so I... I managed to make another copy. I spent years doing it in the factory, but when I did... oh god, Luke, I wish I could have gone back. The explosion was caused by me and now I am stuck here. But now you are here..."

I take a moment to take in all the information. This changes everything. If Anne found a way to get back to the past, then I can find a way to get back into the present. Well, the future. But you get what I mean.

Andy voices my thoughts. "Woah." she says.

I nod. "Yes. But, Anne, how did you do it? How did you find a way to get back?"

Anne pauses. "I... I cannot really remember. I was so young and naïve at the time. All I remember is asking someone... a man... for help, and he gave me some intructions. We were old friends, and he owed me anyway. I am sorry, Luke."