LOVE STRUCK: Dimensions In Motion

Chapter 2: Through the Timewarp

My eyes fluttered open, and a sharp, dull ache throbbed in my head. My first thought was Where am I?

The bed beneath me was hard—lumpy, too small—and definitely not the soft, plush comfort of my London apartment. I shifted, and the springs creaked like they were holding a grudge. Everything about it screamed uncomfortable. I winced, rubbing my temples, trying to piece together my scattered thoughts.

What happened?

The last thing I clearly remembered was that blinding flash of lightning. It had been so violent, like it reached right into my bones. The memory made my stomach churn, and I felt that phantom pain again, like it was still coursing through me. My hands automatically shot out to check for injuries. I ran my fingers over my arms, my legs—everything seemed okay physically, but... Why does my skin feel different? Rougher, like I had been out in the elements too long. My fingertips tingled as they brushed over strange, unfamiliar scars.

I sat up quickly, my head spinning from the movement. Focus, Kayla, think.

I was in a narrow bed with a wooden frame—nothing like the sleek, modern furniture I was used to. The walls around me were low, slanted, made of bare wooden planks. The air smelled damp, earthy, and there was a faint hint of smoke in the air. My heart raced again. This didn't look like a hospital or a hotel... it felt like another time.

The floorboards creaked beneath me, like they had a voice of their own, protesting every slight movement I made. The room was small, cramped, and bare—no decorations, no comforting touches. The only thing in the room besides the bed was a rickety chair in the corner, where a dress hung. The fabric looked worn, faded—a dress straight out of a history book.

I shivered, my heart pounding in my chest. Something was wrong. This wasn't my life. The air felt thick, and there were no modern conveniences, no gadgets or city sounds. Just silence.

Suddenly, I heard a voice. A sharp, commanding voice.

"Come now, wake up and be quick about it. We've no time for idleness. The day's work won't wait for anyone."

I froze. That voice wasn't just loud—it was demanding, like it belonged in some historical drama. What the hell is going on?

Before I could think any more, there was another knock, louder this time, more insistent.

"Are you deaf, girl? I said wake up! The master won't tolerate tardiness today!"

My heart thudded in my chest. My mind scrambled. Was this some kind of prank? Or a dream I couldn't wake up from?

Then, the door creaked open. And in stepped a girl—no older than eighteen, I guessed. She was tall, with smooth, dark skin, sharp eyes that seemed to cut right through me. She wore a bonnet, her hair tucked away, and a simple, faded dress made from rough wool, cinched at the waist with a fraying apron. Her boots looked like they had seen a lot of miles.

I blinked, staring at her, my mind trying to catch up with what I was seeing. This wasn't real. It couldn't be.

"You ought to be dressed by now," she snapped, but when she saw my confusion, her tone softened just a little. "The master doesn't take kindly to sloth."

Dressed? I looked down, my breath catching in my throat. I was still wearing a nightdress—one made from rough, thick cotton that felt wrong against my skin. What is this? It reached all the way to my ankles, the neckline high, the sleeves long, and the material looked like it had been mended multiple times.

"I don't understand," I whispered, my voice shaky. "Where am I? What's going on?"

The girl sighed, clearly tired of answering questions. "Ain't time for questions. Get changed, now. Or you'll regret it." She pointed at the dress hanging on the wall and left the room, leaving me standing there in stunned silence.

My mind was racing as I walked over to the dress. It was coarse, brown, and faded—definitely nothing like the modern clothes I was used to. As I grabbed it, I caught a glimpse of myself in the cracked mirror, and my stomach dropped.

Is that really me?

My skin was darker than I remembered, rougher, like it had been through a storm. My hair, usually sleek and in neat braids, was a wild mess of curls that refused to be tamed. The reflection staring back at me looked like me—but off. There was something familiar and unfamiliar all at once.

Shaking my head, I tried to push away the panic bubbling up inside me. Stay calm. Focus. Just get dressed.

I pulled the nightdress off and slipped into the dress. It was stiff, too long in the sleeves, and the hem brushed the tops of my boots. The apron, like the rest of the outfit, was worn and stained, but I tied it around my waist as best I could. The boots were heavy and uncomfortable, pinching my toes as I walked.

I took a deep breath. You're just playing along for now, Kayla. You'll figure this out.

When I stepped back into the hallway, the girl was waiting for me, her arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently. She eyed my outfit and gave a small, approving nod.

"You'll do," she said begrudgingly, and without another word, she turned and walked down the narrow hall.

I swallowed hard, trying to calm my nerves. Where are we going? What's happening?

I followed her down the hallway, my footsteps echoing off the walls. Each step felt like I was sinking deeper into a reality I didn't understand. I glanced at the girl next to me, noticing how she carried herself—strong, confident. There was something about her that intrigued me, but I didn't dare ask her anything right now.

We reached a heavy wooden door at the end of the hall. The girl pushed it open, and I stepped inside. The room was full of activity—women of all ages, wearing the same plain uniforms, working in a quiet, practiced rhythm. They were sorting vegetables, cleaning, cooking—each movement smooth and efficient.

The girl turned to me and said softly, "You'll find your place soon enough. Just keep your head down and do what you're told."

I nodded, my heart racing. She left me standing in the doorway, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. The room felt alive with work, but it was also alien—and it all felt like it was closing in on me.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, my mind swirling with a thousand questions. Where am I? How did I get here?

But for now, all I could do was survive and play along.