Destined Across Time | LadaEarn

Chapter 1

Earn's feet dragged along the pavement, each step feeling heavier than the last as she trudged her way back home. The day's exhaustion clung to her like an unwelcome weight, and her body ached with a dull throb that seemed to seep deep into her bones. She had spent the last several hours on the historical drama set, being thrown, spun, and knocked to the ground more times than she could count. Being a stunt double was supposed to be thrilling, but right now, it just felt like punishment. The bruises beneath her costume went unnoticed during the shoot, but now they screamed with every movement.

She took a swig from the cold beer in her hand, feeling the fizz tickle her throat as it slid down. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a cheap can she’d grabbed from a convenience store on her way out, but the icy taste was a small comfort against the day's strain. She wasn’t even sure why she had picked it up—Earn wasn’t much of a drinker—but maybe she just needed something to remind her she was still awake, still pushing forward. Anything to drown out the exhaustion.

The night wrapped around her like a thick blanket, cool and comforting. She could hear the faint hum of the city—cars passing by in the distance, the occasional chatter of passersby—blurred through the haze of her fatigue. The city lights shimmered, casting long reflections on the wet pavement along with the full moon, making everything look like it was floating in some strange, dark dream. Earn took another long drink, almost finishing the can, and let her thoughts drift away.

Her mother’s face kept flashing in her mind—worn, with dark circles beneath her eyes, but relieved. It had been a grueling couple of years. Her illness had drained not just their savings, but also her mother’s spirit. Yet, now that the worst of it seemed over, there were other battles to fight—the relentless stack of medical bills piled on the kitchen counter, the credit card statements that left Earn staring at zeros that seemed too high to belong to her. Her part-time jobs barely made a dent, no matter how many shifts she took on. Sometimes, she wondered how long she could keep up this pace. But she had to keep trying; it wasn’t just a choice—it was a necessity.

As she wandered closer to the bridge, the cool night air seemed to shift, bringing with it the distinct sound of rushing water below. The river wasn’t anything unusual for this part of the city, but tonight, there was something about its rhythmic splashing that pulled at her attention. At first, the sound blended into the background, a quiet murmur against the city’s distant noise. But as she drew nearer, the murmur grew into a steady roar, and Earn noticed a figure standing on the ledge.

Her footsteps slowed, and her brow furrowed as she squinted through the dim light. A young woman, probably around her age, was perched precariously on the edge of the bridge, her figure silhouetted against the dark sky. The way she stood there, too close to the edge, with the wind tugging at her clothes and hair—it sent a chill running down Earn’s spine. A strange, sinking feeling settled in her stomach as she realized what she was seeing.

“Hey!” Earn called out, her voice sounding distant and hollow even to her own ears. The beer slipped from her fingers, the half-empty can clattering loudly against the concrete as she broke into a sprint toward the girl. “What are you doing? Get down from there!”

The woman's head turned slowly, her face pale under the streetlights. For a moment, their eyes locked, and Earn could see the hollow look in the woman’s gaze—one that carried a kind of calmness that felt too much like resignation. It was as if the world had already faded away for her, leaving only the water below. There was no fear, no panic—just a quiet, steady determination that unnerved Earn more than any scream would have.

Before Earn could reach her, the girl stepped off the edge. There was no hesitation, no second thought, just a swift, almost graceful movement as she disappeared from view. Earn's breath hitched, and without thinking, she lunged forward, her arms outstretched as if she could somehow catch hold of the air itself and pull the girl back. But the ledge came too soon, and her balance too unsteady. Her momentum carried her forward, tipping her over the edge.