Lost In Time

Trial of the Queen

*Be warned, it's gonna be a long one, and the italics are going to tick me off. But I love you guys, so here you go!

It was early evening when I managed to drag myself away from work, my bag slung over my shoulder, my clothes from earlier poking out just slightly. I had had to change for a meeting that required more...intimidation than the outfit could give. With a new black leather jacket on, conveniently covering the bracelet and hanging charms, I whistled merrily as I walked in the door, and was immediately confronted by a freaking out Caroline. Before I could run for the hills however, she slammed the door closed behind me from across the room. I felt the house rocking under me, in response to my confused apprehension and her obvious nerves.

"Where have you been!? Why doesn't anyone have your number?! We are going to be late!" She all but shrieked into my ear, splitting my ear drums. I winced in pain, dropping my bag to the ground and gently touching my ringing ears. My eyes darted around the room, taking in Trevor, my mother, Victor, and Madalene waiting around, impatiently, but for what? Me? Good grief, I hope not, I don't want to go anywhere with them. I thought to myself, before being shaken by my fidgeting grandmother.

"I don't know, I don't know anything, where are we going to be late, if its dinner reservations I am very good thank you!" I managed to get out as she shook me. She huffed, before proceeding to drag me out the door, followed by the rest of the family, who were all dressed very formal. My jeans and sneakers looked very out of place. Madalene eyed my leather jacket with distaste, which made me roll my eyes. I was struggling to walk upright, still being dragged by an unrelenting Caroline. Sheesh, what has gotten into her?

Eventually I tugged hard enough that she let me loose, stopping to grab me again, to which I backed up rapidly. "Excuse me, but where are we going, and what are we late for!?" I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest. I eyed their faces. Caroline's was downright panicked, Madalene looked angry and slightly confused as to why I was here, my mother's was largely confused and a little irritated, and Trevor looked like he always did; a stoic robot, tapping intently at his Iphone 6.

Madalene asked a question of her own. "Why is she here?" Caroline waved her response away.

"I can't tell you Eliana, but we will be late enough as it is. Oh good lord we have to be there in fifteen minutes!" Off we went again, all of us practically running to keep up with Caroline. Who knew elderly women could run like a cheetah? All the while dragging my poor arm, which was going to get ripped out of its socket at this rate.

We finally stopped at the small woodland park near our neighborhood, crossing the little bridge that offered safe passage over the small rocky stream. It was a small island that had nothing special...or so I thought. Hidden by bushes, there was a circle of river stones, smooth and round, in perfect symmetry. Each were glowing with a special rune, and there was a wispy substance in the center, not un-like the substance that was rifts and memories, but it was less.

Caroline wasted no time, pushing me in, followed by the rest of the family. I caught myself in time, hands sinking a few inches in swampland mud. My lower half fared no better, landing a few feet deep in black water. Madalene shrieked loudly when her long black dress landed in the muddy water, a few feet behind me. I pushed myself up carefully, testing the earth underneath my wet feet. I was glad I had worn my hair in a ponytail, eyeing my mother's long wet brunette hair.

Caroline appeared from the bright circle in the middle of the air last, landing with a grace that was difficult to believe for an older woman. She brushed off imaginary lint and pointed ahead. "Ah, there it is, and it hasn't even changed." With a look of fond remembrance, she marched forward through the knee-high water and mud. Trevor grabbed Victor from the small bit of land he had managed to land on, seeing as he was still so short, and hefted him on his shoulders to carry. I sighed, tired of the secrets, of which this family seemed to be made on, and trudged forward.