The Lana House

Chapter 1

Old West - 1872

I woke up in a strange era. I say strange because history books wouldn't be able to capture what exactly I was experiencing. Such differences had awoken a new sense of amusement in me. Certain smells erupted in my face but I could only distinguish two. Coffee and burning wood.

I sat up from a cot that was bathed with an itchy blanket and looked around the room. Right off the bat, I noticed my clothes were gone and in place of them I had on a white sleeping gown that looked more like a white sack than anything. There was a flower embroidered in the center, simple and neat. The gown went down to my knees. I touched the silver ring I had on my ring finger, just to make sure I hadn't lost it. I stood up and walked to the window with my hand sliding along the wall. That was a mistake. I winced and looked down at the three splinters I got stuck in my hand. I carried on to the window.
Outside, the sun was beginning to bloom. And then there was dirt. For miles.

I decided to figure out where I had landed myself since my memory was a bit cloudy. First I listened, then I opened the door into the rest of the open-floored cabin-like house. The wood stove across the way looked like it served its purpose through the night. I looked up to meet eyes with an older woman. She had faded blonde hair and a slightly wrinkled face that looked more beautiful when she smiled. It looked as though she had made breakfast. Smelled like it too. I gave a smile. She wiped her hands on her apron and came to me. I didn't realize how weak I felt until she gave me a helping hand to the table.
"Thank you miss." I said, trying to blend in with some sort of twang in my voice.
"Oh of course dear. You need to eat something. I've made eggs and biscuits. Oh and I've made some coffee or you can help yourself to some milk." She said, just as sweetly as a mother would.
I was so grateful for the food. I had been traveling for some time and couldn't recall the last time I had actually eaten.
I set my fork down.
"Can I ask your name?" I started.
"Oh yes!" She smiled. "My name is Theresa."
"Oh." I smiled back. "I'm Jacqueline. Thank you for helping me in last night. I must have come down with something. I hope you'll forgive me."
I lied. I had suffered a short bout of unconsciousness while traveling, which rarely happened,but sometimes it did. It just added to the danger and adventure, really.
"Oh my honey, don't you worry. Tim comes home like that on any normal night. But don't you worry about him. A young woman like yourself really shouldn't be wandering around soaked in that funny water, though." I wasn't drunk but I'll let her think that.
I smiled again, sympathetically. "Do you have my clothes by any chance?"
"Sure do. But I don't recommend walking around like that. The townspeople might get a case of wobblin' jaw." I was trying to remember what clothes she might be talking about.
"Oh is it the jeans?" I asked.
"Yeah, sure." She replied. "Let me get some of my daughter's clothes for you." I noticed a colt sitting by the stove. I wondered if she's ever had to use that thing.
She returned back with a modest dress and protective boots. She warned me against snakes and the worst kind of sunburn--sunburn of the feet.
I thanked her and went on my way.

As I got into town, visible from Theresa's house, I felt the surreal feeling of being in this old, forgotten place.
I entered the first shop. The Grocery Co. There were fresh vegetables at the entrance that were quite tempting but I knew I had to pack things that would last me awhile. I went to the counter.
"Good morning miss, I reckon I've never seen your face around these parts."
"Oh I'm travelin'." I smiled, but by the look on his face, he wasn't a fan of "travelers".
"My husband has sent me with some money. We are touring this side of the country, and heard your store is the best stop in town!" He blushed. Apparently flattery goes a long way. I've learned over the years how to talk my way through these kinds of situations.
"Well then, what can I get for you this morning?"
"Ah. I would like 1 lb. of your dried fruit." I paused, he scooped. "I will also take an entire bag of your jerky please." Again, I paused and he grabbed it. "Hm, four cans of beans, two loafs of bread, please, and a handful of those candies and that will be all." I hurried. He calculated my total and gently packed my new belongings into a brown sack. I figured I should probably get acquainted with the town and then leave. I can't be anywhere too long. I looked around and there wasn't much else beside the saloon and the sheriff's building. However I could see some more buildings just South, I think, of where I was standing. Another time, perhaps.
I gained enough distance so that no one would be able to see me, well except for the fact that I was standing behind one of the few trees for miles, I hope nobody had seen me. I crouched down and opened my pack and pulled out my transmitter. I put in the coordinates and the date of my next destination, and situated my ring over the scanner. I vanished. I imagined all I left behind was a small puff of smoke.