Just Your Average Time Traveller

The one constant in life.

"Adonis, what was that?" I screeched. The blood boiled in my veins, sending shuddering spasms through my tensed body. Adonis' eyes smouldered with annnoyance that surpassed mine, if only by a little bit.

"You're asking me?" he whispered. "You should be thanking me, you numbskull. What were you thinking? Were you so sick of us that you decided you wanted to get yourself killed?" 

I shook my head despairingly, having barely registered his words. That was it. I was never going home. Adonis would tell Cassia and she would never let me leave. They were keeping me prisoner here now, and I would have to spend the rest of my life pretending I was Roman and never being able to see my family or friends again. Suddenly, getting myself killed didn't seem like such a bad idea. 

"SAM!" 

I jumped. Adonis smiled grimly and then grabbed me suddenly by the shoulder, pushing me forward with his fist tensed around the fabric of my tunic. He closed his eyes briefly as we walked back, holding the middle and index fingers of his free hand to his temple and releasing a shuddering breath. I kept quiet, too full of self pity and loathing for Ancient Rome to care. 

Every step I took was excruciating, because I knew that the further I walked, the further I got from any chance of happiness. I payed no heed to where we were going, but simply let Adonis do as he pleased. Eventually, Adonis felt the need to speak. The tiredness was seeping in now, and my brain refused to bother with his words.

"Sam, you don't understand," the baker began. "This is for your own good."

How do you know what's good for me? 

"You're desperate to get back. I see that. But finding those...monsters in metal that we saw by the Trevi fountain is not the way to get there."

What other option is there?

"I'm no expert but I trust my gut it tells me they're not here to take you back. You have to get..." The Greek stopped as if something had dawned on him. I kept my expression carefully bored.

"You remember when Cassia disappeared, don't you?"  

I had to answer. "Yes."

"We never told you what happened. She was kidnapped."

I felt a pang of worry (and anger at myself following shortly after) but it soon passed. Until Adnois finished.

"By peopl she said were like 'tin men.' Does that not tell you anything?" My blood ran cold. A million more possibilities flew through my mind to add to the store I already had. 'What if's and 'maybe's suddenly appeared from nowhere.

Perhaps they were trying to find me.

Maybe they hurt Cassia.

What if I'm more important than I realised?

What if this isn't even my parents asking for me back? 

Could it be the government?

Do they really want to take me home? Or...?

"Oh, Hades, why did I have to tell you that?" Adonis sighed heavily. "Please, don't interrogate Cassia. She has enough to deal with now. She thinks it's a blow to her pride." He snorted in an annoyingly manly way. "But keep your mouth shut, Sam, or I'll shut it for you."

The threat was empty. Anyone could tell. 

"Why did you go out here anyway?" Adonis turned on me, pouting slightly.

"I...was confused."

"And suicidal."

"I didn't know they were the ones who...if I did, I..." Words failed me.

"I know," was all Adonis said, full of regret.

"You don't know how hard it is," was my supposed ending statement, too sleep-deprived to explain. The guilt and sorrow and loss that I had felt since coming here seemed so fresh now, like nails biting into my flesh. I was scared, alone, in a world where they didn't even have any means of communication that wouldn't cost several sesterces. I had no idea how to get back, as my only hope had been effectively dashed with a sledgehammer and cast into a hungry abyss. To my surprise, the man towing me back toward my prison-to-be chuckled. I frowned at his weathered face.

"Adonis, what were you doing out here in the middle of the night?"

The smile on his face disappeared, his laugh cut short. He replied with a simple, predictable "Nothing." I groaned.

"You know I'm not going to believe that," I prompted. "Just tell me and we can get this over with. Or I'll tell Cassia." I smirked at his expression. Cassia suddenly seemed to be the equivalent of a teacher in this scenario, and we were misbehaving five year olds. It struck me that the real world isn't too different from primary school. 

Okay, now I knew I was sleep-deprived.

"It's none of your business where I'm going," Adonis replied curtly.

"Oh, I see," I snapped. "Just because my reason for being out here is more likely to kill us all than yours is." 

The man stayed silent. I gasped.

"Oh my god. Adonis, you hypocrite."

"It won't kill us all!" He protested, releasing his grip on my tunic and striding in front of me, preventing me from walking. He paused. "Well, it might kill me...but that's not the point."

"Is it really so hard to tell me?"

"YES!"

I flinched. "Come on. You know you can't win here."

"I know," he mumbled, before continuing. "I was just...seeing my wife." He cringed.

"I thought she was dead," I interrupted.

"Ah. Yes. No."

I rolled my eyes.

"Listen, I didn't lie completely. In fact, I told you more than you deserved to know. It would be safer for both of us if you left it now."

"No," I hissed.

"That's what I thought." He shook his head sadly. "It was all true. I went to the army, came back when they had beaten my son. Then he died because of an infected wound - the healers wouldn't help 'criminals.' So we had to flee before Flavia was whipped too. I told you I fled to Rome with friends. I just didn't tell you that one of those friends was my wife."

My mouth dropped open. "She survived? She...she's here? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Yes. Yes. And because I'd just met you and you'd already started telling me these ridiculous stories about time travel which I realise now aren't lies at all. I visit her every night. That's why I haven't remarried. Because technically, I'm still...well, married." He smiled faintly before glaring at me with purpose.

"But tell nobody. Only three people know. Me, Cassia and now...you." He sounded disgusted with himself for revealing so much to me. I ignored the pretext of his warning.

"Why does it have to be a secret? Can't she just live with you?" I pressed.

"No, this city is teeming with militarians and...she has the brand."

"What brand?"

"The brand of a criminal." 

I mouthed a surprised Oh.Criminals in the Roman rule were branded with hot pokers so they could be identified, always.

"So where is she now?" Adonis' eyes darkened.

"It's better if you don't know." 

For once, I nodded in agreement. We carried on walking and Adonis stopped at the fork in the path leading up to the villa, doubt as clear as the nearing light of day on his face. It must have been...what? 5am? My legs could support my body no longer. I didn't bother with goodbyes, but simply collapsed over the hay bale in the shack, hoping fervently that Cassia would let me rest tomorrow. With new knowledge fresh in my mind, I slept well.