Not My Time

The Journey Begins

"All strange Questions Aside we should get on our way it is still a few days of traveling to get home," John said "Kira seen as you might be most comfortable with Stephen you can Ride with him so get on up and we can be on our way."

I walked over to the horse and Stephen helped me get up and on before he swung up right behind me and we started on our way. Charles and John were leading and talking about something but Stephen didn't say a word, his silence was comforting yet deafening as it left me alone with my thoughts. Thoughts about my family, about Jules and how I may never see them ever again. I decided to break the silence to try and keep my mind off of everything.

"So what were you guys doing out in the woods?"

"There was a meeting that my father wanted us to attend we were traveling home from it-"

"When you heard me scream." I finish for him.

"Yes, so we decided to come see what was going on my dad told me to stay behind seen as I am the youngest."

"You're the youngest in your family?"

"No, I am the youngest between me and my brother."

"So you have other siblings?"

"Yes, a twin sister, a younger sister and younger brother."

"How old are they?"

"Well my twin like me is 19 her name is Lydia, my younger sister Hannah is 14, younger brother Oliver he is 6, and Charles over there is 23."

"Are you guys close?"

"Of course especially me and Lydia being twins and all we were inseparable when we were younger always wanting to do things together. But when Hannah was born and was getting older, Lydia would spend time with her more and less with me, but it was probably a good thing."

"You have a big family."

"Well, it is a good thing we have a lot of space and have a farm so more people to work it." He goes on to talk about his family and daily life and what their house is like. He tells me that Charles is engaged to a girl named Sarah and she is spending time with her family as they recently lost a family member. Then something I dreaded happened he turned the questions on me.

"So what about you, I have been telling you about my life and everything but what was your family like."

"Well it was me my parents and a younger brother, Jaden, he was 15. We lived a simple normal life not much to tell." I say not knowing what I could say without giving anything away. He stayed silent for a minute before speaking again.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want but how did you get away if your family was attacked?"

"Well it was at night and my room is on the first floor at the back whoever came in the front door I heard my parents yells and the voice of the intruder. I was going to go grab my brother but there was not enough time as I heard him approaching. I climbed out the window to my room just before my room door flew open then shut a second later. Then I heard the scream of my brother, It was a terrible sound. I ran as fast as I could before he found me outside." I say thanking my amazing storytelling. I let a few tears slide down as though the story I told was fake I still lost my family.

"I am so sorry that is horrible, no one should have that happen to them." We fell into silence once again. Through the rest, on the day me and Stephen would have little pointless conversations about whatever. It was hard for me as I had to watch what I said it helped me knowing my history.

"It will be getting dark soon we'll make camp up ahead," John called back to us. After a few more minutes we came to somewhat of a clearing to stop for the night. Stephen got down then helped me down. Before taking the tack off the horse so they could rest as well.

As the boys set up the things we would need I stayed with the horses and pet them. I love horses though I have only ridden them once or twice before, but I have a feeling we might become more acquainted. After the things were set up Charles and John went to go fishing, apparently, there is a small lake nearby. A while later we were eating around the campfire, I may not like fish but what we had on the shortstop we took for lunch was not enough compared to what I am used to.

Once we were done eating I went to the lake it was a decent size big enough for a good amount of fish small enough not to be known well. It was a nice view the trees reflecting nicely off the water the little bit of sunset that could still be seen, If I was in my time I would have grabbed my camera and taken a picture. I sat on a fallen tree that was the perfect height for a bench.

I sat there in silence just staring out at the water thinking about my family and Julia about what they are going through right now in the present. About what Jules thought when I wasn't there in the morning and there was nothing indicating where I went. I let tears slip down my face telling myself that they will be okay that I will get back to them soon, I can feel it. I heard footsteps approach from behind me then someone sits down next to me. I didn't need to look over to see who had sat down.

"You okay?" he asks softly looking over the lake.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say though it wasn't true, but he didn't buy it.

"No, you're not people don't cry when they are all right."

"How did you know that I was crying?" I say turning to look at him

"I have eyes I can see the tears on your cheeks." he wipes a remaining tear away with his thumb. His fingers are rough, probably from years of farm work. He puts his arm around my back I lay my head against him.

"I just miss my family knowing I won't see them again and am wishing I stayed in the house to suffer the fate of the rest of my family."

"You don't mean that," he says tilting his head a little to look at me.

"No, not really, just really miss them."

"I understand why I would feel the same way if it was my family." We sit there in silence watching as the sun sinks down into the sky.