Opening my eyes, I felt tears. I don't remember crying, but they were there. My head ached so badly. My stomach did flips. I rolled over just in time for the vomit to not get all over me. I rolled back over and just about vomited again. What was that smell? A putrid feces smell wafted in my nose. I leaned up on my elbows and looked to find three large pigs in here with me. That explains the stench.
Where was here anyway?
It looked like I was in a barn of sorts. It was a simple, square shed. Quite small. I hoped the pigs wouldn't eat me. The prickly hay under my elbows itched. I attempt to stand, but fail miserably. Carlisle said the terrible migraines and nausea were caused by something he called "time sickness". He also said it would happen my first couple of times.
Great.
On my second try, and by holding onto the nearby barn wall, I was able to stand. I got a bit dizzy, but managed to stay upright.
Now. I thought to myself. Now I have to find the elucidator.
The elucidator was the device that allowed me to travel in time. It was a large little sucker. It kind of reminded me of a TV remote. Lots of buttons and all. I staggered around the barn looking for it until I found it under a mound of hay. It blinked red at the top, which means it couldn't be used until it was exposed to direct sunlight. I put the device into my sweatpants pocket and began to clumsily walk over to the shed door. I undid the latch and swung it open.
Green. Lots of green.
Fields upon fields lay before me. It was so beautiful. I walked outside and just smelled the air. It smelled so clean.
In contrast to New York, this air felt so real. I really think this is the first time I've actually breathed.
Suddenly, I hear someone whistle to my left. I look in that direction and see an older woman peeking out of the door of a cottage a couple feet away. I guess I didn't notice it.
Is she talking to me?
I take in how she's dressed, a long, carpet-resembling gown, and then glance at my attire, sweatshirt and sweatpants.
She stared blankly at me for a while and then motioned with her hand for me to come inside.
I should run. Or should I? Would I make things worse? Is she going to turn me in to the cops? Or whatever they've got here.
Right before I make my move to take off in the opposite direction, she begins to yell.
"Come here, child! I'm to help you!"
Oh.
I begin to slowly walk towards her, still cautious. I mean, this is a stranger after all, no matter what century I'm in.
When I approach her, I then notice what she's got on her head. It looked like that thing Professor Quirrell wore in the first Harry Potter movie. She smiles at me.
"Come in." She says, stepping to the side to let me in. I smile back and walk inside.
Her home had an open floor-plan. I stood in the kitchen which merged with what seemed to be a living room to the right and then veered back around a wall to another room I couldn't quite make out. I think it was a dining room.
I stood there awkwardly as she walked to a kettle hanging over a fireplace. I still didn't really know who this lady was or why I was in her home.
"Take a seat." She spoke, pouring the contents of the kettle into two cups. I pulled out the wooden chair closest to me and sat at the table in the center of the kitchen.
"I threw up in your barn."
Oh my God. Why did I just say that?
The lady glanced back at me and smiled again. "No worries, dear."
She then walked over and sat a tea-filled cup in front of me and then sat across from where I was sitting. I decided against telling her I didn't like hot tea.
"I'm Catherine." She spoke. Up close, she looked about 40.
"I'm Maya." I replied. She hummed while she sipped her tea. I continued.
"But that's not my 'real' name, I suppose."
She smiled, again, and shook her head.
"You are Cecily of York. Daughter of King Edward IV."
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please give me feedback that won't make me cry. thank you. also, I fr don't even know where this story is going to go lmao. I mean I have a general idea but something tells me it's going to be a whole mess. y'all be patient with me.
