Fictitious Facts

Chapter One

It was just my luck to get thrown back in time. I hadn't exactly been expecting it - because really? What sane person would? But when I some seconds later found myself surrounded by what looked to be architecture from some fifty years ago, any surprise that I know I should've felt was curiously absent.  It was like some of my feelings were numbed, and so I wasn't as hysteric as one would believe. No, as the settings around me morphed from asphalt and tall, imposing skyscrapers into cobalt streets and houses made of simple wood and plain bricks, I merely stood there, mouth agape (and though I would never admit it; some drool pooling in the corner).

I didn't feel any fundamental differences, just the nauseous feeling that settled in the pit of my stomach, refusing to give in. I felt like barfing but forcefully held it in, not wanting the acid flavor to be tasted in my mouth, making the situation any worse than it already was.

Between my struggle of keeping the contents of my stomach from leaving my body and the confusion that came with being placed in a new environment, I couldn't quite focus on what as going on around me. Therefore, the sound of a blaring honk startled me so badly I jumped a little, starting to turn around to face the cause of the noise, when I found that my balance was quite of, leaving me to stumble, before falling to the ground in what seemed to be one motion. It happened so fast and I grimaced at the pain that my bottom endured.

Ignoring the shouting of the angry man inside of the old-model-car, I struggled to stand up, placing my feet firmly on the stone and focusing. Looking up, I felt there was something majorly off, but it took some time before I could properly point my finger at it.

Everything looked a lot bigger - the cars, the people, the houses, and it felt as if I was smaller. Which I, some seconds later to that, found out was exactly the case. Removing myself from the bustling road in order to not be run over, I stumbled to the sidewalk, spotting my reflection in a store window.

I nearly tripped again. Making sudden gestures at the window, I made sure that who I saw was really me and I felt the panic within me rise, only to be calmed again by whatever was keeping me from freaking out. Pinching myself, I didn't wake up and pinching myself again definitely didn't help. My arm now sore, I settled for studying myself closer.

I was a lot shorter - due to being in another body. The girl in the window reflection was young, still a child, baby fat evident in her face. Her hair was blond - the opposite of my color of brown before - and her eyes a deep brown. She had big eyes and a cute little button nose, all in all forming the image of a sweet little girl at the age of, maybe around seven. Not my actual age, 25, and I had a hard time wrapping my head around all of this.

No, never-mind a hard time, it was impossible. I found no explanation as to what was happening and my surroundings didn't exactly help. It looked like sometime in the twentieth century, judging from the appearances of people, buildings and cars. When in the twentieth century, or even where, I had no idea.

But it really did feel like someone was pushing aside my distress, bringing with them the warm feeling of calmness. I stood still, contemplating some moments before I finally came to terms with not coming to terms with the situation and decided to find out some answers to the questions I had.

Turning to the nearest pedestrian, I opened my mouth, only to find the person I had directed my attention towards swerving to the side to avoid me. Surprised, my mouth hanged open for a few seconds before I collected myself. Why did she avoid me?

I stared after her, puzzled, then turned to another person, this time a man. Wearing a business suit and coat, he looked relaxed as he walked, his suitcase swinging with ease by his side.

I put on a smile and took a step towards him. "Mister," I started, unsure of how to address someone, was this actually the twentieth century. Thankfully, I must have done something right, as the man stopped and looked down on me.