take me back in time

time travelling for beginners

Well, I can't quite tell you how it happened.
I remember coming home after a long day at work, you see, I am, or was a teacher at high school.
I loved my job, really did, still do I suppose. Always loved working with children, loved to teach them big and little things, sometimes even unnecessary wisdom though.
That's just how it is, I guess.
So, I came home on Friday afternoon totally worn out, switched into something comfortable like black leggings and my beloved grey hoodie, started cooking for myself and ended up laying on the couch.
My best friend from childhood called me just then, chatting a little about everything and nothing.
"What about we play a round, hm?", she asked me after some time.
"Like what?"
"Ah, come on. You know exactly what I mean, Soph."
Yeah, not gonna lie. We both were totally in love with Red Dead Redemption II. I used to play the first game back in the day but the second one was so much better, really.
I just finished my third, or was it even the fourth playthrough? I can't remember.
"I have only one mission left, Elena.", I told her, not really in the mood for RDR II right now.
"Good, then finish this one and we'll meet up online, yeah?"
"Gosh, sure. If you insist upon it."
She laughed. "Sure do, girl. Kill Micah and then we go hunting some O'Driscolls of our own. See ya."
After a long heavy sigh I turned my PlayStation on, took my lovely green controller and started the game, like I've done so many times before.
The end of the game always gets me. This was just so unfair, really. I hated it and loved it at the same time.
After going through the last mission, let's be honest, killing Micah is one of the best things ever, I watched as the credits roll over the screen, listening to the wonderful music.
Totally exhausted, I went to the kitchen and got myself some coke. Looking out the window, I saw nothing but the dark sky, some trees, maybe even some flowers in the distance.
See, I live outside of Dallas, way outside, in a small town called Wills Point. Just a little town in the middle of nowhere surrounded by meadows full of horses and cattle.
My dad and I lived here from the day I was born, never moved. Even after his death I stayed here in our little house, got a job at the local high school and continued my absolutely boring life.
Maybe that was the reason, who knows.
I sat down on the couch again, smartphone in one hand scrolling through Facebook and then Instagram, controller in the other when I suddenly became so tired, I just literally fell asleep right there and then.
That's the last thing I remember before I woke up somewhere different.
The first thing I noticed was the silence, apart from birds and some horses, I guess. No traffic noise, no cows, no planes, no neighbors roaming around. It was strange.
The next thing was a gentle kick right above my knee. I flinched a bit and muttered to myself that, whoever it was, they should just let me sleep. I earned it at least.
"What'chu got there, Summers?", a deep voice asked.
"I dunno. Look at her, she... well, she looks strange, doesn't she?", another voice responded.
What the...?
"Uhm, yeah..."
I opened my eyes and closed them immediately, the sun stood high and dazzled me.
Groaning, I lifted one hand to run it over my face, noticing that I lay with my back in the grass.
"W-what happened?", I asked a little hoarse.
"You tell us, girl. What'chu doin' here, anyway? How did you find this place?", the second voice asked. In the back of my head something ringed, I knew this voice.
I stood up way to fast, my head was dizzy but I didn't really care.
"Easy there, Miss. Don't make me shoot you."
Two guns were pointed directly in my face but that was not exactly what bothered me the most, the fact that Micah Bell and Lenny Summers stood right in front of me, made my world spin.
"What the fuck?"
"U-uhm. Excuse me, Miss?", Lenny asked a bit shocked.
"Where am I?"
"Well, you're just outside of Valentine, Miss. We're in a place called Horseshoe Overlook.", Lenny explained confused. "How did ya get here?"
"No no no no no... That isn't possible. I was at home... I..."
My head was nearly bursting, my thoughts running wild and crazy.
"Miss... Miss! We need to know what ya doin' here.", Lenny addressed me again.
"I have no fucking idea, Lenny!", I spat out, not thinking what I was saying.
Silence.
Micah moved fast, his hand clasped around my throat making me back up and lift up my hands in a defensive way.
"How do ya know his name?", he rumbled in my ear.
I nearly laughed but that wouldn't have been smart, so I just stood there looking totally shocked and confused, which I actually was. He smelled bad, like he never really washed and I turned my head away in disgust.
Lenny sighed behind the blond outlaw, one hand grabbing his shoulder.
"Let her go, Micah. We'll see what Dutch is gonna do 'bout her."
After a few seconds, Micah let go of me, standing just inches away.
"Don't do something funny, girl.", he snarled and I just nodded, unable to move.
Micah was gone a bit later but Lenny sat right next to me on a big stone, his gaze going back and forth, watching me.
I just sat there hugging my knees and staring out in the distance. It looked exactly the way it does in the game, every tree, every stone, every blade of grass was in his place. It was absolutely mind blowing.
I still couldn't believe it. This is just a dream, I'll wake up soon and then I'm home again, in my bed, laughing about my current fear.
But right now, it doesn't feel like a dream. Not really. Everything was so real. The sun burned my skin, the wind played with my dark-brown hair and the air was full of different smells. Like the forest, the grass, horses, I even smelled the river nearby. It was stunning and frightening at the same time.
"Lenny?", I asked after some time.
He jumped a bit. "Yeah?"
"I know this sounds stupid but... w-what year is it?"
His brown eyes searched mine and I couldn't really blame him for his skepticism.
"Last time I checked it was 1899, Miss.", he replied quietly.
"Jesus fucking Christ..."
He chuckled a bit but remained silent after this.