Distant Shores 2: Waves Of Time

Returning

"Attention everyone. The Maritime Museum will be closing in five minutes."

You and Robert both look up at the intercom's announcement. You then glance back to the compass in the case. You still can't believe that after everything Robert has done to you and your crew, and after all the times he's broken your trust, that he is your only chance to get back to your friends, your pet, and...Edward. You fold your arms across your chest as you raise an eyebrow at him.

"Well Robert, do you have a plan?"

Robert just looks at you and smirks. His voice is filled with humor when he answers.

"When don't I have a plan, Coral?"

Just then a museum curator approaches you and Robert, obviously trying to get the last of the customers out so they can close up. He offers a polite smile at you.

"Excuse me, folks is everything okay?"

You can see the gears working in Robert's mind, and he looks amused as he answers.

"Of course, everything is perfect."

Robert throws a quick glance at you, then at the compass case. Finally he looks the museum curator up and down before he looks back at you.

"Coral, I'd take a couple steps back if I were you."

You throw him a confused look, but you do as he says. Your mind is racing, trying to figure out what angle he's playing at, when all of a sudden he grabs the museum curator and smashes him into the compass case. You let out a horrified gasp as you walk back towards Robert, being very careful to avoid the broken pieces of glass that cover the floor. You look at the museum curator who is now twitching on the ground, with blood oozing out of cuts that cover his face and arms.

"Robert, what the hell?! Did you just kill him?"

"Not quite. He's still twitching, ain't he?"

You let out a frustrated sigh. You planned to steal the compass, but you didn't plan for anyone to get hurt in the process. A three hundred year difference and Robert still has a malicious streak; but honestly at this point you're not surprised. Robert ignores your glare and reaches for the compass, holding it by the chain as he looks at you expectantly.

"Well, are you coming?"

You may not agree with his methods of violence, but you need to get home, so you don't hesitate as the two of you flip open the compass and touch the center of the compass rose together. Suddenly you feel the familiar pull in your gut and you see a flash of blue. It continues to glow brighter, blinding you. You close your eyes to shield them. Within seconds the blue glow fades. You open your eyes and look around carefully.

You're back in bed, in the cabin on the Intrepid. Edward is still sleeping peacefully, with his arm wrapped around your waist. You see the faint orange glow of the sunrise out the window. You smile as you realized it worked; you're back where you belong. You're not sure where Robert landed, or if he's even still alive in this time period, but right now you don't care. You're home, and that's all that matters. And this time around, you're going to find a way to stay... forever.