I Am... Ashanti

Turning Tides

I looked around, it was a futile effort. She was here, where else could I go unless I decided to pretend this wasn't my destination. But seeing as I had stared at her and the door with a look of trepidation, that action would be moot. It was obvious that she'd caught me, to the both of us.

"Look Ashanti, there's no use running, I know this is where you live. In fact I've known for quite some time. I had been tailing you so that we could converse. But seeing as we are here... You might as well invite me in."

I couldn't believe the nerve of this woman, I could see her smirk just hidden behind the shadow of her hat.

"And why would I do that?" I asked. A low chuckle escaped her mouth.

"Because, I'm in the same predicament as you. But, unlike you, I happen to know who is after us."

All I could do was stare, a dumbfounded expression painting my face. Shaking myself out of my stupor, I nodded.

"I don't fully trust you I hope you know." I said as I unlocked the door, and she shrugged.

"Dear girl, I would find you a fool if you did."

Warily, I walked into the house, perhaps there was still time to warn Hershel, if only I could accomplish that, maybe then this whole mission wouldn't be in vain. But how would I?

"Hershel, it's nice to finally meet you." The woman said in her warm baritone voice. The sound of it echoed around the room as Hershel gave no reply. A look of disbelief, horror and shock on his face.

"Ashanti." He stated, reaching a hand out to me. The woman let out a warm full laugh, one that seemed to erupt from the depth of her stomach and pour out into the surrounding environment.

Good lord we are stuck inside with a psychopath. I thought to myself, glancing at Hershel I could concur that he thought the same.

I heard the cock of a rifle gun and looked over at Hershel to see him aiming it at her. The strange woman's laughter only seemed to increase tenfold.

"Oh dear sweet Hershel. Put the gun down, you'll break your shoulder." She managed to sputter as she wiped at her eyes. Hershel merely arched a snow white bushy eyebrow at her, his pale blue eyes now ice.

"My sweet girl, seeing as I have yet to have the pleasure of being acquainted with you, I don't think I'm going to listen to anything that you order me to do." He replied.

A slight smirk was on her face, as she ran her fingers over the lining of her hat, Hershel poised himself, on high alert and ready to shoot. She lunged at him, her movements fast, agile almost cat like. Unfortunately for her there was a kink in her plan.

Hershel wasn't the frail old man he appeared to be. With quick smooth movements he flipped the rifle around and hit her in the nose with the butt of her gun. She crumpled to the floor, a sudden torrent of blood gushing out of her nose.

"Oh God Hershel. What if you've killed her!" I exclaimed rushing to her side and checking her breathing. I knew it was an unfounded question, he had had a gun and was fully prepared to do just that should she prove a threat.

"Calm down, for now I have simply...subdued her. She's alive, her nose will most probably be broken." I glared at him and he shrugged. "Most definitely be broken, but this will give us a chance to find out who she is as well as bind her for questioning."

Bind her for questioning; what madness is this. What had my mother gotten herself involved in. Time traveling? Time traveling stalkers, assassins?! 

Hershel knelt beside me as my mind went round in circles, trying to digest what was happening.

"Let's see what our fan looks like shall we." Hershel muttered as he pulled off the hat with a flick of his wrist.

"Well I'll be damned." Hershel said staring down at the face.

"My sentiments exactly". I breathed out, this was definitely a turn of events.