Book 1- The Ark of Time

Chapter 2

Her eyes hesitantly opened, warm light flickering against her skin, she could just about make out two people next to her, "Where...?"
"Are you alright?" She was sat down on a chair, rubbing at her teary eyes which cleared with each blink.
"Who?" Two, warped silhouettes filled her vision.
"It's the principal and me." She blinked, looking at them.
The figures shifted. "My eyes... I can't see..."
"It's alright, that's a normal reaction after what you experienced." Brandon placed a hand on her shoulder.
A deafening silence filled Horatia's ears, "And... w-what exactly did I experience?"
"You encountered an ancient artefact." She turned to look at the other man, who she recognised as well.
"Magical... Artefact...?" She stood up, her knees shaking.
"Yes, you will feel disoriented for the next few days, but the symptoms will subside."
"What... time is it?"
Brandon grasped her shoulders to calm her down, but it didn't work, "It's only been a few minutes, relax."
"No...! You don't understand." She stood up, "Please I have to go now! I'm sorry!"
The two men looked at each other, "It's alright, but calm down first..."

The student took her time, breathing heavily to calm herself down. "I'm okay..." She slowly stumbled towards the exit.
"It is best if you stay here, going out now may be dangerous for you." The principal grasped her hand. The girl's blood went cold, "I..."
"But...If it is a matter of urgency, then you may leave. It is also good if you took some time to think over what you saw."
A smile crossed the student's face, and she turned around in an instant, "Thank you."

Horatia strolled to the door, before breaking into a sprint across the school. Several teachers walked past her in the hallways, many of them calling after her. But at this point, she did not give heed to their disapproving looks.

"I'm here!" Horatia stopped at the entrance to the city, her father standing by the gates looking at her patiently, his eyes crinkled at the sides with an emotion she knew all too well. Her gaze turned to the clock in the far distance: she was early.
"Horatia, why the rush?" A dog ran up to her from behind him, jumping onto the girl's legs.
"Hi Max." Horatia waved at the little animal, bending down to give him a pat, "I thought I was going to arrive late... Sorry..." The man smiled.
"It's alright, you shouldn't worry about it too much. Come on, let's go home..." Devoid of conversation, they journey with a strange, almost unsettling atmosphere. The frigid air of late autumn tinged the tip of her nose, yet it was left unnoticed to the girl. Her father's spirit scratched her ankles, shuffling and hopping around her feet. The edges of Horatia's lips curled up in a smile, for a few moments her worries disappeared, and she could think.

Her father watched, his mind wandering, "Tell me, what made you come early?"
The girl wavered, "I just thought I was really late, I had some work to do after class finished, and I didn't check the time before I decided to sprint over here."
"Hmm..." He observed her lost in thought, "You sure?" She nodded, "Okay then... But next time, don't do that, then it'll seem like it's really you." Horatia chuckled. As they continued, the lingering peace in the air faded into existence. In the tranquillity, the words the principal spoke rested uneasily in her stomach.

The rest of the walk was spent in comfortable silence, as the man gazed over the town. Young children ran down the streets, and the elderly watched over them. All seemed fine, except for the girl who fiddled with a pencil nervously beside him. "Horatia, is something the matter?"
Startled the girl turned around an alarm, "No, why do you ask?"
His brows furrowed slightly, "You've been nervous for quite a while now, are you okay?"
"It's nothing I just have school on my mind..."
Her father stopped, "I know when there's something on your mind and when you're distracted with school, what's the matter?" Horatia turned around to look at her father, ignoring the dog that scratched at her foot.
"Father, there is nothing wrong, I'm just stressed from school." Her father smiled softly, lifting his hand to the brunette's shoulder, "Father!" He stumbled, "Be careful!" They made their way to a small, wooden house.
"Alright then," He unlocked the door before peering inside for a moment. Her father walked quietly with Horatia following close behind.