Ticking Time - Andrei
- Kayla West
- May 15, 2018
- 3 min read
Stuck
December 2314 BC
I claw my hair with my hands as if yanking it out will solve this problem. Why can’t I jump back? It's been 5 days, plenty of time to recharge for a time jump. Granted I’ve never jumped this far back before. I didn’t think it was possible. But still!
Raven seems patient though and at the moment she’s gone off to find a nearby village, saying something about food. So here I am, alone, wondering the empty fields of pre-England losing my hair to magic.
The worry grips me with hysterics and I feel nauseous. Instead of enjoying my time in the past and learning what I can, I’m just avoiding people and panicking. Nothing makes sense! It’s as if something is blocking my magic!
I’ve tried many things, like lighting a fire with a spark, but even this basic magic is out of reach to me.
My chest feels tight and for the first time in a long time I feel I am incapable of holding my cool.
Suddenly an idea comes to me. That strange man I met, maybe he would know. If I could find him again, I could ask him.
I still find it strange how much he seemed to know about me and it makes me nervous thinking about seeing him again. Maybe it was just my mind jumping to conclusions but still, he made me feel uneasy. But my need, my desire to understand and return to my time, and get Raven home, is greater than my unease about his awareness.
I immediately set off for Stonehenge. It's the middle of the night, the moon high and getting brighter each day working its way towards a half moon. I make sure to avoid any main routes I’ve seen people take to the relic.
When I arrive I am surprised to see him standing there, red cloak billowing in the gentle icy breeze, gazing up at the henge as if he’s never left.
I can’t hold back, my mouth runs away before my brain can catch up and my pace quickens till I reach him.
“What do you know about me?! Why can’t I return? Tell me what you did?!” My eyes are wide and I feel the fear take over my words.
He looks at me with a flat stare, callused hand gently holding my own which has gripped his clock broach and lifted it up so he is on his toes. I immediately release him and feel my cheeks heat, hoping the darkness hides my shame.
“I will answer your questions the best I can, but first, your last one. I did nothing. I cannot do anything. I hold no magic of my own. That is why I am here.”
I step back in bewilderment and sag to the ground, my hands are shaking. “Why then can I not get home?” I hear my voice crack.
He hobbles toward me. “I will answer your first question. I know only what the stones have told me. I’ve been here long enough to hear their stories. You cross time, you’ve crossed many times and hold a rare and powerful magic. But nothing is more rare and powerful than that of stonehenge.
You told me your name, Andrei. I only know you have time magic and the stones brought you here for a reason. What that is I can only guess. Your fate is tied to them it seems. I sense it. I believe I have answered your second question.”
“That makes no sense to me!” I shout at him.
He holds out his hand to me and I hesitantly take it. He pulls me up and turns me to face the stones.
“Stonehenges holds a great and powerful magic. Even since before they were erected, this site is a gateway of sorts. It's power spills over like a bucket filled to the brim and effects the material world. It could be affecting your magic. It could not be affecting your magic.” He sighs at the stones and turns to me.
“Come, stay with me a while and I will teach you what I know about the stones. Perhaps you will find your answer.”
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