Chasing through centuries

𝓟𝓻𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓮

Scene 1 - the shadows lurking there 

ATHENA - 2024

It was the dead of night and the previous rain had created puddles on the ground., which reflected some of the many vibrant lights that the city processed. Athena knew this time of night well. She often explored the city, and even though she had been doing it for a whole month, she still hadn't seen every part of beautiful New York. She stepped in a puddle, causing a splash. It paired beautifully with the gust of icy cold wind. 

She liked the cold, she felt it fitted well with her personality. Or maybe she just spent way too long reading edgy mafia stories on Wattpad.  She smirked, knowing full well it was the latter. 

She had no idea where she was headed - but that was only part the fun. For Athena, the night-life of New York was like experiencing a new adventure every day. Still, se decided to form what little she could of a plan. "I'm gonna see where 3 rights, 2 lefts, 2 rights and a left from fifty steps away takes me" She thought to herself. 

As she was halfway to 50 steps, something more intriguing caught her eye. A dark alleyway beckoned her over. "Adventure," she muttered to herself. 

The mysterious passageway sent a jolt of excitement through her. She took a deep breath and stepped inside it, curious to see what awaited her. 

There were no lights, and Athena could only see from the city lights outside. She wondered inquisitively further into the dimly lit alleyway. Avoiding a puddle, she studied her surroundings. That was when she saw it. Lurking in the darkest area, was a shadow of some sort. 

She stood squinting, trying to distinguish the strange silhouette. "Athena" the voice startled her and she began frantically searching for the source of the noise. Too stunned for words, she listened as her name echoed throughout the narrow alleyway.

"It's time to go home, Athena" the monotone voice said, sounding almost boerd. If her heart wasn't racing, it sure was now. She recognised the voice. The eerie words belonged to demetrius. Was she dreaming?! 

"Dem?" She tried. Silence replied. Over the last year, she learnt to know silence. And now it was paired with uncertainty. "Dem?" She repeated herself, swalling down the bile. All of a sudden she felt a broad, firm grip on her shoulder and a splitsecond later, the lights went out. The street lights, the car lights, the shop signs, the light from inside the buildings- everything. She began hurriedly groping for her phone in her shoulder bag. Then, all the sounds stopped abruptly. The chitter chatter, the cars horning, the engines and all else that added to the hubbub of the city. 

She began swaying unconsciously and she felt as if her stomach had left out of her and landed on the floor infront of her. Her legs went weak, the only thing keeping her form falling was the grip on her shoulder. 

But that support also slowly slithered away. Just as she was about to fall, she felt the hand over her mouth. She thought she might as well just collapse.

"The father will not be happy to see you." 

He was so close he practically whispered in her ear. He was right. Athena couldn't even imagine what their leader would do once she was in his grasp.

 "We've been searching realms, centuries and even worlds for you dear athena. Home sweet home with me athena. Think about it. With me!" 

Now she was really struggling to stay on her feet. Her eyelids became heavy. 'No' she thought 'No, no' 

She thought about how amazed she was when she first saw the head lights, she thought about weetabix, she thought about culture, she thought about technology, she thought especially about Nikolai. She thought all about her little time here. Then she watched the twenty first century drift away from her...