"If fate and time align..."
A story entirely stolen yet treasured
Names written so as not be forgotten
Fate denied them
So time gave them mercy only for it to be crueler
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Rada had been staring at the same sentence for nearly ten minutes.
Her unfinished assignment lay open in front of her, the words on the page beginning to blur together. She rubbed her eyes and glanced at the time.
She had told herself she would finish it before sleeping.
That had obviously not happened.
Her pen was still between her fingers when her head slowly lowered onto the desk.
"Five minutes," she mumbled.
She closed her eyes.
That was the last thing she remembered.
---
When Rada opened her eyes again, the first thing she noticed was the smell.
Flowers.
A gentle breeze passed over her face, carrying the fragrance of blossoms she couldn't identify.
She frowned.
This wasn't her room.
She slowly lifted her head.
A pavilion stood around her, surrounded by a beautiful garden. Flowering trees stretched over the tiled paths, their branches moving softly in the breeze. Small tables had been arranged beneath the pavilion, each carrying delicate cups of tea, plates of fruit and little pastries.
There were people everywhere.
Young women sat together in groups, dressed in layers of beautiful silk.
Rada stared at them.
They stared back.
One of the women was in the middle of reciting something. She stopped when she noticed Rada looking at her.
Silence spread through the pavilion.
Rada blinked.
Then she looked behind herself.
Maybe there was a camera.
Maybe this was some kind of historical event.
Maybe-
She looked down.
Her heart stopped.
She wasn't wearing her clothes.
Fine silk covered her body. The sleeves were long and wide, embroidered with delicate patterns. A sash was tied around her waist, and several pieces of jewellery rested against her skin.
