Back and Forth through Time

A New World

Cheyenne raised an eyebrow as she examined the newcomer, a crippled old man hobbling into the room with the use of a cane. Old and fail as he looked, he didn't seem like the type to take people hostage. And, now that she took a second look, the first man didn't either, his sincere eyes and demeanor unbefitting of a criminal.

"She is scared of us, Achilles," the first man explained. "She thinks we took her."

"Hmm. Quite the contrary, actually," Achilles assured her. "Connor here found you lying by the river, along with those...bags of yours."

He gestured over to her left with his cane, and she turned to see her duffle lying on the floor by the bed. It was a little dirty, but otherwise looked untouched.

"Where are you from, child?" Achilles asked.

"I'm from Iowa."

Connor raised a curious brow. "Iowa? Where is that?"

Cheyenne was a little taken aback. "The United States."

"And where is that?"

Now she was absolutely baffled. "How have you not heard of those names before? We're in the U.S, right?"

Granted, Iowa wasn't really famous. But to never have heard of the entire U.S seemed unlikely.

"I do not know of this 'U.S' you speak of," Achilles informed her. "We are in my manor, with the closest colony being Boston."

"What!? That's impossible! How can I be that far from Iowa?!" Because even if she left her home in a drunken stupor, she couldn't have come this far on her own. Someone else would've had to take her.

"Where is Iowa?" Connor asked again. "Is it another country?"

"No. It's in the United States. In America."

Both Achilles and Connor balked at her words.

"We are in the American colonies," Connor said. "But this 'Iowa' is not one of them."

She opened her mouth to respond, but just as quickly closed it and shook her head. "Never mind that. You said you found me outside, right?" They both nodded. "Well, thank you for not leaving me out there.

Another nod from Connor. "You are welcome."

"I need to get home, though. I'm sure my parents are worried sick. Can I have my purse back?"

After Connor retrieved it, she thanked him while pulling out her phone. Her phone wasn't broken, thankfully, but she noticed there wasn't any service.

"Great," she muttered and put the device away. Too far out in the middle of nowhere to get service, probably. "Can I use your phone? Mine isn't working."

She only received another confused look from both of them. Connor especially so. "Phone?"

Cheyenne let out a low snort.

"What?!" Connor demanded.

"How do you not know what a phone is? It's 2019."

If the two men didn't think she was crazy before, they certainly did now.

"Are you quite alright, madam?" Achilles asked. "Hit your head a time or two, perhaps?"

"Why are you asking that?"

"It is not 2019," Connor explained. "It is May 15th, 1776."

She let out another snort. "Okay you two. That's funny, but let's be serious now."

Connor's eyes narrowed. "We are serious."

"No you aren't. That's crazy. 1776 happened a long time ago."

"No. It is 1776."

"Are you alright, child?" Achilles asked again, just when it looked like Connor was going to add something else. "You seem very confused."

"Okay. Last chance. Drop the act, now."

They didn't. Achilles continued with his penetrating stare while Connor straightened up at her tone.

"How do we know you are not crazy?" Connor accused, shooting her a suspicious stare.

"I am not!" she hissed, voice full of venom as she retrieved her phone from her bag and turned it back on. "Look!"

She showed Connor the illuminated screen, practically shoving it in his face until he took the device to study it further. His brows scrunched together at first, but soon relaxed as surprise colored his features.

"May 25th, 2019,'" he read. Achilles tapped his cane and cleared his throat, so Connor handed the elder man the device.

"I told you," she muttered while Achilles studied the phone, a similar look of surprise on his face.

No hostility remained on Connor's face; all of it had been replaced with deep confusion. "But how are you here?"

"I don't know," she told him. "I fell asleep in my own bed, but woke up here."

Cheyenne's head lowered while she processed the situation. In the past, well over two hundred years before she would be born. It threw her frazzled mind for a loop and left her struggling to comprehend how this even happened.

"Perhaps this discussion would be best continued downstairs," Achilles suggested at last. "Are you hungry, child?"

She turned towards him when he spoke, his compassionate smile calming her enough to nod. With that, Achilles led her out of the room while she followed close behind. Connor tagged along quietly, but nudged her shoulder once they reached the stairs.

"What was that...thing from before?"

"What thing?"

"The soft cup."

Cheyenne blushed a little. "I'm not sure if I should tell you."

"Why?" Connor asked, intrigued but a bit suspicious due to her hesitance.

"Because it's embarrassing."

They were walking down the stairs, but Connor suddenly stepped in front and stopped her in her tracks. "Tell me now!" he demanded.

"Why?" she said. "Come now. There's no way that cup is dangerous."

"I will not take chances with a stranger. Especially if you will be staying-"

"I use it for my period," she deadpanned.

Connor's face lost it's suspicious look at that, his tan skin flushing a little while she heard the taping of Achilles cane stop. He huffed and continued walking a moment later, but Connor just turned his back on her and hurriedly stomped off to another part of the house. Most likely to wash his hands, if the semi-disturbed look on his face was anything to go by. She, on the other hand, sighed before continuing to follow Achilles to the kitchen.