Your face hit cold hard concrete. A big contrast from your warm rooms rug. You spit out some small rocks, wiping off your clothes you stand up. Looking around, you didn't recognize anything. Rubbing your temples you heaved a sigh, great now where were you.
You looked down at the pocket watch in your hand, it ticked like normal but the small digits over it had changed. 1924.
You sulked for a second, this was way to far back than you were supposed to go. And by your calculations you had to wait about a year before you could use it again. Why? Because depending on how far back you go, the more energy it takes off the watch. It could of course charge faster, but since you didn't bring the charger. There was no way to hurry it up.
And worse was you only had stuff on you that wouldn't help you survive. Like your phone, the phone charger, some earphones, some snacks, water and other useless nicknacks. All stuffed neatly in your messenger bag. You look up at the sky, it was painted with hues of purples, blues, oranges and yellows. The sun was setting. Which would've normally been a magical sight, but it only meant that soon night would come. And then you'd be forced to find shelter.
You groan, putting in one of your earphones and turning on some music you had saved for occasion likes these.
You didn't know where you were in the world. But your first clue was that you were in a alleyway. Yet that didn't tell much, you cautiously looked out. There were barely any people out on the street. Expect some homeless people, occasionally a drunk person plus a girl that all had a short bob with a sparkly short dress. I think that's called a flapper. But you still couldn't understand where you were. Since you weren't good with geography, and there wasn't a single sign in sight telling where you were.
If only the watch told where you had gone, but noOo.
You started to walk in the shadows of the alley. Making sure to stay unnoticed, luckily you had grew good at that. So you waited while leaning against the wall until it grew darker. After a while it was dark enough that seeing your own nose was hard to do. You moved from your place peeking out of the alley again. Nothing except some occasional drunks, so you decided to start walking the Main Street. Keeping your head low and moving quickly so that no one noticed your modern clothes.
But barely anyone was there, so you decided to try and find any type of sign. Making sure to read every text that came into view. Even if it was just a shops name, you continued walking until you came across a entrance to a park. It was by the start of a forest, so you decided to check it out. Walking the path through the trees. It was pretty, but everything old is pretty when you see it in it's time. When you came to the actual park here was a bridge over a river. It looked mythical with the moonlight reflecting on the water.
Walking over you stepped up on the stone bridge. Leaning over the edge and seeing your reflection in the water. You stared at yourself before looking ahead, spacing out as you saw a doe walk out the forest. Bending down and eating the grass, you laughed making it's ears flicker. Looking up it noticed you, it stared with it's ears straight up. It seemed like it's black eyes stared at you for a hour before it went back to eating. You snorted, admiring it as it elegantly walked around.
But after a while your attention got a bit distracted. You looked back down at the river, looking at your own reflection along with the other one. It was a calming mo-wait...Another one?
Quickly turning around you yelped seeing another person. "J-jESUS CHRIST" you yelled backing up and glaring at the person who scared your soul out of you. He laughed, his brown eyes closing before opening half lidded in amusement. You gripped your beating heart.
"Why, who-how? How LoNg have you been standing there????" Your voice cracked. He was smiling a very...how can I say this...well EVIL smile. "Apologizes dear, didn't mean to frighten you" he spoke in a accent you recognized but couldn't quite but your finger on. You hum, looking back at the doe that no longer was there. Before looking back, inspecting this dude. He had brown fluffy hair, dark brown eyes, almond skin and round glasses. He wore a brown vest with a white button up under. A bow tie darker brown pants and some slacks.
"I apologize for my sudden interruption, but it's just that I couldn't help but notice your out here all by yourself." He spoke calmly. You stare at him before an idea dinged in your head. "It's okay, but I have a question. Where am I?" You ask, he tilted his head. Looking you up and down quickly.
"Oh...Well my dear! Your right here in New Orleans Louisiana!" He introduced like a showman, even going so far as to pose dramatically. Which was a bit weird for a first interaction but whatever. He stared at you like he was waiting for something. You stared blankly back, your eyes moving around his face and arms. Before the puzzle pieces clicked, you let out a 'oh' before speaking.
"Thank you for the information sir, but-...I should really get going!" You spoke trying to slip around him but he grabbed your wrist. "Well what's the rush for dear! I'm sure I can walk you home" he offered. You shook your head, "no no, it's fine really I don't really go with people. And plus I think I remember there was a killer around!" Now you were just speaking out your ass... But he paused for a second, "you're right but that it even more of reason I should walk you home!" He smiled brighter, so there is a killer around??
"But that is also more reason to not let you know where I live" You respond. He cocked a brow before frowning, "my dear! Are you saying I'm a murderer? Because that is simply applesauce! I'm no goofy that should be in the pokey!" He scolded while you stared blankly at him. He continued babbling, saying slang you couldn't understand. "Ok ok! Sheesh- I'm sorry, I just don't want to take any risks-" you stop seeing his expression. His smile had returned but it was slightly unsettling, especially with the moonlight.
Putting your finger to your chin you look him up and down slowly. He tilted his head, "what are you doing?" He asked. You your eyes move up to his face, "checking to see if you seem like murderer" you hum. Before walking around him to check all the sides of his profile. Before standing back in front of him. Looking him up and down again you hummed, "I mean- you do look like a murderer. But I have nothing better to do than risk my life" you sigh.
He seemed taken aback, but his smile grew after a second of thought. "Well then! Let's go" he held out his arm crook for you to hold. You hesitated, deciding not to hold onto him. "Well do you know where the airp-...train station or dock is?" You ask, he seemed taken aback. "Do you live near one of those places?" He asked. You shook your head, turning your back to him. "I just need to find my way back to (___)"
"(___)? That's another country, why are you here then my dear" he asked as you turned back. You decided to think fast, looking to your right to avoid eye contact.
"Oh- i don't know how I got here I was just in my home and the next thing I knew I was...Here." You lied, but technically it wasn't just lying it was a bit true. He stared blankly, but you could see something puzzling together behind his eyes. "So you're without a bed to sleep in?" He asked leaning closer. Your eyebrows furrow, "I guess?" You reply while backing up. "Hmm, well my dear your in luck since I'm quite generous" he spoke quickly moving to hold you by the waits and pulling you towards the woods. "So if your up to it I can let you stay with me~" he spoke spinning a piece of your hair in between his fingers.
Is he-...Trying to rizz me up? You thought, moving away a bit because of the uncomfortable gesture.
"I-. Thanks for the offer but are you sure??" You hum deciding to play along. Praying he'd say no, but he nodded pulling your hair behind your ear and noticing your earphones. You forgot they were on since the music stopped, when did the music stop? He looked at it, spinning the wire around his fingers before moving back his hand.
"I'm sorry I got a bit carried away now where were we?" He hummed. Starting to walk, speaking of walking you hadn't even noticed you two were walking into the woods until now.
"You were talking about-" "You staying with me, right?" He interrupted. Making you awkwardly nod, he fixed his black gloves before slipping his arm behind you to make sure you followed. "Oh my, I seemed to have forgot my manners for a second. I'm Alastor! May I get your name sweetheart?" He asked looking down at you through his glasses. You blink, thinking real quick. "It's (name)" you respond getting a bit uncomfortable with his hold on you. "(Name)...Such a pretty name indeed!" He smiled brightly as he looked ahead.
You took off your earphones putting them in your bag to be on more alert. Looking around you automatically held onto the edge of his vest. He only gave you a side glance with narrow eyes before continuing to walk but a bit faster. Like he was in a hurry, you didn't pay attention. Only looking around, this place that reminded you of a bayou. Is it a bayou?... New Orleans does have bayou's...
...
🎶going down the bayou, going down the bayou~🎵
You smiled to yourself as you remember the song, but out of nowhere he slowed down, you also changed your pace in walking. Staring at him you saw something had caught his attention. You moved to also see what he was looking at. His attention stayed on a deer that ate from a bush. Looking back at him you tugged his vest, making him stop focusing on it. He apologized, before continuing to guide you. But his gaze remained on the deer for a while until he looked back forward, he stopped. Looking to the sky like he was deep in thought before looking at you.
"Oh, it seems I trapped us in a bit of a situation." He spoke walking a bit ahead of you to look back at you. You cocked a brow playing with the end of your sleeve. "What do y-" "we're a bit lost" he interrupted again. Your eyes narrow, "a bit?" You repeat. Walking up to stand beside him, he smiled down at you. "Don't worry we just have to retrace out steps"
You nodded, looking back to where you were walking. He came up behind you, putting his hand on your back to pull you. But he pulled you in a different direction, since could've sworn you came from another way...
You started to feel a bit uncomfortable with this man. But you kinda choose to follow him, even though you think he is a murder. But it was to further move the plot- so uhm if you die then RIP I guess? It not like you'll actually be dead, you'll be back in the next one-shot probably. This thought calmed you, making you relax as you both continued walking to your supposed deathbed. Finally you had made it into a clearing, you sighed. Happy as he finally let go off you and you got your own space for a sec. Because- no offense to him- he smelled funky.
You looked at the sky as he was behind you, supposedly trying to look for which way to go. You put on one earphone again, along some music. You were pleased to have some background noise other than the unsettling sounds of the nature at night. You heard the dude walk around a bit. But you ignored it, noting that he'd probably tell you if you guys needed to go somewhere. So you looked at the ground, grabbing a stick to draw in the mud. You mostly made doodles, waiting for the man to tell you to follow him again. Listening to the song that was playing in your one ear.
You hummed along letting your mind wander as you continued drawing things the slowly disappeared as the mud dissolved over it. But that only left you to have more place to draw. After a while a feeling crept up your back, it was awfully quiet... Wait no let's reword, the footsteps of the man you were with had disappeared. The music and forest was still loud, but he was gone. You stood up looking around quickly, turning of the music and taking out the earphones.
"Alastor?" You spoke his name for the first time, before sighing. "Hey Al?" You raised your voice, walking to where you last heard his footsteps. Nothing, the forest had grown dark. A breeze blew from behind making a chill go up your spine. You yet again looked around, but nothing. You were about to try and find your own way when you heard something behind you. Turning back there was nothing expect a rock laying a feet from you. You looked around uncomfortably, before walking up to it. You bended down, poking the rocks side hard enough so that it flipped over. Nothing except some mud, same with the other side.
You grab it holding yourself up with your knee, making it cold. The rock was almost as big as your hand, it was slippery and freezing. Making it an uncomfortable thing to hold on. You didn't think much of how it got there, but that suddenly changed as a feeling you recognized crept up your back. Someone, someone was behind you. Looking back a shark metal came swinging for your neck. An adrenaline rush kicked in your flight or fight response. Raising your hands instinctively to catch it, which it luckily did. The rock had caught the blade, you quickly moved up and back. Still holding the rock, you stared at the person who had just tried to behead you like Anne Boleyn.
"The fuck are you doing??" You yell, he smiled back. Before raising the axe again, taking another swing. But you moved back, starting to take a run for it. Whatever had gotten into him, was definitely not merciful.
So instead you found yourself rushing, quickly looking everywhere to try and find your way back. But he truly had led you somewhere unknown. Was this all a plan of his? You huff, trying to focus your mind on getting away. Deciding to check, you did a quick glance back. Nothing, you had to look back again. Wondering where he went, but as your attention had been averted from your actual path you soon forcefully trip and slam down face first on the ground. A quiet and forced 'ouch' leaving your mouth, muffled completely by the wet grass you now laid in.
Your foot had got caught in a root sticking up. Pulling you head up slightly you noticed the puddle of mud your hand had landed in. You sighed in relief, seeing as you could've feel face first into that. But your slight moment of peace was broken as you heard a branch crack. Remembering the reason why you were running. Sitting up you looked at the place you heard the sound. Nothing was there, you relaxed slightly about to get up when you felt a breath on the back of your neck.
"Your ran fast dear"
"JESUS" you yell out, turning around and throwing a punch landing straight on the bridge of his nose. He fell back, some small tears pricking at his eyes. He rubbed it before, he looked up trough his bangs. And you thought you were actually going insane when you saw his eyes glowing slightly red. He mumble, gripping the axe in his hand as he started walking you back. He went faster the more you backed up.
Until your back hit a tree, making you automatically try to go around it. But you were stopped by a shadow, that slithered around your sides to hold you against that tree. Suddenly the true seriousness of the situation hit you. Regret weighing you down more than the creature around you. The man smiled, spinning his axe ones before raising it. A bead of sweat dripped down your forehead, as a tingling sensation formed at the spot you saw he was gonna hit.
Your eyes squeeze shut, just waiting for it to be over with. You even felt the air from the blade moving to your head go against your face. Even the cold metal and the force as the axe crashed into your skin. You slightly shook, waiting for the pain to start. But you couldn't help but open your eyes. The axe was pressed into your head, looking at the man his eyes were wide with raised brows. He moved back that axe swinging down on the top of your head. Making you flinch and try to avoid it up it ended up smashing down on your head.
It only felt like a slight slap, you were almost as bewildered as the man. Before your face morphed at the realization. Biting your lip your try and contain the happiness you felt that you could live to see another day. You started shaking, making the shadow that held you in place look at you confused. You stared at the ground, using your hair to not show the wide smile on your face. God, you hadn't been this happy since the teacher you hated the most got fired. Or when you got a free slurpee from 7 eleven.
You hit your back against the tree multiple times to try and use pain to calm you down. But it was only like lighter fluid to fire. He continued trying to attack you, but it was like your body had turned as solid as metal. But at the same time you felt like a ballon filled with laughter that was about to burst. You finally let a single giggle out, but that only seemed to make everything slip out. Going from the small giggle, to a loud manic laughter. It even we t to the point where it didn't make a single sound but you looked like you just heard the joke of the century.
He stared at you like you were insane, as the shadow finally let you go to circle on the ground and hide behind the man. You held onto the tree as to not fall, but you really felt like you were dying. You tried to stop by taking a breath and pulling in both your lips and biting them. Taking loud and heavy breaths out of your nose, wiping a few tears from your eyes. You finally calmed. Looking back up at the man as he stared blankly. You finally calmed, snickering as you walked up to him. He took a step back as you got close enough that your chest almost touched.
Patting him on the shoulder he tended up.
"Bro...You did good but I got that plot armor. And the power of god and anime on my side" you snorted. Gripping his shoulder as to not fall as you yet again laughed those silent cackles. You leaned against his arm, gripping his other arm to hold yourself up. "Damn bruh- Hagahgxkaja, you got the whole squad l-hauging" you wheeze out through laughs.
Slipping down on your knees, and giggling like a school girl. Your lungs going dry as you started coughing, wheezing one last time you finally calmed. Looking at him, "yo can you help me up?" You ask. He stared at you like you were insane. "Are you'a demon" he asked.
You stared at him for a bit before realizing it was a genuine question. Snorting you shook your head, "nah im just a bit weird but everything got a bit strange after the year became 2020" reply under your breath. He looked like he was processing everything, looking form side to side. Before staring back at you, clearing his throat and fixing his crooked glasses.
"2020? Darling it's 1924" he corrected, you roll your eyes. "Well for you, I got here on accident. And bummer too, I'm gonna miss my favorite show." You sighed, before remembering something. So before he could add anything you stood up looking him dead in the eyes. "But like...Can I still crash at your place?" You ask. He cocked a brow, "I wouldn' want you to crash my place, that would leave a mess" he responded.
"No no, crashing at someone place means staying at someone's place." You explained, he seemed to stare at you but his glasses kind of glowed in the moonlight so you didn't see his expression aside from his mouth and eyebrows. He tilted his head, looking away to stare at his shadow. He whispered to it, in return it nodded with its smile growing. He mirrored it, showing his teeth in a bright smile. "Well my dear!" He exclaimed.
Smoothly moving to lead you the way he had before, starting to small talk like he hadn't just tried murdering you. He was smooth, really smooth. And he switched really fast. This man really has problems...Well so does almost everyone else in 2023. You shook off your comment on it, deciding to just walk with him. Which now felt like a jog, since he didn't have his slow patient walking as he had before. And since he was literally a walking tree with legs longer than my future he was practically running while casual walking. Which sucked since your legs hurt, but whatever.
Continuing to walk, you finally saw a building in the distance. He stopped his blabbering, smiling down at you. "Well look! There it is!" He pointed to it. You hummed, not really impressed until you finally saw it. And DAMN.
It was a two story cabin that was pretty big. "Do you have a roommate or something?" You ask. Because this looks expensive, "roommate?" He laughs.
"No no, I live all alone" he hummed, "so you don't live with that shadow dude?" You ask looking behind him at the shadow on the ground. He shook his head with a smile, leading you to the porch. And DAMN again.
This felt like an expensive rented out place, getting inside was more of a shock to your broke ass. A big fireplace es she first you noticed, and god this man had so much stuff but he had placed them at places which made it seem so homey and comfy. A lot of warm colors, (cough cough red cough cough)
The couch looked most comfy, he had already took off his coat putting it on a hanger. Unbuttoning his vets and folding it on a nearby coffee table. "Make yourself at home darling. You must be quiet fatigued after that run should I get you anything? Some tea ma-" he paused. "-be?" He finished looking at you already passed out on the couch with your earbuds in.
Your shoes had been placed at the entrance, along with your sweater that had been hastily folded beside his. Because the moment he said make yourself at home you made that couch your house. Who needs a actual house when you have a perfectly good couch. He snickered, thinking about trying to slit your throat while you slept. And he did, but after trying about ten times without a single scratch. He gave up, amazed by your ability to completely ignore everything while sleeping. He huffed, seeing your completely care free sleeping face.
He put the knife away in his pocket, moving your body to lay on your back instead of you half leaning off the edge on your stomach. He also got a blanket placing it over you, patting your head before he himself head to his room. On the way he whispered a "Goodnight dear" before leaving your presence entirely.
——————
The next day Alastor woke up like usual, put on his glasses and walking into the bathroom to clean himself up and relieve his bladder. He put on his normal shirt, vest and pants. Running a hand rough his messy hair to fix it. Before walking downstairs and getting into the kitchen. He fixed some coffee which took awhile. Meanwhile he made some bacon and eggs, for some reason he made more than he usually eats. Which made him stop up and get confused, he served up his portion. Leaving the rest on the stove for him to figure out later.
Pouring the coffee in his mug he also realized he made much more than usual. He gently shook the coffee pot hearing the splashing off excess coffee. Picking up his cup he took a sip trying to fully wake up. And suddenly he remembered, quickly walking to the living room. Seeing the body in the couch, Alice body to be clear. His head tilted as yesterdays events finally clicked in his mind. He leaned over the back of the couch, looking down at you. A bit confused, both by the situation he got himself in and the fact you were on the complete other side than the side he placed you on.
How did you spin around? He thought, sipping his coffee. Thinking of you as a piece of meat being grilled over a fire. Fire... Would that kill you? In his opinion you seemed to be made out of diamond. But a worthless diamond. Your shell was just hard, like a diamond. But he wanted to slice you up and grill you with some roasted potatoes. He took another sip, imaging you gets again as a meat slab.
Soon enough you stirred slightly, making him vi tour of his thoughts to stand back up and walk to the kitchen. Deciding to be a generous and set up another portion of food and coffee for you. Bringing your portion to the living room and placing them on the coffee table. Before going back and getting his portion he set it down across from yours. Sitting in a wing backed armchair, he sipped his coffee. Staring at you, he waited a bit before you finally seemed to wake up.
Blinking your eyes, as you looked to your side. Making eye contact, "sup" you hum nodding your head upwards. He cocked a brow "...suuup~?" he repeated back unsurely. You groan sitting up as the blanket fell down to your waist. You stared at the plate of food in front of you. "Oh- damn. Is that for me?" You ask pointing at it. He nodded against his cup, you sat up straight leaning over and looking at it. Bacon, perfect sunny side up eggs, a toast and a cup of black coffee to wash it down with, you didn't mind black coffee. Definitely not something you drank everyday but it was something you could enjoy.
Taking a sip, you made a hum of clarification. Before picking of the excess from your lips, holding the warm cup in your hands. "Alastor right?" You make sure, "spot on darling!" He spoke in his showman voice. Honestly, how can someone be so energetic in the morning. If you thought he was insane before this honestly made it more believable. Or was everyone back in the day like this?
He took a bite off his bread, chewing it slowly as he didn't stare at you. You didn't look either tapping your fingers against your mug.
"Dear, how did you end up here?" He asks putting down the half eaten bread on the plate. You look up form your cup, taken aback by the sudden question. You look to the side in contemplation before deciding on the answer. Before putting down the cup on the tablets, as you rummaged through your bag. Pulling out the magic pocket watch responsible for all this.
He leaned closer as you held it up, his eyes squinted as reached out touch it, but you flinch back. Moving it away from him, "hmm? Oh did you not want me to touch it? I'm sorry" he apologized. You sighed, giving it a glance before replying.
"no no, it's fine just be very careful" you place it on the table gently. He smiled before picking it up, he stared at it for a second. Looking at the back at the engraved designs. Turing it side to side to try and understand the design. Before looking at the front.
"How does it work?" He asked looking up at you.
You were chewing on a piece of the bacon, swallowing it quickly. "Well to say it short, if you movie the hands it moves time. If you move the hands forward it brings time forward. And back it goes back" you explain putting the egg on the toast and taking a bite. In response he hummed, staring at the hands. As they slowly ticked like a normal clock, he pulled up the protecting glass.
Trying to pull the clocks hand forward but it wouldn't budge. So he moved it back, it still wouldn't budge. "Only I can move it" You explain. Sipping some coffee again, "then why don't you move it forward and travel back" he asked handing it to you. You place the cup down again, wiping your mouth on your wrist as you grab it.
"Well the thing is with this, it has a countdown. The further back I go, the more time I have to wait for it to be able to travel forward. I can still go back in time but it will add to my wait. Of course I could hurry it up if I had my special charger but I don't have it" you looked away embarrassed. Putting the watch in your bag
"Why not? Did you forget?" He asked, eating a bit of his food. Your face became slightly red as the memory came up.
"W-well, I kind of got here on accident. You see going back in time a few minutes only gives the cooldown a couple of minutes if not just seconds. And I kind of needed more time with my homework before going to school since I already finished the other answer I could memorize it and write down quickly. I have used the technique for a long while. But uhm-" you bit the inside of your cheek.
Giving a quick glance to him, he nodded gesturing for you to continue. Your face got hotter, you sighed.
"Well, when I was gonna go back a few minutes I kind of....sneezed" You looked back as he stared into your soul with a blank face. "And well when I did my hand accidentally pushed it hard enough to spin to this timeline" you finished with a low shameful voice.
He continued to stare, his hands in his lap. Just adding to the awkwardness, his hand moved to cup his chin and half cover his mouth. His eyes curving up as he tilted his head down, his shoulders shaking up and down. Before finally he actually burst out laughing. Slamming his back into the wing chair as his eyes practically rolled parallel to each other. He laughed loudly, holding his stomach and almost kicking his legs like a kid. Until finally he started coughing like he was dying, you take a bite of your egg to ignore him.
But he continued, before finally calming down when it almost sounded like he coughed up a lung. He giggled a bit through loud breaths, "oh my, ha, you my dear. Are truly interesting." He cackled quietly putting his wrist to his forehead. "Haha, a sneeze really, what caused your beezer to betray you like that?" He asked, giggling slightly.
You huffed, "Hey! I have a really dusty room okay so don't blame me! Blame my procrastination for not cleaning"
He nodded with a chuckle as he sipped his coffee. He pursed his lips, "well how long are you stuck here?" He asked. "Why do you wonder?" You reply with another question. "Well I'm sure I can house you meanwhile!" He offered. "Oh, well then. If my calculations haven't failed me it's about..." you tap your chin.
"Well about a year I guess." You answer as he practically choked on his food. Hitting his chest violently, "a-a ye-year???" He wheezed out. Staring at you with eyes of regret. "I-..." he cleared his throat looking away as it looked like he had a pep talk. "Well I suppose I did say you could stay" he sighed sadly.
You narrow your eyes at him, "b-...BOI don't be so sad. What did you expect? I'd be here for some days or something?" You ask, he sipped his coffee. His carefree blank face back like he wasn't just freaking out. "I did actually" he huffed, your eyebrows furrow. "If some minutes is a minute or seconds what do you think about-....2023 - 1924 is about 80 and then....oh yeah! Then what do you think about 99 years would be?!!"
He put down his cup, "well I thought future technology would at least be smart enough to make the wait time little" he explained. You huffed leaning back, "well this isn't 'future' tech it's something I was gifted by-...Something- IDK dude!" You huff annoyed before calming down.
"I'm sorry...uhm, thanks, for letting me stay Al" you thank, eating your toast.
He nodded, "your welcome dear"
—————
OOOOOHHHH MAH GAWD CLIFFHANGER???!!!
Yeah sorry guys I didn't know what to write and we all love something that can be easily be made a part two of if you know uhm. Someone requested :)
Plz
(Haven't grammar checked)