When time has other plans.

Giggles echoed throughout the forest. The sound bounced off the tree trunks, blending into the soft winds, moving up through the leaves.

Heavy thuds followed suit, and through the trees was the blurred mix of royal blues. She ran, bare feet continuously hitting the ground, in a big dress which was bunched in her hands. It was adorned with golden ribbon, keeping the sleeves tight. The white of the shemise peeking through the royal blue gown, and a flash of silver fumbling in motion along the fabric.

Her hair was wildly dancing behind her, and her face was slightly flushed from all the laughing and running. She finally saw a big patch of green ahead and sped up. As her feet made contact with the soft green grass, she fell in a huff, facing the blue sky with a smile. “Oh, how I love the Victorian era!” she giggled, throwing her arms to her sides and letting out one last big giggle before letting her body collect itself. She lay there, breathing softer, heart finally still, and watching the clouds slowly migrate. Memories reeling back into what she saw moments ago. The many common people going about their day, children running around causing mischief, and the mesmerizing knights patrolling the grounds. She smiled and sighed,” Time to go home, I suppose,” she said wistfully, not wanting to leave but needing to, for this era of time was not her own. She stood and saw the castle ahead, heard the faint sounds of life, the trot of hooves against the ground, and the smoke rising into the sky.

With one final glance, she closed her eyes, thoughts clear of where she needed to return to, and held onto her silver Pocket watch. It began to glow, the top slowly opening, and the clock hands started to move in a clockwise motion. “ You know me well, you know where I am from. Please guide me back to where I belong, “ she whispered, the words fading into nothingness and her figure slowly starting to vanish from sight. She felt herself floating, as if time itself was carrying her home, a feeling she adored like no other. Finally, she started to hear the sounds of home. Cars and double-decker buses moving and honking. People’s faint conversations. And her neighbor next door, Mrs. Holmes, was shouting to her downstairs neighbor to keep his cat off her balcony. She smiled and giggled when suddenly -

“ POSY HARRIS!”

She let out a scream and found herself on the ground within seconds. Her heart rate increased, and her body trembled. She huffed and slowly turned to see her- Tyra Pillay, her best friend and roommate. The only person who knows about her secret time endeavors, and the only one who continuously cares to scold her for it. “ You were doing it again, weren’t you? ” Tyra scolded softly. Posy rolled her eyes, whilst beginning to lift herself off the ground. Not keen to have this conversation again,” You already know the answer, so why ask?” She stood up and made her way to her room in a hurry. Tyra hot on her heels.” I just need to understand why this has become a consistent thing. Do you not care that you might cause a Grandfather paradox o-or never come back?” Tyra was a worrywart, but after finding out about time travel being real, her worries increased tenfold. especially over her dear friend.

Posy just kept silent. Making it to her room, changing out of her blue ball gown. She understood where Tyra was coming from, as she had been lectured by her Father that time travel was not a joke and her Pocket watch was no toy. She sighed and continued changing. Seeing that Posy had stopped listening, Tyra merely closed her eyes and took a breath, ” Look, I’m just worried. You are making this a habit, and I’m just … I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Posy kept her distance and stayed out of sight to merely observe, knowing being seen would mess with the timeline, but it became addictive, traveling more than she should. She paused and looked at Tyra. She purely did this on occasion, but what became rare visits became a habit. She cradled her pocket watch, memories of her visits flashing in her mind. “ I know… I just can’t help it. Immersing myself in past worlds is so invigorating." Tyra let her tense shoulders fall and pushed her hair back," You have an amazing ability, Posy, do not get blind sided by the beauty that you forget the dangers." She squeezed her friend's shoulder before leaving and making herself scarce.

Posy sighed and moved to fall onto her bed. She was exhausted. She was at a crossroads; on one hand, she had managed to stay clear and move through time as she pleased. But the dangers were closer now, more than ever. What if she were carless and someone spots her, or she erases her existence? Posy simply turned around, holding her pocket watch and allowing sleep to envelop her. This will be dealt with tomorrow. However, tomorrow never came, for Posy simply refused to deal with it. Instead, she went on with her life, friends, university, and work. Days turned into weeks, and now she found herself in her lecture hall, not listening to her lecturer, who was going on about who knows what. Rather, she heard the echoes of her sneaker-covered foot repeatedly tapping the floor; she hadn't time-traveled in weeks, and she felt lost. Out of touch. She wanted to heed Tyra's warnings and put her worries to rest, but she was struggling - like a coffee addict going through withdrawal symptoms. Posy longed to go anywhere, any time in the past, but she couldn't.. shouldn't. Through her foot tappings, the ticking sounds of the clock were getting louder and louder, vibrating through her ears. She felt herself begin to sweat, the lecture becoming an even bigger afterthought.

She inhaled and exhaled. Inhaled and exhaled. Her body began to calm down, her heart rate softened, and the ticking of the clock faded. She was fine - but she needed to time-travel.

One. Last. Time.

She quietly and carefully collected her things, left her lecture hall, and made a beeline for the bathroom. She would time-travel, one more time, and then she'd stop. It would go back to being a one-off visit - the habit will disappear. It will. It has to. Posy opened the bathroom, checked to see if she was alone, and finally found herself within a stall, with closed eyes, bag discarded, ready for her last visit. " You know me well, you know where I am from. Please guide me back to where I want to be," she whispered with a twinge of desperation. The silver pocket watching starting to glow. Her words faded into the open space and blended into her now vanishing body. Posy felt light, the sensation of moving through currents, and allowing yourself to be carried. Carried somewhere new. What was once white light buzzing turned into the sound of numerous footsteps, automobiles moving on sand and dirt roads, and faint sounds of music. Posy opened her eyes, she smiled and took it all in - the 1870's. Top hats, coats, and canes. Big feathery hats, long but slim dresses, and umbrellas held by the women, talking and giggling amongst one another. Posy quietly walks out of view and tries to find herself somehting to wear to help her blend in. Ahead, she spotted a pair of trousers and a waistcoat hanging from a clothes line. She hastily makes her way over, quickly takes it, and goes to find a spot to change. Unfortunately, she didn't have all the necessities, but it should do- a brown trouser and waistcoat set along with her long-sleeved white top and loafers. All she needed was a hat to cover her hair, when she suddenly heard snoring- a drunk. His beige woolen cap should do.

After collecting herself and changing, she went off quietly observing and making her way round. Posy felt good, ecstatic...but a pit formed in her stomach. Tyra's words surfacing, the worry and fear swallowing her whole. She was beginning to doubt herself, to maybe consider going back - 'this wasn't a good idea. Something could go wrong. Someone will see that I'm a girl under all this. I wi-' she felt a tall and sturdy figure collide into her. Posy stumbled and huffed, and she heard a grunt from the individual who bumped into her- she looked up to meet with ocean blue eyes. So deep she felt herself sinking, his brown hair styled to be pushed back, yet one strand sat above his eyebrow. His tall stature, simple black and white trousers, waistcoat, and fancy dress shoes. " I'm sorry about that. Are you alright?" He asked with clear concern, his voice deep but rich. His voice caressed her ears, and she felt her heart rate pick up." Uh... hello?" she gasped, and all her thoughts fell away- no. No, no, no. This cannot be happening. Posy felt herself begin to sweat - she merely tugged her cap down and nodded." All is well, good sir. Sorry for bumping you," she attempted in her deepest voice. This rather handsome individual was rather quiet. She peeked and saw he looked rather perplexed. " Are you sure you're alright, chap? You look ...rather sickly?" she gulped and nodded. " Yes, yes. All is well, sir. Goodbye." Posy sped walked away. Panicking, she needed to go home. NOW.

"Hold on there!" He called after her, she walked faster, and called over her shoulder," Leave me, I'm alright!" Posy did not stop," You do not look alright, let me help!" He was eager to help, but she didn't need his help. So she ran, as fast as she could, passed by many individuals, and nearly tripped, but she made her way to what appeared to be an empty alleyway. She took a right and just as she thought she was in the clear, she felt a tug on her wrist- too strong and felt herself stumble into him and fell with a heavy thud. She felt herself groan in pain, her hair all over her face, she gasped and pulled herself up to be met, yet again with those deep ocean eyes staring widely at her. Her hands sat by his head, his chest rising and falling, and her hair creating a frame that highlighted her feminine features. The two stayed as they were, both taken aback yet intrigued with one another. He seemed to be lost in her warm, honey-brown eyes, and she lost in his. " i-im sorry," she whispered, but had yet to move." N-no worries... n-no harm done," he whispered back with such a wistful and soft tone. In the distance, a honk went off; they both blinked and slowly moved away from one another.

They both stood up, facing each other. Both were still silent and wide-eyed.

" I... must go," she said, and he looked almost pained to hear that. But he simply nodded and crouched to get her hat and handed it to her," If you must... but at least tell me your name." Their hands touched, and the two stayed in that proximity. She gulped, and her eyes never left his. " Posy... and you are?" he softly smiled and nodded his head in greeting, and said," Edward. You know you are a rather interesting chap," he teased, and she looked away and snatched the hat from his hold, " Yes, indeed. Now I must go. Goodbye- and I'd appreciate it if you did not follow me," she said, and nodded and walked away. And Edward simply laughed, hands in pockets, and watched her walk away. She walked some distance, stopped, and turned to see him still standing and watching her with a smile. She looked ahead and walked before hiding behind a wall. She hastily pulls out her Pocket watch only to find her pockets empty- she gasps and frantically searches, but with no luck." No. no...no..no NO!" Posy screamed in fear, knowing she was now stranded in a time she did not belong.

He watched her disappear behind a wall. He laughed and moved to turn round when a silver glimmer caught his eye. Edward paused and looked to the ground where Posy once stood. A pocket watch lay. He picked it up and examined the watch in curiosity when an engraving caught his eye.

To Posy

Time will take you where you need to go.

With love, Dad.

Edward tilted his head and smirked," Posy..."