Identity (A Journey Through Time)

Christian and Elizabeth Gilbert were the description of a happy family. Though they only had each other, but it was more than they could ever hope for. Losing her husband in a car accident eight years ago, Elizabeth was left to cater for her young son all by herself with the properties she inherited from her late husband: Johnathan. Jonathan Gilbert was a very generous man who was loved by many, and he was also the owner of a company known as John publishers: a publishing company he cofounded with his wife. Despite his famous reputation, John loved to live a quiet life so he and his family lived on a very big ranch which is an hour drive from the busy city of London. John was so obsessed with books that he would spend time in his library either writing a new book or rereading works from his favorite authors. Elizabeth was also a lover of books so she would seldom spend time with her husband in the library, making fun of some book characters or praising brilliant authors. The Gilberts had everything they wanted including young Christian Gilbert: a beautiful child with a brilliant mind. They were very happy and contented with everything they had even after John passed away, willing everything he had to his eight year old son and his wife. It wasn't until one sunny and calm Tuesday afternoon, that the first hint which began the mysterious happenings in the Gilbert's lives occurred. Elizabeth was sitting on a chair in her living room buried in a book. Just like her late husband, this was one of her daily routine as she finds so much comfort in books. To her, reading was like travelling to a new world and exploring everything it had to offer. A world that could only be found in the artistic writing of beautiful authors. She was abruptly distracted from her reverie by the noise made by the pounding of feet on the floor. She looked up to see a young lady in her mid twenties approach her, panting and sweating like someone who just ran a marathon. The young lady has an average height, short auburn hair, green eyes, and she was wearing an apron over her dress. She could easily pass for an eighteen year old. "Mary?." Liz spoke up, confused by the young lady's behaviour. "He found.....someone." Mary suddenly said amidst her pants as she tried to regain herself. "Who?." "Young...master Chris. He found someone in the woods. Eddie came back to relay the news. They are on their way here." "Okay, wait a minute let me get this straight." Elizabeth was confused by the explanation the young maid just made. "Christian found someone in the woods, and he sent Eddie to relay the news to us right?." "Yes ma'am." "So if Eddie came back to relay the news already, then who exactly are the "they" that are on their way?." "Young master Chris and the stranger he found in the woods. Eddie said the stranger was unconscious, probably injured." Mary explained. "Oh My God." Elizabeth quickly rose to her feet. "Why didn't you say that earlier? Quick, prepare the guest room, boil some water, get the first aid kit, inform the other workers, and prepare everything to treat our guest." "Yes ma'am." "Oh, and Mary, don't forget to call Doctor Arnold. Tell him it's urgent." Few hours later, you could hear the shuffling of feet on the second floor of the Gilbert's mansion. Doctor Arnold was tending to the patient in the guest room and the maids were doing whatever they can to assist him. Franklin Arnold was a man in his late forties and he has been the Gilbert's family doctor and friend for years, even before Jonathan passed away. He has always been there to take care of them and tended to their needs medically whenever they needed him. The Gilbert's actually considered him family. Elizabeth was so kind hearted that she went all out to welcome an injured stranger, leaving no room for doubts about the stranger's identity. The moment the doctor exited the guest room, Christian and Elizabeth who had both been anxiously waiting in the hall outside the room rushed up to him. Christian spoke up. "How is she doing?. Will she be alright?." "She will be fine." the doctor explained. "She just had a few scratches here and there but apart from that, she is alright. I gave her some injections so she'll be out for a while. She'll probably wake up in the morning but until then, if you need me feel free to give me a call. That will be all for now. If you please, I'll take my leave." "Oh please, go ahead. Thanks for everything Frank. You've been a great help. Eddie is waiting downstairs. He'll walk you to your car." Liz replied. "Goodnight Liz, Christian" Frank said before he turned around to take his leave. Doctor Arnold was halfway across the hall when he remembered something and quickly made his way back to where the Gilbert's were still standing. "I found this on her." He held out a small pocket watch and handed it to Christian. "She was wearing it around her neck." He smiled and bowed his head slightly before finally retiring for the night. Christian stared at the small golden object in his hands. It had an intricate design which seem ancient and foreign at the same time. A chain was attached to it which made it look like a necklace with a slightly big pendant. It was the only thing the stranger had on her so it was likely a well cherished object. "Well," Elizabeth spoke up, "It has been a long day so I think we should retire early tonight. We should let her rest for now and check up on her in the morning. Poor child. I wonder what she was doing in the woods all by herself. I hope everything will be alright when she wakes up." "Yes, I hope so too." Christian replied as he slipped the watch into his pocket. "Goodnight mum." "Goodnight baby." Liz gave Christian a kiss on the cheek before they both walked towards their individual bedrooms. Alright was what the Gilbert's hoped for but it was a far fetched reality. The stranger laying on the bed of their guest bedroom was everything except alright. If only they knew what they just got themselves into, they would stay away from her as far as they could. Their injured guest was the beginning of a world they never imagined. A world that is always meant to be kept a secret. Always.