Identity (A Journey Through Time)

Chapter 3

A month had passed by and the Gilberts had done all they could to find any information relating to their unexpected guest but to no avail. To make matters worse, she had no idea about her past, parents, relatives, and most importantly, her name. All of them were beginning to get worried but nevertheless, they kept up a facade that everything was fine. The Gilberts didn't stop at just accommodating and treating her injuries. They also went as far as filling up her wardrobe and giving her a new name. Bethany.

Bethany was loved and accepted by everyone in the household, especially Jane and Henry Elliot. Jane and Henry has worked in the Gilbert's mansion for as long as they could remember. After losing their properties in a fire accident twenty years ago, Jonathan Gilbert took pity on the then young couple and their infant child: Mary, and he offered them a job at his home. Jane worked as a cook while Henry was the head gardener.

The Elliots treated Bethany like their own child and a sister to Mary and young Bethany couldn't be more happy for being blessed with a family.

Just like every other evening, Jane was in the kitchen preparing dinner and as usual, Bethany was helping her out. The young girl had taken quite an interest in reading and cooking so most times, she was either in the library with Christian and Elizabeth or in the kitchen with Jane.

That evening, Jane was cleaning the kitchen counters getting ready to serve dinner and Bethany stood by the kitchen window, gazing at the field. A mother hen was guiding her chicks through the field and occasionally, she would stop and peck on the ground whenever she found something appetizing. The chicks would run towards their mother whenever she found food and this made Bethany smile as she watched the scene before her.

A mother fending for her kids. Would her mother also do the same for her? If only she knew her parents or what they looked like. She will always wonder about where she came from but at the same time, she was grateful for having Jane and Henry as well as the entire Gilbert household. They have been more than family to her.

Something in the sky made her snap out of her thoughts. Flapping it's wings with determination, an eagle flew straight towards the mother hen and her chicks. Panic gripped Bethany as she watched the oblivious mother guide her chicks to the jaws of death and right at that moment, something unexpected happened.

Surprisingly, the eagle slowed it's movement long enough for the mother hen to notice her predator and protect her chicks. What shocked Bethany was the fact that the eagle didn't willingly slow it's movement, it was more like the bird was compelled. It almost felt like time slowed down but only the bird was affected.

"Oh my God." She gasped. It couldn't be. She must have seen it wrong. This isn't some kind of fictional novel where someone could move things with their mind or make the movement of an eagle dilatory.

"Are you okay?."

Bethany quickly snapped out of her weird thoughts and concentrated on the source of the voice. She had almost forgotten that she wasn't in the kitchen alone.

"Yes. It's just um... the eagle and the chicks. It was so... close and.."

"Oh we get that a lot but I don't think the eagle succeeded this time. The mother hen was able to protect her chicks." The old cook chuckled as she looked out the window to count the chicks just to make sure her claims were right. Just then, a knock interrupted them and they both turn to face the source of the noise.

Christian stood by the doorway smiling apologetically for interrupting their conversation but Bethany was relieved for she didn't know how to explain what she just witnessed. Mrs Elliot would probably think she was delusional for claiming to see an eagle slow it's movement almost to a stop in mid air. It didn't seem right. The entire household was already worried about her sudden appearance so it was for the best if she kept her mouth shut.

"Pardon me for interrupting your conversation but I was wondering if Bethany and I could go out to the city after dinner. She hasn't been out of the house yet, and I would love to show her around. I already spoke to my mum about it and she gave her consent but I was hoping to get your approval." The teenage boy smiled at Mrs Elliot. It was a familiar smile he always gave her anytime he wants to get away with something.

The older lady chuckled before replying, "I don't have a problem as long as the young lady approves."

"Oh yes. I'd love that. It would be so much fun." Bethany blurted out.

"Great. We'll leave right after dinner."

That night, Bethany had a light dinner. She consumed a little portion of her food as she looked forward to eating as many treats as she could while exploring the city. Well, you can't blame the young girl's enthusiasm. She has never been out to see the city since she arrived at the Gilbert's mansion. Who wouldn't jump at an opportunity like that. An opportunity to explore the city she has only read about in the pages of books and articles stashed in the Gilbert's library. In an hour, she wouldn't fantasize about London anymore, she would be right in the middle of it.

The busy streets of London did little to stop Bethany's excitement. She was practically running from one candy shop to another trying out different candy flavors. Thanks to the candy shop owners for giving the excited teenager a free sample else, young Gilbert would have spent his last dime on candy and gifts. Half an hour later, Bethany and Christian were both tired from all the running and laughing so they decided to just walk around and admire the city. They soon found themselves on The Westminster Bridge and Bethany couldn't stop gawking at how magnificent it looked. Christian couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction.

"Look over there." He pointed towards a tower. "That tower over there is The Westminster Abbey. It is also known as the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster. To the east is The Palace of Westminster. It is a meeting place for The House of Lords and The House of Commons. You read about it in the library didn't you? "

When she nodded, he continued "Below us is the famous River Thames. It is the longest river in England and the second longest river in the United Kingdom."

"Wow. I can't believe I'm standing over The famous River Thames. It's so surreal. The water is so clear, I feel like going for a swim." Bethany squealed. "The next time we explore the city, I want to stand on the Tower Bridge."

"Deal."

The air was getting chilly but that didn't deter the two teenagers from their tour. They passed by a small stall and Bethany gasped as she saw something unfamiliar.

"Are those apples?. On a...stick?."

"Yes. You want one?." Christian offered.

"Yes please."

They both made their way into the stall and Bethany noticed a bag Christian was holding. Then, realization struck her hard. The few hours they had been in the city, she had raced into almost every candy and gift shop they encountered and although the shop owners were kind enough to give them free candy samples, Christian also spent some money on the other stuffs she wanted. She was so caught up in her own excitement that she didn't notice they had spent a lot.

"Are you okay?." Christian's soft voice broke through her thoughts when he noticed that she had stopped walking and was just staring at the bag he was holding.

"Yes. Just tired." She tried to fake a smile but was inwardly feeling bad for trying to drain him till his last dime. He wasn't complaining that she was acting like a spend thrift but that didn't make her feel better.

"Maybe we should just go back. It's getting late."

"Come on Beth, I don't care how much we spend as long as it makes your first trip memorable."

Of course he knew. He knew she was feeling bad for making him spend so much. The smile on Christian's face was enough to tell her that no amount of fake tiredness could deter him. He was willing to spend his last dime to make her happy. She probably won't get another opportunity to go sightseeing with him, not because he wasn't willing to give her as many tours as she wants but deep down he doubts there would be time for another trip. The clock is ticking and who knows when somebody would show up at their doorstep to take her back home. Sometimes he felt like she had always been there and she always will. She was born and brought up in the Gilbert's mansion, always been a part of his childhood and will be there for a long time. In the short span of a month, he has grown attached to her. She was like a sister he didn't have. Kind, mysterious, innocent. That same innocence that he could still see in her when she bit into the apple as they both walk down the street.

"I spoke to my mum" Christian spoke up, "about the watch we found on you. There's someone who could probably have an idea about it. He's a librarian here in town and I think we should seek him out tomorrow."

"A librarian?."

"Yes I know. A librarian might not be the right man but trust me Beth, he's very good at these things. The watch looks old and if there is anyone who knows anything about that watch, it's him."

"Okay then, it wouldn't hurt to give it a try."

"Great. I'll tell my mum about..... "

"Hey, stop. Stop her. STOP." Loud voices followed by screams, suddenly filled the street as people were being shoved out of the way. It didn't take long before Bethany and Christian saw what was going on. A young girl of about twelve years old, ran past them with huge bulky men, hot on her heels. It happened so fast that the young girl didn't see a car approaching her and there was no way she could have avoided the car in such a short period of time.

"NO!!!!" Bethany screamed at the top of her voice in a desperate attempt to save the girl but it was too late. Then, as if everything and everyone reacted to a command, it happened. Everything stopped. Not because everyone was shocked, or terrified, or anticipating what would happen next but because everything just stopped. Unmoving, still, quiet. The once busy street was transformed to an unnerving, eerie graveyard in a split second.

Fear gripped Bethany as she observed her surrounding. The car driver was frozen with a shocked expression, a mother was frozen while consoling her crying child with a candy, the men that were trying to catch the young girl were frozen amidst shout, Christian was frozen with an arm extended towards her. Not again. It's not real Beth, it's not real. The voice in her head was trying to calm her but she couldn't be convinced otherwise. Not when the truth was right in front her. Nothing and nobody made a move. At least that was what Bethany thought until, a small panicked voice spoke up.

"You. What have you done?."

The surprise and fear on Bethany's face was was immediately replaced with hope. She's wasn't alone.

"You shouldn't be here." The voice spoke up again. Dressed in a T-shirt that reached below her knees, the young girl who almost got hit by a car stared intently at Bethany.

"You shouldn't be here." She repeated. "You need to leave. We don't want you here. This world don't need another storm. Not now."

"What do you me...?"

"Leave." She said before turning around and disappeared into the night.

"Wait!. I need your help." Bethany called after her but it was too late. The mysterious girl was gone.

Just then, as if the last two minutes didn't happen, the city came alive. Everyone looked shocked for a few seconds but they soon resumed whatever they were doing before the interruption. The men that chased after the young girl, looked more confused as they split up and searched for her. The car driver that almost ran her over looked like he just saw a ghost but nevertheless, he still continued driving.

"That was weird." Christian furrowed his brows.

"Yes. Really weird."

"Let's go home. It's getting really late. Christian suggested.

"Right." Bethany replied monotonously as she kept on staring at the spot the young girl was last seen. Everything seemed so surreal and she couldn't wrap her head around what just happened.

That night, lying in bed, Bethany recounted the previous events in her head. Weird things had been happening lately. Things that never surfaced since the first day she stepped into the Gilberts mansion and it is becoming really disturbing. You need to leave. We don't want you here. This world don't need another storm. Not now. Leave. Why?. What was the girl talking about?. Another storm?.

Questions after questions kept popping up in her head and she needed answers fast. Bethany hoped the librarian they had to visit the next day would be her first clue to finding her answers and she anticipated the visit. Tomorrow. Tomorrow. Those were the words she kept repeating to herself until she finally retired for the night.

Little did she know that would be the most peaceful sleep she would get for a very long time.