Through time; The ripper

Under the arch

*Lily*

The cool night air bites at my skin as I slip outside, the door clicking shut behind me. I can’t shake the feeling of curiosity, a restless need tugging at the edges of my mind. Leo has left me with more questions than answers, and the way he had looked at me, a mixture of warmth and something deeper, lingered in my thoughts. I decide to follow him. You know just to see where he goes when he leaves me.

I keep to the shadows as I trail after him, my heartbeat echoing in my ears. He walks with purpose, his long coat fluttering slightly in the breeze, the lamplight casting a halo around him. I duck behind a tree, my breath shallow, as he glances back over his shoulder. For a second, I’m sure he’ll spot me; his eyes seem to pierce through the darkness, searching. But he continues on, seemingly unaware of my presence.

As I navigate the streets, I take in the sights around me. The city, usually bustling with life, feels different at this hour. Neon signs flicker overhead, illuminating the narrow alleyways and storefronts. I pass a group of teenagers laughing loudly, their voices echoing off the brick walls. A couple strolls hand-in-hand, oblivious to the late hour. My heart races with both excitement and trepidation. What am I doing? I’m just a nursing student, not a detective or a spy. But Leo's intrigue pulls me deeper, and I tighten my grip on my phone, ready to call for help if need be… but part of me know I only need to call Leo’s name.

I hear snippets of conversation as I weave through a small crowd outside a bar. “He looked lost in time,” a woman whispers, her friend nodding in agreement. “Like he stepped out of a different era.” My heart skips. They’re talking about Leo! I strain to hear more, but the conversation drifts away, lost in the city’s symphony of sounds.

I follow him for what feels like an eternity, my sneakers silent on the pavement as I keep a respectful distance. We wind through streets and alleys until I realize we’re entering Camden, we are just outside the vibrant market alive with color even in the dim light. The stalls are mostly closed, but a few late-night vendors remain, their wares glowing under the string lights. The air smells of spices and sweet pastries, but my focus is solely on Leo.

He pauses in front of the grand stone archway that Marks the main entrance, a remnant of the area’s history. I duck behind a nearby lamppost, heart thundering as I watch him look around, his expression suddenly serious. Every instinct tells me to turn back, to retreat, but my curiosity binds me to the spot. What is he waiting for?

Leo looks around cautiously, as if ensuring he’s alone. My breath catches in my throat when he throws something at the stone arch… a small object that glints in the dim light. I can’t see what it is, but I hear him mutter something that sounds like Latin, the syllables rolling off his tongue with an elegance that sends shivers down my spine.

In an instant, he steps beneath the arch, and before I can fully comprehend what’s happening, he seems to vanish, swallowed by the darkness. My heart races, a mixture of adrenaline and fear surging through me. I can’t let him disappear without knowing where he’s going or what this is all about.

I spring into action, darting across the cobblestone path, my feet pounding against the ground. I reach the arch just as the air shimmers, a ripple of energy that feels tangible against my skin. It’s almost as if the world is blurring, bending around me. Without thinking, I step under the arch, my heart in my throat, and everything around me shifts.

The moment I pass beneath the stone, the world splinters and reforms. A rush of wind surrounds me, lifting at my hair, and I stumble for a moment, disoriented. I blink rapidly, trying to adjust to the sudden change in scenery. The night air feels different here… charged, almost electric.