Word Count: 1478

~Rosie

I slump down on the couch, unsure of what to do.

Part of me wants to think Time needed to say that to me as a way to make himself feel better. A way of venting, maybe. Either way, I'm sitting here, unsure of what to do. I don't want to touch anything, and risk leaving anymore of me behind than I already have. By tomorrow, I'm praying we will move on to perhaps a less desolate area. So, if Time wanders off again, it won't be so treacherous to follow him

The sound of cracking bracken and rustling grass outside catches my attention. Getting up from the couch, I peer out the window - only slightly murky with a lack of tlc - hoping to catch sight of Time. Thankfully, it's him.

However, it's not. It's Time, but he wears tramping boots a dark shirt and a huge pack on his back. His hair is ruffled, shoulders slouched.

This is Time from a million years ago.

Ducking down, I conceal myself from his sight. What is he doing here? Time must have brought us a day ahead of when he planned, meaning I'm stuck in a cabin with the original Time about to walk in, and meet his mate for the first time...A million years too early.

I can hear him kicking off his boots on the porch. Quickly, I check the other rooms, looking for a place to hide. All I can find is a bedroom and a bathroom. Deciding on the bedroom, I clamber into a closet, hiding myself within thick coats and sweaters. This feeling so foolish, but I'm not about to risk everything to get out of here.

I'm not sure how long I stayed in the closet. Time seems to tuck by so slowly, as I remain hidden in the darkness, listening closely.

I can hear him, rustling around his room.

Looking past he door hinges, through the slight crack, I don't see much. Sometimes he would wander by, but it was just an outline of him that I saw. Keeping my breathing low, I remained praying the Time I know would come back, and remedy this problem. He just had to walk off at the perfect time...

As things go quiet outside the closet, I consider sneaking out and through the window. However, I feel something brush up against me, casting my attention into the dark shadows beneath the hung-up coats.

"This relates uncannily to a tragic love story," someone whispers in my ear.

I flinch, looking next to me, but seeing nothing but darkness. I know someone is there, and not just because they just spoke. I can feel their presence. I can smell the cloying scent of jasmine.

"Who's there?" I question shakily, tucking myself into the corner of the closet, hoping they aren't here to hurt me. It's a man, but the deepness of his voice, but it's also smooth, and accented. He sounds similar to Time in a way. He's an immortal.

"I'm here to save you from your mate," he says.

At that moment, it dawns on me, that I'm sitting in the presence of Sinful. I can tell by the voice, and the way it sends shivers down my spine. And not in a nice way. Naturally, I'm absolutely terrified, however, I'm stuck in a closet. What is worse, jumping out and risking being seen by Time, or staying in here to be potentially murdered by a powerful immortal who wants me dead.

I think I'll take the former option. So without hesitating another second, I burst through the closet door and into Time's bedroom. Thankfully he isn't in here, but there is no doubt he would have heard the commotion, so I don't waste anytime.

Sliding the bedroom window up, I clamber out, not even turning to look back over my shoulder. All I know is I need to get out of here.

My feet hit the ground for only a second before I take off running into the forest. I can't hear anyone following me, but I have a feeling Time knows that the sound wasn't something he can just brush off. Even as much as I want it to be.

Suddenly, I run face first into a chest.

When I look up, I see Time, and it's the Time I know, from my era too. If it weren't for our earlier conversation, I would have thrown my arms around him out of pure relief, but I instead keep my arms against my side. He looks startled by my frantic approach, taking a few uneasy steps backward.

"What's going on?" he questions, looking over my shoulder to see what had frightened me so much as to run blindly right into him.

"Sinful is here. And so is Time. You must have made a mistake," I tell him all in one breath. A frown flutters across his face. Confusion. He grabs my arm, pulling me further into the brush. Thankfully, it doesn't seem as though the other Time has investigated the noise further. And Sinful hasn't chased us either.

"I don't think this is any mistake of mine," Time comments solemnly, loosening a deep breath. I'm not sure how an immortal with abilities as powerful as his would make a mistake like this. Especially when he said he comes here often. "I think Sinful made something happen in order for me to bring you here."

I swallow, thinking back to the incident inside the closet. Not only did I not see him, but there is no way of confirming that was actually Sinful inside. However, I know the feeling wasn't normal.

This was magic. I'm sure of it.

"Who cares about him. Let's just get out of here," I remind him frantically, pulling on his sleeve as if it would force him to use his powers.

"How did he get enough power to come this far back?" he questions. He looks deep in thought, looking away into the distance toward the cabin. Why doesn't he seem as frightened by this as I am? He was the one who dragged me away from home in the first place to hide from him. I'm just not sure why he didn't just kill me there...

"I don't know, okay? Please, we need to get out of here," I continue to plead with him. Should I tell Time about what Sinful said to me? He told me he wanted to save me from Time, but with what we discussed earlier, maybe I should leave it until later.

Time still looks solemn, running back through his thoughts. "I wanted to talk to you about something seriously important before we headed to our next place."

"We don't have time for this," I demand.

Finally, Time grabs ahold of me, and everything around me falls apart, the taste of magic on my tongue. I've never been so relieved to go through a transportation, even as the pressure threatens to blow my ear drums. Just as I think I can't take anymore of it, we land, my feet finding solid ground.

Forcing my eyes open, I'm hit by sun and warmth. Golden houses and sandy pavements are everywhere in view, as we stand upon a balcony.

"Where are we? Is this one of the Virtue's territory?" I ask, vaguely remembering coming through here at some point.

Looking down into the courtyard that is surrounded by little shops, I see people walking around, wearing gauzy sundress and wide brimmed hats. In the air, I taste salt coming from the sea not far from here. I feel so overdressed, having just come from the complete opposite of places to here, a beautiful spot that I hope still exists like this in the future.

"That is is. Miss Sariah, or otherwise known as Diligence. This was a vacation place for me and someone who was very important to me," Time murmurs from behind me. I turn around, looking up at him.

"Oh really?" I say teasingly, but he doesn't return the smile.

Instead, he turns on his heel, walking into the room the balcony comes off of. I follow him inside, curious about what he means by this. Someone special...it's not his mate, but I'm not foolish. I know he has had other lovers in his time, and plenty of him. But by his reaction, this girl is going to be different from any other.

The idea of this next chapter of his life scares me. And I have to witness it.

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Hey guys! If you're enjoying the story, you can head over to Radish and read Time ahead of Wattpad!

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Hey guys! I've released Thought's own story on Radish, which is available now! I want to see by the end, which of the brothers your prefer

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~Midika 💜🐼