•12.2.19 - 3 PM EST •
To Wattpad and Radish

Word Count: 1690

~Time (Original Time from Rosie's era)

Darkness surrounds me.

This trap couldn't have been created by anyone other than me. I've been placed in a dark cave, blocked in by a veil of magic. So far, I've exhausted every option and determined past me only placed the line of magic across the mouth of the cave.

Idiot.

I woke a few days ago, and I've already have dug a hole with my bare fingers into the wall of dirt, which has finally emerged into the outside. I've created a small hole I should be able to squeeze my body through.

The past me was smart, but not smart enough. Back then I wouldn't have been willing to dig myself out until my fingertips were raw and my nails were cracked. I wouldn't have allowed myself to ruin my clothing, muss my hair and cover my skin head to toe with dirt. But back then, I didn't have a mate.

Whatever past me has done to Rosie, he will pay for it...in whatever means possible. A glance at her, even a thought of harming her. I was foolish and ignorant back then.

Who knows what I would do...

Pulling the dirt away from the hole, I make enough space for me to crawl through. After getting caught a few times, I pull off my jacket, and then my shirt. Once it's all off, I manage to escape, coming into the daylight with a slow drag of my body through the earth beneath me. Once I've finally freed myself, I clamber to my feet, looking around.

There's only one thing on my mind. Rosie. Past me would have taken her away, through time, no doubt. I would have ensured I would be stuck here with no abilities until the past me could return when he was ready.

I just wish I knew his motive...my motive. This is strange.

I'm still in the same space of time I was in before, but half way across the city from my townhouse. He took me to a cave after rendering me unconscious, which is etched into a seaside cliff.

Stumbling down the hill, I pull clumps of dirt out of my hair and dust it off my naked torso. The sound of waves hitting rocks accompanies me down to the shoreline, where I meet a road that is lined with shops and people milling around. I'm not bothered, as I walk confidently down the street. I'm on a mission to find Rosie and make this right again. Even if I'm not sure how I'm going to do it.

Too consumed in the thoughts milling through my head, I don't notice anyone walking by me until I hit someone with my shoulder. We both stumble away from each other, staring each other down. It's a girl, who looks youthful behind thick rimmed glasses and frizzy ginger hair.

"Excuse me," she says immediately, wide blue eyes wandering down past my chest for a moment before she flushes bright red. "Time, right?"

I blink. "What?"

"You're Time, the immortal?" she says, wagging her finger in front of my chest as if she is accusing me.

No glamour. Shit.

No wonder everyone was staring at me walking down the street, even if I did try to ignore them. I'm shirtless, covered in a thin layer of dirt from head to toe, and am completely shirtless. Thankfully, everyone else is walking by with their heads down meekly. That's why this girls sudden urge to approach me is so fascinating.

Although when I look down at her, I feel slightly irritated. She's is standing right in the way of me finding my mate with her overbearing confidence. I should be finding someone around here that can assist me in getting back my powers, which have been practically drained right from my fingertips.

"And?"

"It's just..." she starts, to which I loosen a sign, knowing where this is going. Surely, she will explain away something I'm meant to find interesting. "I've been wanting to meet you for a long time. I'm a physics major at the local university, and you immortals defy all laws. You're just so fascinating. I also dabble in some study of pure-blood magic. Complete contrast, I know."

I look at her flatly, wondering how I should let her down. "You should give up the sciences. In this life, they don't mean anything."

"Maybe not, but that doesn't make them any less interesting," she tells me simply. "I know this is a lot to ask, but I would love to follow you around so I can do a report on your abilities for my side class on...magic. You know?"

An idea suddenly appears within my head.

This isn't much of a reliable one, but it's all I'm going to get out of desperation. Somehow, my powers have been taken from me, and I doubt I'll find a way to return them without help. A girl who is no pureblood immortal is not likely to get me anywhere, however, I'll take anything right now. Maybe she can lean me in the direction of someone who can.

"How much do you know about magic?" I question, looking around to ensure no one is listening in. Everyone avoids me anyway, not wanting to get on my bad side. It's probably for the best. "Or more specifically, restoring it?"

She tilts her head to the side, considering it. I'm uncomfortable with how little she fears me right now. Shouldn't she be anxious to impress me rather than considering whether she wants to help me or not?

Maybe I'm losing my touch...

"Not much, but I can research it," she says warily, although the curious undertone to her voice is undeniable. "Why?"

"You're going to do something for me, and in exchange, you get to know all about the great immortal Time," I offer, to which her eyebrows raise with surprise. I doubt she expected the offer, although she's not getting it from the person who she expects. I'll be using her in the meantime, which means she won't need to know that I'm not the Time from this era that she thinks I am.

"Perfect. My names Jennifer by the way," she says brightly, holding her hand out for me to shake. Instead, I grab her wrist, pulling her along with me. I don't have time for the pleasantries today. "Woah, where are we going?"

"To find my mate."

***

~Rosie

A week has passed, yet it feels like forever.

Time and I have been locked up together inside the manor, which has led to a strange routine and even stranger traditions. We had a mutual agreement in the beginning to deal with each other only when absolutely necessary in order to convince Time there is a better life for him than this. However, things have oddly changed between us in this past week.

Not only have I not spent much time in my bedroom hiding from him like I thought I would, only finding myself in their late at night, but I've also been enjoying the time with him. Maybe it's because we are mates, and the bond ensures we get along easy. Either way, I'm not complaining.

It does make me feel guilty, that the Time from my era is off somewhere else, most likely held captive, and I'm living it up with the exact man who did that.

However, I enjoy his company.

We have just had dinner together, like we always do in front of the fire. Then we sip tea, I read a book and maybe tell him a story, and he listens intently, watching me. I'm hoping a slow burn will be enough to convince him. He's definitely being swayed, but hasn't yet pulled the trigger. I think him and I are both enjoying our domestic bliss more than we want to admit.

"I'm tired," he says, blinking at me through half lidded bedroom eyes. He leans against the doorframe, gazing at me in a way suddenly different to most other nights.

Usually this is where we bid each other a goodnight. He lingers at the door to his bedroom, waiting for me to finish talking before I return to my room. This night, however, the way he looks at me suggests something is different, which tugs at a part of me I want to scold for reacting to.

"We should get some sleep," I murmur, backing a step.

Time reaches out suddenly, grabbing my wrist. I want to flinch at the feeling of sparks between us, but I withhold my anxiousness.

"Why don't you come join me in bed?" he questions, smiling lazily, stepping into his room as if it's a tempting enough beckon to lure me in. Irritatingly enough, it is. We have spent so much time together recently, it only feels right to do this...What is wrong with me? This Time has gotten into my head unlike anyone has before. I've given him more chances than Time from my era.

"Why should I?" I question, tilting my head to the side.

He bites the edge of his lip, sweeping a hand through those mussed black strands, clearly enjoying my teasing tone. He turns his back from me, walking toward his bed. Maybe I'm under his control at this point, but it lures me into taking a few shuddering steps toward him.

"If anything is going to convince me, it's knowing what I have to look forward to in the future," Time murmurs, sitting on the edge of his bed. "I just want to lay near you."

There is something awfully wholesome about his words. It's enough for me to walk into his room and close the door behind me.

What do I have to lose?

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~Midika 💜🐼