"Travelling to North America in 1863 AD."
"Would you like to change your destination?"
"No."
"Arriving in... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
I am forcefully ejected and land on the damp grass, my bottom taking the impact. Looking around, I find myself in a forest with no immediate signs of danger. Slowly, I rise to my feet while the AI provides a brief explanation of my location and the year. The words "Civil War" immediately imprint themselves in my mind—I had forgotten it was taking place during this time. My priority now is to find the nearest water source as quickly as possible. I inquire of the AI, "Where is the nearest water source?"
As a map materialises before my eyes, a peculiar sound catches my attention. It is a mixture of moans, wails, groans, and intermittent crying. Curiously, I cautiously follow the noise until I discover a woman, entirely alone. She is half-sitting, half-lying beneath a tree, emitting those distressing sounds. Drawing nearer, I notice that she is in the midst of a struggle—she is about to give birth.
"Are you okay?" I inquire, waiting for her to acknowledge my presence. I approach her and repeat, "Are you okay?" She screams for a few seconds, then glares at me angrily before finally speaking.
"I don't understand your language, you savage! I will not give you my baby! Go away!"
A pinch in my brain from the AI reminds me that I had been speaking in Cherokee. With the linguistic switch complete, I respond, "No need to be rude. I am not a savage. My name is Bethany."
"Oh, sorry, Bethany," she screams again, catching her breath before continuing, "What tribe are you from?"
"I am British. What is your name?" I answer
"British? Why are you dressed like one of them?" she responds breathing deeply
"It's a long story. Do you need help?"
"I think the baby will be here soon. Would you mind taking a look?"
I lift her skirts and see the baby's head crowning.
"You're right, I can see the baby's head," I remark. She takes a deep breath and says, "My name is Sarah..." She lets out a loud scream as she pushes the baby out. I catch the newborn in my arms, and she hands me some cloth from her basket to clean and wrap the baby boy. She has more cloths and a blankets, indicating she was prepared for this moment.
Carefully, I cut the umbilical cord and clean the baby as best as I can. Finally, I wrap the infant snugly in a blanket and return him to his mother. I sit beside her, breathing deeply in exhaustion from participating in this intimate moment. Glancing at the forest ahead, I ask, "What brings you here, Sarah?"
"I am running," she responds, attaching the baby to her breast.
"Running from what?"
"Oh, from the war, poverty... my husband... the usual," she replies bitterly, laughing.
"And where are you running to?"
"I was thinking of England. I have family in Essex."
"Where in Essex?" I inquire.
"Colchester, do you know it?"
"Yes, I am originally from Surrey, a small village called Ashtead, but I have traveled through Essex and visited Colchester once."
"I have family there... I think it would be safer there for the baby," she says, reaching into her basket and taking out a bottle of water to have a sip.
"Oh, you have some water with you?" I quickly dismiss the thought of taking water away from a mother who has just given birth.
We sit there, resting, until she recovers from the delivery and I help her get herself sorted. She is feeling better, but still unable to walk.
As we sit there, she feeds her baby, and I notice a group of men approaching in the distance.
"Sarah... when you mentioned running, were you referring to them?" I inquire, pointing towards the approaching men.
She lifts her head, tears streaming down her cheeks, and whispers through clenched lips, "He found us..." Then, with panic in her eyes, she turns to me and hands me her baby, saying, "Please, I beg you... take him and run. I can't run in this state. If they catch us, they will kill me, and he will face a fate worse than death... Please, go now..."
"Sarah, do you trust me?" I ask.
"What do you mean?"
"Give me your water bottle."
"My what?"
"Your water." She hands me the bottle.
Swiftly, I gather her belongings and place them back in the basket, handing it to her.
"Hold this and hold my hand. Under no circumstances should you let go. Do you understand?" I tell her. She looks at me, shocked, but nods in agreement.
The men have spotted us and are now running toward us, their shouts growing louder. I tie the baby's blanket around me, creating a makeshift sling, and retrieve the white powder. Tossing it into the water bottle, I take hold of Sarah's hand before touching the moist surface.
"Travelling to North America in 1917 AD."
"Would you like to change your destination?"
"Yes."
"What year?"
"1863, England, Colchester."
"Arriving in... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
I clutch the baby tightly as we are suddenly expelled into a back alley in the British town of Colchester.
I sit on the ground for a moment, gathering myself and checking on the baby, who seems fine and fast asleep. I turn to Sarah, who looks pale and unable to speak, staring blankly at me.
"Sarah, are you okay?" I put my hand on her shoulder and shake her slightly as I repeat, "Sarah... Sarah, are you okay?"
"What sort of hellish magic is this?!" she suddenly shouts, jumping up on her feet and looking at me angrily.
"It's not magic, it's science..." I say, unsure of how to react.
"Science?! And where exactly are we?!"
"Colchester, England..."
"What?!" She runs to the street, looking around at the bustling life around her. She gazes at the buildings, the shops, and rubs her eyes in disbelief at what she sees before her. I follow her with all our belongings and the baby still fast asleep in my arms. She finally turns to me and almost whispers, "But how...?"
We walk back into the alley and sit on the ground. I tell her everything... How I met Michael and how he disappeared, and how I am now trying to get back home...
"I am sorry... I would have never brought you here against your will. I know all too well how it feels..."
"It's okay... We are definitely safer here... And you saved me the trouble of finding money for the boat travel back here... I am grateful, truly..." she says with sincerity in her eyes.
"I am glad... For a minute there, I was worried..." After a moment of silence, I ask, "Okay, then. Where is your family? Would you like me to take you to them? I know you are not yet back to your full strength... giving birth just about an hour ago..."
"Yes... but... you can't walk down the streets looking like this." She points at my furs.
"That's not a problem." I activate the AI and choose a simple dress from this time period to be projected onto me. Then I ask, "Is this better?"
Sarah looks at me with her mouth wide open.
"How did you... oh, don't tell me... I know. It's the science of the future... I wish I could tell someone about your secret, but they wouldn't believe me anyway and would only think that I am crazy..." she sighs with disappointment.
"Okay," Sarah says as she takes the baby away from her breast since he has finished feeding. She stands up and says, "We need to find my brother before nightfall. I really don't fancy sleeping on the street with a newborn tonight..."
"Where can we find your brother?"
"Let's first look in the pub. If he's not there, we can try the gym... Follow me." I pick up our belongings and do as she asks.
We walk through the streets of this fairly large town in the late afternoon, with the sun gradually descending. It's not yet too cold, but the temperature is dropping, and I'm concerned about Sarah and the baby.
Finally, we reach the Royal Oak pub. It's crowded inside, filled with workers who have finished their day and have gathered for a drink and a chat before heading home for the night.
"Hold the baby and stay by the door. I'll find out if he's here," Sarah says as she passes me the boy. We enter the pub, and it's noticeably warmer inside. She heads to the bar while I remain by the wall, concealing the infant in my arms.
I watch Sarah as she talks with the bartender and some other people. Finally, she returns and says,
"He is not here yet, but he should be on his way now. It's best if we get a table and wait for him here," Sarah informs me.
We find a table and order some broth and ale to fill our stomachs. We are in the middle of our meal when Sarah suddenly stands up and rushes to the door. I watch curiously as she throws herself at a tall man. A smile spreads across his face as he sees her, and he lifts her off the ground, spinning her in the air. After they exchange a few words, she grabs his arm and leads him back to our table.
"Evening, ma'am. Thomas King at your service," he says politely as he sits down with us.
Sarah explains to him that she had to escape her abusive and alcoholic husband, and she took a boat back to England. She met me on the boat, and I helped with the delivery of her son.
"I know I am a burden, Tom. I'm sorry... I just need a place to sleep with the baby, and I will work to support us both. I promise," Sarah says, sounding worried.
"No worries, little sister. Since you left, my luck seems to have turned around. I have a home and a good life," Tom replies.
"A wife?" Sarah asks.
"No, I don't want to bother with those... You will be enough of a woman in my life now," he says with a loving smile on his face.
"Alright then," I say as I start gathering my things. "I think it's time for me to continue on my way now that I can see you are in good hands, Sarah."
"Oh no, please stay the night at least with us," Sarah pleads. "You must be exhausted, and you still have a long way ahead of you. She is from Surrey..." she says to Tom, and he nods in understanding before turning to me.
"My sister is right. You have gone through all the trouble to ensure my little sister's safe arrival to me. The least I can do as a thank you is to offer you a place to stay with us... It is only fair..."
"Honestly, I do not want to impose..."
"I assure you, it would be my honour to welcome you into my home," Tom insists.
Feeling the exhaustion from my travels and the excitement of the birth, I realise that a safe place to sleep would be welcome.
"Okay then. I will stay with you tonight and continue my journey back home tomorrow," I agree.