Flashback

Elise sighed as they wandered the valley, "It's so peaceful, we're quite luck to be able to see it like this. They almost tore it up last year a woman told me," she said to her smiling a little as she pushed a hand through her dark hair. "She said they wanted to make way for a mall of some sort but then people began leaving in fear of construction causing problems with their own homes," she told her.

"So they canceled, and now they use it for their sheep," she laughed a little as she shook her head, "It's amazing, and quiet, and I can't believe we're here. We've been wanted to take pictures of this place for ages, and now we're finally getting to do it. My camera is full already, it's kind of terrifying how much there is to capture here," she told her. The wind began to pick up and she held her hair down, "What in the world," she said softly, "We should go, this sounds like nasty weather,"

I nodded a little, finishing up the last touches of my drawing. Coming out here was the perfect opportunity for inspiration. And I did, finding the field a perfect subject to draw. Elise preferred her camera, but I liked drawing in my red sketchbook. The wind whipped me in the face, making me put down my pencil in order to avoid messing up. "Maybe we should go. We can try to come back out another time." I said, looking back at my work that I would end up having to finish at home.

"Well it's good that they left it alone. I can't imagine a mall here instead of this. It's beautiful the way it is. Destrying it would have been a crime." I said, standing to put my book into my bag. The wind whipped me again, and I pushed it away, standing to look at the sky. "We should probably go."

She nodded a little and gasped when a strike of lightning hit about ten feet away, "Lianna?" she said as she felt her world slowly starting to slip away, she felt similar to falling; kind of like when she'd went bungie jumping. "Lianna!" she screamed as she felt the world fade to black around her.

The strike blinded me, and when I refocused I saw Elise vanish. "Elise?!" I asked, looking around in terror. Everything became blurry and unfocused before turning black.

______________________

It was freezing. Which was really bizarre because it was never that cold this time of year. I looked around, not recognizing the area around me. It was all woodland, with a small break in the trees. I felt my bag on my back, but was missing Elise. "Elise?" I called out, wrapping my arms around me to conserve heat. I knew I'd need to find someplace warm as soon as possible. "Elise?" I called again, heading towards the clearing.

Elisa woke laying in a field, she opened her eyes wiping the water off her skin, as it must have started raining. "Lianna?" she whispered as she looked around then pushing herself to her feet. She wrapped her arms around herself, all her things were gone and she didn't know where she was. Because this was most definitely not the place she had come for vacation. It was a lot greener, and the skies were overcast and growing darker by the moment.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" she asked as she looked around, taking in her surroundings.

I began walking in search of anyone who could help me at all. But something felt off. I couldn't call anyone because I left my phone whenever I decided to go drawing. So I was alone, with nothing but my sketchbook and some pencils. I hadn't seen any sign of civilization, and it was beginning to make me nervous.

"There's one!" I heard suddenly, making me jump in surprise. I was grateful, maybe I could finally get home and find Elise. I had no idea what had happened to her, I just hoped she was alright.

Three men appeared in my line of sight, and my gratefulness quickly turned to terror. These men were dressed strangely, I hadn't ever seen anyone dressed like that. But it was the look on their faces that made my heart drop. I could tell from their faces that they would not be here to help me, and that I was in extreme danger. I turned around and ran, running as fast as I could to get away.

It was so cold and my legs were frozen, but I had to keep running. Who knew what they wanted. I just knew that I needed to protect my bag,
I would die if I lost my drawings. I wrenched my bag off my back and shoved my book into my shoe, putting my foot on top of it. The metal cut into my foot, but for some reason that was more important. It made me limp, but I kept running until something large smashed into me.

"Gotcha!" A heavy accent sounded, tackliing me to the ground. My bag was yanked off my back, and a knee pressed me into the snow. I couldn't feel my skin anymore, It was so cold.

"We got a runner." Another one said, wrapping some rope around my wrists and ankles. "In good shape too, she'll sell for a lot."

"She's mulatto." The third muttered, kneeling my my head. "House slave."

I spat at the closest one, outraged. "How fucking dare you? Let me go, I am no slave." I said, struggling against the rope and the other one holding me, but I was fighting his body weight. "Let me go!"

They chuckled, and pulled me up, wrenching my head back. "Her master must have taught her how to speak," The secind one muttered.

"It's cold, lets get her to the pub so we can sell her and get a pint, I'm freezing my arse off here."

---

James heard a voice echo slightly over the sound of his brother's loud guffaw of a laugh. "Wait a moment, did you hear something?" He asked, standing up and walking toward the trees. He beckoned his brother over, grabbing one of his swords and heading towards the wood to see if he could find the source of the voice.

"Maybe you dreamed it." His brother teased.

"I might have." He smiled, walking slowly as he looked around.

She looked around,"Anyone?!" she yelled unsure of where she was as she began to wander the open field. "Lianna?" she yelled out for her friend. She didn't know what had happened to her or her friend, she was equally as unsure of her where abouts because nothing looked familar.

They put cloth in my mouth so I couldn't speak, and I was beyond fury. Normally I wouldn't hurt a fly. Here I was trying to figure out how to kill each and every one of these men, and cause them the most pain possible. It was so bizarre where I was though. It was like some old time town that didn't understand that it wasn't the medival times anymore. I noticed it while I shot daggers with my eyes, wanting nothing more than to go home.

It hurt. I was being sold like cattle. No say for myself. No one to listen or care about what I thought.

"We've got a slave to be sold!" The first man announced to the pub. It became silent as the men and few women inside looked over at me.

"In good shape, made to be a house servant." He announced, looking me up and down.

"Any takers?"

---

He stepped forward and froze, seeing a girl in the center of the trees.

"Look at how she's dressed! What is that?" His brother jokes quietly, shaking his head.

He shushed his brother and tensed, seeing something his brother didn't. A bear was also watching her, and was standing on his hind legs as it growled. Then it ran at her at full speed.

William raised his hand,"I'll give you two hundred pounds for her," he said as he held the money in a small bag. He was new to this town, and he was new to having money. Having gotten an inheritance from his father's side; he was able to care for himself now.

---

She screamed and stumbled backwards as the bear charged at her, she turned and ran towards the voices of the men.

They didn't even wait for another offer. "Sold! To...?" They asked, roughly shoving me towards whoever just bought me and holding their hands out for the money.

I was just bought. Bought for two hundred pounds. I wouldn't stay the night though. The second I was able to I would vanish and try to find Elise, and get out of here immediately. I'd need to find a phone or something, and get back to my apartment as soon as possible. I glared at the man who bought me coldly, wishing the cloth was out of my mouth so I could bite, curse, attack in anyway I could. I would not stand for it. I was not cattle, and I demanded respect.

---

He charged at the bear, moving so she was behind him as he fought the raging animal. He found a weak spot and lunged, effectively killing the beast. He smiled at his brother, not looking at the girl yet. "Well, here's dinner." He laughed, finally turning his attention on her.

"Why are you dressed liike that? Why are you alone?" His brother asked in confusion as James waited for an answer.

She looked between them, "I... I don't," she murmured,"I dont know where I am," she spoke gently as she looked between them confused. Their accents were strong, she almost didn't understand them herself.

"You don't sound like you're from here," the one man spoke. "You're in scotland, lass mind tellin' us how you managed to get here?"

"Scotland? I.." she stammered softly as she looked at them, then their clothes, the swords. "What year is it?" she asked softly.

---

He paid the men then took her to his carriage, "Keep your mouth shut til we get to the house, we will speak terms once we're there. I am not a cruel man," he told her as he shut the door.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. He had just bought me. It didn't matter though, I wasn't planning to spend the night, I would immediately leave to find out where I was and what was going on. I couldn't speak anyway, I was still gagged.

He'd soon realize I was no slave, and he would need to figure something out. I was intelligent, and a college graduate. I wouldn't stay around here to let him boss me around.

---

He shrugged a little, looking from his brother to her. "The year's 1783, miss. Mind explaining how you don know that?" He asked, leaning on his sword slightly and looking at the bear.

She stared at them then slowly put a hand to her head,"I think.. I think I must've hit my head," she whispered as she closed her eyes.

---

He sighed a little as he climbed into the carriage with her then looked out the window before looking at her and removing the gag. "What is your name?" he asked

I stared at him, shaking my head slightly. My questions first. "Where are we? Why are you dressed like this?" I asked, no intention of answering his questions until mine were answered and I was satisfied with his answers.

---

He shared a glance with his brother before stepping closer to her. "Miss? Do you need help? We've got a doctor if need be." He said, hesitating so he wouldn't scare her.

"You've been taught well," he said lightly,"Good, we're in London," he said to her as he looked at her.

---

She nodded,"I.. I don't know how I got here," she said softly as her eyes began to water.

I stared at him, at a loss for words. "London? What? How did I get here?" I asked as pieces suddenly began clicking together. The carriage, his clothes, the men mistaking me as a slave. "What year is it?" I asked, looking outside a window.

---

He sheathed his sword, walking over to her. "Miss? Why don't you come with us? We have food, water and shelter. It's gonna rain hard tonight." He said, gently, offering her his hand politely.

"1783," he said to her,"October, once we get you to the house we're going to find you some suitable clothing," he told her, "It's quite cold for you to be wearing so little,"

---

She looked at his hand then took it,"Okay," she said softly as she looked at him.

I shook my head. "1783!? What?! No. You've got to take me back. I don't belong here, I'm sorry you'll need to get your money back or something. I refuse to be enslaved or belong to anyone. Let me out."

---

He helped her over to him, before turning to his brother. "Take care of the brute, I'll get her to mam." He said, turning back to her to lead her to their home. "Why are you dressed as a man?" He asked, gesturing to her pants.

She looked at him then at her pants,"They comfortable," she said to him softly as she licked her lips, "It's all I have," she murmured.

---

"I can not do that, please control yourself," he said softly, "My name is William Benett," he said to her, "We can speak more about this once we get to the manor," he spoke./