“I’m here, Dougall!” She couldn’t believe her eyes as he came into view. “Ye’ve come fer me.”
“Of course I have, love. I wouldnae leave ye here all alone.”
“Oh, Dougall, I’ve been so afraid.” Helene held on to him for dear life. “Please dinnae leave me again.”
“I willnae. Come, let’s go. We must return to Castle Treun.”
“What? Why?” Helene’s head was spinning. He couldn’t possibly think she wanted to go back there.
“Ye must go back to pay for what ye’ve done to Greer. She’s to be me wife, ye ken. Ye shouldnae have assaulted her.”
“But Dougall, I thought ye loved me.”
“I did. I love Greer now.” His face was unreadable.
Helene backed away from him and into a tree. “Please. Let me go. I’ll find me way back home without ye. Ye can tell them that ye couldnae find me.”
“Nae, Helene. I cannae do that. Ye must pay for what ye did.” Dougall reached for her and she sank back further into the bark of the tree. Something small scurried across her feet, causing Helene to jump. She opened her eyes to sunshine and watched as a small vole ran into the cover of a nearby bush. She’d been dreaming, but she was shaken by it all the same. Her heart was racing at an uncomfortable pace in her chest as she fought to slow her breathing and get her body back under control. She struggled to sit up, muscles sore and aching from the cold and damp of the dungeon and her night in the woods. The dream seemed too real, mayhap ’twas. Sadly she pushed herself to her feet, checking to be sure the sun was at her back and began plodding unsteadily further away from Castle Treun and Dougall MacRae.
Chapter 10
The last ofHelene’s food had been eaten yesterday. Or was it the day before. She couldn’t remember. She was hungry and weak and completely unaware of the fact that she had left the darkness of the woods and was now nearing a stone bridge. The sound of rushing water was first to catch her attention and when she weakly raised her head, sunshine warmed her face, causing her to close her eyes and bask in its light and warmth. Moments passed and as she glanced around at her surroundings, she noted the bridge spanning a stream. She needed more water, but the thought of scrambling down the rocky banks to the water’s edge was more than she felt capable of at this moment.
Hope hadn’t completely deserted her. This was obviously a well-traveled path. Perhaps if she waited long enough someone would come by and she could ask them for help, or at the very least for directions to Breaghacraig. She walked to the center of the bridge and leaned on the stacked stones to gaze into the flowing waters. It was all too much. She’d been through so much since leaving her home and now she had no idea where she was or if she was even near the castle. Tears, which had been missing while she was so focused on finding her way, began to flow and the sobs she’d held in check loudly forced their way past her lips and out into the open. She cried and cried, until she was forced to grasp the bridge so she wouldn’t find herself on her knees.
“Someone help me!” she called out. “Please! Someone help me.” There was no answer.What am I doing? No one can hear me. I’m only talking to meself. I’m alone and I’ve nowhere to turn.Helene contemplated what to do next. She could cross the bridge and keep walking or she could stay where she was and wait. She decided that instead she would take some time to rest, then she’d choose her next step. Despite her state, she noticed the beauty of the stream and trees. The birds singing gave her solace and brought a small smile to her face. Helene noted a strange feeling at her feet and looking down was surprised to see fleeting fingers of fog, wrapping themselves around her. Instead of frightening her, they instead calmed her and she watched as the fog grew thicker and began to engulf her.
“Helene.” Was she hearing things or was someone calling to her?
“Helene.” There it was again.
“Who’s there?”
“’Tis I, Helene. Edna Campbell. I’m here to help ye.”
“Where are ye? I cannae see ye, Edna.”
“I’m on the other side of the bridge in the year 2016.”
“Oh. Yer that Edna. I’ve heard of ye from Ashley.”
“Well, much like Ashley, yer about to travel through time. I dinnae wish ye to be frightened, Helene, which is why I’m telling ye this.”
“I dinnae wish to travel through time. I wish to go home.”
“’Tis for yer own good, lass. Ye’ll see. Don’t be afraid. All will be well.”
“Edna…” There was no answer. She was gone and all Helene knew was that she was engulfed in this swirling fog. Magical lights of all colors popped and sparked around her and she had the sensation of travelling at a high rate of speed, although she was sure she hadn’t moved an inch. It all suddenly stopped and the fog moved away, leaving her in a place she didn’t recognize. The bridge was gone. The stream was gone. They were replaced by strange sights and sounds, such that Helene had never seen. She remembered what Edna said and she stayed calm.
“Hi there. How you doing’?” a woman asked her as she was about to pass by.
Helene noted this woman sounded much like Ashley and Jenna. “I be fine. Where am I?”
“Yer in San Francisco. Is everything okay?” The woman furrowed her brow as she stared at Helene.
“Aye. All’s well.” The woman began walking away. “Wait. What year is it?”
“It’s 2016.” The woman stopped and waited for Helene to speak.
