Chapter 3: An Impossible Connection
The world spun violently, colors and sounds twisting together in a chaotic swirl. I clung to the pocket watch as if it were the only thing anchoring me to existence, and for a terrifying moment, I thought I might never land. But just as suddenly as it had begun, the spinning stopped, and I was thrown forward, hitting the ground hard.
I gasped, the wind knocked out of me. For a moment, I lay there, staring up at the sky, which had turned a deep, twilight blue. Stars blinked overhead, and the cool evening breeze whispered through the trees. Slowly, I sat up, wincing at the ache in my limbs.
Where was I now?
The countryside stretched out before me, silent and still, with no sign of the manor or Henry. The air smelled fresh, the scent of wildflowers drifting on the breeze, and the only sound was the soft rustle of leaves. I looked down at the pocket watch, still clutched in my hand. Its hands were still now, no longer spinning wildly, but the sense of unease that had taken root in my chest lingered.
I needed answers. I needed to find Henry. But more than that, I needed to understand what was happening to me. Why had this watch found me, of all people? And why did I feel so drawn to him, as if we were connected by something deeper than time?
I stood, brushing off my dress, and surveyed my surroundings. A narrow dirt path wound through the trees, and in the distance, I could see the faint outline of a village, its lights flickering like fireflies in the dark. With no other options, I started walking, my heart heavy with uncertainty.
As I walked, the memory of Henry’s kiss lingered in my mind, making my cheeks flush in the cool night air. His touch, his lips—everything about him felt impossibly familiar, as though I had known him for years instead of mere hours. But there was also something dangerous about him, something he wasn’t telling me. And that scared me.
The path led me through the trees, and soon, the village came into clearer view. Cobblestone streets, small thatched-roof cottages, and lanterns flickering in the windows. It felt like something out of a dream, or a storybook, but I had no idea what year I was in. As I stepped into the village square, a few people glanced my way, their expressions curious but not alarmed. I must have blended in, despite the whirlwind that had brought me here.
I approached a small tavern on the edge of the square. The warm glow of the fire inside was inviting, and I hoped someone there could point me in the right direction. Pushing open the wooden door, I stepped inside, the hum of conversation and the clink of mugs greeting me.
The innkeeper, a stout woman with kind eyes, looked up as I approached the counter. “Evening, miss. What brings you here so late?”
“I’m… lost,” I admitted, unsure of how much to reveal. “I was traveling and… got separated from my companions.”
The innkeeper frowned, her gaze sweeping over me. “Strange place to be lost, especially at this hour. Where are you headed?”
I hesitated. “I’m not sure, exactly. Have you seen a man—tall, dark hair, intense eyes? His name is Henry.”
The woman’s frown deepened, but before she could respond, a voice spoke from behind me. “Looking for someone, are you?”
I turned, my heart skipping a beat. A man stood in the shadows near the fireplace, his features obscured by the dim light. But as he stepped forward, my breath caught in my throat. He was handsome, yes, but there was something unsettling about him—something cold and calculating in the way he smiled.
“I might be able to help,” he said, his voice smooth and low. “But first, tell me—what’s your connection to Henry?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Who was this man, and how did he know Henry? A chill ran down my spine, and instinctively, I took a step back. His eyes followed my movement, sharp and predatory.
“He’s not what you think,” the man continued, taking a slow step toward me. “Henry’s been playing this game for a long time, and you’re just the latest piece on the board.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, my voice trembling slightly. “I don’t know him that well.”
“But you want to, don’t you?” His smile widened, but there was no warmth in it. “You’re drawn to him. You can’t help it. But let me give you some advice—walk away. While you still can.”
My heart pounded in my chest. “Who are you?”
“Someone who knows the stakes better than you ever will,” he said, his voice darkening. “And someone who’s willing to do whatever it takes to stop Henry.”
Before I could respond, the door to the tavern swung open, and the man’s expression shifted, his eyes narrowing. I turned, and my breath caught.
Henry stood in the doorway, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sent a jolt through me. He looked… different. There was a fierceness in his gaze, a tension in his posture that hadn’t been there before. But as soon as he saw the man standing near me, his expression darkened, and the air between them crackled with unspoken tension.
“What are you doing here, Callum?” Henry’s voice was low, dangerous.
The man—Callum—smirked, leaning casually against the bar. “Just having a chat with our mutual friend here. You’re too late, Henry. She’s already asking questions.”
Henry’s jaw tightened, and without another word, he crossed the room, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the door. “We need to leave. Now.”
I barely had time to react as he dragged me outside, the cool night air hitting my face like a slap. I stumbled after him, my heart racing. “Henry, wait! Who was that? What’s going on?”
“We don’t have time,” he said, his grip on my arm firm but not painful. “You need to trust me, Olivia.”
“Trust you?” I yanked my arm free, frustration boiling over. “You’ve been keeping secrets from me since the moment we met! Who is Callum? Why is he after you?”
Henry stopped, his eyes searching mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability beneath the hard exterior. “It’s complicated,” he said, his voice softer now. “But Callum is dangerous. He’s been trying to stop me from… from finding you.”
“Finding me?” My heart skipped a beat. “Why? What am I to you?”
For a moment, Henry looked as though he might answer, but then he shook his head. “I can’t explain everything now. But I promise you, I’m trying to protect you.”
I stared at him, torn between wanting to believe him and the growing suspicion in my chest. But before I could say anything, he stepped closer, his hand reaching up to cup the side of my face, just as he had done before. His touch was gentle, grounding me in the chaos, and my heart stuttered in my chest.
“I know it’s hard to trust me,” he murmured, his eyes softening as he gazed at me. “But you have to believe that I’m doing this for you. For us.”
His words sent a shiver through me, and I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward him. It was as though some invisible thread connected us, drawing us closer despite the danger that surrounded us. Slowly, hesitantly, I leaned into his touch, my resolve weakening under the weight of the impossible connection we shared.
And then, before I could stop myself, I whispered, “I believe you.”
The relief in Henry’s eyes was palpable, and in that moment, I felt the tension between us melt away. Slowly, carefully, he lowered his head, his lips brushing lightly against mine in a kiss that was both tender and urgent. My heart raced as I kissed him back, the world around us fading into nothing. There was only him—only this moment.
But the peace was short-lived.
A sudden shout echoed through the night, breaking the spell. I pulled back, startled, just as Henry’s eyes widened in alarm.
“Run,” he whispered, his voice tight with fear. “We have to go. Now.”
***
Before I could ask what was happening, the ground beneath us shook, and a deafening crack split the air. I turned, my breath catching in my throat as I saw the source of the sound—a rip, a tear in the very fabric of reality, spreading like wildfire across the sky. The world seemed to shudder, time itself unraveling before my eyes.
And then everything went black.