Chapter 2: Secrets of the Past
“How do you know my name?” I had called after him, but he was already gone. The night air felt colder in his absence, and I was left with a creeping sense that my encounter with the mysterious stranger was only the surface of something much deeper.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being watched. The empty streets of Victorian London, with their flickering lamps and darkened windows, felt like a maze of secrets. My heart was still racing from our strange encounter, the memory of his touch lingering on my skin. How did he know my name? And what was the meaning behind his warning?
I needed answers, but the more I thought about it, the more questions seemed to pile up. I had traveled through time—literally. I needed to focus on that. How had I ended up here? And more importantly, how could I return?
The thought of being trapped in the past, in a world where I didn’t belong, sent a chill down my spine. I needed to find that door. I needed to understand what had happened. But where to begin?
***
As dawn broke over the city, I made my way through the crowded streets, blending in as best as I could. Every sound, every face, seemed to whisper the unfamiliarity of this place. The mansion where I had found the door, if it even existed in this time, was my only clue. But how could I find it again?
Suddenly, a voice called out to me, familiar and warm in the chaos.
“Hannah! There you are!”
I turned to see Molly—my Molly—running toward me. But no, this couldn’t be. It wasn’t the same Molly. Her clothes, her appearance… everything was different. She was dressed in the typical fashion of the time, a high-collared dress and bonnet, and yet her face was unmistakable.
“Molly?” I asked, my voice filled with confusion. “How—how are you here?”
She smiled, but it was a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Come with me. We need to talk.”
***
Molly led me through a maze of streets, finally bringing me to a quiet, hidden alleyway where a small door was tucked into the stone wall. She pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit room inside. The moment we stepped inside, she shut the door behind us, her expression serious.
“You must have so many questions,” she said, her voice soft and understanding.
I nodded, my mind spinning. “This—this can’t be real. How are you here? How did I end up here?”
She took my hands in hers, her touch warm and reassuring. “There are things about the past, about time, that you don’t understand yet. But you will. I’ve been waiting for you, Hannah.”
I blinked, unable to process her words. “Waiting for me? How? Why?”
She hesitated, her gaze drifting over my face as if she was searching for the right way to explain. “I’m not exactly who you think I am,” she admitted quietly, her voice barely a whisper. “But I’m here to help you. You’re not alone in this.”
My mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. Her touch, her presence—it felt familiar, like the Molly I knew. But there was something different, something more. “But why me?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly. “Why am I here?”
Her eyes softened, and she took a step closer, her hands still holding mine. “You’re special, Hannah. There’s a reason you were drawn to that door, a reason you’re here now. And I’m going to help you find the answers you need.”
Her words, though confusing, were oddly comforting. The fear and confusion that had gripped me began to ease, replaced by a strange sense of calm. I didn’t fully understand what was happening, but in this moment, with Molly standing so close, I felt like I could trust her.
She stepped even closer, her eyes locking with mine. “No matter what happens,” she whispered, “I’ll be by your side.”
Her words sent a warm flutter through my chest, and before I could stop myself, I leaned in. The space between us dissolved, and for a moment, the confusion, the fear—all of it melted away. All I could feel was the warmth of her presence, the steady rhythm of her breathing.
I wasn’t sure what was happening between us, but I didn’t pull away. Instead, I allowed myself to savor the closeness, the comfort she offered. It was different from the tension I’d felt with the mysterious man the night before—softer, gentler, but no less significant.
Her hand gently brushed my cheek, and I closed my eyes, leaning into the touch. “I’ll keep you safe,” she promised softly.
For the first time since I’d arrived in this strange world, I believed her.
***
But just as I allowed myself to relax, to feel some sense of peace, Molly’s expression changed. Her gaze shifted behind me, and her grip on my hands tightened.
“We don’t have much time,” she whispered urgently, pulling away from me and glancing around the room as if she was expecting someone to burst in at any moment.
I frowned, my confusion returning. “What do you mean?”
She turned back to me, her eyes sharp with a mix of worry and determination. “There are forces at play, Hannah—forces that want to stop you. They know you’re here, and they won’t stop until they find you.”
Panic rose in my chest. “Who? Who’s after me?”
Molly shook her head, her eyes darkening. “It’s too dangerous to explain now. But you need to be careful. There are people—someone in particular—who will try to get to you. You can’t trust everyone.”
Her words sent a chill down my spine, but before I could ask more, there was a loud knock on the door. Both of us froze.
“They’ve found us,” Molly whispered, her face pale. “Hannah, you need to run.”
I shook my head, my heart pounding. “No, I can’t leave you.”
“You have to,” she insisted, her voice firm. “There’s a safe place not far from here. Go to the old tavern on Fleet Street. Ask for John. He’ll know what to do.”
I hesitated for a moment, torn between the fear of leaving her and the urgency in her voice. But the knocking on the door grew louder, more insistent.
With a final, desperate look, I turned and ran, my heart pounding in my chest as I fled into the shadows of the alleyway. I didn’t know who was after me or why, but one thing was clear—Molly was right. There were forces in this world I didn’t understand, and I was in far more danger than I’d realized.
***
As I darted through the narrow streets, my breath coming in ragged gasps, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being followed. Every shadow seemed to move, every footstep echoed too closely behind me.
Finally, I reached the tavern Molly had spoken of, my hands shaking as I pushed open the door. The dim light inside was a welcome relief, but as soon as I stepped inside, my heart sank.
There, standing by the bar, was him—the man from the night before. The man who knew my name.
He turned to face me, his dark eyes locking with mine, and a slow, knowing smile spread across his face.
“I see you’ve found your way here, Hannah,” he said, his voice smooth and dangerous.
I froze, my mind racing. What did he want? And how did he always seem to know where I was?
Before I could respond, he took a step closer, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Let’s talk,” he said softly. “There’s so much you need to know.”