Chapter 4:
Midnight descended upon the asylum, and Rose quietly opened her cage door, surveying her surroundings with a mix of caution and curiosity. Her gaze drifted towards the other patients, who were all fast asleep, their peaceful slumber a stark contrast to the turmoil that brewed within Rose's mind. She wondered to herself, "How did everyone fall asleep so quickly?" Her thoughts were interrupted by the empty cage across from hers, where a pair of eyes that had been watching her for so long were now absent.
Rose's mind wandered back to her childhood, when a girl had been brought into the adjacent cage. The girl's face had been marred by scratches, and the other patients had recoiled in fear, labeling her a murderer. Rose had caught a glimpse of the girl's face that day, but afterwards, she had only seen her eyes, which had been fixed intently on Rose. Those eyes had haunted Rose, and she couldn't shake off the memory of them. But now, the eyes were gone, and Rose's thoughts turned to her own freedom.
With a sense of determination, Rose made her way to the main gate of the mental asylum, where the guards were surprisingly fast asleep. She brushed off the oddity and slipped out into the night, where a truck driver was waiting beside a large truck. However, Rose's eyes were scanning the area for someone else – Yummy's friend. And then, she spotted her, standing with her back turned, pounding on a rock with her feet.
Rose approached her quietly, calling out, "You're Yummy's friend, aren't you?" The girl turned around, and Rose was met with a pair of eyes that took her breath away – eyes that were like stars on a clear night. Rose had never seen anything so beautiful. The girl's lips were like lotus petals, and her cheeks were as red as tomatoes. As Rose's gaze took in the entirety of the girl's face, she felt a jolt of recognition – the girl looked just like me.
"You're Yummy's friend, aren't you?" Rose asked again, her voice barely above a whisper. The girl nodded, her voice husky as she replied, "Yes, my name is Lotus. Let's go, before someone sees you." Rose nodded, following Lotus to the truck, where she climbed in beside her. As they drove away from the asylum, Rose felt a sense of freedom that she had never known before. But little did she know, her journey was just beginning, and the road ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty.
Rose needed some rest, and the machine's timer had gone off, causing the screen to shut down automatically. I took a deep breath, feeling a mix of emotions. Jack turned to me and said, "Today's session was good, now it's up to you to incorporate it into your novel." I looked at him with a curious expression and asked, "Didn't you find anything strange about it?" Jack's brow furrowed as he replied, "Strange? What do you mean?"
I elaborated, "Everyone falling asleep suddenly at night, the mysterious girl with the piercing eyes disappearing, Rose meeting Lotus through Yummy... Doesn't it all seem a bit too coincidental?" Jack's expression changed to one of intrigue as he said, "It could be your conscience at play, or maybe there's more to it. If that's the case, it's a good thing – it will be very helpful for us. After solving this case, our profiles will be elevated, and we'll become well-known throughout the universe."
Just then, Sophia grasped my hand, her voice filled with warmth as she said, "Rowan, don't think too much about all this. I've planned dinner for you; will you join me?" I hesitated for a moment before declining her invitation, "Sorry, Sophia, but I have an interview with some people at a certain location today. I won't be able to make it." I gently extricated my hand from hers, feeling the need for some alone time to process the thoughts swirling in my mind.
As I watched Sophia's expression change from disappointment to understanding, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. I needed this time to reflect on the events that had transpired and to make sense of the mysterious connections that seemed to be emerging. The world of my novel was becoming increasingly complex, and I was both excited and intimidated by the prospect of unraveling its secrets. With a sense of determination, I set off towards my destination, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As I walked out of the police station, where I had just finished gathering information about a criminal's life, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. The encounter with the old lady was unexpected, and her words left me with a lingering sense of curiosity. I had been feeling unwell all day, and the stress of dealing with the case had taken a toll on my mental state. The old lady's sudden collision with me seemed like a minor inconvenience compared to the turmoil brewing inside me.
As I apologized, our eyes met, and I was struck by the unusual glow on her face. It was as if she possessed an otherworldly aura, radiating an energy that was both captivating and unnerving. Her question, "Are you troubled about something?" caught me off guard. I was taken aback by her perceptiveness, and my response was laced with skepticism. "How did you know?" I asked, trying to gauge her intentions.
Her response, "I am a psychic, and I can see the troubles you're facing," sent a shiver down my spine. I was both intrigued and repelled by her claim. In this modern age, such assertions seemed absurd, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was just another scammer looking to exploit people's vulnerabilities.
"My name is Rowan," she said, handing me a card. "Keep it. There's much in this world that science can't explain, and never will." Her words were laced with an air of confidence, as if she knew secrets that the rest of us didn't. I was about to dismiss her as a charlatan, but something about her demeanor stayed my hand.
As she walked away, I felt a sense of unease. Part of me wanted to throw the card away, to dismiss her claims as mere fantasy. But another part of me, a part that was driven by curiosity and a desire for answers, hesitated. I looked down at the card, and for a moment, I felt a strange sense of connection to this mysterious woman.
The card seemed to weigh heavier in my hand, as if it held secrets and possibilities that I couldn't yet comprehend. I tucked it into my pocket, deciding to keep an open mind, at least for now. The encounter had left me with more questions than answers, but I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was about to take a dramatic turn.
I hadn't tried to sleep outside that night, lost in thoughts of Rose and the transformation she had brought into my life. Since she entered my world, I felt like I wasn't myself anymore; I had become someone else entirely. The memories of our encounters swirled in my mind, leaving me both intrigued and bewildered.
The next morning, Sophia and I headed to the Archaeology department, just like we did every day. As we walked, I felt a sense of resolve building up inside me. I had made up my mind to confide in Sophia about everything that had been happening. The weight of my secrets felt like a burden I could no longer carry alone.
As we sat down in the department, I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. Sophia noticed the change in my demeanor and asked if everything was okay. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of where to begin. But something about her concerned expression put me at ease, and I started to open up.
"Sophia, I need to tell you something," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's about Rose and what's been happening since she came into my life." Sophia's eyes locked onto mine, filled with curiosity and concern. I took another deep breath and began to recount everything – the strange occurrences, the mysterious connections, and the way Rose had changed me.
As I spoke, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me – fear, excitement, and uncertainty. Sophia listened intently, her expression a blend of surprise and understanding. When I finally finished, she looked at me with a thoughtful gaze, as if trying to process everything I had just told her.
The silence that followed was palpable, filled with unspoken questions and concerns. But in that moment, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I had shared my secret with someone I trusted, and that in itself was a liberating experience. Now, all I could do was wait and see how Sophia would react, and what the future held for us.
Sophia's eyes blazed with anger as she glared at me. "How could you do this, Rowan?" she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion. "You're considering feelings for a girl from a different century, someone you've barely even met. What about our engagement? It's just around the corner, Rowan. Give me an answer."
I felt a surge of defensiveness, but also a deep sense of guilt. I knew I had hurt Sophia, and I didn't know how to make things right. "Yes, it's true," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "This feeling emerged when I was with Rose. I know it sounds crazy, but I couldn't help how I feel."
Sophia's expression was a mix of shock, anger, and sadness. I could see the pain in her eyes, and it tore me apart. I wanted to explain, to tell her everything, but I didn't know where to start.
Just then, Jack handed us the goggles again, and we settled in to watch Rose's story once more. As I put on the goggles, my gaze drifted to Sophia. I felt a pang of regret and longing. I knew I had to talk to her, to explain everything and apologize for my actions. But for now, I was trapped in this virtual world, watching Rose's story unfold.
As the scenes played out before my eyes, my mind wandered back to Sophia. I knew I had to make things right between us, but I wasn't sure how. The weight of my feelings for Rose, and the impending engagement to Sophia, felt like a heavy burden on my shoulders. I was torn between my duty and my heart, and I didn't know which path to choose.
The goggles seemed to fade into the background as my thoughts consumed me. I was lost in a sea of emotions, unsure of how to navigate the complexities of my own heart. All I knew was that I had to find a way to talk to Sophia, to make her understand, and to figure out what I truly wanted.
The screen flickered back to life, and Rose's story resumed. This time, we saw the date and time prominently displayed: March 4, 2023, 5:00 AM. Rose and Lotus were still in the truck, the early morning light casting a pale glow over the landscape.
As they rode, Lotus turned to Rose and asked if she was hungry. Rose's stomach growled in response, and she nodded eagerly. "Yes, let's stop somewhere and grab something to eat," she said, her voice filled with anticipation.
Lotus relayed the request to the truck driver, who nodded and pulled over at a nearby restaurant. As they stepped out of the truck, Lotus handed Rose a scarf. "Put this on, Tala," she said, her voice low and urgent. "We're in London now, and I don't want you to get caught. You stick out a bit, you know?"
Rose hesitated for a moment before wrapping the scarf around her head, covering her distinctive features. The three of them walked into the restaurant, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and cooked food filling their senses.
As they sat down at a table, Rose couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. She was in a new city, surrounded by people she didn't know, and relying on Lotus for guidance. But despite the uncertainty, she felt a sense of gratitude towards Lotus, who had taken her under her wing and was helping her navigate this unfamiliar world.
The restaurant bustled with activity, the sounds of clinking dishes and muted conversations creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Rose looked around, taking in the sights and sounds, as Lotus and the truck driver ordered their food. She felt a sense of wonder and curiosity, eager to explore this new world and all its possibilities.
Lotus's eyes scanned the newspaper, her brow furrowed in concern as she read about a recent murder case. She looked up at Rose, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Tala, if you were to kill someone, how would you do it?" she asked, her voice low and playful.
Rose's expression changed from calm to shock, her eyes widening in surprise. She looked at Lotus, unsure of how to respond. "What kind of question is that, Lotus?" she asked, her voice laced with unease.
Lotus leaned in, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I'm just asking, Tala. You never know when you might need to defend yourself. So, how would you do it?"
Rose hesitated, her mind racing with thoughts. She didn't know how to respond to such a question. She had never thought about harming anyone, let alone killing them. "I...I don't know, Lotus," she stammered. "I'm not sure I could ever hurt anyone."
Lotus nodded thoughtfully, her expression unreadable. "Okay, Tala. Just wondering." She went back to reading the newspaper, leaving Rose feeling unsettled and confused.
The question lingered in Rose's mind, making her feel uneasy and unsure. She didn't know what to make of Lotus's curiosity about such a dark topic. As she looked at Lotus, she saw a glimmer of something in her eyes, something that made Rose wonder if she really knew her friend at all.
To be continue.....