Time

Rosie

The train approaches, the rumble of its engine rattling off my ribs.

People stand around me, solemn. No one speaks a word to each other, deep thoughts plaguing their attention. They will be wondering where the train will take them. Like me, they will be daunted by what might come of their fate. This train, run by magic, could take us throughout the immortal lands, releasing us in whatever territory it wishes. I've just completed my sentence within Death's realm. Having led a humble life, I was consequently given a shorter sentence. Now, I'm left to live the rest of my days within the immortal world, after being taken so swiftly from the mortal one. The train glides to a stop, the doors opening with a mechanic hiss.

There are no guards to hustle us in. Just thick, concrete walls on either side of the station. The only exit is on the train. The group of us wanders onto the train. I see a seat away from everyone else, and take it. I'm not sure how long I'll be on here, however, I hope to get some sleep. The moment I sit down, the seat underneath me warms, before cooling again. It's registering who I am. My fate has already been decided by magic. The immortal lands consist on many territories, all led by powerful immortals I'll never get to meet. As long as I am not delivered to Sinful's territory, which is cold mountain ranges, or Time's territory, which is filled with lawless evil doers.

My goal once I reach my destination is to establish myself and to find my older brothers, who left Death's realm before me. They must be waiting for me somewhere. As the train jerks, slowly crawling out of the station, I settle into my seat. I've theorised that it must take a few days for the train to make the full trip. Maybe a week even. Just as those thoughts consumed my mind, a small screen planted into the back of the seat in front of me flashes. First Destination : Territory Of Fate Time of Travel : 26 hours. Sighing deeply, I settle into my seat. With no belongings aside from the clothes on my back, I peel off my jacket and use it as a pillow. A few seats in front of me, I hear someone's muffled cries. We all have a reason to be scared. Closing my eyes, I prepare a pray in my mind. I've always been a firm believer in the Moon Goddesses power.

Even through my sentence of death. I pray beneath my breath for the first territory to be my stop. I sleep through the rest of the trip, until I feel the train glide to a stop. Through bleary eyes, I look out the window to where we have arrived. An almost blinding site greets my weary eyes. The gigantic expanse of a beautiful blue oceans stretches to the horizon. Golden sands line the water, many people standing there, clapping and waving at the train. There is some kind of festival. This place is beautiful, like some kind of seaside village. The first stop. I look at my screen, hoping it would request for me stand and leave the station to start my life within a society of cheering people.

Instead, a giant red X comes across my screen. Some people gasp, standing quickly. I watch them, envious as they clamber off the train. It's only three of people. The crowd outside the train cheer, throwing pink and green streamers into the air as the three fresh immortals come from the train. They are embraced and handed cases. I assume it's the bare essentials to start a life. It was the last thing I saw before the train started up again.

Second Destination : Territory Of Thought Time of Travel : Eight hours At some point dinner arrived. It was some kind of stew that was delivered on trays controlled by magic. It was bland and tasteless, but filled me up. The next destination was a station in seemingly the middle of nowhere. Green pastures stretch for miles, some growing produce, others holding animals. It's a bright, beautiful place in a small village.

A small group of people greet the train, ready to aid the travellers. This must be a trend. Excitement bubbles within me. I could live here. How pretty is this? A quaint village where you live off the land. Humble, like the Immortal Thought is. However, a large red X on my screen suggests this isn't my new home. Disheartened, I ignore the screen until we reach the next station. Another two passed and I didn't get off.

Both belonged to Sins - Immortals whose entire being is to sin - so I wasn't bothered when I was given an X. Once we arrived to Karma's territory, I was over it. Two days have passed, and my body aches. The station we arrive at is the middle of a city, however, all that surrounds it is red desert everywhere. A big crowd greets us, some getting close enough to slap the windows of the train. I flinch away. These people look wild.

Naturally, there was a large X on my screen. Hugging my knees, I feel the need to cry. The crowd on this train is thinning, only a small group of us left. Tension is building. The two worst territories are coming up. We pass through three more territories run by Virtues - the complete opposite to Sins. Now, there's only three of us left on the train. We make it to Sinful's territory. Snow falls atop the train as we come to a stop. A small village is visible only by the lights that gleam from houses as night has fallen. Only two people stand at the station, holding bright lights.

Silently, I pray this isn't my home. It might be better than Time's territory, so I've heard, but I would much rather wait till the next spot. It's the last good one left. An X graces my screen. I breathe in a sigh of relief. The last two people gasp, and one starts crying. Wait, are they both leaving? Much to my surprise, they both get off the train, greeted by the people outside. Warm coats are placed over their shoulders. The train leaves again.

Realisation hits me, once the train glides through the last good station, not bothering to stop. I'm the last one on the train, heading straight toward Time's territory. I refused to cry. This can't be true. There has to be something wrong with this train. I can't be going to Time's territory...I know all I know from rumours, however, I'm certain this territory we approach is one of the worst to end up in. Finding eternal death would be sweeter than this. Unlike other territories, we don't pass through any towns the deeper we go. There is only dark trees, all clumped together, letting no light in.

This place is ominous, neverending. I was almost certain I would be dumped in the middle of these trees to die when finally the train glides to a stop at a small village, just as the sun starts to set. No one stands at the station. The places looks deserted. A giant green tick covers my screen. A lump forms in my throat, however, I'm granted no other choice but to stand, readying myself for the fate I've been dreading for many months. My legs shake as I make the walk toward the exit of the train. I haven't stoof in quite some time, and my legs protest.

Once I step onto the wooden platform of the station, the train begins to leave. I watch it go, abandoning me. Slowly, I turn around. This entire town sits quietly, unbothered by my arrival. What now? I have nothing to my name, and no idea of where I am. All I know is Time owns the land I stand on, and that is a frightening thought. Making my walk down the dirt pathed main road, I wonder what my next move might be. That is, until I notice what looks like a couple sitting on the porch of a nearby house, enjoying a drink together under the setting sun. I approach them nervously, hoping for any sense of pity from these people.

A woman notices me first. She startles at the sight of me, nudging the man next to her to get his attention. He frowns at me.

"Excuse me, I've just come off the train, and was wondering if you could tell me where I am," I explain. At least I can be grateful the climate is fairly average, so the clothing on my back is keeping me warm enough. The woman, a dainty looking women with raven hair and pointed features gapes at me. The man is rather stern looking.

"You came off the train? No one has come off that train in ten years," the woman says in disbelief. I blink, unable to believe that.

"Can you tell me anything about this place?" I ask. I'm anxious to find a place to stay first, then hopefully I can attain a job. Then, I will leave this place to find my brothers. Who knows what territory they were granted access to.

"You should hide girl," the man says lowly. "This isn't no friendly place. We don't fear no one except the great master. If you want to live, I suggest hiding once the moon rises."

I swallow uncomfortably. "Why might that be?"

"Time isn't just any immortal. We are all trapped here, in fear he will kill us like he does to whatever innocent fool walks in here and makes a single mistake-"

The mans wife suddenly kicks his ankle violently.

He yelps, looking at her for answers. "He can hear you fool. Shut your mouth."

"All I'll say is he doesn't visit here often, but when he does, hide," the man whispers. Backing away a few steps, I let those words sink into my mind. I knew Time was a bad man, but how bad is he really? And how did I end up here?

~Rosie

I headed the couples advice, and hid. After wandering around for awhile, it appeared to me how small the village is. Each house is locked up, however, lights blazing from inside suggest there are people in there.

Looking around, this place isn't the most hospitable. Run down houses border along each other, slumped fences hardly giving any privacy. My thoughts wander to all the beautiful villages we passed on the way through on the train. Each are all unique and stunning in their own ways, however, none of them compare to where I have ended up.

The only way I can describe it to myself, is that it is creepy. Ominous trees surround the village, whatever might be beyond is unknown. I make a note to ask someone about it. With no money, and nowhere to go, I find a spot on the edge of village by the tree, leaning against the stump.

My head falls into my hands, and I try my hardest not to cry. It prickles on the back of my eyes, however, I don't let a single tear fall. I lost my life on the mortal land earlier than I should have, which only made me stronger during my sentence in Death's realm. At some point my thoughts lulled me to sleep. I may not have hidden like I was warned, but I don't have much of a choice. At some point, childlike laughter woke me from my slumber. Blinking rapidly, I sit up against the base of the tree, my vision coming back to me.

Four young children who can't be over ten mortal years old peer down at me, giggling between themselves. I flinch, giving them all frights. In an instant they all scatter, running off in different directions, as if they were caught commiting a terrible crime. Or maybe they are scared of me. Either way, I struggle to my feet, trying to ignore my aching back and neck. If the rest of my time here is going to be like that, I'm going to have to find a way out of here earlier than I thought.

The village is a lot more populated this morning. People wander around, taking no notice of me. They look distracted by their own pity, heads down, going along with their days work, not interested in a girl sleeping against a tree. I was just about to get moving, brushing off the back of my pants, when the sound of clattering hooves on the ground rumbles down the main road of the village.

Keeping to the side of the road, I watch. Five rather regal figures approach on horses, four men and one woman, hardly regarding anyone they pass by. My eyes fall on the front rider, a stone faced man with golden hair brushed back from his face. He looks dead ahead, not bothered by my stare as he rides past me. I'm most fascinated by the gun on his hip, a rifle, which glints tauntingly. The rest of the riders, including the woman have bows instead, following along with equal uninterest. That is, until the girl's head snaps in my direction, and she looks at me.

She has similar features to her brother, with those blonde strands, eyes sharp. Swallowing uncomfortably, I let her observe me for a quiet moment before the group disappear into the forest. The entire village seems to let out a breath once they were gone. I'm not sure what that was, but I don't have time to investigate it right now. I need to find a bakery, and if what I saw last night is correct, there is a bakery further up town. Maybe they will have a job for me, and might let me sleep in their hearth until I have enough money to get out of this town. Thick ash wood smoke catches in my throat as approach the bakey.

A bell tingles above my head as I walk through the door into the shop front. The poignant scent of fresh bread has my stomach grumbling in response. Sweet delicacies are laid out in front of me, shielded behind glass. It seems they require a strange currency to purchase. I have no money at all. I will worry about food later, though.

There are more important things to deal with. Just as I was eyeing a cheese scone, an older lady wanders out from the back, a handful of bread loaves in her hands. She looks at me for only a moment, before she opens the back of a glass cabinet, slipping the bread in. I watch her do so, unable to take my eyes off the food, unable to stop breathing in that fresh scent. The lady keeps one loaf in her hand, as she wanders over to the counter. She slips it into a paper bag, before sliding it across the counter at me. Her eyes, a watery blue, meet mine, insisting I take it.

I do so cautiously, unsure of her intentions. She seems kind, although she doesn't smile. I look at the burns on her arms. She clearly has slaved away all morning for this. Tearing a piece of bread from the loaf, I nibble at it.

"Thank you."

"You came off that train, didn't you," she says, motioning for me to come around the counter. I would be skeptical, however, she offered me food, and has been the only one today who hasn't either ignored me, or laughed at me. I nod, following her into the back room. It's not the bakey area, yet it still smells so pungent like flour and yeast. A fire places on the other end of the room, crackling gently. With my bread in hand, I rest on one of the couches she offers. For once, I feel comfort, burying the worry about the future within me.

"No one has came off that train in a long while. Years. The people will start to talk soon, and when the people start to talk, bad things happen," she tells me. I swallow uncomfortably. I somehow knew this would happen.

"What kind of bad things?" I ask warily. I'm not so sure I want to know, however, I'm apart of this town now, as much as I want to escape.

"The leader of this place, he's not a good man. He notices when things aren't right, and the gossip will reach him eventually," she explains, throwing another log on the fire. I watch it burst into flames. I know who she is speaking of. Time. What I know about him is slim, considering how little I assumed I would end up here. I swallow another piece of bread.

"Why would Time be worried about me? And if you're so worried, why did you invite me in here to talk to me? What will he do if he finds out I'm here?" "

Time won't do anything. He trusts me." She notices my skeptical expression. "I own the only bakery in town, and when he visits, he gets the best service. And I take pity on you. It's a lawless area around here, each for their own. I doubt many else would be kind enough to take you in. A lot of people don't have the ability too, anyway."

"You'll let me work here?" I question in disbelief. I'm surprised someone here could be so generous. "It won't be great work, but it will be enough to keep you on your feet until you find another place to work. My only rule is I suggest not speaking to anyone around here. Like I said, they gossip, and not in a fun way."

I nod. "Thank you. My name is Rosie, by the way."

"Don't go telling anyone else that. People are going to be curious about you, asking a lot of questions. Pick a different name, in case an more powerful immortal tries to track you," she explains, to which is shiver. I had no idea this place would be so dangerous. "I'm Marie, by the way. Not my real name, but that's what everyone else calls me."

I don't dare ask for her real name. Something tells me everyone around here is rather shady. For now, I'll heed Marie's advice. She might be a crazed older woman full of conspiracies, however, I'm not about to take that risk. This is Time's territory, after all.

"Who are those people wandering around on horses? They from this village?" I question, curious about that impassive faced boy and that sharp eyed girl.

"They are hunters. There isn't much to do in this place, so the younger kids often go into the forest for fun. It's a dark, dangerous place in there. I don't suggest wander out of the village unless you know the way out. Otherwise you are bound to get lost," she comments.

"And whatever you do, don't talk to those Hunters. Some believe they work directly for Time." Finally, I finish my bread, putting the empty bag down on the bench.

"Who is Time truly?"

Marie pauses what she was doing, looking directly at me. "Simply imagine the worst thing to ever exist in this world. An unforgivable creature who cares nothing about your life. He is beyond anything you can imagine."

I can't help but shiver at her words. She folds her arms across her chest. "That's Time."

~Rosie

I tried to stay inside. I did.

Marie has been kind enough to offer me a job and a cot to sleep in at night. It gets cold here at night, it seems, so I'm grateful for the warm fire. Working in the bakery hasn't been all that easy either, considering the early mornings and burns I've acquired all up my arms. It hasn't been easy, and I'm starting to get cabin fever. Almost two weeks have passed and I haven't left the house. Marie has been oddly stern about how the public in this village will not react well to my presence. I'm not sure why she is so scared of their gossip going back to reach Time...

I know he is frightening, but I doubt he cares much for some girl who showed up in a small village in his territory. He must be dealing with bigger issues in the immortal world. I'm not included in that. So, tonight I've decided I'm going to venture out. I just want to see more of the village and get an idea of how big it is. I'm not planning on speaking to anyone, in fact, I'm hoping to keep to the shadows and just look. Marie is at a market on the other side of the village selling her baked goods. It's the perfect night.

Shrugging a hand knitted jumper made by Marie, I wander out into the night. The streets are empty, everyone being at the market. As I walk down the road, I'm lucky the few scattered lamp lights around here are illuminating pale light in front of me. It feels satisfying being out in the open, feeling fresh air on my face, as bitter as it is. It smells fresh like pine. However, something doesn't feel right. It's something in the air. It's something in the way the forest around us sways, like some kind of warning.

It's ominous, as if some kind of ethereal creatures lurks beyond the boundary of the village, haunting the entire area. It makes me tuck my jumper around my body more as I walk, reminding myself never to wander in there. My mind strays. I feel watched, but not by someone beside me, or around me, or even in the forest. It prickles at the back of my neck. It's like someone is in the air, praying on my every move. What if it is Time? What if he knows no one is new in this place, and wants to come here to terrorise me? Suddenly I want to turn around and go back.

I keep walking though. Maybe it's narcissistic of me to think Time would have any interest in me, however, it's as if I can feel his presence floating around me, brushing against my skin. I try brush the feeling off. I'm overthinking this too much right now. Marie has gotten into my head too much. As I walk further, I can hear the soft beat of music and a chorus of voices. I'm assuming it's the night market.

I'm curious about what is going on there, however, I don't want to run into Marie. I'm sure if I go in the opposite direction of the sweet smell of baked food I've become so accustomed to. Keeping to the shadows, I approach the what I assume is the market.

People chatter brightly, unbeknownst to me lurking, pulling up jumper up around my neck. I'm praying no one notices me. The village is surprisingly busy. Stalls line up among each other, soft glittering lights hanging from each one, illuminating the produce each vendor is selling. People wander between stalls, eating food, talking to each other and swaying to the music that plays through speakers scattered around randomly.

It's a strange sight, considering how reclusive this entire village was that night I first appeared on the train. I'm curious, though, walking amongst the people, looking at all the food and listening to the music. Not once did I see Marie by the time I made it to the other end of the market. It's not too big, but enough to keep everyone entertained. I was considering going back, when something caught my attention.

Standing behind a market stall, are those group of hunters I saw from a few weeks ago. The only reason I can remember those who I saw for only a fleeting moment is because both that boy and girl had such memorable features. It also intrigued me when Marie told me there is a possibility they work for Time. Standing in the shadows, I watch them. The familiar girl stand there, golden blonde hair braided back behind her back.

Considering how much she looks like the boy, I'm going to assume they are siblings. He sits on a bucket, laughing with another boy next to them. It's a relief to see their weapons are nowhere in sight. They are still wearing hunting clothes, which has me wondering if they just came back from a hunt. I startle as the girls attention suddenly snaps at me. As I fall back into the shadows, it's clearly too late. I can hear her saying something to the group, before they all stand. I sit back, praying they are going to think I was watching for only a moment, and that I'm gone.

"I think that's the girl that came off the train. You know, the special one," one of them says. Deciding there is no point trying to hide, and with nowhere to run, I step out to look at them. It may be intimidating to see them all staring at me, but I can tell they have startled. No one is used to seeing someone come off that train. We are both as curious as each other. We all stare at each other for a long while before the girl speaks again.

"I knew it was her. The girl off the train." I hope that name doesn't stick.

"Who are you?" I question, taking tentative steps toward them. Now that I've spoken, they seem to visibly calm, looking between each other as if deciding silently what to say. My eyes stray to the boy at the back, with those sharp, unrelenting features. The way he stares at me wordlessly is unnerving.

"We are hunters. How can you not know us?" he girl questions, genuine confusion suggesting she isn't prideful of her superiority. "We run this town. You must know of us somehow."

They all look so young, not much older than me. If they run this town, they are clearly getting commands from a higher power. They must be working with Time. The boy I've been looking at this entire finally stands. Every hunter seems to take a step back for him, as if his entire existence demands respect. As he takes a few steps toward me, I consider cowering, and then considering otherwise. They are just as curious about me as I am them, which I'm going to use to my advantage.

"My name is Carlos. This is my sister Skylar. I wouldn't worry yourself with the names of the rest of these hunters, they don't always stick around for long," the boy says, accent so strong and strange I almost don't catch what he is saying.

"My name...my name is Ro," I say quickly. It might not be the best cover, but it's not using my real name, as Marie warned. For a moment I don't think Carlos believes me.

"You came off that train didn't you? Well, any new comer is welcome here, if you just tell us a few things first," Carlos says, folding his arms over his chest. I look at the other hunters around me, all different heights and sizes, but all with the same intimidation factor. Even with the market around us, I don't doubt they would tie me up and interrogate me.

"I don't know what you would want to hear from me," I tell them. It's not as if I chose to come off that train. I'm not sure why everyone is obsessed with the idea of me, and I'm not sure I want to find out. Carlos chuckles, all the other hunters around him seeming to share the same amusement.

"It's obvious, isn't it?" I can't understand how it would be... Suddenly, everyone around me collectively freezes. Carlos looks beyond petrified in that moment, however, when I look around I can't see any reason why they should be. Carlos grabs my arm, pushing me toward Skylar.

"Hide her somewhere," he demands. I go to protest, however, I have no say as two of the hunters grab both my arms and drag me into one of the stalls, concealing me behind two curtain like drapes. I push and pull at them, unsure of their motive, until one of them speaks to the other.

"Time. He's coming."