Two girls frantically pack for their trip, their luggage space severely limited because they splurged on tickets to a performance of The Tragedy of Macbeth at a London theater, leaving them with a tight budget for everything else.
“I think I have everything,” Melissa said.
“Can you fit the medication pouch?” Agneta asked.
“What medication? What’s even in it?” Melissa insisted.
“Nothing special, just some over-the-counter stuff like ibuprofen,” Agneta replied.
“Sure, I’ll take it, but do we need that much? We’re only going for a week, and I’m not planning on getting sick. Honestly, I don’t think we’ll need it,” Melissa said.
Agneta paused, scratched her head, and said, “Just take it. You never know.”
“Fine. You paid for the plane tickets, so I’ll do as you wish,” Melissa sighed.
Melissa couldn’t fit the pouch in her carry-on, but managed to squeeze it into a small glittery, denim backpack. While Melissa wasn’t looking, Agneta slipped a tiny box into Melissa’s carry-on, smiling to herself, knowing Melissa would love it.
Luggage in hand, the two girls hurried down the stairs and caught a train to the airport. While they waited for their flight, Agneta said, “This trip is going to be amazing! I can’t wait to finally visit a London theater. It’s probably ancient and majestic, steeped in history.”
“I really hope it’s as perfect as I imagine. This was expensive as hell; for this price, I expect something unforgettable,” Melissa replied.
They smiled at each other, chatting until an announcement crackled over the loudspeaker: their flight was delayed.
“Great start. We’d better still make it to the play,” Melissa said.
“Let’s take our luggage straight to the theater; otherwise, we’ll never make it,” Agneta added.
“Great, just great. All this stuff to lug around… Maybe they have lockers there,” Melissa sighed.
“It’ll be fine, Melissa. It’s not the end of the world.”
Two hours later, Melissa and Agneta arrived in London, but they still managed to make it to the play. After the performance, they collected their luggage and descended the stairs.
“That was amazing, absolutely spectacular,” Agneta said.
“Completely agree. Should we wait for the others to leave? It’s just us now, and I’ve never been here before, so I have no idea where the exit is,” Melissa added.
“Let’s keep going downstairs; we should reach the street,” Agneta suggested.
At the bottom of the stairs, they saw a beautiful wooden door with a large arched window above it, offering a glimpse of a beautiful nature. Melissa opened the door and found herself facing a garden enclosed by tall trees. In the center lay what appeared to be a maze.
“I don’t think we should be here. Let’s go back; we still need to check into our hotel,” Agneta said.
“I think it’s just a public park. We’re late anyway, and the hotel said we just need to check in before midnight, so let’s explore! Come on, look how beautiful this is. How often do you get a chance to be alone in a place like this?” Melissa countered.
Agneta looked around, nodded, and sat down on a nearby bench. Melissa joined her. They sat in silence for a moment before Melissa began speculating about the size of the maze.
“It’s not very wide, so it can’t be that big, right?” she asked.
“I guess, but I’m not going inside. It’s getting dark, and I don’t want to get lost. By the way, I’m so glad we went full glam; I thought we’d be overdressed,” Agneta said.
“I know; if anything, we’re underdressed. Even my ‘extra’ coat seemed modest compared to some of the other outfits,” Melissa laughed. “I have an idea: how about we walk around the maze and see how big—or small—it is? If it’s tiny, please, please let’s go inside. I’ve never been in one, and I’ll regret missing this posh, private garden experience.”
Agneta agreed, and they circled the maze in less than four minutes. Agneta took a deep breath before telling Melissa they should not go inside, even though it was small. She didn't tell Melissa, but she had an inexplicable bad feeling about the maze.
“I really need to pee. I don’t think I can make it back upstairs; I might have to go in the bushes,” Agneta sighed.
“You know what? You take your stuff, and I’ll take mine while I pop into the maze. Let’s meet back here in a few minutes when you’re done, and I’ll have explored the mini-maze,” Melissa suggested.
“Fine, but please don’t get lost in there,” Agneta pleaded.
“How could I get lost? We both saw how tiny it is. You worry too much,” Melissa smirked.
“One day, you’ll get yourself into trouble, and I won’t be there to save you. Mark my words,” Agneta said, walking toward the bushes.
Melissa put on her backpack, picked up the hand luggage, and smiled. “Do your worst, tiny maze. I ain’t scared of you,” she muttered to herself.
The brown-haired girl in the burgundy velvet dress entered the maze. Once inside, the green hedge walls seemed much taller than they had from the outside. Melissa smiled and ran, hoping to be sitting on a bench before Agneta returned. She wanted to prove there was nothing to worry about. Within a few minutes, she could see the exit. Melissa smiled; she loved being right and proving others wrong. As she stepped out, she thought it would be faster to walk around the maze on her return, but she decided not to run, so Agneta wouldn't think something had scared her. As Melissa walked along the outside, her shoes kept getting caught in the long grass. Before she could remark on how strange that was, as the grass had been short just a few minutes earlier, she looked up and saw a massive gate, overgrown with bindweed, barring access to the theater building.
“What the… am I lost? No, wait, it’s probably just the wrong side,” she said to herself.
As she continued walking around the maze, she realized she had somehow become disoriented and ended up on the other side of the theater, in a different garden. The gate was too tall to climb and secured with a huge rusted lock and chain. The last thing Melissa wanted was to walk through the woods to find the side where Agneta was waiting, but she saw no other option when she checked her phone and found no signal.
“Here we go. I bet I can still beat Agneta back; she’s probably still looking for the right bush,” Melissa chuckled.
As she entered the wooded area, she began calling Agneta’s name, hoping to follow her voice. After the third call, she saw a man in a very fancy costume, thinking he was part of the play they had just seen.
“Oh, thank God. Sir, could you help me find the entrance to the theater without the gate? I have no idea how I got lost here. My sister is waiting for me on a bench in one of the gardens, and I don’t want to worry her.”
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The man stared at her, stunned. He had never seen a woman like this; her outfit was outlandish, and she spoke strangely. Her accent and word choice puzzled him.
As Melissa took out her phone to show him she had no signal, the man froze, staring blankly at what seemed like wizardry to him. He realized the woman before him was unlike anyone he had ever met. He took a deep breath and composed himself before speaking.
“Madam, if I may be so bold, might I inquire as to your place of origin?” said a man in a long velvet jacket.
“Um, you mean where I entered the theatre? That’s the thing—I don’t know, and I need your help to find it. I don’t recall seeing you on stage, but are you with the Tragedy of Macbeth? I just finished watching it; wow, it was something else. Then I went down some stairs with my sister, and there was this maze. For some reason, I thought it would be a good idea to go inside, and now I’m completely lost. Please help me,” begged Melissa.
“Indeed, I shall be happy to escort you to the theatre’s principal entrance. Might I, however, inquire as to your place of origin?” the man asked.
“Well, yeah, I’m clearly not local. We’re staying near the Stratford mall; we literally just flew in today from Copenhagen. I’m not Danish, though; I just live there now, but that doesn’t really matter. Could you please take me to the entrance?”
The man looked at Melissa as if she were a ghost or a unicorn. He wondered if he was dreaming; this was stranger than any fiction he knew. Composing himself, not wanting to frighten this unusual woman, he introduced himself.
“I must apologize for neglecting introductions. I am Collin Harrington, of St. James’s. Before I escort you to the theatre entrance, might I know to whom I have the honour of speaking?” he said, bowing his head.
“Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself, too. It’s very nice to meet you, Collin. I’m Melissa, from Lithuania,” she started laughing. “Sorry, I’m not that fancy, just your regular Northern European girl,” she smiled.
“The honour is entirely mine, Miss Melissa. Might I be so bold as to inquire as to the precise location of Lithuania within Northern Europe? I confess my geographical knowledge of that region is somewhat lacking,” Collin inquired.
“That’s alright; it’s kind of small, so I don’t blame you for not knowing. It shares a border with Latvia, Poland, and Belarus,” Melissa answered.
Collin paused, realizing such a country no longer existed. He knew this was neither the time nor the place to mention it and decided to play along.
“Thank you, Miss Melissa, for the clarification. I confess I am still not entirely certain of its precise location, but no matter. Allow me to escort you to the theatre’s main entrance so you may rejoin your sister. If you would be so kind as to follow me.”
Melissa followed him until they reached a carriage drawn by two black horses. She glanced at Collin and said, “Oh wow, a carriage. Are we really that far that we need to take a carriage? Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to, and I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but that’s a bit much for, like, a hundred meters or less.”
Collin stepped into the carriage, placing Melissa’s luggage inside, then offered his hand. “I must caution you, Miss, these woods can be rather perilous. There are certain… creatures one would prefer to avoid. Please, take my arm, and stay close. I shall see you safely to the theatre entrance as I pledged.”
Melissa took his hand and sat beside him. The carriage looked so expensive and authentic; she couldn’t wait to tell Agneta, who must be worried sick.
“I have to admit, I’m actually a little scared of horses. I’ve never had a bad experience myself, but—this is going to sound a little embarrassing—there’s this family story about my grandpa getting kicked in the head by a horse. He’s fine though, apart from his, uh, outdated political views, but I’m pretty sure that has nothing to do with the kick; it’s just decades of brainwashing and propaganda. Sorry for rambling. How about you? How did you become a theatre actor? Must be a dream job. Oh, and you don’t need to do the method acting in front of me; I won’t tell anyone you broke character.”
“There is no cause for alarm regarding these horses, miss. They are quite gentle, and I’ve never known them to kick anyone, certainly not a lady. I’m afraid I must disappoint you; I am not an actor. I am a hunter, in fact. Might I inquire as to what led you to believe I was one of the theatre players? And I beg your pardon if I do not comprehend all that you say; my interactions with those not of English birth have been few, which makes it difficult for me to readily answer all your questions. I hope my lack of familiarity does not give you offense,” Collin replied with a kind smile.
“A hunter? Oh, interesting. As a job, you mean, or a hobby?” Melissa asked, curious.
“Do you mean to ask if hunting is my trade?” Collin clarified.
“Trade? Yeah, I guess that’s the English term. Sorry,” Melissa answered.
“No need to apologize, Miss. It seems we’re speaking slightly different languages at times, but I must say, it makes for a welcome change. Nothing much ever happens around here. I must ask again, though: what made you think I was one of the players?” Collin asked.
“Glad to hear that. Nothing much happens in my life apart from killing my soul at the office, so this is definitely a fun experience talking to you. Hmm, it’s just your outfit and the way you talk. Oh, you’re maybe one of those battle re-enactment participants. You know, when they pretend it’s, like, the Civil War or something.”
“Do you hold a post in government employment? I must admit, I’ve never heard of such displays. It seems a strange occupation for a man of our nation. One might imagine Yankees finding greater enjoyment in such matters,” Collin smirked.
“Oh, God, no. I’d rather try the occult than work in government. It’s just fast-moving consumer goods, killing the planet one plastic tube at a time. Yankees? You guys are still holding a grudge after almost two hundred and fifty years? I kind of admire that, in a way. Wait, no, scratch that. You were the aggressor, so, you know what? I take it back,” Melissa chuckled.
Collin paused; his fears were confirmed. He composed himself as they left the woods and neared the theatre.
“Here we are, Miss Melissa. We have nearly arrived,” Collin said, a note of disappointment in his voice.
“Where are the lights? Where’s the road? Where did you take me? This is the wrong theatre,” Melissa said, agitated and upset.
“I’m afraid I’ve led us astray; my apologies. Should I escort you back to your residence?” Collin asked kindly.
“Just take me to the train station, or the tube, whatever you call it. Honestly, take me to whichever station so I can get to Stratford station,” Melissa said, becoming increasingly scared.
Collin considered this. There were no public train stations, apart from the Stockton and Darlington Railway, which was nowhere near them. He wondered how to explain to Melissa that taking her to a train station was pointless; she would only think he had taken her to the wrong place again. As Collin considered his options, beggars emerged from the street, asking both Melissa and Collin for money or scraps of food. Melissa’s face froze, her mouth widening. It seemed she was finally putting the pieces together. As Collin drove away from the theatre, an unfamiliar scene unfolded. No modern roads, no cars or bright streetlights, and people dressed as if they’d stepped out of a Victorian drama.
“No way. What year is it, Collin?” she asked, her expression blank.
“Perhaps you could clarify your understanding of the date, Miss Melissa?” he asked.
“It’s not 2025, is it?” she asked, putting a hand to her forehead.
“I am afraid that is not the case, Miss. The current year is 1825. Do you recall the circumstances of your arrival here? I confess I am at a loss to explain this matter, but I am willing to offer what assistance I can in returning you to… wherever it is you belong,” Collin said.
“This isn’t happening. I must be hallucinating in that stupid maze, right? Or is this some elaborate dream? I normally wake up when I look at my hands or try a light switch. Let me look at my hands; they should look distorted.” Melissa tried to rationalize, as Collin continued driving them further into London.
As the carriage rumbled through the streets of 1825 London, the air became thick with the smell of coal smoke and the sounds of horse-drawn carriages clattering over the cobblestones. The light was dim, with only a few flickering gas lamps illuminating the way. The streets were crowded with people from all walks of life. Well-dressed gentlemen strolled along the sidewalks. Children darted in and out of the crowds, and beggars pleaded for spare change. The buildings were tall and imposing, made of brick and stone, their facades decorated with elaborate carvings. As they neared the city center, the streets became even more crowded. Melissa recognized some famous landmarks such as St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London.
“Where are we? Where are you taking me?” Melissa asked, dazed.
“As the hour grows late, and the darkness makes searching for your… home rather difficult, I propose we retire to my lodgings for the night. We shall resume our search at first light tomorrow and continue our efforts on the following days. I give you my word as a gentleman that I shall not rest until you are reunited with your sister,” Collin said, his expression firm and serious.
Melissa nodded and turned to take in the unfamiliar scene. She began to feel faint and lightheaded. Collin saw the distress in her face and spoke gently. "We are almost there. This is a great deal to take in, I understand, but I promise you, I will not fail you. I will see you returned and this ordeal will soon be a distant memory.”
The carriage eventually stopped beside a beautiful townhouse. The façade was constructed of brick and stone, adorned with intricate carvings and tall, arched windows. A few lights glowed within, and a housemaid could be seen peering through a window.
Collin retrieved Melissa’s belongings and extended his hand to help her from the carriage. Noticing her blank stare, he reassured her that all was not lost. Melissa steadied herself, took a deep breath, and took his arm. At that moment, she made a silent promise to herself: she would not give up without a fight.