The year is 2015. The place, the morgue. The time is twelve minutes past 5 am. Evelyn Aue, a young woman at the age of thirty three finishes writing the last tag for a dear departed John Doe. Evelyn stood at a good five foot seven. She had short black hair that slightly covered her ears and with blue streaks. She stared at the body with an apathetic glaze look in her eye as she moved the body from examining room number 5 to the storage freezer. The clank clank clank sound of her motorcycle boots echoed through the dead empty hallway. It was late or early and Evelyn was tired. A voice crept up behind her and it gave her the shivers.
“Hey Evelyn, Uh..” Called out the voice. Evelyn turned around to see the newest newt of interns standing there in the doorway. He was a short kid. Fresh out of med school. Bright cheeks with a neat haircut. His name was Jerry Price and he was Evelyn’s intern. He stood there awkwardly looking at Evelyn and then finally spoke. “Uh, you’ve been working hard.”
Evelyn looked back at him in silence. She was never one for talking. She barely spoke to anyone. She spoke more with her actions rather than with actual words. Jerry gulped.
“And I was wondering if...you want to get a drink with me sometime?” Jerry said nervously. He put his hand behind his head and rubbed it. Evelyn looked at him without blinking. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a tooth pick. She twiddled with it for a moment and put it in her mouth. Jerry stood there in silence.
“No.” Evelyn said abruptly. The shock hit Jerry. It wasn’t the fact that she said no, it was the fact that she said with no emotion or explanation. Just one word. And that was that. Evelyn walked over to the lockers and took off her lab coat and exchanged it for a black leather one revealing a black shirt underneath with a cartoon rabbit holding a bottle of liquor and a cartoon cat holding a handgun. She pulled out a black beanie and rolled it on her head and walked out. Clank Clank Clank. Jerry was left behind without any word.
It wasn’t that she didn’t care about Jerry or his feelings. She was just afraid of getting too close and finding out that there is nothing there but disappointment and loneliness.
Evelyn walked out of the doors and nodded at the security guard in silence. The security guard looked at her with a sour look.
“You know, sooner or later you got to open up to people.” The security guard said. Evelyn looked at him with a confused look. She looked back at the doors she walked through. She wanted to ask him “How the hell did you know that?” but her face said it all. The security guard only grinned.
“I was making my rounds when Jerry asked. Give the kid a chance. He actually likes you.”
Evelyn just rolled her eyes and lifted her hand towards the door but froze.
“Come on kid. Do you have any kind of friends?” The security guard persisted. Evelyn looked away.
“A few.” She said. The security guard let out a sigh.
“You need to open up more. That's all I’m saying. Take a chance with something. Go out there. Meet people. I see you here all the time and you hardly speak a word to anyone.”
Evelyn looked up at the security guard.
“Why do you care?” She asked with a dash of annoyance in her voice.
“One of life’s greatest mysteries. Have a good night Dr. Aue.” He said with a smile.
And with that the conversation ended. Evelyn felt bad after that. She thought about Jerry. She thought about her friends. Friends she hasn’t seen or talked to in over a few years. One of them was an old roommate from med school, Dr. Jane Parker. Another was from Highschool, Julie McCormick. “Maybe…” she thought to herself. “I should open up...And maybe I should take skydiving lessons too.”
Evelyn stepped outside and the cool air hit her with a slap across her face. Sunrise was going to come in a few hours. Evelyn started her long walk back to her apartment. She took out a small metal flask and started to drink from it. The warm liquid washed over her lips and down her throat, giving off the illusion of warm comfort. And it was for this reason entirely that she didn’t have a valid driver’s license and had to walk from her job back to her apartment. She got in trouble in the past with the local authorities with her drinking. She attended AA meetings and eventually stopped going. She just didn’t care enough.
She took another few gulps from her flask as she marched down the sidewalk towards her apartment. Soon the sun would be up and the darkness would be gone. The sound of the waves from the river gave her a sense of isolation. She looked at the beach and the water in the distance and tried to smile. Nothing. She was already feeling the tingling feeling in her gums from the alcohol. It all started like a regular night for Evelyn. She was planning to go back to her apartment, climb up the 6 flights of stairs and pass out on her bed.But life has a funny way of changing things.
A flash of blue light surprised her. Straight out of nowhere, a flash of blue light pierced her vision. She quickly closed her eyes and then turned to its source. Suddenly there was a splash. A huge splash. Water rose to the sky and came pouring down. Evelyn blinked and stood in silence. Then she slowly made her way towards the commotion.
What Evelyn saw as she approached the beach was something new. There was a metal dome shape object bobbing up and down in the water. Evelyn stared at it for some time on the beach and didn’t move until she heard a voice.
“Hello…” Cried out the soft voice. “Can anyone hear me?”
“Shit…” Evelyn said to herself. She waited a few more moments. For a brief moment she started to space out. Then someone stood up. It was hard for Evelyn to see and had to squint her eyes. It was a short blonde woman in oversized clothes. She looked around frantically and started to wave towards Evelyn but suddenly stopped.
“Hello! Can you help me? I can’t swim.” Samantha called out.
Evelyn cracked a grin. “You seem to have a big problem right in front of you then.” Evelyn said with a hint of sarcasm. Samantha tilted her head in confusion.
“I don’t see how that is funny! Can you help me or not?” Samantha shouted. There was anger in her voice now and it really shocked Evelyn. Evelyn took off her jacket and took off her boots.
“All right, all right. I’m coming.” Evelyn said as she took off her socks and walked into the water.
The water was cold and icy to the touch. Evelyn started slow and then flopped down on the water. She was still feeling the effects of the alcohol but it didn’t impede that much of her ability to swim. She shrugged for a bit and at times it seemed like the ice water would overwhelm her but she carried on.
As Evelyn swam closer she noticed the thick tubes of black rubber wires floating. At first she thought they were sea snakes but realized what they were. Samantha looked at her. She was small with blonde hair and small glasses. Her face was dirty and her hair was kept back in a green bandana. It might have been the alcohol or the sense of hyperthermia creeping up Evelyn’s back, but the whole scene felt odd and somewhat familiar.
“Deja vu”. Evelyn muttered to herself. Samantha adjusted her glasses.
“Ah, French. Are you from France or did you study?” Samantha said. Evelyn blinked a few times. She was a bit confused.
“What?” Evelyn asked. Samantha looked back in surprise.
“Study then I take it. Perfect. Uhh...Can you assist me to shore? I’m afraid I cannot swim.”
“Really, I didn’t know.” Evelyn spatted out. Her words dripping with sarcasm made Samantha uncomfortable. It wasn't long before Samantha slipped into the water. She let out a shriek as she grabbed onto Evelyn.
“Gotta a name kid or should I just call you ‘Blondie’?” Evelyn said as she held onto her and started to swim drunkenly towards shore.
“Samantha Lorn. What is your name?” Samantha asked. Evelyn gave a small grin as she reached the shore.
“Evelyn Aue. Pleasure to meet you.” Evelyn said as she touched the sand with her feet. Samantha slump off Evelyn and landed in the water and hurried her way out of the water.
As Samantha reached the dry sand she paused for a moment and looked up. The look of confusion was plainly written on her face. She looked back and forth towards the high buildings. Her jaw was left open. She turned back to see Evelyn casually gather her boots, socks and jacket. Evelyn halted in her movement and stared with curiosity at Samantha, who by this point was mumbling inchohernetly. Samantha let out a confusing shriek as she looked back at the buildings. She ran her eyes up and down the beach.
“Has anyone ever told you you act like a confused puppy sometimes?” Evelyn said.
“The buildings!? The beach!?” Samantha blurred out. Evelyn’s eyebrows raised.
“Yes. It’s a building. One of many.” Evelyn said in a sarcastic tone.
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“But they’re tall and big and different,” Samantha said as she pointed at the buildings.
Evelyn paused for a moment as she slipped on her jacket.
“And my home? Where is my home?” Samantha said as she gazed at the beach. “Am I dead? Did my test go horribly wrong? I mean this is...so wrong. There is definitely something wrong here. Am I going crazy!?” Samantha called out as she looked towards Evelyn.
“Okay kid I think it's time to take you home-”
“But I don’t have a home! Where is it!? Do you see it!?” Samantha said.
By this point, Evelyn had had just enough of Samantha going on and on. She dropped her boots and socks and walked down to her and slapped her across the face.
“Blondie! Listen to me. You’re freaking out over nothing. Get a hold of yourself. Breathe goddamnit. Just...fucking...breathe.” Samantha stared back at Evelyn in shock. Her body stiffen after the hit. She just stared at Evelyn and started to take slow deep breaths.
“Why did you take the Lord’s name in vain? That's a sin.” Samantha said in a calm tone. Evelyn rolled her eyes.
“I’ll deal with the big man myself when that day comes.” Evelyn said as she picked up her clothes and walked away from the beach. Samantha stood there in silence for a moment, took another breath and ran after Evelyn.
“Excuse me. Miss Aue. Wait, Please. I need to ask you something.” Samantha said as she caught up to Evelyn. Evelyn turned around and looked at her with a tired glaze in her eyes. All she wanted to do was go home and sleep and not have to deal with anyone. But yet here someone was. Wanting to talk to her and be persistent nonetheless.
“Yeah?” Evelyn responded. She stood up straight and looked Samantha in the eyes. Trying her damndest to be polite.
“Where am I?” Samantha questioned. She didn’t have a clue where she was. The buildings were much higher than she remembered. Questions raced through her head fifty miles an hour. But she figured she’d ask one and let it go from there. But more importantly, she was scared and she needed help. Evelyn had no idea what to make of Samantha. Was she drunk? High? Or just plain dumb? Either way, Evelyn felt somewhat compelled to help if not at least listen and so she answered without a drop of sarcasm.
“Albany, New York.” Evelyn said. Samantha’s eyes widened. More questions raced through her mind. But she paused for a moment and picked one.
“Do you have a newspaper?” Samantha asked nervously. She was at this point scared to know the answer. If there were any answers, a newspaper might assist. Evelyn squinted her eyebrows in confusion and looked around.
“You get the news here.” Evelyn responded as she took out her cellphone and handed it to Samantha.
Samantha took the cellphone and stared at it. It was small, black and covered in a material she had never encountered. She suddenly became more curious about the cellphone than about the news.
“What is this?” Samantha asked in an inquisitive tone. Evelyn’s jaw hung low. She didn’t understand anything that was going on. But now it was her turn to ask questions.
“Kid, what century are you from?”
“This one.”
“And what century is that?” Evelyn asked with one eyebrow raising.
“The 19th century.” Samantha said in a serious tone.
Evelyn stood there. She didn’t believe a single word. That was crazy. It had to be. She took her cellphone back and turned it on. She showed Samantha the current time and date.
“Blondie. It’s the 21st century.” Evelyn said as she turned her cellphone off and slipped it back into her pocket. Samantha stared at Evelyn. Her facial expression twisted from confusion to worry and then back to confusion. She started to mumble to herself and pace back and forth. Then she dropped to her knees and started writing out equations in the sand with her finger. Evelyn stood by and watched Samantha frantically mumble to herself. This night was already weird enough. She pondered at that moment if this was all worth it. Evelyn started to get lost in her thoughts and drift. She was brought out of her daze by Samantha who pulled on her jacket down to her face.
“I traveled through a century and a half in a manner of minutes!” Samantha yelled out. The look on her face was a combination of pride and exhaustion. She started to quietly laugh to herself. Evelyn took a step back out of caution.
“Okay...so you time traveled? Good for you.” Evelyn said with a combination of concern and sarcasm. Samantha turned back to her, eyes wide with excitement.
“There is a word for it? I mean I really didn’t mean for this to happen. Well I sort of did but not in a way that one in my particular situation would expect. I mean there were unknown factors added into it. New metals and whatnot and my family’s crystal. I should have seen this coming. And I really didn’t mean to destroy my home in the process. Now that I think about it I really should not have built it inside my shack to begin wi-” Samantha’s sentence was cut off instantly as Evelyn came up to her and slapped her across the face again. Samantha touched her cheek where Evelyn slapped her.
“Thank you. I sometimes get a little overboa-'' Samantha stopped and held her hands out as Evelyn was about to slap her again. “I’m good! I stopped.'' Samantha declared. A small smile cracked on Evelyn’s face.
“Good.” Evelyn replied. Evelyn slipped her hands back in her coat pockets. She looked away for a moment and then back at Samantha.
“Look kid, it’s late. You seem all wind up. Go home and get some rest.”
Samantha looked around for a moment and then looked out at her sip still bobbing in the water.
“I don’t really have a place to rest.” Samantha said as she looked back at Evelyn. Evelyn let out a sigh. She didn’t know whether to really believe her or not. The whole story seemed like something out of a children’s fairy tale. The silence would have been longer if it wasn’t for the sirens off in the distance. Evelyn knew exactly what was coming but Samantha had no clue. She walked out into the middle of the road and looked as a police car rolled up next to them.
Two officers got out and looked around. One of them had a bushy mustache and the other was short and round. The one with the bushy mustache came up to Evelyn and Samantha and started to laugh.
“Out again I see Dr. Aue. Intoxicated I assume. Well at least you’re not driving.” The officer with the bushy mustache said.
“Hey Tim, how's your wife? Oh wait. That's right. You’re divorce. Take Dudley Do-right over here and beat it. I’m not drunk.” Evelyn said as she glared at Tim. He only gave Evelyn a sinister grin.
“So if I were to, say for example, give you a breathalyzer. You’d pass with flying colors?” Tim asked.
“Like a fucking rainbow.” Evelyn said with a smirk. Samantha stood in the back, silently watching. She didn’t know what exactly was going on but silently observing was the best course of action right now. Tim leaned over and noticed Samantha's sheepish stance.
“Friend of yours? Looks like a minor. Maybe she’s intoxicated too?” Tim said with a stern voice. Evelyn’s eyes widened. She took a step back.
“Leave the kid out of it.”
“Oh so she is a minor? Do we have a minor here that's been drinking with a repeated offender. Tell me miss Aue, when was the last time you were at your AA meeting? When was the last time you went to the DMV to get your driver’s license back?”
There was a moment of pause between the two. Evelyn has a history with alcohol abuse and it affected her greatly over the years. There isn’t a single cop in all of Albany who hasn’t heard of Evelyn Aue. She lost her driver’s license and almost lost her medical license. The events that led to this conclusion was a tale of recklessness and poor decisions. After the arrest the judge arranged for Evelyn to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. However, over time she stopped going and her situation only got worse. She lost her job. She was evicted out of her apartment. She was still able to find work and a new apartment but she still drank and her problems didn’t get resolved. They just kept on piling. She has had multiple encounters with the police. Most of the time they find her wandering around the city at night. And that is what this looked like to people like Officer Tim. Another night and another encounter with Evelyn Aue.
His words weighed very heavily on Evelyn’s shoulders. Guilt swelled up inside of her and it suddenly turned into anger and sadness. She knew very well that she had a problem but she didn’t want to address it, she didn’t want to talk about it. She just wanted it to go away. And to her, being confronted in this manner felt like a threat. And she didn’t like that. She clenched her fists.
“Fuck you, asshole!” Evelyn yelled out. She raised her fist to Tim and attempted to punch him in the face. But she staggered and missed. Tim just stood there and shook his head in disappointment.
“Here we go again.” And in a swift movement he spun Evelyn around and brought her to the ground and cuffed her hands. Tim signaled the other officer to arrest Samantha as well. The officer approached Samantha and in a similar fast motion threw her on the ground and handcuffed her. Samantha let out a shriek as she tried to struggle against the officer. That didn’t end too well for her. The other officer took out his nightstick and knocked her on the back of the head. Samantha slipped into a daze state and was dragged, along with Evelyn, to the police car.
Evelyn was starting to sober up along the way to the police station. Samantha on the other hand just stared out the window and observed her new surroundings. New lights and machines that she has never seen before astounded and fascinated her. She wanted to explore this new world and experience it for herself. Suddenly a wave of worry washed over her. It was at this moment she realized she was going to jail. Panic started to set in. She turned to Evelyn who hung her head in shame. Samantha tried to get her attention but Evelyn was unresponsive. She just didn’t want to talk.
The police station was small. Evelyn and Samantha were aggressively taken from the car and into a holding cell. The holding cell was fairly large but also fairly empty. Samantha and Evelyn appeared to be the only occupants of the cell. The cell had three red benches that lined up against the walls. Samantha sat on one of the benches while Evelyn laid down on the ground with her eyes closed.
Samantha sat in silence. It wasn’t long before Evelyn opened her eyes and looked at Samantha.
“More questions?” Evelyn asked. Samantha nodded. Evelyn let out a sigh. “Go for it.”
Samantha perked up. “What do you call the cause of the lighting in this room?” She asked.
Evelyn blinked for a few moments in confusion. She was expecting a question about her, her past or hell even something about their situation, but a random question on the light source? The confusion caused Evelyn to slowly roll her head in Samantha’s general direction. The look of confusion was obvious on her face. She was confused about how to answer her. But she shook her head and started with a simple answer.
“Light Bulbs. Electricity. It creates lights.” Evelyn replied as she waved her hand around. Samantha looked back at the lights with curiosity on her face.
“Interesting. Thank you.” Samantha said with a small smile. “So um. How do you deal with the authorities in this era?”
Finally a reasonable question to ask, sort of. The shock and surprise caused Evelyn to sit herself up from the floor. Samantha looked at Evelyn with a worried look. Evelyn returned the look with a shrew grin.
“We wait. One pig will come in and hand us a phone and we can make a call to whoever. Then said person comes, if they care, and bail you out.” Evelyn said as she rested her head down on the floor. “We’re in jail. It’s gonna be a while though. Paperwork and what not. Legally they can detain us for a few days before they can charge us with something.”
“I see. Thank you. I apologize I am still unfamiliar with your words and customs.” Samantha said. Evelyn rolled her eyes and took a deep breath.
A moment later went by and suddenly Evelyn became curious. She didn’t like it but couldn’t help but give in to it. Afterall, what does she have to lose?
“What’s your story, blondie?” Evelyn asked as she raised an eyebrow. Samantha blinked a few times in surprise. She then took a moment to find the words to start her story.
“Well, I was born in Albany, New York on September 9th, 1841. My mother passed in childbirth with me. After that it was me, my older brother Ridley and my father. We were close, all of us. But then the war broke out in 1861 and Ridley was forced to join the Union in 1863” Samantha said as she took a deep breath. “We got a letter a year later stating that Ridley had been missing from his regiment. Many assume either he died or he deserted the army. If he deserted and if caught he would be shot. He was still missing when I left. The devil of a man. He was always good at not being found. But after that gossip went around saying he deserted the army and was actually still alive somewhere in Nevada. With that said someone had to pay for his desertion. My father was arrested and accused of helping Ridley escape.” A tear started to form in her eye. Her words were trembling. She took a deep breath. “He was shot the day after his arrest and I was left alone. I went to work at a factory to pay for food.” She wiped away the tears in her eyes. Evelyn looked over at Samantha with a worried expression.
“You don’t have to tell me the whole story if it hurts. And you’re telling me way more than expected.” Evelyn said with concern in her voice. This day was already too much for her. Samantha shook her head.
“Not sure if I’ll be able to tell it to anyone after this. And besides, you seem nice.” She said with a smile.
“Anyway that's when I started to live in a small wooden shack on the beach. There were nights when I went hungry because I didn’t have enough money for bread. Then one night I had had enough. I decided to build myself a ship. A powerful ship. One that would carry me away from this insufferable place. I stole parts and metal pieces from the factory where I worked. After a year I was ready…”
“And you ended up here.” Evelyn cut in. Samantha nodded. “Wow. Sucks.” Evelyn commented as she laid back down on the ground. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a toothpick and slipped it into her mouth.
“How about yourself, Miss Aue?” Samantha asked. Evelyn rolled her eyes.
“Unlike you, Blondie, I don’t have much of a story to tell. Not that I want to tell it anyway.”
She could feel her throat swell up. Bad memories came in brief flashes in Evelny’s mind. A tear formed and started to silently fall from her eyes down the side of her cheek. Some things were best left unsaid.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” Samantha said with an apologetic tone. Evelyn didn’t respond for a few minutes. Eventually she shook herself out of the moment and looked at Samantha.
“Yeah. So am I.” She finally said. Everything was spinning and all she wanted to do in that moment was to curl up in a ball and drift away into the darkness of the void.
Samantha twiddled her fingers for a bit before asking another question.
“Why are parts of your hair blue?”
Evelyn rolled her eyes and muttered to herself, “Christ, this is going to be a long day.”