Nightfall was coming quickly, the sky twinkled to life with stars, the forest filled with the noise of animals and crickets chirping. It was an amazing sight, after all I couldn’t remember the last time I could go outside and look at the beautiful night sky and actually see the stars. Living in a crowded apartment complex in the middle of the city, all I got was an ear full of honking and the pollution of lights blocking the visibility of stars. I got to see the occasional fight or drunk person stumbling around though, so that was kind of exciting. Deciding it would be too dangerous to stay put as the nocturnal animals started coming out, I stumbled about, feeling the bark on the many trees to help keep calm, occasionally tripping on the many roots. Using my phone as a flashlight I chose a direction and stuck to it, as time flew by, I began getting worried I was just going further into the forest. The sound of crickets chirping filled the night air, it was oddly calming. It started getting a bit chilly, but it exactly felt kind of good, at the very least I didn’t mind it.
"Oh my aching legs!" I muttered out loud, taking a small break to sprawl out on the dirt. How long have I been walking now? It felt like hours but it couldn’t have been that long. At this point I didn't care if my clothes got dirty, I could always buy another work outfit. I rubbed my aching legs, I had to have been walking miles at this point. I glanced at my phone, still no signal, but that's not a surprise given the fact I'm in the middle of nowhere. What I wouldn't give to use my GPS app right about now. Sighing, I slowly picked myself up and marched forward, making note that I may have to stop for the night. I can only walk so far aimlessly, but at the same time if I don’t find civilization I could starve to death or of dehydration in the worst case scenario. I trudged forward, pushing my body despite wanting to lay down and sleep for the night.
“Is that a house?” I couldn’t help but question myself outloud, unsure if what I saw was actually real at this point. "Come on feet! Don't fail me now!" I begged my tired feet that wanted nothing more than to throw me on the ground and refuse to move further. Miraculously I trudged forward, soon answering my own question. Not only was there a small house, but it looked to be a small town up ahead filled with cottages and old fashioned buildings connected with cobblestone roads. Dim street lights illuminated the deserted streets, only a few houses had their lights on still. The town seemed cozy, albeit a little old fashioned, there were even horses outside some of the houses! None of the buildings seemed particularly spectacular, it didn’t seem like this town had a lot of money, just another sleepy town with few cars parked near houses. The cars themselves seemed really old, nothing like I see in the city, almost like vehicles you would see from the 1930s era! Maybe even earlier, it’s a little hard to tell. They must be antiques, I see no modern cars so the townsfolk must pride themselves on keeping the town looking vintage. I’ve heard of a few places you can pay to visit that is nothing but historical housing and people stay in costume. I had a field trip to a place like that when I was a little girl in elementary school. I can't imagine how much those cars must have cost, I wonder if they host car shows here.
I passed one of the old timey cars. I'm tempted to touch one to feel the smooth metal under my palm. I better not, I bet these cost a fortune. The cobblestone roads were beautiful and seemed lightly traveled, I imagine not many people come through here; there don’t seem to be any business buildings, just a few small shops lined the roads. It was kind of fun walking on the cobblestone, it was so perfectly pristine, I bet they didn’t allow cars or any kind of vehicle to drive across it. I began walking through the town in search of a hotel or place to stay, maybe there’s a police station, would they think I’m crazy? I could imagine the conversation where I tell them I just woke up in the woods a few miles from here with no memory of how I got there. They would think it's drugs for sure. I was kind of worried actually, how did I wake up in the woods? Did someone kidnap me or something? Did somebody do something to me in my sleep and leave me? Did someone want me out of the way and dropped me off in the middle of nowhere and expected me to just die in the woods? I mean if you don’t want to directly kill someone that's not a terrible idea. I should probably create a police report and visit a doctor to make sure I’m not poisoned or something.
Lost in thought I ventured further into the town, so far no signs of life, not a soul around. Everyone must be dozing off in their cozy warm beds. Now that sounds good to me. I yawned, thinking about how I would love a nice long nap right about now. I looked at my phone again. Still no signal, the clock read 9:15pm. I must have been wandering about for hours.
“Uh, excuse me sir!” A sweet voice belonging to a woman called out behind me. I froze in place and whipped around to see who was talking. Finally I found another human, for a moment I thought this might have been a ghost town!
I was met with a beautiful woman, and for a moment I was a bit taken back by how glamorous she was. In comparison I was just a plain woman who spent too much time in front of a computer screen or yelling at the tv while playing video games, I mean I could have gone to the gym but never did. She had long flowing locks of golden sunshine hair, that shimmered in the low lighting provided by the street lamps. Her figure was tall and slim, though somewhat covered by her long flowing dress. There was nothing special in particular about the dress, it was just plain blue and covered the figure completely but she wore it well. I'd probably look like a potato in it; having a short lean structure myself, long dresses just didn't seem to look good on me. She really knew herself around a makeup brush though, I was a bit jealous. In one gloved hand she held a wallet looking purse, I believe some people call them pocket books, in another she held an overflowing suitcase that had been stuffed to the brim with clothes. She placed the suitcase on the ground next to her gently.
"Wait a minute!" She exclaimed, her gentle features twisting in shock. "You're not a man!"
"Gee, thanks." I mumbled, surely I don't look like a man do I? I feel like my back isn’t that broad, and I’m not really overweight, and definitely short so not sure why she confused me for a man.
The woman quickly retorted, as if realizing what she said was offensive. "Sorry! Its just you don't see many women wearing pants in these parts."
Puzzled, I cocked my head to the side a bit. I simply stated, "That's weird." Is she in character? I guess the women employed aren’t allowed to wear pants? I mean it’s weird but it’s historically accurate.
The woman sighed. "I was hoping you could help carry my bag, I parked across town, my parents just don't trust automobiles." She chuckled gently bringing her hand over her mouth, "They're still hung up on their horse and buggies." She brushed a bit of hair out of her face. "When automobiles started getting popular a few years back I just had to have one."
Whoa okay, this is too weird, is she for real? I mean she’s super convincing. "This is going to sound really weird, but what year is it?"
"It's unladylike to get that drunk you know." She responded without that kindness in her voice she once carried. In her defense I'd be really creeped out or concerned if I was asked the same question.
"I'm sorry to bother you." I spun on my heels to walk away.
“2022.” She answered simply.
"Huh?" I replied dumbfounded.
“2022.” She repeated again. “The year is 2022.”
I laughed out loud in relief which caused her to give me a weirded out look. “Oh phew.” I commented. “Someone is just playing a prank on me. I woke up in the woods with no memory of how I got there, and wound up here. It made me question myself.” What a relief somebody is just playing a prank on me or something. "I'm sorry I freaked you out! I have no phone signal so I just wandered around until I found this village."
"Folks around here don't really like phones, they prefer writing letters. You from the city? I'm headed back that way, just came by to visit my parents."
"I used to live out in the country, but moved to the city a few years back for work." I replied feeling a bit hopeful, leaving out the part where I followed my ex like a lost puppy to the city. Seems weird that people here don't like phones, but maybe it's an Amish village or something.
"Tell ya what, if you want I can give you a lift there. We should make it there by the crack of dawn. You may want to see a doctor for that crack on your noggin. Looks pretty serious." She picked up the heavy looking suitcase again and started walking. I followed her, despite wanting desperately to close my eyes, I figured this was my best chance of getting home. "You know, I really admire the fact that you are brave enough to wear pants. I really wish I could too, but then I'd never find a husband." She panicked. "But I'm not saying you can't or anything!"
What?
Before I could say anything we reached her car, she too drove a vintage model, looks like a gas guzzler but hey might be her culture. She’s probably not allowed to drive anything newer around here. The car was parked on the outskirts of town where the beautiful cobblestone streets had ended and it was just dirt road.
"Now I know what you're thinking, it's a bit old and beat up." Mind reader much? "But it's all Daddy could afford to buy me. Hop on in, the doors unlocked."
"Out of curiosity, what year is it?"
She stopped and glared at me, "I already told you it's 2020."
"Uh no I mean the car." I chuckled.
"Ohhh well it's a 2013 I think."
"Wow really? I didn't know they made cars like these back then." Huh must have been a vintage remake.
"Oh yeah they were pretty popular around here." She opened the car door, it squeaked in protest, but she quickly plopped down in the seat. I followed suit. “Say, what’s your name anyway, stranger?”
I searched for a seatbelt out of habit, only to find this car didn’t seem to be equipped with one. “Uh, its Kerri” I replied, still searching for the belt. “Kerri Flora.”
“Pleasure to meet you, I’m Abigail Jones, but you can call me Abby, all my friends do.” She looked confused. “What are you looking for?”
“Oh, I was just looking for the seatbelt.”
“The what?”
“You know, the belt that holds you in place for safety?” How far out in the sticks am I?
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” She replied simply, turning on the vehicle, it sputtered to life. Being a stick shift, she jammed the stick into first gear and off we went.
Eh, oh well, the cops always ticket the drivers for not wearing seatbelts, not the passengers anyway, I mean I think.