âÆÆ6Æâ
ARCHER'S POV
1931
"I have to get back to Elreda," I whispered over to Jace as Lina quivered in his arms.
"They're breaking into homes, I need to make sure she's safe." I said standing up.
He tugged onto my arm, "Be careful." He said as he held onto my arm firmly.
I give a single nod before running back out. There was smoke everywhere and I barely made it out.
I ran over to the cabin and pushed open the door, "Elreda!" I yelled out and she came running, slamming her body into mine as I took her into my embrace.
"You're okay?" I asked, placing my chin on her head as she buried herself in my chest.
"Mmhmm," She hummed, "You're not hurt, are you?" She pulled away.
"No," I looked at her, cupping her cheeks. Tears brimmed her eyes and I hate that I've put her under so much stress.
"Hey, we're okay." I nodded and she bit her bottom lip as she attempted to hold back her tears.
How were we okay? Did I do it? Is it finally balanced?
I stick my hand into my pocket and feel the key in my hands and everything in me sinks. The key's not supposed to be here if it's balanced.
As I stroked her soft, silky hair, I knew what I had to do. "I love you," I whispered. "And I always will." I looked into her eyes that was tainted with sadness.
"But," I took the key, into the palm of my hands, "There's something I have to do first," I said as I watched the key.
I pressed my fingers into a fist as I felt the key turn to dust under my touch, everything turning to dust along with it.
"Archer?" Elreda called out, staring at her form with confusion and pain that tears me apart.
"I'll see you again." I smiled, tears dripping from my eyes as I watched her fade away with the cabin.
⢠⢠â¢
"JP!" I chimed as I dropped the wood from my hands and walked over to him. I dusted my hands together right before pulling him into a hug.
"What are you up to?" He asked, stuffing his hands into the pocket of his pants.
"Building a cabin." I smiled, giving him a nod and he paused for a second.
He smirked slightly, as he nodded back.
"I bet she'll love it," I said as I stared at the foundation of the cabin.
"She doesn't even know who you are yet." Jace chuckled.
"Lina doesn't know who you are yet either, didn't stop you from sculpting those sculptures." I chuckled and he nudged me slightly as our gaze landed back onto the cabin.
I took in a deep breath.
"It's going to work this time." I whispered to myself, staring at the unfinished cabin.
⢠⢠â¢
present
I pulled the red umbrella over my head, walking hastily to the new apartment. I glanced at my watch, "Shit." I cussed under my breath the moment I realised I was late.
I feel my phone buzz and I took it out of my pocket swiftly. I stared at it, my full attention focused on the message as I read it thoroughly and then I walk into something.
"Shit." The voice let out as she bent over. Taking this opportunity, I walk away, not wanting to cause further trouble.
"Hey!" I hear her shout out to me but I carried on walking.
I quickly entered my apartment complex and went up to my apartment.
"You were supposed to help me unload the boxes from the moving truck," Jace whined as he sat in the apartment that was barely furnished.
"I'm sorry, I got caught in the rain," I said.
"Give me a second, I'll run back down to get the boxes." and I did. It took me a couple of trips and Jace helped me with the last trip.
Finally, holding the last box in my hands, I went up to my apartment with Jace leading the way.
But before I could enter, the door behind me opened. I turned around, looking at her in all her beauty. I gave her a weak smile before opening the door.
She smiled back and I felt my world light up, but all of a sudden she spoke, "I assume you can speak?" She asked, a somewhat agitated expression painted over her face.
I stared at her. "Sorry?" My brows furrowed.
She flashed her phone to me, "You broke the screen." I pressed my lips into a line, trying not to laugh as I leaned against the door frame.
"When you bumped into me out there." She continued and I look at her, wanting to say something.
"The least you could've done was apologise." She let out and I couldn't help the chuckle that left my lips. She was adorable when she was all angry.
"I'm sorry." I apologised, feeling my cheeks go hot. "I'll pay for it." I finally meet her gaze.
"Forget it." She shook her head as she attempted to enter her apartment.
"Wait-" I blurted before she could enter. I guess I'm repeating history.
"I'm Archer Kane." I stuck out my hand, introducing myself to her once again. "The guy in there's Jace Parker. We just moved in."
She sucks in a deep breath before saying, "Elreda," and then she wraps her tiny fingers around my palm.
I wasn't ready to let go, so I keep her hand in mine, revelling in the feel of her soft skin and then she speaks. "Elreda Adair, but everyone calls me Red." She says and her eyes linger on our hands that were still holding each other.
"Welcome to the neighbourhood, I guess." She said and it was the second time I was hearing it.
As I watched her enter her apartment, I breathed out trying to calm every tense nerve in my body. "I'll get it right this time."
. . .
"Time is always represented to be a tyrant. But for this book, it's simply portrayed as a helper."
A/N: So, Archer managed to go back to the start, before he built the cabin in 1931 and before he met Elreda in the present. He's trying to undo his mistakes.
Trying to save her in both timelines.