Across a Time

This city, once full of light and life, is now nothing more than a dark shadow waiting for destruction. And in the midst of that darkness, Nathan Everhart ran, hid, and fought to survive. From behind the crumbling stone walls, he peeked out, his heart pounding. The flickering shadows of vampires passing through the empty streets made his body tense.

"Stay calm," Nathan muttered to himself. His voice was hoarse, a result of the increasingly thin and polluted air. Over the past few months, the air in this city had worsened—to the point where he no longer knew if he could endure it much longer.

He looked across the street, seeing dark shapes moving swiftly, like predators ready to strike. Vampires. They were everywhere now. Once, they were just legends, stories whispered around campfires. But now, they were a reality that had shattered the world.

With his body growing more exhausted, Nathan stepped back slowly, staying alert. Every step had to be calculated. Even though he had trained for years to survive, tonight felt different. Something inside him rebelled. A creeping fear he couldn't shake.

"This is not the time to be afraid," he whispered again, trying to steady his mind. But his heart kept pounding, warning him that tonight could be his last.

He had run out of hiding places. His last refuge—a decrepit old factory—had been discovered. The vampires had found his trail, and this time, he had no idea where to go next.

Holding his breath, Nathan crept toward the building's open corner. From there, he spotted a coin lying on the ground, glinting faintly in the dim moonlight.

"Huh?" Nathan was startled, not expecting to find something in a situation like this. He cautiously approached the coin. There was something strange about it. No one here could afford to lose something valuable—especially at a time like this. He picked up the coin, examining it closely. Delicate engravings adorned its surface, unlike anything he had ever seen.

As his fingers brushed against the cold metal, the world seemed to spin for a brief moment. Nathan staggered, closing his eyes, and when he opened them, everything felt... different. The world around him slowed, and the sounds that had once been so vivid now seemed distant, like echoes from another realm.

"You can't hide forever."

The voice, soft yet menacing, came from behind him. Nathan turned swiftly, only to see a tall shadow moving toward him with inhuman speed. A vampire. He had no time to react. The creature landed gracefully, like a cat stalking its prey. In its hand, a sharp weapon gleamed—its red eyes fixated on him with hunger.

But before it could strike, Nathan felt the coin in his hand tremble. Without thinking, he inserted the coin into a machine slot that had appeared out of nowhere, like an old, forgotten vending machine. The sound of metal clicking echoed, and suddenly, his body was yanked backward, as if pulled by an overwhelming force.

Nathan was hurled through the air, his body twisting as the machine's power seized him. The world spun, changing in mere seconds. In an instant, the dark, ruined city vanished—replaced by a landscape that was far more serene, something he couldn't believe. The air was fresher, the sky clear with soft white clouds drifting above. Towering green trees surrounded him, and the sounds of life—birds singing, wind rustling through leaves—filled the air.

Nathan gasped, still sitting on the ground, trying to comprehend what had just happened. His eyes darted around in confusion, unable to make sense of it. The city he once knew had been utterly destroyed, yet now—everything seemed normal. No vampires lurking, no suffocating fear in the air. This was a completely different world.

"What is this?" Nathan murmured, rubbing his aching head. "When... how did this happen?"

He slowly stood up, his legs unsteady. This all felt like an inexplicable nightmare. Then he realized something strange—he was in a familiar place, but it wasn't how he remembered it. Tall buildings, clean streets, people bustling about. A world full of peace he had never imagined.

Nathan wandered aimlessly, his eyes scanning everything, trying to find a clue. But every step only took him deeper into uncertainty. The longer he walked, the clearer it became that he had no idea what to do in a world that seemed to exist before the destruction he had witnessed.

As he moved through the busy streets, he noticed that no one paid him any mind. No suspicious glances. No hints of the horrors he had endured. People walked casually, smiling, chatting happily.

Until, at a quiet corner, he heard a voice.

"Wait!" The voice was hurried, tinged with concern. Nathan turned, locking eyes with a young woman quickly approaching him.

She had a slightly different appearance—long jet-black hair cascading freely, and clothing that was elegant yet simple. She carried a stack of books in her arms, looking somewhat anxious. Her face showed a mix of confusion and determination in her steps.

"What happened to you?" she asked, watching Nathan with a curious yet wary expression. "You... you look lost."

Nathan remained silent for a few seconds, confusion tightening its grip on him. This world—or rather, the peace it projected—was so different from the one he had left behind. "I... I don't know," he finally answered, his voice hoarse. "I just... I fell into this place. I have no idea what happened."

The woman studied him intently, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern. "This might sound strange, but... do you really not know where you are?" she asked, stepping closer. "You look completely bewildered."

Nathan nodded, his anxiety growing. "I come from a very different place. The world... the world I knew was already destroyed. I just want to know—am I in the past?"

The woman hesitated for a moment, as if processing his words. "The past?" she repeated softly, her gaze searching his face. "Maybe I can help explain. But first, I think you need some rest. You look completely exhausted."

Nathan could only stare at her, feeling a strange warmth in her words. But deep inside, there was a fear he couldn't shake—a lingering dread clinging to his thoughts and soul.

"What's your name?" she asked, offering a small but serious smile.

"Nathan," he answered hesitantly. "Nathan Everhart."

"My name is Diana," she replied, her gaze steady and thoughtful. "Let's go somewhere safe first. I think we have a lot to talk about. And this world, though it looks peaceful, is far more complicated than you think."

Diana nodded slightly, motioning for Nathan to follow her. Slowly, he did, though his heart remained heavy with confusion. This world was full of mysteries, and he sensed that everything happening—including his meeting with Diana—was only the beginning of an unexpected journey.

Diana led Nathan through the quiet streets, heading toward a small house at the end of the road. It was simple but inviting, with a lush green garden surrounding it. The house radiated warmth and tranquility—so different from the darkness Nathan had just escaped.

When they reached the door, Diana gently pushed it open, gesturing for Nathan to step inside. As he crossed the threshold, a comforting warmth enveloped him. Inside, the soft glow of oil lamps cast a peaceful ambiance, marking the start of something new—something that Nathan couldn't yet understand.

"Have a seat," Diana said, gesturing to a chair near the small dining table. "I'll make you something."

Nathan sat down, still feeling confused. His mind was trapped in chaos, trying to understand how he ended up in this world, in a time that felt so different. Meanwhile, Diana prepared a cup of warm tea in the kitchen. After a moment, she returned to the living room and handed the cup to Nathan.

"Thanks," Nathan muttered, taking the tea and sipping it slowly. The warmth helped ease his exhausted body, but his mind was still restless.

Diana sat across from him, watching him closely. "So, tell me, Nathan," she said calmly. "You said you came from a destroyed place. But I don't understand... What do you mean by that?"

Nathan let out a deep sigh, trying to find the right words. "The world I came from... everything changed. The city was destroyed. Vampires... they took over everything. Everyone I knew, everything I loved... it's all gone." His voice was rough, like he was reliving it all over again. "I don't know how I ended up here. Everything is just too... peaceful. Too quiet."

Diana looked at him with a calm expression, showing no confusion or disbelief. "Vampires? A ruined world? I've never heard of anything like that. But I can tell... you're serious about this."

Nathan felt a bit frustrated, but he tried to stay calm. "I mean, I don't know if this is some kind of time travel or... or some kind of miracle that brought me here. All I know is, I fell into a place that shouldn't exist yet. This world... this is the world before everything went dark."

Diana nodded slowly, as if she was taking in every word. "I... I can't imagine a world like the one you're describing. I only know this life, where everything seems normal. Maybe something bigger is at play here. But for now, all I can do is give you a place to rest and make sure you're safe."

"Thanks," Nathan said softly, feeling a small sense of relief. Even though Diana didn't fully understand his story, there was something comforting about her calm and patient attitude—like she knew that answers would come with time.

Diana watched him for a moment before speaking in a gentle tone. "You probably have a lot of questions, and so do I. But for now, maybe we should get some rest. This world, even if it seems peaceful, can be way more complicated than you think. No one knows what tomorrow will bring."

Nathan nodded, finally feeling his body relax a little. He knew his journey was just beginning, and there was still so much he didn't understand. But for now, he could feel a bit of peace—something he hadn't felt in a long time. And for now, that was enough.