West

The clock struck three in the morning. Cramped and miserable, I calmed enough to stand and returned to my bedroom.

More texts lit up my phone screen. It's your choice. You can stay there or I can send you somewhere else, claimed the first.

"I want to go home, Carter," I whispered hoarsely. At the mercy of a madman who thought he was Doctor Who and that I wanted to tag along on an adventure, I sank onto my bed once more and stared at the phone. I debated destroying it and living out my fate the best I could after the crushing events of the past few days. If it meant Carter was out of my life, that I was of no more use to him now that Taylor was gone, it'd be worth it.

"Josie, are you well?" Philip's voice came from the hallway. "I've been patient with you since your father died so recently. But tonight, we will consummate the marriage."

I hate that man. Without Taylor to save me, I had apparently been forced to wed Philip in the new history created by Taylor's death. I still wore the ring Taylor placed on my finger, though I guessed in the new version of things, it had been Philip who did it.

I wanted to change history. I had no idea that meant changing my fate as well. Gaze lingering on the door, I sought some response that would buy me time.

"I want to take a bath first," I called.

There was a pause, then, "Very well. Send Nell to fetch me when you are done." The floorboards creaked as he retreated.

Any thought I had about remaining here dissipated in light of being married to a man who was going to kill me, if Taylor's people didn't get to me first.

I unlocked the screen of my phone and scanned through Carter's messages.

I can send you somewhere further back in time.

You have to trust me. Please, trust me, Josie, PLEASE!

Are you there? Are you mad?

"I hate this man, too." Swiping away tears, I realized there was blood on my face. My nose hadn't stopped bleeding.

I cleaned up quickly and changed back into my own clothing, boots and an ankle-length wool coat. If Carter got me out of here, great. If I was stuck with Philip, I'd rather throw myself into the well or better yet - steal a horse and run away like the real Josie should have.

Tell me what to do about my empathic memory chip, I ordered Carter. I'm bleeding again, worse than before, I texted him.