"Why do you cry?" A young child placed his hand on my knee.
"It's nothing sweet." I answered, quickly brushing the tears away.
He looked at me solemnly. "If it was nothing there would be no tears, dear auntie Eliza."
I smiled at little Roy. "You speak wisely for a young one."
"You taught me to, auntie." He smiled up at me.
I smiled to myself as I remembered my adorable nephew.
But enough. Focus on the present. Roy isn't even going to be born for another 1000 years.
"Why are you smiling like that?" A deep voice startled me out of my reverie.
"Just.. Thinking. That's all." I shrugged off the question.
Dread filled me. I knew why he was here and I knew what I had to do.
Hugh put his hand on top of mine and squeezed it.
I pulled away gently.
"Please don't. It could never work."
"Why?" He asked, his voice was gruff.
"I can't tell you. But you have to trust me. You are only 17, you've got a long life ahead of you."
"I won't. I want you to marry me!"
I shook my head. "Hugh, someday you will find the perfect girl. It's not me."
I hate this. I sobbed within myself. It's always like this...
"I can't marry you."
"Is there someone else?" His face was stricken with heartbreak.
"No." I swallowed hard.
"Then tell me why!" He begged.
"You won't believe me! You will not understand."
"How are you so sure I won't?!"he raised his voice.
"Do you understand time travel?!?"
He was confused.
"See! I told you you wouldn't understand!"
He opened his mouth to say something, then shut it again.
"What does it mean?" He finally whispered.
"It means that I have to leave this time. That I can never see you again. It's what I am, a time traveler. I can go to the past or future. Do you understand?" I reached to pat him on the arm but he pulled away.
"You can go to the past?" He asked unbelieving.
"And to the future." I whispered.
"Why do you have to go?" He bent his head and released a choking sob.
"My time here is up." A tear rolled down my cheek. I hated hurting him like this...
I can't do this anymore! I screamed at myself. I need to leave. Now!
"Why can you come back?" He grabbed me by the shoulders and made me face him.
"I'm done here, Hugh. My job is done. You won the battle. That's why I was sent here."
"You can never come back?"
"No I can't."
I started sobbing. "I'm sorry! I never wanted to hurt you. I know you will marry a wonderful person. You are going to meet her on you 18th birthday!"
Hugh pulled back as if I burned him.
"You know my future?"
"Yes. You will have a good long life! That's all I'm aloud to tell you."
He stared at me.
My head started to ache horridly. You need to leave now, Eliza!
"I need to go, Hugh. I'm going to miss you. Farewell."
He started to reach for me. "Wai-"
I winked out of sight.
Black surrounded me for a few seconds, then I found myself sitting cross legged on the bed in my room.
I stood up and turned on the bedroom light.
Now you know.
My name is Eliza Perris.
I am 16 years old.
I am a Time Traveler.
