Time After Time

Chapter 1A mix of biting fog and choking smog swirled around Thoth as he strode though the narrow alleyway. Without the light set into his mask, he’d be walking in almost complete blackness. Not that he was afraid. One look at his plague doctor mask, long black cape, and the medical bag in his hand was enough to send most cutpurses running. And if they dare to approach me, it’s at their own peril. Stopping at an intersection between alleys, Thoth pulled out a pocket watch and consulted the small device. The street he sought was close by. All he hoped was that the young man he wanted didn’t bolt at the sight of him. Once again, London—in fact, all of England—was beset with a plague. One that Thoth was immune to, but the poor, too innumerable to count, were dying in droves. Nor were the rich impervious, but their wealth enabled them to avoid it more readily. I have to find him. Get the girl and get them to safety. A rasping sound of laughter broke free. Although I wonder what they’ll make of my intention for their salvation. Stay here and die; go with me and live. They’re the only options. Turning left, he continued, shoes splashing in the viscous fluid that covered so many of the streets. A disgusting mixture and completely incapable of preventing the plague’s progress. Finally, he stopped in front of a house, so tiny that it barely qualified for the name. He rapped loudly, then stood back. Not wanting to give his quarry a heart attack at the sight of him. The door opened and a thin-faced youth stared open-mouthed. “Inside, hurry. Time is limited.” Thoth pushed forward, grabbing the young man as he staggered back. “I don’t ‘ave it, sir. I don’t.” The man’s face paled impossibly further, and Thoth gave him a gentle shake. “The plague hasn’t reached us, sir.” “I know that, Thomas. You must come with me. You and the girl you’re…courting. If you don’t leave now, the plague will take you both.” “No,” Thomas whispered. “Not Alice.” “Then pack. Now. Whatever you value most; we can’t take much.” Thoth consulted his watch again. “Hurry, boy.” A small dog came and sniffed at the hem of his cape, then sat and wagged at him. Thoth sighed. “Now you are unexpected. Is the dog yours?” he called to Thomas. “Yes, sir. He’s a good dog, is Charlie. Helps keep away the rats. Better than a cat.” There was a hint of pride in Thomas’s voice and Thoth knew the animal would have to go, too. Fine. It’s small, won’t weigh much. Some of Lord Algernon’s people will have to leave their crinolines behind. I’d rather have the dog. “That it then?” Thoth indicated the dog. “Apart from him?” “Yes, sir. He-he can come, can’t he? He’s all I have. “‘Cept for Alice, o’course.” “Yes. Bring him, too. Carry him if you must, but we have to be away from here—” he consulted his watch a third time “—in the next sixty seconds.” “I’m ready.” Thomas scooped up the dog. Behind his mask, Thoth smiled. “Follow me. Stay close. Say nothing.” He handed Thomas a scarf. “Wrap it around your nose and mouth. Come. We must get Alice next.” Outside the house, Thoth hesitated, raising his head high as if through the long beak of his mask he was inhaling the air. “She is at work?” he asked. “Yes, sir.” Thomas nodded “Come.” Thoth strode away from the house. Thomas’s footsteps echoed softly behind him as if the young man was trotting to keep pace. A hiss of annoyance broke free from Thoth as they approached the house where Alice lived and worked. It was protected by not only walls and a gate, but a belligerent guard as well. “Well, that was unexpected. I only expected inanimate ways of deterring intruders. I should have known better.” Thoth sighed. The gated wall was no deterrent, but a guard was. I need to take Thomas in with me. The girl is unlikely to go with me if he’s not there as well. He took out his watch and checked it. It needs to be recharged. I can’t get much more out of it. Five minutes will have to do. “Thomas, listen carefully. I’m going to ensure the guard won’t stop us getting past the gates. We’ll have no more than five minutes to get in, get your young lady, and get out again. Can we do it?” “It’s that urgent, sir?” Thomas’s voice trembled slightly, and Thoth squeezed his shoulder. “I’m sorry, but yes, it is. Time isn’t on our side.” “What time is it, sir?” “Fifteen minutes to six. Why?” Thoth c****d his head. “She’ll be in the kitchen. I can be there and back in two minutes. And another couple for her to grab a few things. We ain’t going back. Are we, sir?” “No.” Thoth gentled his voice. “We need to leave here. We’re going to a place on the outskirts. The plague hasn’t reached there. Yet. Five minutes. I can’t give you more. The moment the guard stands still, fly. Run like you’ve never run before.” “Yes, sir.” * * * * That he’d been so willing to follow the plague doctor surprised Thomas, but there was just something. The tall man was saving him…and Alice. Thomas was very aware of how many people were sick and dying all around him. But with no money and no transport, where could we go? The cities least touched by the plague don’t want the likes of us and have set up border patrols to keep us out. “Be ready, Thomas.” Thoth’s voice cut into Thomas’s reverie. “Five minutes, in, get Alice, get out. Got it, sir.” Thomas nodded. “Will you hold Charlie? He’ll run after me if he sees me go.” “I’ll take care of him. Don’t worry.” Thoth took the dog and tucked it under one arm as he approached the security guard. As the man reached out to stop Thoth’s advance, he froze. For a second or two, Thomas was rooted in place, then he took off, running like the devil was on his heels. Rounding the house, he raced to the kitchen door, slipped inside the building, and skidded to a halt in the darkened entranceway. Sure enough, Alice was there, dark hair falling out of the oversized hat she wore, her face red, and sweat running down her cheeks. She was still a beautiful sight. He whistled softly and she glanced toward him, her eyes widening. She coughed loudly, said something to the cook at the other end of the room, who waved her away, and she ran into the entranceway to where Thomas was pressed to the wall. “What are you doing here?” Alice asked, glancing around. “They mustn’t see you.” “We’re leaving. With a…a friend. Now. Can you grab your stuff?” Thomas wished he had more time, but if he couldn’t explain to himself why he trusted Thoth, how could he explain to anyone else? “No. Cook’ll never let me go to the garret when the kitchen is in full preparation for dinner.” Alice shook her head, more hair slipping free. “Then I’ll go. We’re almost out of time. We can’t delay.” Thomas sighed. “I…oh, all right. You’re sure?” Alice’s face had paled, but she didn’t cry. “Very. Cause a distraction.” Thomas waited while Alice engaged the cook, then fled past them, up the narrow back staircase two and three steps at a time to the garret where Alice slept. The first time I’m glad they made ‘er sleep ‘ere. No one to see or stop me. With no time to waste, Thomas grabbed what few clothes and knickknacks Alice owned, threw them onto the bed and tied the blanket around them. Hoisting it over his shoulder, he leapt down the stairs at a breakneck speed, desperate to get out, grab Alice, and reach Thoth. “‘Ere! What’s your game?” Cook’s screech made Thomas wince, but he didn’t stop. He raced around one side of the outraged woman and Alice ran around the opposite side, after him. Outside, Thomas focused ahead on the gates, where Thoth stood with the guard, who remained statue-still. Thomas dodged around the man and pulled Alice after him, flattening them both against the wall out of the guard’s line of vision. “My apologies.” Thoth spoke just as Thomas clamped his hand over Alice’s mouth. “I have the wrong address.” “That’s all right, sir. Have a good evening.” As Thoth turned away, he flapped a hand, indicating for Thomas to go on ahead. Thomas grabbed Alice’s hand and marched quickly to the end of the road, then stopped and stared at her. “What’s that sound?” he asked. Alice’s expression turned guilty just as a small, feline head poked out of her apron’s voluminous pocket. “Alice!” “I couldn’t leave Princess.” Alice’s lips quivered, then she looked at Thoth. “You brought Charlie.” “Yeah, well…” “Let’s not argue cats and dogs.” Thoth handed Charlie to Thomas. “They both have their benefits. Now, we need a carriage.” “Do you want me to flag one down, sir?” Thomas asked, but the reply had his jaw drop. “No. I haven’t any money with me. I’ll have to…borrow one.”