Play@YSDC

"Daniel and Annie said we could meet them in the library," says Lionel. "We could check and see if that's where they are. We need to tell them everything that's happened. Do you know where the library is, or if it'll even be open at this hour?" He surreptitiously checks the time on his wristwatch, making sure to hide the digital display so that nobody other than Agnes and Brianna can see the anachronism before covering it back up with his sleeve - not that he's entirely sure that it's displaying the correct time after his journey from the future.

"There are two libraries they might be talking about that's near here," says Agnes. "One is a public library that will open at ten that's really not far. The other is a private library but they have a public area. A friend of mine went there once to look up things on superstitions once. They have a lot of odd books there."

"Let's try the public area of that private library first," says Lionel. "It sounds like the sort of place that would have information that would be relevant, so that's likely the one they meant. Are you ready, Brianna?"

Brianna wipes the tears away and hiccups a little. "Um, okay." She sits up, blinking, but its apparent her heart is not quite in this new venture.

"Then let's go," says Lionel, holding Brianna's hand. "I have a theory about what happened, but I could be wrong. We'll talk on the way, once we get outside."

The sky outside is heavy with dark clouds that are pregnant with hidden rain.

"Weren't we supposed to be hiding from the planes and bombers Lionel? Are you sure this is safe?"

Brianna looks warily at the sky and the outside world.

"After you," says Lionel to Agnes. He follows her alongside Brianna. "Yes, it's safe now - or at least as safe as it gets in London these days. That siren we heard before we left was the All Clear, letting us know it's safe to come out." Once he is sure that nobody is following them or able to listen in, he continues speaking quietly. "Ronald's disappearance is not without precedent. He disappeared once before - or, rather, later. Brianna and I have as well. All of us vanished from our time and appeared here. We don't know what it would have looked like to the people we left behind, but perhaps it looked like what we saw with the bubbles. Ronald didn't leave voluntarily, he was taken. Maybe even by the very same being that brought us here, but if it went to the trouble to bring him here, why take him back? It's also possible that our trip back in time is only temporary, and after a while we will snap back to our own time like a rubber band. That could be one reason why the being who sent us here is so impatient. We may only have a limited amount of time to spend here before we must return. I don't know why he would go back while the two of us remained here, though. The good news is that we may also be taken to where Ronald went. First, however, we must complete the task that has been set before us - and deduce what that task is. Once we can compare notes with Daniel and Annie, we'll learn more."

The three set out in the direction of the library. It seems last night's shelling didn't reach this area as there are no more war wounds to damage the buildings.

"Well, the good news is that this area hasn't been hit this time," says Lionel. "Back in the shelter, I had another vision of the future, but in this one I felt like I was in both times at once. I was back in our own time, in some kind of chemistry lab. There was ash all around, and I was looking at Dahlia, the girl from the Children's Ward that was evacuated with Sarah. If she was there, maybe Sarah was too. In any case, this means we will get back eventually, and if that's where Ronald went, we'll see him again."

Brianna trudges along, hanging her head.

"I sure hope I see him again," she says sadly, tears still dripping down her cheeks.

She quietly takes Lionel's hand and squeezes it in her own.

"So do I," says Lionel, squeezing her hand back. "Sooner or later, I'm sure we will, and I'm sure I'll see Sarah again too. When the bonds of love are that strong, nothing can keep you apart forever, no matter where you are in time and space. Until then, we've got each other."

Brianna's heart leaps at the thought of seeing Ronald again, "Yes, like I think you'll see Sarah again too."

"Exactly," says Lionel, cheering up. "The barrier between our two times must have been weak when we were back in the bomb shelter, which is why I saw bits of the future there and perhaps explains Ronald's departure as well. I know I was back there with Dahlia, and if she was there Sarah couldn't be far away. So when I see Dahlia, I'll know it won't be long until I see Sarah...and it won't be long until you see Ronald, either. That's how we'll know when we're close."

Brianna's skin erupts in bubbles that churn painlessly at her flesh. She feels the call, from long ago, in the before and in the after. Chains being undone. A great being retreating, its attention already elsewhere, and she glimpses its searching, its slow awakening. Its attempts to know. She can barely see Lionel now, nor Agnes.

Brianna shrieks in horror, "Lionel! What's happening! I....I .....can't see you! Help....I'm scared!"

"Brianna!" cries Lionel, completely bewildered about what's going on. "Not you too!" He hugs her tight. "I'm here! If I can't stop you from going somewhere else, I hope Ronald is there...and I hope you can take us with you! Agnes, hold onto her! I love you like you were my own daughter, Brianna. I've already lost Sarah, I can't lose you too! Don't be afraid."

OOC: Can i act?

Agnes is confuse but she react and try to grab Brianna.

The two try to hold onto the little girl as she begins to slip away.

"Brianna!" cries Lionel, tears streaming down his face. "I'm so sorry...I just don't know what to do! I'll find you again, wherever you end up, and Ronald too! I'm going to miss you so much...if you see Sarah, remember to tell her everything that's happened...tell her how much I love and miss her..." He hugs her strongly as she fades away, trying to will her to stay or, failing that, trying to will himself to go with her.