The Day I Woke Up In Troy

Part 1: 
The day I woke up in Troy is a day I’ll never forget. Here, let me tell you the story:
Lying in bed, I opened my eyes, feeling refreshed and excited as ever. It’s Friday! I stood up to peek outside my window, then immediately stumbled backwards onto my bed. Too dazed to think, I crawled back up again and looked out of the window once more, confirming my suspicions. I lay on my bed, thinking about what would happen to me here; would I be captured? Violently killed, even?  Outside my window, thousands of Greek and Trojan soldiers fought and died on the battlefield, the fight stretching across the dusty horizon. 

I realised I recognised this war- it was the Battle of Troy. I knew I had two options: I could turn the tides of the war, or go onto the Greek side. I smacked my head stupidly. Well, that was an easy decision. I would go on to the Greek side, because I knew the Greeks would eventually win the battle. Besides, I couldn’t change the course of history if I tried. I rummaged through my closet for some clothes that the Greeks or Trojans wore at that time. After a few minutes, I finally found a tunic that I had worn in my school play. After checking everything else was in order, I set off towards the Greek camps in the hope that they would allow me in…

Wrapping my cloak around me, I sneaked into the chattery marketplace, avoiding the gazes of nosy Trojans. After walking through the market, I finally found an exit. It’s going to be hard finding my way back, I thought, as I scanned the area before setting off into a run. 
“σταματώ!” Suddenly, an angry face appeared in front of me, forcing me back.

“Umm… pardon?” 
I answered nervously, as I couldn’t make out a word he had said. He glared at me intimidatingly. I tried to step back and run, but he and other men blocked my way. 
“Γρύλος!” 
Another man yelled, and a bearded man ran up to us. They spoke in frantic Greek, then finally turned to me.
“Who are you? And what are you doing trying to get out of Trojan territory?”

TO BE CONTINUED...

Part 2:
I froze, terrified. “Y-you can speak English?” 
“I could ask you the very same- but first, tell me who you are and why you’re here” he demanded, staring at me with wonder and a hint of empathy. 
I was stunned into silence and shakily took a few steps back, but the burly men blocked me again; I could see that the bearded man held out a hand to stop them. They started to argue, but exchanged a glance and stepped back.

“I want to talk to you in private. And you better tell me the truth.” he commanded, signalling for me to follow behind. I could almost feel the guards’ gaze burning into my back as I ran after the man. We went into a quiet corner of the market, and he immediately turned around and asked: “Are you okay? How did you come here? You’ve got to believe me, I’ve also been in the present…”. At this, I perked up.
“You-you’ve been in the present before? Did you also travel in time, like me?”

He nodded. “My name’s Jack. Yours?”
I stammered: “Emilia”
“Nice to meet you, Emilia. I’d love to chat, but we’ve got much to discuss.  First, what century were you in before you travelled here?”   
“Umm… the 21st” I was interrupted by a flurry of sentences in a foreign language; looking up, I saw that Jack was muttering to himself, whacking the palm of his hand to his forehead. What was he doing?

“Sorry for that. It was just… I-I came here in the twentieth century” he murmured. His words sent a cold chill down my spine. “You-you… What?”
“I travelled here for an investigation, so I learnt to blend in, speaking Trojan and Greek, establishing myself as a member of the Trojan army. They haven’t sent me back since…” he sighed. “Anyways, how did you arrive here?”
“I woke up here just this morning, but I truly have no idea how.”

TO BE CONTINUED…

Part 3:
I was starting, bit by bit, to trust him now. He had also travelled back in time, like me, and I couldn’t help but feel for him. The conversation went on, and he was always bursting to ask questions about the present. At last, he re-stated the query that he had raised at the very beginning: “And, Emilia, why are you trying to escape from Trojan territory?”. Even though I trusted him, I debated whether or not to tell him. 

“Umm… well… I’m trying to get to the Greek camp, because...”
“Why? It’s so nice here! Besides, the Trojans are wealthier than the Greeks and they will surely win!” his words hung in the air and an uncomfortable silence sat between us.. Finally, he spluttered: “You don’t believe me? But- fine. Finish what you were about to say.”
“Look, Jack, in history as I know it, the Greeks won and the Trojans...well...they lost”