Fore(n)shortened

Chapter 1

It's already dark when the bus stopped at my subdivision. I got off, walked straight, then went to the left. Then after a few more walks, there it is. My apartment. I put my key on the doorknob and clinked it sharply, then entered my home after i set my shoes off somewhere. I sighed heavily as I closed the door and—boom.

I fell on the floor as my big golden retriever dog launched excitedly on me as if the last he'd seen me is 5 years ago. Daily happenings. Of course this fat dog will knock me down everytime i come home. He's spoiled with my cookings and treats. I sighed heavily from tiredness, slowly sitting up on the floor as i patted my dog.

"Toby! Must you knock me on the floor everytime I come home?"

Toby wagged his tail exaggeratedly and circled around me three times like I'm his prized bone treasure. He then ran off and took his empty plate on his mouth, showing it to me. He always do this whenever he's hungry. He's probably saying something like, "mommy you is always busy at school, you forgot my chimken."

And so, i got up and threw my bag at the sofa. I also changed into something comfortable and cooked chicken for Toby. As for me, I cooked a simple soup and went straight to bed after I washed the dishes.

Toby would jump on my bed beside me or just sleep on the floor. This is how the evening usually goes. I, Yu Qianqian, is a 3rd year college student by the day. I'd study my ass off, then work at a restaurant to earn extra money. But during the night, I turn into someone who'd bedrot all midnight reading novels, or watching dramas. I do this at midnight to make up for the things I couldn't do during the day because I'm busy.

I opened my laptop, and went to read the novel called "Pursuit of Jade." It has become my new obsession lately, everything about this novel is just very well made. The plot, romance, comedy, action? Everything is well balanced. It's funny, actually. I have the same name as one of the characters on this novel. I then continued reading where i left at. An hour later, I fell asleep.

....

A clock. An ancient brown clock. I was in a dark place. My soul seemed to diverge from my body, as if running away. but I gripped myself together. I was in an extremely dark place and the only thing that was glowing was.. the clock. I stared at it, attempting to reach it. But I stopped on my tracks as it didn't rotated clockwise, but rather.. counter-clockwise. Reverse. And it had that faint glow of gold that emanates around it.

...

"what a strange clock."

Then, a voice I can't seem to make whether it's a man or woman, spoke. I shivered as I heard them whispered closely in my ears. Their voice echoed. "Do good things. If this jade shines bright enough, you can make choices to go back or stay. Lose this, and you shall never return." It repeatedly went on and on, that i could remember the exact line.

Then I woke up, saying that out loud. I opened my eyes slowly. I feel... rather dizzy. Weird dream, I muttered. But what's even weirder, is my ceiling. I squinted my eyes and rubbed it 7 times.

"what the? This is not my ceiling!"

I instinctively looked for my phone, but it's nowhere to be found. I got up and immediately looked around. Everything is old, made in woods, the interior is... ancient. The colors are almost all brown, just in different shades.

"Seriously?... am I lucid dreaming or something? This feels way too real."

I immediately got up to look at myself, but as I got up, a jade pendant fell on my sleeves.

"No way, is this a coincidence? Is this the jade in my dream that I can use to return?"

Whatever.

I picked it up and put the jade pendant back on my sleeves as I ran to a nearby mirror. Alright, it looks like me. I looked for a mirror and saw my reflection. It was me, but.. dressed in hanfu. My hair is way longer than it should be. How strange. I pinched myself multiple times.

Thoughts flooded inside my head but I was distracted of the door's sound opening. A young woman that also looks like in her early 20s stepped in. She has the exact same clothing as me. I assume what we're wearing is a servant's uniform. I looked at her worried face with confusion. Behind her, are two tall men who seem to be royal guards.

She caressed my face and check my body everywhere, asking me if I'm alright. Then, she turned to the two men behind her.

"Please don't take her away, Yu Qianqian is still frail. She needs time to recover."

The guards ignored her protests and grabbed me to a dark place. There, a young masked man with a hint of gray hair can be seen as a tiny bit of moonlight's reflection through the window hitted him. He was sitting on what seems like a throne that belongs to someone important. This event... have I seen it elsewhere?

"You're the woman who saved me from drowning, correct?"

The silent room loomed with his seemingly calm, but dark tone.

I froze as I heard him talk. Memories from the novel I've read before sleeping suddenly flushed. This.. this is that exact moment. Where Yu Qianqian's tragedy with this obsessed mad man all started.

"You dare ignore me? Speak at this instant. Or I'll make you speak myself."

I nervously looked at him, but as my gaze landed upon him, looking at other direction made it impossible.

He's.. handsome. What a shame this man will make my life difficult. Oh well, we'll just lie so he won't hunt me down for the next 6 years.

"I believe you got it wrong, your highness."

"Guards, lock her up."

Or maybe... whatever's meant to happen, will happen.

Damn it.