“First thing first…disguise,” she mumbled while rummaging through her old clothes in the closet. Bette realized that everything would still fit her quite nicely and she chose one of her favorites, purple calico dress. Black cloak completed the ensemble and when Bette looked in the mirror she was satisfied that she won’t be easily recognized but would fit perfectly into the society.

After Bette changed her clothes she looked around her old bedroom. Judging by the dust and the stale air, it was obvious that nobody stepped into this room for several months. Bette folded her modern clothes and hid in the corner of the closet, knowing that her family or even the servants won’t discover it.

Remembering her first time travel experience, Bette knew that it was about six o’clock in the morning on April 20, 1886. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself to come outside of the bedroom and face her past.

The house met her with that strange stillness and quietness that told Bette nobody was home. Her mother was up pretty early and it was unusual not to hear anyone but Bette realized that some things had probably changed in the few months since her disappearance. She quietly left the house and walked towards the grove.

Bette stood there for a moment, looking at the trees as her mind flooded with memories. She touched the oak bark and sighed, “I hope I made the right decision.”

She needed a course of action. Ideally, Bette just planned to see Christina and talk to her, so she could explain things and make sure that her friend was okay, that she was happy and healthy. Bette breathed in fresh air of the grove and lifted her face to the early sunrays, clearing her mind.

It was too early for a social visit but Christina and Daniels’s house was far enough so Bette decided leave now and ride one of their horses. “I hope I can still remember how to do it,” she chuckled and made her way to the stables, surprised that she still hadn’t seen anyone. Perhaps her parents were away and gave the servants a day off, Bette pondered as she sneaked into the stables and went in search of the horses.