Dimension Fourth - By W.A. Chirathya S. Jayawardene
Written By: W.A. Chirathya S.Jayawardene
Category: Sci-Fi comedy
Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026
W.A. Chirathya S. Jayawardene, writing under the pseudonym Dimension Fourth, presents "Dimension Fourth," an engaging sci-fi comedy for the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This creative writing piece embarks on an adventurous journey of time travel, touching on intriguing themes like the Bermuda Triangle and alien encounters. In this competition, writers from around the globe bring their unique narratives, and Jayawardene's work stands out with its whimsical yet profound exploration of time and identity.
About the Work
"Dimension Fourth" introduces Focus, a teenage protagonist who embarks on an unexpected time-travel journey. The narrative blends humor and intelligence, portraying Focus as a beacon of hope amid chaos. The story is rich with vivid imagery and comedic elements, painting a world where the past and future intertwine. Jayawardene's literary style combines a light-hearted tone with deeper existential questions, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Dimension Fourth
Original Submission by W.A. Chirathya S.Jayawardene
DIMENSION FOURTH
Chirathya
Jayawardene
________________
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First acknowledgement goes to myself for not giving up on Dimension fourth. Secondly, I would like to give my acknowledgement to my parents who helped me throughout the process and also to my two sisters who let me write in peace although they knew nothing of this. Thirdly I need to acknowledge my readers who never failed to read even a single book of mine.
Lastly I would like to thank all of them again and I hope the
result is worth the fun I had while spending time with writing……
________________
AUTHOR’S NOTE
At first when I chose this sci-fi genre, I never thought of choosing time travel as my topic but when I was searching internet, I came upon these great articles of time travel and Bermuda triangle which game me the perfect idea to develop. For some reason, those days Bermuda triangle incidents were the talk of the town, so I guess that’s what inspired me the most.
When talking about the protagonist, Focus, he is a teenager who is still trying to cope with the world as a orphan who only has his brother. Although the main reason for his time travel seems like to save the world, it is a chance for him to meet his long lost father one last time, and to see how good his future is going to be because for a person, a child who is going through many things, the best solace is to give them hope.
We read fictions to have a respite from everything in reality, so it’s my duty to create something than can give the escape and that is worth the time. That is why I made Focus as a funny yet intelligent boy who can be an inspiration to everyone out their waiting for something good to happen. Even if I started to write this in 2022, it took me one and a half year to come up with the ending. Still, I’m happy that I kept trying to come up with the perfect ending because I learned so many things in that time. Just like the character of Focus shows hope, I had hope to finish this and here I am writing the author’s note in the end with the hope of publishing one day.
Enter the world of Focuses and enjoy the journey to past and future where the many versions of Focus try to save the world.
Enjoy your read!
________________
CONTENT
1. Beginning of chaos 2. First Encounter
3. Dinosaurs?
4. Is that my girlfriend?
5. Liam
6. Candies under the pillow
7. Viennese, my angel
8. Words full of pity
9. A dream so real
10. Human body parts
11. RIP m'phone
12. UFO in the sky everybody!
13. Detective Lucus
14. Crying in the rain
15. The Movie night 16. Cappuccino and Liam
17. She cursed!
18. Love you never
19. It's sleepover time
20. Bold guy
21. Professor Focus Redman
22. The compass not a compass
23. A different Cinderella story
24. Badass aliens who kill dinosaurs
25. Ape in a lab coat
26. A Fool proof plan
27. Greek god
28. Senior professor Redman
29. I’m the Crimi-hero
30. A letter from the future
31. The true story
________________
1. Beginning of Chaos
A sudden pang in my chest woke me up from my slumber. A bitter sweet smell of coffee hit my nose as I raised my head from the cold hard surface it was lying on. Nothing felt different first but then slowly the reality drown in me as I failed to recognize my surroundings.
Various people were enjoying their drinks all around me. Everything was new to me. Even the interior of the café. The walls were in dark brown with black colour leaves patterned on them. On the wall facing the entrance had the name of the café written with cursive letters. All the tables and chairs were made of wood. My heart thumped hard into my ribcage each time I failed to recognize anything that fell upon my eyes.
My legs moved on its own towards the glass doors. I hissed as my hand made contact with the cold metal handle of the glass doors. Despite the panic attack I was having, I stepped out from the café believing that I'll wake up from this nightmare once I walk out through the door but I didn't. Instead I stepped into a way different place with more unfamiliar objects.
Tall buildings with their tips almost touching the sky towered around me in every direction. Everything except the time tower was unfamiliar to me. I looked at the time. 8.45 am. It was still morning. I was about to sigh in relief but stopped mid-way seeing the year and date. 2030. My knees buckled under me. Numerous questions I was unable to answer kept flooding in.
'Where am I?', 'What is this place?, 'Am I still alive?', 'How did I get here?', 'How come I'm in year 2030?', 'I was at school a minute ago. Aren't I?'...They went on. Those unanswered questions were delayed for a moment as the phone inside my jean pocket vibrated. I slipped my hand into grab it. The screen lit up as the caller ID showed as 'Spare Parts'. I grinned at the name. Spare parts huh? That's probably my annoying brother calling me to cry about the fabulous dump he got.
"Hey. What's up?" I asked casually not trying to make my annoying brother suspect anything. "For fuck sake man! Where the hell were you? I've called you like goddamn million times! Rita has been fucking my ear off with complains that I'm an asshole of a brother who apparently doesn't give a fuck about you and blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda. By the way, aren't you coming now, you little twit? My daughter is waiting for you, and you know what a sweet little devil she could be once she loses her shit."
"Who's Rita? You are a father now?" I mentally freaked out picturing my annoying brother as a father because he's so not the lady's man. Trust me. I never thought he'd end up marrying ever. Moreover being a father with a child.
"Are you nuts man? Rita is my goddamn wife. And yeah. I'm a mother fucking father with a devil of a daugh- what the fuck! Stop hitting me Rita! Alright! Alright! I won't utter another fucking curse again. I swear!
Get here this instant you asshole."
"Not now. I have something to do." I started but I was cut off by my brother.
"I don't care a fuck about your shit. Just get your ass here." He hung up without another word annoying the shit out of me. I felt a little bit better after the call with my brother.
I switched on GPs to see where I was standing. All my hope crumbled down when it too didn't recognize my location. I opened my contacts and scrolled through it without thinking much but stopped when I came across the contact named 'Focus Redman'. Wanting the grab the last bit of hope, I pressed the green call button and placed my phone on my ear. I doubted my decision again and again as the the one on the other side took his sweet time to pick up his phone. I was about to hit the red button when he answered my call. I swallowed hard feeling the nervousness pooling inside me.
"Hello. It's Focus Redman. Who are you?" I almost dropped my phone because of the sweat forming on my palms.
"H-hello," I muttered.
"Oh hey. What's up?
"Are you really me?" I mentally face palmed at the stupid question that left from my mouth.
"I'm sorry what?" The person on the other side looked take back by my question.
"Where are you now?"
"I'm at the uni. Why asking? Who are you?" Panic dripped from his voice. I felt relieved since it's so like me to panic at every single thing.
"How can I get there?"
"Uh... Take the bus or you can walk or take the Turbo train."
"How long will it take to walk there?" I asked getting impatient by the minute.
"It depends on your location but dude! You are creeping me out right now! Who the hell are you?" I ignored his question again and looked around.
" I'm in front of the clock tower. The one in the middle of the twin buildings.." My foot tapped the pavement as the nervousness inside me grew more and more.
"Then it'll only take about ten minutes if you take the Lily lane."
" Okay then. I'll be there. Can you come to escort me at the entrance?" A chuckled followed as the reply.
"Why should I? You are very strange stranger." I sighed.
"Just come to the entrance for fuck sake. I'm not a stranger to you. Remember to bring a disguise with you. This may sound like I'm a kidnapper but kidnappers don't call their preys before hand. This is something only Focus Redman knows, 'Key to the future is the time.'." Focus Redman gasped.
"I'll come to get you right now but how can I recognize you?" Sounds of rushing footsteps came from the other side. I looked at myself from head to toe.
"Do you remember your 13 year charming self?"
"Yeah..."
"Good. Then search for someone who looks just like that. Not a single thing different."
"Seriously? but-"
"Oh by the way, don't tell anyone." I ended the conversation not waiting for a reply from Focus Redman. I scanned the name boards pointing various roads. A board with the name lily lane pointed at the road on my left. Taking a deep breath, I walked towards my last hope, hopefully my savior.
________________
2. First Encounter
It only took me about six minutes to reach my destination because of running all the way there. The first thing one could see when standing in front of the university was a majestic statue of a philosopher. From the distance I was standing, I couldn't make out the words carved on the foot of the statue. The large silver gates stood behind him keeping about a three meter distance. After the gate, there was nothing else other than different trees using the space and giving shade to students studying in the university. Without letting my eyes wander around the beautiful surroundings any further, I hid myself behind the closest tree. My phone rang again. I didn't check who it was because I was sure it was Focus who called me.
"I'm at the gate now. Where are you?" No greetings were exchanged this time. I took a peek from behind the tree.
"I'm behind the tree on the left of the gate." I looked up at the tree trying to recognize the type of tree. "I don't know what type of tree this is."
"Are you wearing a green t-shirt?" Nodding, I responded as yes. "Okay then. I see you." I took cover behind the tree again after ending the call. Footsteps approached and a long coat was thrown over me surprising me entirely but relaxed immediately when I heard him talk. "Put this one quickly." I threw the coat over me and turned towards him who was holding out a cap for me. Once I was fully disguised I stepped out from behind the tree.
"If anyone ask you who you are to me, just say cousin. Got it? No more, no less." I nodded. He put his arm around my shoulders pulling me closer to make the cover better. Thank god Focus told me to say I was his cousin because as soon as I set my foot into the clearance, about fifty people asked me who I was. I kept my head down until Focus locked his dorm room door after him. I peeled off my disguise and handed back the coat and the cap to Focus. That was when I was able to see his complete face instead of his side face. To be honest, I was satisfied with my future side face but the front version was way better. My heart leaped like a teenage girl who fell in love with a hot boy on first sight.
"Dude, you are drooling. Stop it. It's creeping the fuck out of me." I chuckled sheepishly earning an eye roll. "Soooo," I jumped on to the nearest chair.
" I'll introduce myself first." I pressed my lips together and took a deep breath preparing myself to reveal the horrific truth. His silent nod
encouraged me to talk. "I'm Focus Redman."
We stared at each other when he didn't utter a single word. I thought he would laugh out aloud like a normal person would but what I didn't know was that I was not a normal person. He walked towards the cupboard on the other corner of the room to take out a small cardboard box. His dorm was clean unlike my brother's when he used to study in university. It was not just clean, it was empty like no one lives there. Two beds were there with no blankets nor pillows. A lonely white table stood in the middle of the room. The cupboard was the only thing that seemed to be still in use.
"Why is your dorm empty?" I let my confusion slip out of my tongue converting it to words. A glance around the room was taken by him before the answer was given.
"I'm not staying in the dorm anymore. Ever since my dormmate left, I haven't been here much. Besides, I'm a second year now. So I don't have to stay in the dorms now." He sighed.
"Tragic story? Want to share with me? I'm a good listener." I puffed out my chest pointing myself. He burst out into a laughter throwing his head back in the process.
"I do know how good of a listener I am." A handsome grin lit up his face. A sigh left unnoticed by me. He raised his left eyebrow asking me to elaborate why I sighed.
"I'm just happy. I'm happy to see how handsome I'll be in the future." We laughed in union at my remark.
"It's annoying sometimes. Girls keep trying to grab my attention and in order to get closer to girls some guys keep bugging me to be friends with them."
"That's my charm alright. Anyways, how did you get approved to this university? Didn't I apply to a Tech university?" I changed the subject not wanting to hear about girls at all.
"Apparently you did not while I did. My second option was science. So in the end I got approved to this one. It's true that it's not my dream university but I'm still grateful."
"Hmmm...there are so many things I would like to know but I don't know from where I should start. Oh yeah. My brother GOT MARRIED?"
"Last year in May I think. It appears to be that he has met her at the mall. She has hit him by her slipper because of using swearing words near a kindergarten. Then eventually love bloomed between them as my stupid brother purposely swear near the kindergarten whenever she was around to grab her attention. So in the end they got married. First my brother didn't want to marry so quickly because of me. I had to convince him that I would be fine without his care. He rented me an apartment where he could come visit alternately. Then the frequent visits reduced because of the new family member. As a result I have to visit him once a week."
" Then that must be the reason he called me this morning to ask my whereabouts." I hummed agreeing with my own thoughts.
" He called you this morning? But how? Wasn't he supposed to call my number?"
" I don't know. This is all a mess to me. I'm still thinking how I came here, what I have to do here and how I can go back to my world."
" Regarding that, I found a letter tucked under the door of my apartment a few days ago. I thought it was a joke, nevertheless, I kept it with me. See for yourself." Focus senior gave me the letter taken from inside the small cardboard box he was holding. The paper didn't say much. It only said, ' Time loops are breaking. Be watchful.' No signature or name.
" I tried to find who sent it to me through the cctv cameras in my apartment building. It surprised me how one minute there was nothing under the door but the next minute this letter was lying there." Focus senior explained more pouring out his confusion.
" It's confusing indeed. But first thing first. You need to go meet your brother. He might turn the world upside down if you don't show up at his house." I stood up.
" Yeah. Probably. I'll drop you off at my apartment. You can rest there while I'm at my brother's. I'll try to come as quickly as possible. But you know my annoying brother. Never knows when to shut up. No filter at all." I chuckled agreeing with him whole heartily. I dressed myself with the disguise again to leave the university with Focus senior.
3. Dinosaurs?
Like Focus senior said, it took a long time about three hours return back. From what I heard my annoying brother has asked Focus to babysit his his daughter, Diana until he and Rita come back from shopping. By the time Focus came back, I have explored every corner of his apartment. It was actually fun to explore my future apartment. What made me the happiest was the black dog who jumped on to me as soon as I entered the apartment. I was bewildered because that dog used to live with us before me and my brother was sent to orphanage after my parents death.
My father was a technician. I got my tech abilities from him. We were a very happy family till dad passed away by a fire started from a short circuit. We were fine first with mom's small income and dad's savings. However we eventually realized the savings and mom's income is not enough for the three of us plus the dog. Eventually mom had to do part time jobs to cover our expenses. Mom didn't let us do part times though. She scolded us if we even try to talk about earning money by ourselves. By and by, my mom grew tired and got sick. She didn't let us find money to even pay her medical bills. So after mom too left us, we were taken to an orphanage. Our dog, Max was taken away to somewhere.
Max was behind me all the time when I went through Focus' stuff. I was going through the trophies when Focus barged in panting heavily.
"Oh! You are back." I said going to greet Focus.
"You are still here. That's good to know." He jumped on to the sofa sighing loudly.
"Did you run all the way here? Didn't you use your bike?"
"I did. I was just worried that you might be missing because who knows what will happen when the world is going crazy." He sat up and examined me from head to toe. "What were you doing?" I gave a grin in return.
"I went through your stuff but hell your trophies are awesome!" I didn't know I was rambling until senior's ringing tone cut me off. Mouthing a sorry, he left to his room to pick up the call. He came back not long after. "I didn't know I rambled that much in my younger days." I rubbed the back of my neck embarrassed of myself. "Come on. You should go take a shower. I'll let you burrow some of my cloths." Focus dragged me into his room and pushed me into a bathroom handing me a set of cloths.
Just like the whole apartment, the bathroom too was clean. The tiles were shinning and spotless. So much so that I could see my own reflection. The hot shower really did refreshed me. I almost fell face flat because of the steam clouding inside the bathroom. Quickly getting dressed in senior's cloths, I stepped out only to come face to face with Focus who was going to knock the door.
"I prepared food for you. Thought you might be hungry." I nodded. He took the towel from my hands to hang it somewhere.
Not a single word was exchanged between us while we ate. We both were in deep in thought and I think both of us were wondering about the current situation. And the same procedure went on during doing the dishes too.
"Focus, what do you think we should do now?" I asked staring at Focus's back as he wiped his wet hands dry with a kitchen towel. With two long strides, he towered over me. He raised his hand and did something I least expected to happen. He ruffled my hair smiling down at me.
"Don't worry little guy. I'll find out what's going on." I swatted away his hand huffing in anger because of calling me little guy.
"I'm just 13 asshole. Don't call me little guy." Ignoring my remarks, he again ruffled my hair making it messier than before.
"I always wanted to have a little brother. So I don't want this opportunity to go away and whatever you say, comparing to me, you are still very small little guy." To stay away from his reach, I took three steps back smirking in victory. He said nothing. Just shook his head side to side chuckling and muttering something under his breath like 'you little brat'.
"You do know you are insulting yourself right?"
"Sure. Sure. I-" Senior was forced to stop midway as ear shrieking screams came from outside. Taking a quick glance at each other, we both ran over to the glass windows. We said the same thing in reunion like reading each others minds.
"Holly shit!"
" Why didn't you tell me you brought a fucking dinosaur as a pet when coming here?" Focus yelled over the screams when we descended down the stairs since the lifts took too long to arrive.
" I did not. In fact, I woke up in a café. I have no fucking idea how that
humongous creature came here!"
" Please don't be surprised if the apes from the stone age appear too." It didn't take too long for his wish to become a reality.
"JESUS! ARE THOSE APES?" Focus senior cursed under his breath. He raised his arms at the sky as soon as he stepped into light. " Why can't you make my other wishes come true huh?" I would've laughed if we weren't in a life or death situation.
" Focus Focus." That too would've been laughable.
" Right. Do you know how to send this big guy back to where he belongs?"
"How the hell am I supposed to know? I'm the victim remember?"
" Then what's your opinion?" I'm still amused how we, i mean both myself stayed calm in that situation but we did. We were conversing with each other like when two friends get together and sip a relaxing cup of coffee.
" Call 911 of course! What else are we supposed to do? Try to restrain that giant dinosaur with something like people do in movies?"
"Well I would like to try that too." Focus replied after thinking for a while.
" And might I highlight the word giant again? Gods I'm still stupid even growing up." I face palmed at his stupidity.
" You are insulting yourself dude. But piss off. I ain't stupid. This is what we call considering opinions. Asshole."
" You-" Dino dude's growl reminded us about the situation.
" For real man. Call 911." I yelled getting scared seing how close we were to the dinosaur.
" What's the point? Its growl could warn even the astronauts on moon.
Forget the dino. Trex or what ever it is. Leave it to people from 911.
Think about what we should do to apes."
" Do you think a talk like in planet of the apes would work?" His head snapped towards me. This time he raised his hand not to ruffle my hair but to hit me on the back of my head.
________________
4. Is that my girlfriend?
"Shut up." Focus grumbled as I rubbed the spot he hit me. "Think Focus think." My eyes scanned around hoping to find anything that could help us but then suddenly my mind flashed back to something dad said to me one time when I snuck in to his study and got caught.
"Oi! Do you remember what dad told me once in his study?" I asked. First his face was full of confusion then next his brows knotted together like deep in thought about what I said. His eyes snapped open shocked by the recognition. The same thing left our mouths at the same time.
"Blackhole." In an instant, I felt like I'm being sucked in through a small tube. Black spots clouded my vison before everything went black.
I woke up with Focus yelling in to my ear asking me to wake up while threatening me about how he'd kill me if I don't open my eyes. He was almost in tears. The fear in his eyes were over flowing. Immediately I got attacked with a bone crushing hug from Focus blocking my vision.
"Thank the freaking god! You woke up! You scared me to death little guy."
"Yeah yeah. Now get off me pig head. You are squeezing me too tight." Focus backed away repeatedly apologizing.
Surveying of our new position proved my thought of been traveled back in time. We sat in a lecture hall alone with no one in sight. It was quite big and spacious even with the numerous rows of black cushioned chairs curved like the nuclear envelope, with each one facing the semicircle of a small stage for the lecturer to perform his magic, and each chair had a generous amount of a mahogany tabletop for the students to work on. The white painted ceiling adorned several fluorescent lamps here and there just enough to let the students work with ease along with two projectors solely dedicated to the lecturer, and the gray walls bore sealed windows and air conditioners. There was a large gray carpet running all over the raised floor, and I could spot several places where the carpet has worn out from treading over.
"How did we come here?" Unlike the last time I woke up in the café out of nowhere, this time I felt slightly uncomfortable. My legs were a little numb. Ignoring the pain, I looked over at Focus waiting for his response. "How the hell am I supposed to know? I was going to ask you!" Focus senior threw his hands upwards showing his frustration.
"Then...does this place look familiar to you?"
"Yeah duh. This is one of our university lecture halls used by us second years."
" Then we are still in your university years. come on. We should go out and see what's going on because I'm sure there we are here for a reason." My knees buckled under me as soon as I was on my feet. Focus caught me before I could fall down.
"What's wrong?" He sound worried. I waved my hand silently saying I was fine but I held the chair next to me until I was sure about standing on my own. Focus followed from behind to catch me if I fall down again when we exited the hall. Immediately a basket ball court greeted us outside the hall. Focus frantically glanced our environment averting his eyes from one thing to another like he was astonished by it.
" Anything you want to share with me?" I had to question him as he kept his mouth shut not saying anything.
" This scene looks familiar for some reason. I feel like I've seen this scene before."
" Well duh. This is your fucking campus for gods sake!"
" No. I think we've traveled back in time. To five day ago to be exact." I was taken aback.
" Are you sure?" Focus nodded with more confidence.
" Shit! God really has lost some nuts." I mumbled to myself getting angry at the god for making my small wish come true instead of the bigger one which is going back to my own time where I was living a peaceful life.
" If we went to five days back, then...crap! She must be in danger!" In a second he was running away from me in lightning speed. Not having another choice, I had to follow him to see what got him so pissed. He stopped somewhere making me bump on to him. He would've glared to snap at me annoyed if he wasn't distracted by the two people stood before us.
I took a little time to look around. There was nothing special other than the green house and the ponds. So I didn't waste any more time to look at their details.
One of the two before me was a girl and the other was a boy. Beauty screamed from her. Her dark hair tumbled down in curls to dance around her hip, her brown eyes shone brighter than stars. She had pink plump lips constantly were decorated with a smile that forced her rosy cheeks to cave in- it was her trademark.
The boy conversing with her was no average guy either. His hair was messy with a few small strands falling on to the forehead. I felt like a pervert when checking him out. The thin fabric of his t-shirt and jeans hung on to him like second skin. A pair of sneakers covered his feet. His thin lips were in a darker shade of pink. His adam's apple which showed the masculinity bobbed when he talked. Unconsciously his hand ran through his hair.
A low growl escaped from Focus. I glanced between Focus and the girl. I gasped understanding the situation.
" Is that my girlfriend?"
" No. She's MY girlfriend." I chuckled at Focus's behavior.
" Don't go all alpha on me pig head. But hell she's a beauty! How did you guys meet?"
" Now is not the time little guy." Somehow the way Focus said it sent me warning singles. Before I could stop him, he was already taking long strides towards the two who were clueless about what was going to happen next.
" Oh fuck."
5. Liam
Then Focus stopped midway and turned to me.
"You, go hide." I opened my mouth to speak but the glare he sent in my way was deadly to make me shut my mouth instantly. Even if we are the same person, he was older than me which makes it a must to listen to him. Since we were going to meet anyway, I followed him silently. Well, that's not the only reason for me to go after him. May be I wanted to see my possessive side when it comes to my girlfriend. Focus didn't react the way a normal boy would do. A normal boy would go punch the life out of him and then apologize realizing it was a misunderstanding. Focus just cleared his throat to grab their attention. The girl looked surprised, her cheeks turned scarlet seeing Focus. I so knew I was grinning ear to ear watching this live romcom. Even though I really wanted to watch this till the end, I felt sorry for the poor guy and decided to jump into the conversation to save the pretty faces of both sides.
The other boy's face too lit up and a smile slowly came to his lips but the scowl on Focus's face didn't move even a single bit.
"Focus," The other boy addressed him. Focus looked at him from head to toe like assessing the poor dude.
"Liam." I could literally hear the fullstop at the end of the name showing that he was done talking with him.
"Why are you still here Focus? Don't you you have a basket ball match today?" Focus blinked a few times not believing his own ears.
"Ummm-" And that's when I replied to her question saving Focus's dignity. "Sorry about the inconvenience miss. Sorry about that." I flashed my most charming smile and faced the boy named Liam. "Sorry man. He's very possessive of his girlfriend you see. So-" Focus slammed his big hand over my mouth momentarily stopping my breathing.
"WHAT the HELL are you talking about?" Senior gritted through his pearl white teeth. I was dumbfounded. I mean come on, I just helped him from going to jail for punching the life out a poor guy who had no intentions on breaking their relationship. Focus let go of me and turned his head away from me. But the redness on his face that spread to the tips of his ears was very visible. The girl was no second to him. Her head was bent towards the ground. Her hair was used as the shield to shadow her crimson face.
"Shouldn't you be happy...unless- Oh Shit! You still haven't ask her? For gods sake man! I'll leave you two alone. Tag along Liam. Let's leave those love birds alone." Clueless and shocked Liam was dragged away from the two love birds. After we left, the other two talked in hush hush voices. I saw the sneaky glances they kept throwing at each other.
"Kid's aren't allowed to come in you know. Especially to this part. This is the research area." Liam finally broke the silence thankfully.
"He never told me about that. What kind of researches are done here?" Something told me this Liam guy knew something about this time loop thing.
" A lot of researches. That is where various kinds of plant researches are done. And you see that tall building over there with a flag on the top?," I looked where Liam was pointing. The building he pointed really had a flag with the logo of the university which I remembered seeing at the entrance. " that's where chemical labs are. Actually the chemical labs are on the first 3 floors and the other two are computer labs. The round building right next to it is where robots are stuff are created. That's where Focus works. Not everyone gets a chance to use the laboratories you know. Only top students are allowed to use them." Liam sighed. " Unfortunately for me, I failed a subject this time. So my name tag was taken from me but don't worry. I'll get it back for sure."
" So are there any interesting researches done here thesedays?" Liam stared at me weirdly.
" You know a little too much for a kid kid." I grinned. " Yeah. Some kind of a machine related to time I think. From what I heard, a famous researcher was doing that project but he had died suddenly leaving the project unfinished. There's a rumor saying that no one took the project again because the researcher had wrote his notes in a different language only he was able to understand. Finally the new science research board decided to bring the project forward again and try to translate the notes with the use of his two sons. Some say one of his sons is learning in this campus. But I think- Wait. Why should I tell you?" Liam was dumbfounded by his own stupdity. I stood up with a laugh.
" It was really nice talking to you Liam. It would be my pleasure to chat with you more but we have to go now." I extended my habd forward for a hand shake.
" Yeah. Me too. I felt really comfortable talking with you too." He joined our hands did a powerful hand shake.
" Then can we exchange numbers?"
" sure." Focus approached us just as I finished exchanging numbers with Liam.
" Let's go little guy." Focus pulled me away by my colar. I threw an apologetic smile at Liam.
" I'll talk to you later Liam. Call me Junior by the way!" Focus let go of me once we were out of sight from them.
" What the fuck is wrong with you asshole!?"
" Don't blame me. So, did you confess?" I knew it was a victory because the smile that came to his face.
" While you went all lovey dovey, I did my homework!" I rubbed my hands together in happiness because of the important info I found from Liam.
" What do you mean?"
" I found out why we came to this day instead of the future." All the happiness drained from his face and converted them to seriousness.
" And that is?"
" You, don't you remember the rumors that went inside the university in the past?" Senior shook his head side to side silently saying no.
" Your father, our father's last project, the researches of it are going to start again." He was more than astonished.
" Where?"
" Here of course pig head. BTW, did you tell her who I am?" I wiggled my eye brows with a smirk.
"Why the fuck would I?"
" Wha- You have to thank me at least dude. It's me who brought this chance to you!"
" Oh just fuck off”
________________
6. Candies under the pillow
Since it was a day at university, Focus had lectures all day leaving me alone ay his empty dorm but he left his laptop with me so i could spend my time doing anything I want. First I tried to find anything that might explain the reason for dad's death and the damage of the time loop but when I couldn't find anything, I settled down with watching some movies. I didn't know how many movies I've watched till the arrival of Focus. I stood up from my comfortable sitting position to answer the door. Before opening the door, I fired a question.
" What does Focus hide under his pillow?"
" What the fuck man?!You looked under my pillow?" I knew for sure it was Focus who responded to me.
"The answer is correct. You may come in." I opened the door ajar to let senior in. He stepped in looking annoyed as ever.
" When the fuck did you went through my stuff?"
" When you went to brother's place of course." I shrugged absolutely not minding what he was hiding under his pillow.
" But that's my privacy jackass." I grinned and answered making him more annoyed.
" What's so embarrassing about keeping candies under your pillow?" His cheeks dusted pink getting embarrassed.
" Wha- no! I don't hide candies under my pillow you frog." He huffed and looked to his hide to hide his face.
" There's no one in the room asshole. Just admit it." I shook my head side to side.
" You- you prick!"
" Dude, we are the same person. Doesn't matter. Come here. I need to know a few things." I went back to my chair and sat down comfortably. " What do you want to know?" Senior dragged the other chair towards me and planted himself down on it.
" Who's this Liam guy? The one we met in the morning?" He groaned.
"He's just a normal student in my year." I raised my eyebrow silently asking was he serious.
"Fine. He's a scholarship student from Australia. He used to be a straight A student but somehow his grades keep going down since the last test. Because of his outstanding performance, he got permission to join projects and researches carried by the uni. I too got mine then. It's true that I don't like that guy but it's a shame that he has to leave the team." Senior sighed leaning back on his chair.
"Is that all?" He nodded with closed eyes. Well that wasn't much information but I knew he'll be a help to us somehow.
"Do you know why his grades went down?" I turned towards the laptop again.
"Nah. Not even a rumor. He's good at hiding secrets." Back to square one. Focus's head snapped towards me. "How about we go visit the research lab? We might be able to find something else." He stood up happy about his own thought. Then chuckled darkly out of nowhere. " You stay here catch a nap while I go find some info. Kids are allowed remember?" I pointed my middle finger at him flipping him off. He laughed out aloud in return.
"Get lost asshole. I'll try to find something through internet."
"Ok then. Don't go out no matter what okay? I'll be back." To be honest Focus senior really acted like my big brother, Lucas. Though I wanted to know what would happen in the movie again, I resumed my unsuccessful search for clues on internet.
An hour passed still no sign of Focus nor a successful result from surfing in the browser. Without thinking, I typed down dad's name on the search bar and clicked search. It took about one minute to get the results. The results on the top didn't hold much important information but scrolling down, I found a site called time travelers. First I didn't get a chance to enter the site but after entering Focus's email, which I changed the password, I was taken straight to the home page. I was surprised to see the whole site dedicated to my father. All the projects and researches done by him were mentioned there with descriptions. Trying out my luck once again, I searched for the articles about time travelling. The first one on the list was the project dad worked on.
" Project Time: the project that's going to change the world. Everything about this world. Since three months ago the technician, Luke Redman is doing researches about time travelling. For the first two months he couldn't find anything at all but now he has found out a solution for our greatest mystery. He revealed that he's half way done with inventing the time machine. He also announced that the invention will be revealed to public in two months." That was the end of the article. The next article to said the same thing until the article that was released 13 years ago, that means the year that unfortunate event happened. Even though I didn't want to remember that horrific memories, I gulped down my fears and opened the article to read.
" Last night project Time laboratory was on fire out of blue with the researcher, Luke Redman still inside. Nothing was left inside to save. The police claims that the reason for the fire was a short circuit but don't you think it's too much of a coincidence? However the victims family has filed a case to find the exact reason for Luke Redman's death.
This morning the headquarters of the research labs revealed that not not all the notes of Luke Redman has destroyed. They say that some of his notes were sent to the headquarters. But we are yet to confirm as the headquarters haven't released the notes to press yet.
Although the police claims that Luke Redman had died, they haven't found solid proof proof to confirm that because it seems that they haven't been able to find his body yet." I was speechless. I reread the last line dozen of times to make make sure I wasn't mistaken.
"That was the reason then-"
7. Viennese, my angel
Aug 12, 2017
My brother and I were watching television while fighting each other to get the remote control to change the channels according to our likings. It was one of our habits after returning back home from school. We would fight with each other for silly reasons. One of us would usually give up in a few minutes but that day neither of us wanted to because both of had very important shows to watch.
That day I could hardly concentrate in classes knowing the great genius who invented a transformer is going live on TV after school. While I wanted to watch that much important show, Lucas wanted to watch his idol's live concert. None of us wanted to give up. My brother pinned me under him so easily. I was pissed off at myself for not being stronger that my asshole of a brother.
"Get off me asshole! You are too heavy!" I tried pushing him away. I really prayed god for three hours straight for sending an angel from heaven to save me from getting swallowed by Lucas's big ass. Of course the angel was none other than my lovely mom, Viennese.
"Mom! Save me! I think I'm going to die." I didn't need an act but it wouldn't be dramatic if I didn't right?
" Lucas, get off from your brother. There's plenty of space in our house to sit." When Lucas ignored mom, she cleared her throat while fighting back the smile that crept into her face. Huffing Lucas got off me. " Lucas," Groaning Lucas muttered a sorry. I ran over and clung on to my angel.
" Mom, ask Lucas to give me the remote. Mr. Dylan is on TV right now."
" But Mom! Shawn Mendes is on LIVE too! THINK ABOUT IT!
SHAWN MENDES!" Mom sighed not knowing how to solve the matter.
" One can have my phone to watch whatever the things you want to watch." Lucas shot up from the sofa get mom's phone. I grinned up at mom and uttered a thank you. " Go ahead little guy, don't want to miss the grand entrance right?" That's all I needed to hear to know that mom has given permission to watch whatever I wanted.
All evening passed by with me watching and listening to Mr. Dylan's philosophies. Even though I understood only a little bit of everything he spoke, it still mesmerized me because of the way he talked with those small hand gestures. The ending was the best part of the show as they showed the newest model of Mr. Dylan's robots. It was fantastic. The robot answered every single question asked by the audience and the host with a clear answer like it had its own living brain.
"Focus, it's time to do you homework. Turn off the television right now or else you won't be able to watch at night." I didn't want to do homework but I had to since mom asked so nicely and she even let me watch TV for more than two hours. I stood up from the floor to get the remote control but the opening music of news stopped me because it was not the time for news unless it was a very urgent and important news to be known by the people all around the world. I needn't hear anything the host announced, the photo in the background was more than enough for me to panic.
" Mom! MOM!" I screamed not knowing what to do.
" Yes little guy," Mom yelled back still in the kitchen. I could guess by the clinking sounds of plates and spoons that came from the direction of her voice.
" Come here." Mom must've felt the uneasiness in my voice because mom appeared in the living room in less than a second wiping her hands with a kitchen towel proving my assumption. Without a word, I pointed the television. All the confusion written on her face drained once she saw what was showing in TV that shocked me.
"LUCAS!" Mom voice broke when calling brother's name. Tears were fallen out from her eyes those were still staring at the scary scene going live on news. Lucas came running down hastily like he too has seen something very scary. His eyes first landed on TV, then on me and lastly on mom.
"Mom," The call of Lucas was more than enough to make mom fall onto her knees to cry over her lost loving husband.
It was my first time seeing mom crying. From what I've heard from dad that mom was a nice girl at school who used to get bullied by other kids. The bullying was continued until the last day of middle school. On the last day mom had taught those bullies bullies a lesson they'll never forget in their lives. I don't know if the story is true since dad went to a whole different school and also because of the way mom carried herself. Her weeps was able to make both Lucas and I cry. Wiping her tears, mom stood up dusting off her cloths. The way her eyes glistened with tears which she was trying to hold back told us silently we should let her be alone for a while.
" I'm going out for a while. Don't go out while I'm away." We nodded not daring to say anything as a reply. Mom took quick steps to the master bedroom which dad and mom shared. Just the word dad brought me to tears.
" Come with me little guy." Lucas dragged me upstairs to his messy room.
Like I said earlier my brother was a messy person. His room was much cleaner since mom would clean his room while we are at school. His dirty cloths were always lying here and there no matter how many times the room was cleaned. Posters of Shawn Mendes were every where. Small animal and video game figures stood on top of his empty trophy cupboard. His bed was not made after waking up in the morning of that day. I jumped on to his bed not caring about how unhygienic his room was.
" Lucas," I was the first to break the silence.
8. Words full of pity
Lucas didn't respond but I knew he was listening to me because I felt the bed dip next to me.
"Lucas,dad-" I couldn't say the rest of the sentence. Lucas pulled me into a comforting hug. His tears wet my head while mine wet his shirt. I squeezed him giving him a comforting hug as well. We didn't know how long we cried with holding each other in arms. Lucas slowly removed his arms around me and backed away. He turned away from me and wiped his face. Through the blurriness because of tears, I looked around to see darkness had already come. I too sat up wiping my own face.
"Mom must've returned back." Lucas mumbled and faced me with a smile which I knew was a forced one. A fake smile was flashed by me. " Don't cry in front of mom little guy. We need to keep strong to keep herself strong." Lucas ruffled my hair in a loving way that he had never shown me. It was one of dad's habits to call me little guy and then ruffle my hair. Though it was Lucas who did it this time, it still brought a little comfort. "Come on. Let's go see mom." Lucas extended his hand forward hoping I would take it which I gladly accepted. We walked to the door with hand in hand, he squeezed my hand.
" You ready little guy?" I nodded and squeezed his hand. Lucas first took a long and deep breath and with a quick exhale of air, he opened the door wide.
Not a fraction of light was inside the whole house. Only darkness and gloom welcomed us from every direction. For a second I thought mom hasn't arrived arrived but then small cries hit my ear. Lucas tugged my hand making me look at him but I couldn't make out his face in dark.
"Let her be." I felt stupid to nod but I did, scared of breaking the silence lingering in the air. Locus dragged me across the living to the kitchen. I knew the way around the house like the back of palm. He switched on the lights blinding my eyes for a few seconds.
" Why...are we in the kitchen?" Out of all the questions that's what I chose to ask. Brother smiled rolling the sleeves of his shirt up.
" We are making dinner." That night, I found out a lot about my brother that I didn't know before and I also found out how much attention he paid on me without getting noticed by me. No one had the big appetite they used to have usually but for the sake of living enough food was consumed by the three of us. Mom uttered no word during the meal. She whispered a good night and hid herself in the mater bedroom.
The next day was gloomier than the day before. Mom was silent all the way to the cemetery. Lucas stood close to me all the time. Even when he spoke with the elders. I ignored others as much as I could not wanting to hear their words full of pity. Although both Lucas and I wanted to see dad's face for the last time, the coffin was sealed with nails.
After the funeral mom took us home not spending even a second more in the cemetery. First I didn't understand the real reason behind our quick departure right after the funeral but growing up I understood that the reason for taking a leave quickly was because of the people who came to bid farewell to dad. I thought I was the only one who felt anger towards their pity when they clearly didn't feel the same like us but understanding mom's reasons I knew she felt more uncomfortable than any of us three. Mom took a few holidays from work to settle everything in the house and to get her emotions together to move together. She-
The dorm room door opened with a loud creak and there stood Focus. He came running towards me in high speed. I was still processing what was happening since I just got back from my memory land. He shook me like crazy.
" Stop shaking asshole. All the fucking Cells in my body might separate." Senior stopped shaking me but his hands still sat there on my shoulders.
" I got invited!" I sighed.
" Let me guess. You got invited to help the other researchers to solve dad's mystery notes." He nodded excitedly. " Good for you man. " I paused for a small time and then continued." I found something as well. You might find this...interesting." He gave me a confused look but he still stayed silent waiting for me to speak. When I said nothing, he opened his mouth to address me.
"What is it little guy?" It took me a second to mentally prepare the answer to his question.
"I think there's something very important we need to do first before we try to find out the reason for my time travel."
"And that is?"
" Finding what happened to dad." Focus chuckled. When he noticed I wasn't laughing along with him, he understood that I was deadly serious.
"Are you sure Focus? Because you do know that even the FBI couldn't solve the mystery right?" He pressed his lips together when I nodded silently saying yes. "Alright then. I'll try to ask from Lucas too. He might know something I don't."
"Hamm..." Then a loud embarrassing growl broke the seriousness in the air. Focus senior chuckled patting my head.
" Let's go eat something. Forget the present matter for a minute and enjoy your time in your future, my world." He spread his arms wide showing his world. I grinned.
" Why not dear cousin. Let's have a fun time while I'm here." Focus threw his arm around my shoulder.
" I'm going to you show you the beauty of 2030." We smirked at each other thinking the same thing.
"LET'S GOOOOOOOO!!!!!" We ran out from the dorm room laughing for something both of us didn't know.
9.A dream so real
Everything around me was on fire. Smoke was everywhere. My skin felt dry because of the heat. Not single soul to be seen. Trees with burnt trunks were here and there, cars were in the middle of roads with flames covering them. My head throbbed for a reason I didn't know but from the pain I felt on my body is some places, I knew I was badly injured. I was thirsty. My knees buckled under me. I almost fell down until something or someone caught me. Through the blurry vision, his face wasn't clear but there was a familiarity. I stared at his face a little longer. He said something but the drowsiness of me didn't catch it. He seemed to have noticed me not listening to him. So he spoke into my ear.
"He's coming! We have to go!" I woke up gasping for air. I sighed in relief recognising the familiar room of Focus senior's apartment. But feeling a but weird about the dream, I touched my leg which I felt broken in my dream wanting to see whether it was still intact. Fortunately it was alright.
The digital clock that sat on top of the bedside table showed the time as 01:23. My ears picked out the sound of footsteps. The sound was coming from the living room. I knew for sure it was the living room because the room I was staying was right next to the living room. It was the guest room. First Focus let me use his room but he gave me the guest room since he find it hard to go between his room and guestroom to get his stuff. I mean I was annoyed with him because he would knock at the door in the middle of night asking to get his teddy bear he keeps at his side when sleeping or he would barge into the room around 4-5 am to get ready to go for a run. Because of that, I hardly got any sleep. So I raised this problem one day while taking dinner and came to an agreement to let me use the guest room. The reason why he gave me his room was because his room situated a few rooms away from the guest room. He thought some thieves or some random criminals might enter the house in the middle of the night and they might hurt him. It feels so uncomfortable when I see my older self taking care of me who is 13 years old.
I jumped out from the bed and took silent steps towards the door. I was about to open the door when I felt the footsteps coming towards me. I quickly hid behind the door so whoever came in won't be able to see me. I held my breath when the footsteps stopped in front of my room. There was only a door between us. I pinched my right thigh. My pressed myself onto the wall. The coldness of the wall spreader through my body. I stared at the door nob and then it turned slowly and silently. I didn't move an inch. I watched light pour into the room through the gradually opening door. A shadow fell in as well. He or she did nothing. My heartbeat picked up when he took a step in, one at a time until he was standing inside the room. He seemed to know the place a lot because he raised his left hand to switch on the lights. I closed my eyes as the sudden white light came from the bulb blinded me for a while. He let out a big breath. He stood in the middle of the guest room in a minute with his back facing me.
I knew it was so not senior because of two reasons. One, his back doesn't look like that. I'm not trying to be creepy but that was the truth. My future self might have a good look but he doesn't have muscles like that. He's just an ordinary guy who just works out to keep up with his health not to show off muscles to girls. Two, he isn't that slow or polite with me. He is polite with his friends even in a phone call though he's such a jerk towards me. And he is fast. Like really fast. Not just he, I also like to do things quickly. I hate to waste time when I can do a lot of things in those wasted minutes.
To my luck, that person didn't close the door or he would definitely find me. He quickly grabbed some cloths from the closest and got into the bathroom. Letting out the breath I was holding, I relaxed. Taking a few glances at the door, I collected my stuff as soon as I could. I snuck into senior's room before the stranger in the bathroom could come out.
I would've thrown a fire cracker under his bed if not for the current situation. I pinched his butt as hard as a could. He jumped out rubbing his butt. Senior squinted his eyes to see the culprit, me.
" What the fuck man? What the hell was that for?" He asked climbing back to his bed and getting cozy under the sheets.
"Someone is here." He yawned while listening to me.
"Who?"
"How the fuck am I supposed to know?" I climbed on to his bed as well.
" What the fuck are you doing little guy? Just let me sleep. We can play tomorrow." Senior faced the other side opposite to me to show he's done talking.
"Okay." I got under his sheets as well and pulled one of his pillows for me to lay my head. He sat up with a groan.
" What the fuck do you want to do asshole?!"
"I'm going to sleep." I closed my eyes to fall asleep.
"But this is my bed and didn't we make an agreement? You stay in the guest room while I stay in mine."
"That rule applies when no one else is in the house."
" But there's no one in the house other than the two of us. You know that already. I told you I don't share this apartment with Anyone."
" But there is someone. He even came into mine. Doesn't matter. It's not like my house is going to get robbed." I grinned at a random direction with eyes still closed.
" I don't care who it is. Even if he is a thief, there's nothing worth robbing in this house except my heart." Senior turned towards me and extended his arms.
"Come on. Come closer." I snickered but stopped when he didn't join me.
" Why?"
" Come closer. I want to hug you to sleep." I backed away as much as I could. So much so that I was lying on the edge of my side.
" Be grateful for believing in your shit. Now let me hug you." He pulled me into a hug to my dismay. I nearly gagged just thinking he was gay or something.
" Don't ask me to kiss you in the middle of the night." I said returning the embrace.
" Just shut up and sleep asshole."
10. Human body parts
I felt a sharp pain on my back in the morning. That's what woke me up and I was furious to find out it was all senior's doing. That pig head. He was standing behind me. I'm not someone who moves around in sleep. I found that I still had that habit even when grown up. So I was facing the senior's side since we embarrassingly hugged to sleep. I groaned while peeling off the sheets from me to get down from the bed.
"What time is it?" I rubbed my eyes to get rid of the sleepiness.
" 6am."
" That early! I'll go back to sleep." Focus pushed me towards the bathroom huffing.
" Nope more sleeping. Go wash up. I have something to say." I didn't want to listen to him but I did listen and followed his order. I cursed myself for forgetting to turn on the hot water tap instead of the cold water. The freezing cold water actually woke me up. Last night stranger came to my mind. Thinking it must be something about that stranger and also not wanting to die because of freezing, I quickly got out of the shower. I grabbed a new set of cloths from the left side of senior's closet and got dressed.
Since I might have to stay in 2030 for a few days, we went shopping to get me some necessities like cloths, books etc. Especially books. He tortured me with tutoring. He is so strict with me. Sometimes it gets in my nerves. He insisted on teaching. He said,' You are still going to school in real life but because of the time travel situation you are missing out some lessons. So I will teach you whenever I can. Just do your homework and show me. If not, no food, no WiFi, no phone, no TV. You hear me little guy? You better do your studies well.' I was somewhat glad for giving me homework because it's so boring to stay in the house or dorm with doing nothing other than using my phone, laptop or TV. The homework help gave me were a little harder than the ones my school teachers give me. May be it's because Focus knows how and who my future self would be.
I was about to open the door when it opened hitting my nose. I held my nose in pain. With one eye closed, I looked whether it was broken. Once I was sure my nose was fine, I glared at the one and only person who would ever do that kind of thing and not apologise.
"Shit! I'M SORRY!" I was shocked by the apology. He came into the room uninvited and quickly shut the door locking over his shoulder a few times. Although it was his room he still needed to ask me right? I'm just asking for your opinion. Anyways, senior went through his things and took a torch from the drawer of his work table. "Let me see." I closed my eyes when he pointed the light of the torch onto my face. " Dude, your nose is healing automatically."
"Huh?" I tried to take a look at my nose again.
" The tip of your nose was swollen before but now, it's all gone like your nose never got injured." I rolled my eyes at his remark.
" Don't be stupid pig head. I don't have a super power." Focus didn't say anything else regarding my now healed nose like he said. " So why did you wake me up so early?"
" You can't come out today no matter what." He said making me more confused.
" And the reason is?"
" Lucas is is here."
" What is he doing here?" By then our conversation continued in hush hush tones.
" How am I supposed to know? He said he's just here to visit me." I paced around the room taking quiet steps.
" Doesn't he have a wife and a baby to take care of? What the hell is he doing here? Is he jobless?"
" What matters right now is how you should stay out of his sight. We don't want another one to get tangled in this mess. Especially Lucas. He already has too much on his plate. I don't want to bother him with these kinds of things." I hummed. It's true. The time loop is already in a mess. If we drag Lucas to my problems might change and the change would affect his life entirely.
Sighing, I said" Fine. I'll stay here without been seen. Just bring me something to eat. I'm hungry."
"Okay then. I'll bring you something to eat but only snacks can be brought here if we don't want to get caught."
Thankful for atleast letting me have snacks as my breakfast instead of having nothing. Focus left me alone while I weeded to myself about my miseries. He returned back with only two packets of chips and one cereal bar. All morning till 8 o'clock, I wasted my time on phone reading random articles. It was actually very educational. I found out a lot of things I didn't know before. I won't say the new things I learnt because no ordinary person would love to talk about human body parts. It's kind of disgusting but they are still important for your door hoping he would appear any second now but he didn't. I really wanted to run to the kitchen. Finally he brought a plate full of food for me in the evening.
" Did you forget me asshole?I was starving here thanks to you."
" Sorry man. You can come out now. He went home. Actually I threw him out of the house. He told me the reason for his quick visit was because he got into a fight with Rita." Snickering I commented.
" probably his curses. He must've cursed in front of his daughter. ..what was her name? Diana right? " He nodded in agreement.
" Hmm..what did you do while staying here?"
"Read some interesting articles."
" Good." Focus turned towards his closet and rummed through his cloths.
"What are you searching?"
" Cloths. I'm treating you to dinner. You still haven't tried this year speciality." I grinned satisfied with the treat I'm going to get for staying inside the room for half a day without making a noise.
"Let's go then. I also crave for steak right now."
"Okay. let's eat everything you want."
11. RIP m'phone
I didn't believe senior's words about letting me eat anything I want until he pulled out a debit card from his wallet and handed it to the waitress even before I ordered what to eat. I was speechless for a minute. He grinned at my speechless state and replied to my unasked question as " I did some work while learning." I wanted to ask him what he did but he seemed to want to keep it to himself. Since I'll get to know it in the future, I kept my curiosity to myself.
While having the delicious meal in the five star hotel, I debated whether I should tell Focus about the dream I saw last night. But after giving it some thoughts and thinking about the pros and cons, I vote against telling him because ever since I arrived in 2030, he has been helping me without caring about his own life. He had too many in his plate, so why should I trouble him further? I momentarily forgot about my troubles once senior asked me whether I wanted to go see an art gallery.
Art is another thing I appreciated. It would calm my mind whenever I was stressed or troubled. It's true that I can't draw but those paintings told so many stories to us who view them. The warm and cold colours the painters have used expressed the emotions they want the viewers to see. Some strokes were gentle, some were heavy, every stroke made me think how calm and patient should the painters be.
I almost made us crash into a car with my talking. I was shocked about my own talkative nature because I was dead sure that the past me I mean the one from 2019 was not that talkative. I know senior must've thought about it too.
The visit to the gallery was amazing. Arts in 2030 were really different from 2019. All were kind of based on sceneries of cities and the planets. It's weird but nice. Focus' sudden niceness scared me because unlike any other day, he even bought me night snacks? Did he know something I don't know? Whatever he knew didn't get to know by me. But I should have guessed what he knew by the way he acted because next thing I knew when waking up from my sleep was that I was in the middle of some kind of a barren land.
Other than the unfamiliar surroundings, the heat was unbearable. My mouth fell dry. No matter what direction I glanced, no end to this barren land could be seen. Looking at my feet I noticed the cracks running on the ground. I could barely move my feet as my body was shutting down from exhaustion and dehydration. I took a shelter under the nearest living tree. It wasn't much tall but it was enough to give some shelter for me when I'm crouching down from my knees.
Looking around me again, I wasn't sure whether it was a dream or in real. I pinched myself. It hurt proving my point. I've time travelled again. Then again I didn't know the whether I was in future or past. so many thoughts clouded my mind making me not able to think straight. After some time of staying under the shelter and catching a breath I stepped out out from the cover to stand under the glaring sun.
It took me a while to notice senior's absence. Although I panicked in the beginning this time I was fine because I knew this time travel thing only happens to me. Last time when senior and I travelled through time in to the future, he went with me as he had been touching my shoulder. I searched my jeans pockets to find my phone. I was relieved to find it there but the relief didn't last long once I tried to switch it on. No matter how hard I pressed the power button it didn't switch on. From what I remember my phone was fully charged when senior and I went out for dinner. Since the glare of the sun was too much to handle, I went back into the shady cover so that I could save some energy by taking a rest not walking under the sun.
I thought back about why and what caused me to travel through time. Unfortunately I found no clue regarding my confusions. Somehow my phone not working bothered me since each time I went through the time loop, nothing happened to my phone. This time, something was off.
'Am I still the future? Did the world end and am I in the time of the beginning of the new world? Am I still on earth or am I in another planet?' All the worst possibilities went around my head which I tried to ignore as much as I could.
Darkness of the night arrived finally taking its sweet time to come.
Though I loved to walk around at night after travelling to that barren land I decided not to step out from the night. Ever. Loud growls cane from every direction. More than that, the ground was always shaking like there's an earth quack all the time. I reassured myself by believing it was because the world is still getting it's pieces together but deep down I knew those growls and the shaking of the ground means danger. Whatever I do I had to be very careful.
After walking for like five hours, I couldn't move a muscle. My energy was drained to zero. Not caring about the dangers lingering around me, I lied down on the same spot I stood. The moon looked larger than normal. The brightness of the beautiful round moon reminded me of my present time in 2019.
Year 2019 was chaotic. That was the year my brother applied to take care as my guardian since he was nineteen then. He filled all the legal documents right after he got out from the orphanage but the government rejected it. The reasons for the rejection were his wealth and age. Eventhough Lucas told the authorities that he is my blood related brother, they didn't trust a eighteen year old who just turned to a citizen legally and was still trying to stand in the society from his own feet. The other reason for the rejection was his wealth. Other than the small money and the house my parents had left us, we didn't have anything. So for an year, Lucas did countless jobs to find money quickly as possible so he could be my legal guardian. That's how he found his dream job being a tour guide. In less than an year, he had travelled to most of the countries and had earned a lot of money. On the day I travelled to 2030, I was waiting for a news from Lucas about it. But I was too unlucky. So much so that I missed the chance to hear the news. I knew I was smiling remembering how nice my brother was. He went through so much troubles to get me under his care and yet I still call him annoying.
I crawled to sit under a short tree to grab some rest since it was too dangerous to stay outside. It didn't take me too long to fall asleep even though my mind screamed at me to stay awake. But neither my brain nor my body listened to those calls.
12. UFO in the sky everybody!
I awoke when a blinding light fell upon me. It was too bright to not to pay attention. It was not coming from the moon. I knew it even with closed eyes. I was amazed when I saw what was flying above me. If someone from present hear me, they would think I was mentally ill but you have to believe me. Above me was a FLYING FUCKING UFO! I'm being serious! I swear upon my grave, I am not lying. The UFO was magnificent. I resisted the urge to crawl out from the cover of the tree to go out to see the full picture of the UFO.
Let me remind you. Real UFOs don't look like the way we get to see in cartoons. True there are lights blinking from everywhere but the shape of it was not like a saucer. The one flying above me took a shape of a pyramid. The exterior surface had a dark blue colour with small lights blinking. It's exterior design of the walls must have made it easier to hide from public eye. It's mouth which was on the bottom of the pyramid shaped ship opened in a swift motion and beings about the same size as humans jumped on to the ground with the use of some rope like things. Those kind of things can be seen in ninja and military based movies. You might want to argue with me but you can't prove me wrong without solid proof.
The dark skin colour of the aliens matched well with their colours of their uniforms which were dark purple and grayish black. Most parts of the uniform was in dark purple. Only the designs were in grayish dark. Their spandex clothing fit to their body and those designs carved in them glistened under the light like Luminous things that charges from sunlight. Boots on their feet too seemed like to have the same design as their uniforms. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't see them in details because of the long distance between us.
Normally in cartoons and movies we see anything that is under the mouth of the ship, they would get sucked into it with a bright light. So parents, hear me out. Stop making innocent children watch meaningless cartoons. Let them see more realistic things.
I wanted to get into that ship though my heart told me countless times that might be dangerous but I didn't want to listen to it since both my heart and mind knew that ship might also be my way of escape. I stayed hidden under the tree watching the actions of the aliens carefully before I start my reckless act.
From what I observed, they didn't look like they were going to invade earth. They seemed to be very familiar with earth. But damn, who would've thought I needed to stay in same position without moving a muscle? Neither one among them muttered a word or sound. They moved around without making any unnecessary sounds. Soon around me, there were tents and what not. It was really a surprise to me seeing aliens camping. Some were sun bathing which made me almost get caught from laughing. Aliens sunbathing? How hilarious is that. Those weird aliens enjoyed their time singing dancing etc but when the sun was setting, all the tents were removed. One person who appears to be the leader among them came to the front. He was taller than the others which was one of the reasons he got the spotlight on him most of the time. I guessed he may have a different and a higher rank than the others because of the silver coloured belt he had around his waist. He held his head high. He didn't even bend his neck when talking. That showed how pride full he was. Whatever identity he had a whistle was all it needed to get everyone in control and stand in lines in front of him. That's when I first heard their language.
Their language is a little bit like ours. From what I heard, I caught a few English like words from his speech. He didn't say much. Just a few words. Soon everyone was armed with some kind of guns. Then one of them did something I never thought one might do. He blew a horn with a high pitch sound which even made my ears go deaf for a while. The result of it shocked me. First the vibration of the ground was normal and then the impulses were more than enough for me to jump on my feet without putting an effort. When feeling the impulses on the ground, I noticed the direction they were coming from. So I kept my eyes to that direction hoping not to see what I was thinking. I didn't trust my mind even the slightest because every time I think about a bad thing then no need to think twice or see the future, that would happen no matter what. That was one of the reasons kids at my school once called me the black cat. Me being stupid once, believed it was a great title and even boasted about it. It was fucking embarrassing when my teacher told me the meaning of it right in front of my freaking classmates.
While I was distracted by the memories, I didn't realise that the pulses on the ground were a lot closer to me then. I got shaken up from the memory lane by a loud roar. I almost lost my shit seeing the animal I never wanted to see in my life again. It was Dino Dude everyone. Just me luck.
It was looking straight at those black skinned aliens with its glistening eyes. A stupid person who don't understand dinosaurs will probably go take selfies and hug it to death when they see those small eyes. Dino slowly took one step at a time getting more and more closer. I held my breath in once it was directly infront of me.
And JESUS! Its mouth smelled!
________________
13. Detective Lucus
Yesterday morning it scared the shit out of me seeing my annoying brother, Lucas cooking in the kitchen. It wasn't surprising that he was cooking but it was his arrival that surprised me. Then again I remembered what little guy told me and what happened last night. I locked my bedroom door where little guy was sleeping at the moment so that he wouldn't come out while Lucas is here. Lucas didn't look at me when I approached him.
" Good morning asshole."
"Not that much of a good morning after seeing you shit face. "
" It's not like yours is any better." Both of us wanted to laugh but none of us did.
" What are you making? "
" Pan-damn-cakes. want to try? I found a new fucked up recipe last week when I got my ass in Paris. You know my daughter, that little devil. That twit always annoys me asking me to make pancakes for all the fucking three meals. Even Rita agrees with that little twit so she could be free from this shit called cooking."
" Good for you motherfucker. But what the fuck are you doing here?
Aren't your ass supposed to be in Beijing?"
" Yeah. I'll be leaving in the evening. Don't get your hopes up asshole. I might have a second thought."
" You better leave or I'll make you leave jackass ."
" You are hiding something from me aren't you Focus?"
" What do you mean?"
" The guest room, I saw the difference and everything in the apartment has changed. It's like someone lives with you now. So who's the lucky bitch?"
" And that makes you think I'm hiding something or rather someone? You are nuts man. you truly are."
" Fine. But don't fucking regret later for hiding it from me."
" Just fuck off man. It's nothing you should worry about."
" Fine fine. Atleast go check whether he is up."
" Why do you think it's a he?"
" I'm a married man. I know about love life. So whoever you are hiding isn't isn't a female"
" Whatever." Feeling a little bit guilty for having to hide little guy from my annoying brother, I left to see whether Junior has woke up.
I couldn't guess how Lucas found out about someone living with me and that person being a male person. It's not like a lot of things in the apartment has changed like he said. Only a few things like keeping two tooth brushes in the bathroom, changes in the guest room etc. But neither of those changes could tell if someone else is living with me.
Just as I opened the door it hit something hard and I knew that it was rather someone who got hit by the door when he made the sound ouch with a groan.
"Shit! I'M SORRY!" I apologised without even thinking. I know little guy thinks that I'm an asshole but only I know how tender my heart is. That's why this beautiful boy avoids from falling in love. No magic can fix it when it's broken. But what can I say, no one can hide their hearts once they get the first feeling of love.
Okay. Back to the story. I quickly shut the door behind me and checked his nose with the light of a torch. His nose was red and swollen but I couldn't believe my eyes. His nose was healing itself.
" Dude, your nose is healing automatically." He checked his nose by himself not believing my words which is acceptable.
" The tip of your nose was swollen before before but now, it's all gone like your nose never got injured." He rolled his eyes.
" Don't be stupid pig head. I don't have a super power." I didn't say regarding that reply because I didn't know what to say next since its visible how much he didn't believe my words. " So why did you wake me up so early?"
"You can't come out today no matter what." I was glad he brought up the main topic before I could have more suspense regarding little guys automatically healed nose.
" And the reason is?"
" Lucas is here."
" What is he doing here?"
" How am I supposed to know? He said he's just here to visit me." Our talk continued in whispers and mumbles. Little Focus paced back and forth thinking about what to do next. It was one of my habits. Pacing around when having some thoughts on the current situation.
" Doesn't he have a wife and a baby to take care of? What the hell is he doing here? Is he jobless?" One might think little Focus could read minds because he read my mind.
" What matters right now is how you should stay out of his sight. We don't want another one to get tangled in this mess. Especially Lucas. He already has too much on his plate. I don't want to bother him with these kinds of things." Eventhough Lucas has already guessed about little guy, I didn't want to show him and make a bond between them because I found out that bond is one of the reasons little guy and I time travelled. I was relieved when little guy agreed to hide from Lucas.
" Fine. I'll be here without been seen. Just bring me something to eat. I'm hungry."
" Okay then. I'll bring you something to eat but only snacks can be brought here if we don't want room get hurt." Lying to a close friend or relative is harder than I thought. I wanted to avoid them meeting because I didn't like the thought of letting them get hurt.
I made my way back to the kitchen where Lucas was waiting for me with a stack of pancakes on a plate in front of him.
" Let me get him a plate as well."
" Dude, what the hell happened to your language? You talk more politely now."
" Sometimes Focus, one needs to know what seriousness means." That wasn't anything I expected Lucas to say.
" No need. I can't let him know you found out Or else you might end up in trouble like me. I'll get some snacks for him."
" Are you sure? Because he'll be hungry."
" Don't worry. He'll be fine."
" If you say so." With the snacks stacked up on my arms, I went to give them to little guy who might be very hungry.
________________
14. Crying in the rain
We, me and Lucas went to where dad's old laboratory used to be. Now there stood no building, only some ruins. The government didn't let anyone buy that land. The government told us that they were guarding the place so that the evidence won't get erased. Even if it's been thirteen years this mystery case is still open since no one can let go of this tragedy. Lucas asked me countless times why I was still searching for clues when the detectives have already searched the area more than million times and I answered him with only a hmm.
Thought I too have been searching for evidence since that day, and have failed to find a single clue, this time I didn't go there to find physical evidence or anything. Since the day little guy told me about what might have really happened to dad, I've thought about all the possibilities. So many doubts crossed my mind and those doubts were one of the reasons I went back to visit that abundant land.
Dad's lab was the best lab in the country those days. All the most important and confidential experiments and inventions were done there before the public gets to see them. The real owner of the laboratory wasn't dad. In fact it was his teacher who was the head of the lab. Dad's teacher was on cloud nine when dad joined his laboratory to help him with the inventions. They did so many important inventions and experiments. One of the well known experiments was Project Siesta.
The main purpose of Project Siesta was finding the reasons and uses of dreams of children and adults. Numerous people from all over the world volunteered to help with the project but since it has to be confidential, dad and his teacher had no choice but to refuse their help. Even I was taken as a test subject.At that time I didn't understand what this project Siesta is. I was only told to sleep and wake up when the alarm bell rings. I did as I was told. Later I found out that they didn't inject me or anything. Just a helmet on ghe head. Thanks to my sleep, the experiment of children's dream was a success. They scientists even praised me saying my thoughts and dreams were very poor. Thank god they don't need to do an experiment now with my mind because it holds no pure thoughts like how it used to a few years back.
Anyways that was the project dad's laboratory got famous but unfortunately that helmet which sends the signals to the computer malfunctioned damaging the brain of dad's teacher as a result. In the end dad became the owner of the laboratory and made it a semi government institute. So most of my time, I would stay in the lab which made me who I am right now.
To tell you the truth, one time I was abducted by a group of English men to get those confidential secrets out of me. I was only eight then. But they couldn't even get a single word out of me because you know those scientific words. You need to be a genius to remember those words. The kidnappers didn't have a use of me, so they sent me back home by themselves. How weird is that?
" Focus, what are you searching?" Lucas asked finally since I was just walking around without looking for anything in peculiar.
" Can you point me where the main lab used to be?" was my reply.
" Over there." The place he pointed was only a few feet away. No special thing was there either, only a mountain of rocks and some metal parts.
" Focus, what are you searching?" That question again. Sighing I looked over at him.
" I think the time machine was related to dad's disappearance."
" He's dead Focus. There's no point of searching. Just get over it." He turned away facing the opposite side.
" No I can't accept it. How can I? There's still hope Lucas!" Lucas snapped his head towards me.
" Stop being foolish little brother! This is life! This is reality! No one can stop anyone from dieing!It's the nature of life! I thought touch have got over it! Gods!" He threw his hands towards the sky throwing his frustration at the sky.
" I am not being foolish Lucas. Think about it! They didn't find his body! Nor did they find any clue to prove that he was dead! We can't just let go of it when we clearly know there's something wrong." The way he chuckled while looking at the ground showed his disappointment.
" For all these years, you've been thinking about it hm? No wonder you were so closed off. I can't believe how this much stupid person got into a university? Are you too intelligent to see the truth right in front of your eyes? Let me guess, you've been thinking about this since the day tour understood what time machines are right? Can you stop dreaming for a break second? Why can't you open your eyes and see what's really happening around you!?" That brought me anger as well.
" My problem is not the problem here brother. It's you who's making a big deal out of it. The problem is that you know what I'm saying can be somewhat true but you don't want to listen to my opinion. You don't want to believe in me." We were standing s close now. Only a one step away.
" You think I don't believe you? Trust you? If so, why would I need to work so hard to find money? Then why would I check in your studies whenever I'm free and help you if needed? You really are ungrateful Focus. I'm truly disappointed. I deeply am." I watched hopelessly at Lucas's back as he took step by step away from me. Drop by drop crystal like water droplets fell from sky just like the tears that flowed out of my eyes. A man shouldn't cry but everyone is human and rain is the best weather to let out some steam.
________________
15. The Movie night
Cool air was enough for me to calmed down completely. By the time I returned back I didn't expect Lucas to be there but I kind of felt sad when he wasn't there. There was only a note on the table top saying he's leaving for Beijing. Throwing the note to the trash can, I walked over to my bedroom to let junior come out. I mentally cursed myself for forgetting to leave some food for little guy to eat for lunch. Since he skipped it because of me, I gathered up some food as quickly as I could and opened the door of my bedroom to go in.
He was lying down on my bed scrolling through his phone like a spoiled kid. I wanted to ask him whether he did his homework but then again I kept my mouth shut thinking it might have been a lot boring to stay inside my room with just using his phone and laptop.
He looked over at me as soon as I stepped in. In a lightning speed he was in front of me taking the tray of food from me throwing complaints about my delay.
"Did you forget me asshole? I was starving here thanks to you."
"Sorry man. You can come out now. He went home. Actually I threw him out of the house. He told me the reason for his quick visit was because he got into a fight with Rita." I didn't want to tell him about the fight between me and Lucas. I didn't want to tell him I was the reason Lucas left without a proper goodbye.
" probably his curses. He must've cursed in front of his daughter...what was her name? Diana right?" I gave a nod agreeing with him. When I asked him what he did while staying inside the room all day, his reply was ,' Read some interesting articles' which was really suspicious but I let go of the doubts as he began talking about body parts. It was completely disgusting how he explained everything in details.
To avoid hearing more about those disgusting things, I distracted myself with finding a nice pair of cloths to go out.
"What are you searching?" Asked he.
" Cloths. I'm treating you to dinner. You still haven't tried this year specialty." His face light up with a grin. I really wanted to pinch his chubby cheeks. He was so cute. My heart almost leaped out from my chest seeing how happy he was.
"Let's go then. I also crave for steak right now." As a respond I satisfied him with saying I'll let him eat anything he wants.
I took him to the most famous five star restaurant in the city. I could see his eyes going wide with just looking at the menu.
"Holly cow man! Everything thing here is fucking expensive!"
" No need to think. I ordered what to eat." He said pulling away the menu from me. He was shocked when I handed my debit card to the waitress and I expected him to ask me the question I was expecting he would ask which he asked silently because of his speechless state.
" I did some work while learning." I left some suspense to confuse him further. But he didn't push me to say more. While the dinner went on, he was so deep in his chain of thoughts to hear me. Unlike other days I was the only one talking. Finally I too shut up to not disturb him with whatever he was thinking of and to think what to do next before going home.
" Yo! Watch were you're going." Saving little guy from crashing on to a tree I said which earned an embarrassed grin. " want to go to the art gallery before going home?"
" Hell yeah!" He jumped on his feet in happiness. I was happy that I was able to make him forget all his worries even for a moment. We discussed a lot about arts in the gallery since it was something both of us enjoyed and good at. Even after visiting the gallery he kept talking my ear off until we arrived at the door of the apartment. Little guy went straight to the guest room hugging the night snacks I bought for him in his arms. A good night greeting was thrown over the shoulder by him before the door was locked behind him.
Right after he left to bed, I cleaned the house fast. I ruled out the thought of knocking on the guest room door and telling what happened between me and Lucas. I was afraid I might tell him something I shouldn't have said. Something told me that a big situation was just on the way. Those bothered so much making me sleepless all night. So in the end I settled with watching some movies.
Think about it, watching random movies in total darkness. I couldn't even see my own fingers. I switched on the TV and lowered the volume so junior won't wake up. First random movies to watch was Annabelle part one. Although I've watched it more than 3 times, it still creeped me out when that happens. To prove myself that Annabelle is only inside the TV, I looked around me a couple of times with the help of my phone's torch. I was glad that the TV played jumanji: welcome to the jungle. I tried my best to hold in my laughter but nature needs to have its freedom right? I laughed my ass off until the very end of the movie. Looking at the time, it was still around 1.30 in the morning. Since there was still more time, I let the next movie play.
Next was a movie I've never watched. The name was 'Scars'. It was a story of a young girl who was abused by her family. The girl, Amy was raped by her own brother and she gets pregnant with his child. But the brother nor anyone in the family wanted to have the baby but somehow she let the baby born finally making her family agree with keeping the child. But right after the birth, again she was pregnant but no one knew who the father was other than Amy herself. She keeps her mouth shut not telling anyone who the father was. So as a result the family abused her more. Hitting, slapping, raping, cutting, everything to make her life miserable. Her family which was a family of three children, mother, father, uncle and aunt. Because of her pregnancy, she was pulled out of the school making her a slave to a filthy merchant. Somehow she dies one day from falling down from the stairs. After her death, a boy a few years older than her comes searching for her. He becomes suspicious when her family talked too sweetly about Amy. So the story went on with the boy who we get to know in the end as the father of the second child discovering all the secrets of Amy's family. The movie ended with the boy, Nathan reading a letter he found in Amy's room which was the basement.
I couldn't stop the tears from flowing out. It was too sad to keep the tear in. Wiping off the tears and switching off the TV, I went to bed thinking how cruel the world is though it seemed so beautiful and innocent to our eyes.
16. Cappuccino and Liam
I didn't feel sleepy even after pulling a movie night till 4am. Since I had lectures all day, I had to leave little guy at home alone. Before getting ready to go, I made breakfast and left some in the fridge lunch as well. I've kept a check on little guys daily routine and noted the time he usually wakes up. He would wake up between 7 and 8 am but that day he still didn't come out even when it was 8.15 am. Leaving the plates on the table I knocked on the guest room door. Not a single sound came from the other side, everything was deadly silent.
"Focus," Again no reply. Fortunately the door wasn't locked. He wasn't sleeping nor was he in the bathroom. He was nowhere to be seen. His bad was warm and what confused me was that there was sand on the bed. It's like a sand storm had come in or something. Not knowing what to do or who to tell, I had to call my least favourite person. He answered on the first ring without wasting a single minute.
" Hello. What's it Focus?"
" I need a help from you Liam." I said while getting ready.
" Sure. What is it?" He sounded eager but that was what I wanted.
" Can you tell the professor that I won't be coming for the lectures today?" A gasp from the other side.
" Holly shit man! Are you skipping classes?"
"Yes. I have something really important to do."
" Damn. Must be very important to skip the programming class. But don't worry. I'll make up some lies and fool the professors. You do your things.
Leave this to me."
"Thanks Liam."
" Anything else you need help with?"
"Actually yes. I guess I don't have anyone else in my mind who could help me with this."
"That makes me feel kind of proud. Come on. State what you need."
" It's better if we talk face to face. I don't think I'll be able to explain it through a call because it's a very very long story."
" There's twenty minutes before the classes start. Is about fifteen minutes enough for you?"
" Yeah. Fifteen is enough."
"Okay. Then let's meet up at the coffee shop in front of the campus."
" Okay. See you there." Quickly putting the food in the fridge, I left home to get to the coffee shop as quickly as I could.
That coffee shop is a legend. The present owner, Cleo's great grand parents started this business and it has been going on for 105 years straight. There's even a whole wall dedicated to show the history of the shop. Photos old and new VIP members were there as well. I was one of the VIP member of the coffee shop. Actually it was dad who was the VIP member. He used to go there before going to work. Then after his death, Lucas ans I became the VIP member. So whenever we went there they would give a discount or give something saying it's on the house. Most of the time they would give free food to me. That's why I avoided as much as I could from going there.
The present owner Cleo was the first one to come visit us after dad passed away. Even after we, me and Lucas were taken to the orphanage she was the only one who visited us frequently. She brought many goods for us. Every time she came to visit us she brought a small parcel only for me and Lucas. Inside it would always be all kinds of sweets. She was 27 then. Don't take me as a creepy asshole but she was single then. It's not that she didn't want to date anyone or anything. I got to know later when I got older that the reason for her being single was that she can't be a mother. I feel sorry for her because even if I didn't understand what she said or did whenever she visited me in the orphanage, she showed how much she loves children. After her mother passed away she adopted a child, my best friend from the orphanage, William. Now he lives a more luxurious life than me. This was another reason why I avoided her shop so much since she would give me special treatment when I was the one who was supposed to pay her back first for caring about me all the time.
It took me four and a half a minute to arrive there. Liam was already there waiting for me. The bell chimed as I stepped in to the shop. Cleo who was at the counter raised her head to say the usual greeting she gives to every customer. A grin light up her face seeing a familiar person who was me.
" Welcome back Focus."
" Hello to you too Cleo. How are you doing?"
" Good. You don't come here very often though."
" Sorry Cleo."
" It's alright. How about this? Today's coffee on me."
"No can do Cleo. There's another one with me. Next time." I said pulling out my wallet.
" You said that last time too!"
" Alright then. Only my coffee. I'll pay for all the other things."
" Fine deal. Atleast you are letting me pay for a coffee. Same or?"
" Same. Cappuccino. And for him..." I was lost because I didn't know his taste at all. Flashing an apologetic smile at Cleo, I said," Can you give me a minute?" She nodded. Thanking her, I approached Liam who was obvious of his surroundings. "Anything you want to order?" His head snapped towards me. I thought his head might get separated from the neck because of how fast he turned his head at me.
" Anything is fine."
" Is Cappuccino alright with you?" He nodded. I went back to the counter and placed the order same as mine.
" You could've asked me. He's a regular customer here."
"Sorry."
"You like to apologise a lot don't you kiddo?" I snickered remembering how rude I was towards little guy.
"Not really." She laughed out aloud as a reply.
"I'll bring it to you."
"Okay thanks." I hung my bag on my chair and faced Liam completely.
________________
17. She cursed!
The awkward tension around was too much to handle but I had no idea how to break that. Luckily Liam spoke finally when he couldn't bear the silence either.
"So, what's this story?" I cleared my throat and leaned forward with my arms crossed.
" Will you believe it?" Liam chuckled as I raised my eyebrow smirking.
"It's up to me to decide. Isn't it?" Taking my arms away from the table I leaned back.
"True." I took a deep breath to prepare to tell the whole story. Just as I was about to tell the story with a serious aura, Cleo placed the Cappuccino in front of us.
"Go on. Don't mind me." She said placing two pieces of cake on the table as well.
"I didn't-" I began but Cleo cut me off.
"Shut up and accept it Focus." I nodded without saying anything.
"Do you know each other?" Asked Liam once Cleo left us alone again.
"Yeah." I paused and continued. " Here's the thing Liam. I don't know how to tell this to you. Where to start?..." I trailed off trying to grasp the beginning of my chain of thoughts.
"Just start from anywhere. I'll ask questions so you can explain the missed parts."
" Okay then," Like that I explained everything to to my worst enemy, Liam. His eyes were wide like saucers after hearing my whole story. "So do you believe me?" Asked I once I was finished with explaining the situation to him. He was quiet for a few minutes. Then he gulped the last bit of the third coffee and gave the response to the question.
" It's very hard to believe but I believe you since I can't deny your story when I have seen him in person as well." That was enough to feel some relief.
"That's a relief." I too gulped down my cappuccino to wet my dry throat.
"But why do you need me to tell this story to get my help?"
" Since you know a lot about these things and since you've been to the lab, I had no choice but to ask for your help. I need to find answers as soon as possible because I don't know what might happen next." Liam scratched the back of his head thinking about my situation.
"Alright. I'll help you but I can't enter the lab you know. So how can I help you?"
" I got invited to join my father's last project. So I can get you in with saying you are my assistant."
"Sounds reasonable." He took a glance at his wrist watch and stood up. "I guess I have to leave now or else I'll be late." I too looked at my own watch to see 10 minutes had already passed. "Well then, call me whenever you need to carry on your plan."
"Ok." Liam threw his bag over his shoulder then turned to leave. I didn't know what took over me but the next thing I said really did surprise me."
Thanks Liam."
"No problem."
I went back home with stopping at nowhere. First I had to get dad's notes so I could unravel the secrets of the time machine. Did Lucas know anything about this? Even if he did I couldn't possibly ask him when I can't explain anything to him.
Lucas's house was only a few streets away from mine. My current apartment was the closest one to his one that he was able to find. Lucas' house had three bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, living room, study room and a storeroom. Three rooms were needed when I had to stay at theirs till brother had to find an apartment for me.
I was tackled by someone when I stepped into his house. Looking up at me while hugging my legs with her tiny arms was Diana. Those puppy eyes could fool anyone who didn't know her devilish side. Trust me. She's a devil in a fucking sheeps skin. She took all the genes from her father. Everything they did was in sync. It scared me truly. Rita was sad since none of her characteristics could be found in her daughter. Then her sorrow turned to happiness because who could not love their own daughter when she has the same characteristics as the person you love? Rita like I said. Was the opposite of Lucas. She is always polite but when she loses her shit, she can be very...dangerous? She's a short person with the height only 155cm. I know that because Lucas talked me ear off when they started dating. That's what happens when you have a very good memory. You remember the least important details.
"Hello Diana. Is Rita home?" She nodded.
"Ok." I patted her head. I smiled seeing Rita coming towards me. "Hey sis-law" She rolled her eyes in return.
"Look who's here Diana. Your annoying father's annoying brother is here."
" But you love me don't you?" I smirked when Rita grinned.
"Come inside." Removing my shoes, I followed her in with Diana holding on to my arm like a leach.
" Sorry for coming unannounced Rita."
"It's alright."
" Uncle brother," That's what that asshole Lucas taught Diana to call me.
"I learnt new words."
" Oh really? What are they?"
"FUUUCKKKKK!ASSSSSHOLE! " I couldn't hold back the laughter bubbled inside me. I'm telling you. Do not, DO NOT expect this kind of replay from any child. I knew from the way Rita's face turned red that Lucas will get beaten once he returns back.
"God that Lucas!" A frustrated sigh from Rita.
" Well...I'll leave you two alone. I'm gonna go find something in the store room." Our said standing up.
"Need any help?"
"No. It's alright. I can find it alone. Thanks Rita."
When Lucas and I had to leave our old house to go to the orphanage, Cleo took all our belongings to keep them safe until we could get them. In the end Lucas took them and left them to rot in the store room of his house. Before moving anything to avoid I tied my handkerchief around my head with covering the nose. Dust was everywhere. I wonder how they lived in the there for all this time with a room full of dust being part of the house.
________________
18. Love you never
A cloud of dust prevented my vision. I could still feel the dust going into my lungs even through the handkerchief. There were tones of boxes in there. Some were open some were closed with tape. Only one box was clean from dust which must've been used frequently. Its lid was closed but without tape. It was the first box I decided to look for dad's documents.
Inside it wasn't the things I expected to see instead there were photos. All kinds of photos. I smiled alone seeing the picture which was on top of the pile.
It was the first time we, Lucas,dad,mom and I went to Paris. The photo was taken while Lucas and I were stuffing our faces with chocolate crosonts. We were fighting with each other over the last crossont that sat in between us. Even if we were fighting with each other, we both still had smiles on our faces.
The next photo was the family photo we took in front of dad's lab. Dad and mom stood in the middle while me and Lucas on both sides. I was smiling at the camera with my hand making a peace sign. Lucas too grinned but his hands were stuffed into his pants pockets. That gave him a very mature look though he was just 13 then. Unconsciously I traced my parents with my pointer finger.
I don't know how long I went through the photos because I didn't realise it was already noon til Rita asked me to come out for lunch.
"I didn't make anything special since I didn't know you were coming. " Said Rita helping Diana to sit on her own chair.
" No its alright sis. This is enough." I said pointing all the dishes that sat before me on top of the table.
"Alright then. Dig in." Nodding I cut the meat with the knife and fork.
Right after having lunch, I again isolated myself in the store room. This time I avoided the box field with photographs so that I wouldn't get distracted. Even though I searched all the boxes, I didn't find anything related to dad's experiments. Sighing in defeat, I left the room dusting off my cloths. Rita was in the living room watching papa pig with Diana. She looked over her shoulder at me noticing me coming over to them.
"What the hell are you seriously searching for?"
"Dad's files."
"You could've said so. They are in the study. Lucas made sure to keep them in his safe so that no one could get to know the content. He didn't even let me see them."
"It's in the safe? What's the password?"
"Don't know."
"Seriously?"
"What? Lucas never told me and he never opened it while I was in sight."
"Oh man!" cursing under the breath, I entered the study room.
It was really a study. One wall had a big world map. Two other walls were covered with big roof touching shelves filled with tons of books related to travelling. You name it. He has it. The safe was connected to his work table. The password was a four digits number. I raked my brain to decipher the password, but the normality of the human brain thought of anything but a suitable combination. What could it possibly be....?
I tried his birthday, but no avail. And then his wife's, the effort was nowt. Then the daughter's, but nothing worked, much to my irritation. Just for the concept of pure luck I even gave a shot to the birthdays of mom, dad and me, but the result was the same. And it wasn't the days they died either.
I groaned and banged my fist against the table. It created a hollow sound.
I closed my eyes and focused, my mind filled with numbers. The digits flowed in like a tsunami wave and almost short wired my brain cells. I exhaled in frustration, "fuck this." I poked five digits by random- 14324.The lock clicked.
I gaped. How is this a random number? How, on earth, is 14324 a random number?
It was what dad texts to mom every day. I love you so much. The first word that came to my mind, ridiculous. But then again, did Lucas put this as the password knowing I might guess? Or did he- Showing away those ridiculous yet possible thoughts, I opened the door of the safe. So many files were stacked inside on top of each other. Unbelievably, there was no money. Only files. Before I could touch anything, Rita called out for me.
"Focus! Did you find them?"
"Yup" I yelled back. That's when I noticed the opened door. I face palmed rewinding the scene a few minutes back. I forgot to close the door. Quickly going through the files, I took the document related to time travel machine. Stuffing it inside my jacket pocket, I closed the safe and made sure it won't open until someone enters the password again. Rita was still hugging Diana by her side watching papa pig. They haven't moved a bit which gave me some kind of happiness since they didn't see the digits I entered.
"You didn't want to peek while I opened the safe?" I asked in confusion because people tend to like exposing and finding secrets of others.
" Nah." She paused then stood up and with a dramatic sigh, "I won't betray my husband ever. He is my soul, my life, breath, my heart, my everything. He gives me life. He is me. I am him. He's mine and I'm his. Forever we trust each other. That's what we wowed." My mind went blank. I recognised those lines but I never thought Rita might know them.
"Are you- did you just quote Gumi?" Rita was in front of me in a flash. Her face was decorated by a big smile with her cheeks puffed out.
"Do you watch 'Love you never' too?" She was totally head over heels for that drama. That's for sure.
"Nope. It's a famous quote in the Internet. " I chuckled.
"Oh." That was disappointment.
" I have a friend who's obsessed with Kang Joom. That's the male lead right?"
" Really? Oh my god! Send me the number! Let me tell you, Kang Joom is-" And it went on.
________________
19. It's sleepover time
A little bit hope did bloom inside me when I entered my apartment but he wasn't there, sitting on the couch staring at the TV like always. I placed the document gently on my bed, took a new set of cloths from the closet and got under the shower to wash away all the dust and dirt from my body. While in the shower, I thought back about the things little guy told me regarding time travel and listed out the main points like, keeping a physical contact with little guy can make you time travel with him, dad is alive and his disappearance is related to the time machine, all of the secrets might get revealed from the document of Project Time travel. I took a call to Liam right after coming out from the shower.
"Dude! Where were you?"
"I went to my brothers to get dad's project files. Why?"
"Well you could've warned me! I almost got caught for using the phone in the middle of a fucking lecture!" I could only laugh as the reply. Who would've thought Liam would take calls while in lectures? This side of him was really a surprise to me. " I got my lab ID card today."
"Holly shit!Did you steal it?"
"Fuck no! The old frog gave it back to me." He huffed. I couldn't hold back my laughter hearing the nickname.
"Did you just call professor old frog? Holly cow! Never thought of hearing that from you man!"
" I'm a normal kid like you asshole. He's annoying and don't you think he looks like a frog? Every time I see his I couldn't stop comparing his faces with a frog. Sorry about that." That was more than enough to realise my dislike for Liam was useless.
"How did you get it from him? He was so determined to never give it back to you. So why the change of mind?"
"Don't know. He just gave it to me at the door before the lectures. He didn't say a word. It was confusing but doesn't matter. What matters is that I got it back."
"Confusing indeed. Since you got it back, will you still help me?"
"Heck yeah! What the hell are you asking? Are you backing off now?
You-" I stopped him from mumbling nonsense.
"JUST LISTEN TO ME WILL YOU?" Silence. I felt oddly satisfied but didn't take too long to appreciate the satisfaction. "I'm not cutting off the deal man. Just asking. Glad if you are still in the plan."
"Good to know because I never pictured yourself to be an asshole.
Anyways, did you get your dad's project files?"
" Yes. Do you have anything to do right now?"
" You mean right now? No actually. I was thinking of grabbing a bite and going for a walk. Anything that matters?"
"If you want you can come to mine. We can read it together. I know you are one of my dad's fans. You were the one who created that site right?
The site with all the projects dad handled?"
" How did you find out? I'm sure I hid my IP address perfectly."
" I'm good with computers remember?"
"Man. But since you invited me, then I won't stand in ceremony and refuse it. Expect me in 30 minutes. Need to have a shower before coming to yours. I'm hungry by the way." I chuckled.
"Alright alright. I'll order take out."
"Thanks bro. I'll come there quickly. Bye for now." Before I could say anything else, he cut me off with hanging up the call. Jackass. Now I know his true colours. Still laughing at the nickname he gave to our professor, I ordered a big take out. It arrived faster than I thought. I gave him a five star rating which the delivery man accepted while crying. Poor dude. Must've tried so hard to get a five star rating but he deserved it. I'm being serious.
That jackass Liam took an hour to arrive. I didn't know what got over me but I hit him on the head as soon as the came grumbling about his punctuality.
"Yo, are we in the stable stage of friendship?" I lost my balance just by hearing that.
"WHAT?"
"What, stable friendship is the stage when friends have sleepovers." I was speechless. I who thought we would just be discussing about the project Time travel, never had a thought of having a sleepover.
"Hell no dude! I was so not talking about having a sleepover!"
"Oh no. You didn't mention a sleepover at all. But I thought since we are going to discuss about this time travel thingy, I should stay at yours. So I could help you 24/7. Besides, my sister threw me out of the house. I might not be able to go until day after tomorrow."
"Don't tell me you have nowhere to stay now. Not even relations house? And come on! You still live with your sister? Let me guess, she threw you out since you do nothing in return for all the work she does for you." His glare was the answer to my question. "Even if I feel sorry for you, I can't let you stay with me." I crossed my arms to show him that nothing could change my mind.
"Please Focus! I beg you! I could stay in a hotel if I have money but I'm penniless." And the next second, I was helping Liam to settle down on my couch. Yup. My kind heart decided to let that homeless child have a nice and peaceful sleep on my comfy couch.
"Let me tell you the rules. No sounds after I enter my room. Do NOT wonder around my apartment and do NOT touch anything. Got it?" He nodded eagerly which convinced me that he won't follow a single rule.
" wish I have an apartment like this. How much is the rent?"
"Not much."
" Impossible. Ever thought of sharing the apartment? I can pay half the rent. What do you think?"
" No. "
" Aww come on!"
" I said no asshole. Don't test me." I huffed. His annoying side had returned. " We'll talk about dad's project while eating. I'll get the plates.
Don't move."
" Ok boss." Said he with a salute.
________________
20. Bold guy
Liam and I spent a week trying to find how this time travel machine works or what it was but unfortunately we found nothing. Even dad's project files said nothing. It didn't have a single clue about the theory we need to use for that. It only said about the people who are doing this project and the purpose of inventing a time machine. Liam was really unhappy about the content. So was I. I actually expected something like a coded language or something like that. Too bad dad didn't think his file would help someone in the future.
" Are you sure this is the real document?" That's what Liam asked. I wasn't sure about it either after reading what's written inside. In the middle of the week, Liam and I went to the laboratory but we weren't able to find anything since dad's project haven't been started by then. That doesn't mean we gave up trying to find information, we almost lived in the lab. We were only out when there was a lecture or to eat something or to use the washroom. Still we heard nothing regarding dad's project.
But one day while sipping a cup of coffee after a long day of helping some senior's with their group activity, we heard a secret conversation between our university president and the main scientists. We didn't mean to eavesdrop. We had no choice after hearing my dad's name leaving their lips.
"- regarding that child of prof. Luke Redman?" It was our university president, Bold guy. We call him bold guy since he is bold. Not a single hair on his head. I heard from rumours that his wife plucked out the last bit of hairs he had on the nape of his neck while she was angry. Must've hurt a lot. They say he was in hospital for one month because of that. I didn't try to see whether they were true because even if it was not true, one funny joke wouldn't hurt right?
" No. But there's one student named Focus Redman in one of our laboratory professor's class." I didn't recognise the voice. Guess it must've been a scientist in the science lab.
" Focus Redman...I don't know this student. " Duh. How could Bold guy know me when he doesn't pay attention to any student. He's too obsessed with the statue of his that stood right in front of the office building. I'm not talking about the statue at the university gate. His obsession is too much. so much so that he makes sure it's well cleaned. He always said in assemblies about it saying it was made in the first year he became the university president. "Focus Redman ha? Is he that student who got all the prizes of the Technology department?" Damn. Guess he did pay attention.
" Oh yes. He's the one."
" Then did you do a background check?"
"Not yet. We didn't want to check a students record without your permission."
"Then I give you my permission. Quickly find Luke Redman's child but don't let everyone know him. It can't be a girl. Luke Redman didn't have daughters. "
" Ok."
" So what about this document Luke Redman last wrote?"
"Don't worry about it. It's in the safe. I'm the only one who knows the password. It's safe and sound." The place it's hidden is revealed. Now what else?
" It's unbelievable how no one can decode that paper." I can feel the stress in the air which made me doubt myself as well. Would I be able to decode it?
"We even contacted the best detectives in the world. But none was able to solve this."
A sigh followed and then everyone went silent.
"Could it be that there's really nothing written here?"
" Can't be because Luke would never do that. And he sent this document to his drive. That's how we found it. The one he sent to the department is entirely different from this one. So there must be something in here that might be important."
"Then I believe our only hope is Luke Redman's son."
" Yes."
"Alright then. I'll try to find this boy as well. I'll inform you if I found him."
" Okay sir." And that was the end of the conversation. Before we could get caught because of eavesdropping, Liam and I ran back to the lab we were working until we came out for a cup of coffee. We didn't dare to discuss about the things we heard until we are out of the university premises although our tongue danced around to produce sound to speak out the questions that have been circling around in our minds.
"They haven't confirmed your identity yet." I hummed in reply. We were having lunch outside the campus when Liam said that. "And they suspect there's nothing in the document." I was deep in thought. The gears in my head turned letting me draw a perfect plan.
"Liam, do you want to sneak into the lab at night?" The shocked look on his face was priceless. He opened and closed his mouth like a fish trying to catch oxygen bubbles.
"Are you serious?" Guess that was the first thing that came to his mind. I nodded with a mischievous grin.
" Don't tell me you are planning to break into this secret vault to get that document those people were talking about."
"Exactly! So do you want to have a memorable adventure?" I put my fist forward for a fist bump.
"Even if I know this is dangerous, I can't leave you alone knowing your reckless behaviour." Look who's talking. The lazy asshole who got kicked out from his house and lost his lab ID because of his grades. Nevertheless he completed the fist bump with muttering that he's in.
"Alright then. It's time for some shopping."
"Hell no shopping!"
"No no big boy. You are coming with me." With an evil chuckle I dragged him out with the destination as the mall in mind.
21. Professor Focus Redman
We went straight to my apartment after our agreement of sneaking into the research lab at night to take a look at dad's real document.
"Here's the plan," I began once both of us were sitting at the dinner table facing each other.
"You have a plan already? Damn, you have my respect."
"Thnak you. Now listen. Here's what we are going to do." Laying a sheet of paper on the table, I took a pen to draw the master plan, which included my not so excellent drawing of random quadrilaterals to denote buildings. "Getting inside the university is easy. The only problem is the research laboratory." Liam nodded in agreement. " From what I observed-" I got cut off by a call. By the ringing tone I knew the call was for me. It was an unknown number but with two digits. It's impossible. I've never heard anyone having two digits as a phone number. And it was more confusing when one digit is not a number but a letter. An English letter. With suspicions in mind, I answered it. "Hello? Focus Redman calling."
First there was not a single sound from the other side. I was about to cut the call when some weird sounds came the speakers.
"Hello?" I repeated but didn't get a reply, once again. Then all of the sudden someone with a familiar voice said, " Foc-I- Aliens-got-kid-" And that was all. The called ended. Without wasting time I went to my call history but the call is just answered was not in the list. so it means...
"What's wrong? You look pale." I glanced at Liam with wide eyes.
"Little guy just called me."
"Holly cow! That's great! What did he say?"
" It wasn't clear. He said Foc probably my name, then I- aliens- got- kid. That's all."
" What the fuck? That's all? Did he get travelled to another planet?" I shrugged. I was confused as well.
" What did he say again?"
"Foc- I- aliens- got- kid-" I wrote it down on the paper in front of me.
"Maybe he's reporting how he witnessed a gory ritual of an alien going through labour and now he's depressed by the sight and wants you to join the pain so he can feel more at ease?" Liam suggested casually, much to my shock. He raised his hands in defeat. "Sorry. I was trying to lift your spirit."
"Not helping at all."
"Fine. We might be able to understand him if we could solve what he said. Let me see..." Liam fell into a deep chain of thoughts regarding little guy's mysterious call.
"This says that he got kidnapped by aliens. It's like this, ' Focus, I'm fine.
Aliens got me kidnapped.' The question is where is he now?"
"He probably went to future. Think about it, the possibility of having aliens living on earth is less in the past but in the future, it is possible
since we are already communicating with them."
"But-" Again I got cut off when the lights went out leaving us in darkness even if it was just pass six o'clock.
"Come on! Now of all times? Are you fucking kidding me?" I was dumbfounded found because from what I remembered we didn't get a message about a power cut. The electricity board would always in from the residences if there's going to be any power outage.
It didn't take too long to get back the electricity but both Liam and I didn't expect to have guests that day.
One of them was tall but taller than me. He was in a black tux and a pair of shiny black shoes. A pair of glasses sat on his nose. He seemed like me. But older. And extremely reserved.
The other one was cowered in redish brown soil close to the point of it being hard to figure out who he actually is. But the way he ran towards me, I knew I found the missing person.
"Focus! I thought I might never get to see you." I didn't waste time to wrap my arms around him either.
" You are alright now little guy. Everything is fine. I'm here now." I patted his back. Liam and the other guy stayed silent without making a single sound. Once little guy was done hugging me to death, he stepped back cleaning his face. "Who is he?" I asked pointing the other guy.
"This is professor Focus Redman." It wasn't surprising at all since I've seen much more surprising things.
"Holy! Are you the future Focus?"
"Yes. Hello student Focus Redman. I'm your future you professor Focus Redman." He held his hand forward which I gladly accepted.
"Hello. How did you find junior?" Liam took Focus Junior to have a bath. I mentally thanked him because I kind of didn't want Liam to know a lot of things about time travel for now.
"May I take a seat?" He was shockingly polite. So unlike me.
"Of course. Do you want something to eat or drink?" He thought for a while before replying.
"Do you have Skittles? The sour flavour?" I was like Duh because Skittles sour flavour is my favourite. I used to eat about two packets a single day. Then after visiting the dentist, I decided to eat one packet per week. It took a lot of time to control myself. Those days were like living in hell. Lucas made sure to leave only three Skittles pebbles in a small bottle inside the fridge. It was thanks to him that I got control of my Skittles hunger.
"Of course. Let me get it for you." I quickly handed half of the Skittles to him with keeping the other half to myself to eat. He smirked at me when I gave him half. The future me was getting more and more familiar with my character...then again, we're the same person with different ages.
"Thanks."
"So? What's the story?"
"I think you received the call from little Focus." He began and I nodded as reply.
"Actually Little Focus was sent to the past."
________________
22. The compass not a compass
"Past? That's not new. We both went to past together." I thought he was going to say something serious. I mentally rolled my eyes. It was definitely my future self talking because I know my behaviour. Old habits die hard you know?
" Not that past stupid, I meant the dinosaur age." Now that was unbelievable.
"Holly shit!" That was Liam being dramatic. I realized this side of him a few days ago. He's a real drama queen but not everyone get to see this side of him. I also get to know from him that he has been waiting to be friends with me since the day he met me. Sounds cliché right? "Are you for real?"
"Yes Liam. Now keep quiet until I finish saying." I snickered when Liam pouted. Poor guy. What can he do when he's naturally talkative even from his birth?
" I was actually trying to find you for a long time. It's just I couldn't get pass the gate to come here-" This time I was the one who interrupted him.
"What's a gate?"
"A gate is the opening of a time tunnel. Every time you time travel you have to pass through a gate. Remember the feeling of getting sucked in when Little Focus took you with him last time? That was because of the gate. That is the sign of letting you pass the gate. No one can pass through the gate anytime they want but if you have the compass with you, then you can pass through the gate."
" Then didn't you have a compass with you?" Before replying to my question, professor Focus chuckled looking at the ground and spoke while starring right into my eyes.
" I said 'The compass not 'a compass' Focus. The one is meant isn't just a normal compass." I have to be honest, my future self is in another level. I hardly understood what he said. Most of the things he said were just words to me. Professor Redman was a freaking knowledge bank. I wasn't sure anymore about the future I'm going to have after seeing the character development of my own future self.
"Are you sure you are really me?" That was too unexpected because he stayed in the same position for a few minutes trying to collect his thoughts to answer me.
"Well yes because you are me." Of course he would give that answer. It's me after all.
" I mean how do you know so much about almost everything?" Professor Focus laughed and popped a green colour skittle into his mouth.
"Dear young myself, I didn't just get to know them. I collected this knowledge by travelling through time for all these years with gaining experiences worth decades and centuries." What he said really made sense. Who else has so much knowledge in every aspect than someone who knows both present and past. "Alright. I'll explain what this compass is." I nodded but remembered Lucas who was coming back from his trip and asked to have a meal with him. Actually he wasn't the one who asked me to come. Rita was the one who invited me. I couldn't decline since she didn't know about the argument we had nor can I let her know about it.
"Can I hear about this compass later? I have an appointment with my sisin-law"
"It's already that time huh? But I'm sorry young myself, I don't think I'll be able to stay here any longer. Even so I can't let you skip the dinner or else everything will be a mess. So what can I do?" He went silent to think what to do next. "Get me a piece of paper. Quickly!" Liam was running to get a sheet of paper the next second. Professor Focus wrote down something on the paper super fast. He actually wrote on two papers. While he wrote that, I got ready to go to the dinner with my brother. He stood up as soon as I stepped into the living room after getting dressed.
" I wrote down a few things you need to know. I can't let you know everything eventhough the time line is already in chaos. While you two find the solution to stop this, I'll get you some time. Try to find the exact answer because there's no going back if we can't stop him at the exact moment."
"Who is this 'he'? And if you know so much about this, why can't you stop this 'he'?"
"It's better if you don't know who this 'he' is. At least for now. And I can't stop this because only little Focus can stop him but I'll try my best to give some assistance." He picked up the papers and handed them to me. "Also read this before 12 hours. I don't know the exact time these texts would disappear. So be sure to read it quickly. Got it?" I nodded looking down at the papers.
"Well then, I'll get going. Little Focus will tell you if I missed out a few things regarding his trip to past. Take care of yourselves Focus. I trust you Liam just like young Focus did. Hope that trust will last long. " Just then little guy appeared while munching some biscuits. "I'm leaving little
Focus."
"Man! You just arrived here!" Little guy crossed his arms huffing in disappointment.
"Sorry little Focus. I have things to take care of. I'll come by and visit you sometimes." Really smooth lies. Even I would be fooled if I didn't know the real situation.
" Fine. It's a promise then."
"Nope. It's not a promise." My future self ruffled little guys hair and patted my back and nod his hair at Liam. "I'll see you guys around then. Take care and be careful. Like I said little Focus, don't get too attached to the time line and it's characters." And just like that he was gone.
" And he's gone." Liam and Little guy sighed in union.
"Hello, I'm still here." Liam snickered in reply.
"Unfortunately."
" Get lost asshole. Anyways, I'll be going as well. Take care of yourselves while I'm gone. Give me a call if something goes wrong okay?" With that I too left leaving the two of them alone in my apartment.
23. A different Cinderella story
" Did you read the papers professor Focus left?" I asked once I returned back from the dinner with my brother. Even though we had an argument before Lucas went on his work tour, he was a lot happy to see me there at dinner. He was grinning from ear to ear through our the whole meal. Just as usual he cracked some jokes along with his curses which earned very painful looking ear tugs from Rita. By the time the dinner was over, Lucas's left ear was completely red. As a result of his impolite remarks, Rita and I had to keep Diana's ears covered. But she would learn those words somehow when she has a father who doesn't have a filter to his mouth. So she would turn to a perfect copy of Lucas eventually. Eventually. After the meal, Lucas was extremely drunk. So much so that he kept mumbling the story Jack and the beanstalk. I had to drive them home since Rita didn't know how to drive and Diana was too small. I had to go back to the restaurant by bus to get my bike and then come back home. Think how tired I was.
"Nope. We were too busy preparing ourselves something to eat." That's when I recalled that Liam can't cook and neither can little guy.
"Fuck! You didn't burn down the house right?" I quickly walked towards the kitchen. Liam followed me from behind with giving a no as a reply.
Eventhough they haven't burnt the house or the kitchen, it was a mess. Picture the scenes you see in movies. Pieces of vegetables lying everywhere, on the counter top, floor everywhere. Thankfully they haven't used eggs or else it would be too troublesome to remove the stench inside the house.
"Did you guys waste or eat?"
Liam responded with a sound of disapproval," Don't worry. We ate something."
"Good. Now you can help me clean the kitchen."
"Fine."
" Where's little guy?"
" Asleep."
"It's still 8pm."
" He must be tired."
"Hmm." From the way the conversation went on it was clear that no one has the interest to keep talking. So I shut my mouth and began cleaning. Liam went to sleep in the middle of cleaning leaving me all by myself which I didn't care since I've been living alone for many years. It was past 11 pm when I was done cleaning the whole apartment. Let me guess, you thought only the kitchen was a mess but in truth every corner of my house was dirty. Kitchen to the living room, then to the bathroom and lastly my bedroom. I didn't have a heart to wake little guy and clean his room in the middle of the night but I'm sure it needs a clean more than any other room in the apartment. What I couldn't believe was that I had to clean my room again even after cleaning it in the morning. I would always lock the door of my bedroom everytime I go out. Unfortunately because of the hastiness I had forgotten to put the lock. So this was the punishment I get for forgetting things. On my bed and floor I found small pieces of potato chips. I was curious how they got there but I'm sure those fuckers did it on purpose.
Remembering the papers professor Focus asked me to read, I jumped out of the bed and went to the living room to get it. I returned back to my room wanting to lie down while reading it. Because of how tired I was and the hot shower I took, I fell asleep. So I was only able to read the first two word, 'The compass'. "Focus, wake up!" I heard a distant calling again and again. Then I heard it right next to my ear. That's when my eyes snapped open. Liam and Little guy were so close to my face. So much so that I felt their hot breath on my face.
"What do you want?" I yawned. I still felt sleepy unlike any other day.
"Dude, it's 9am. Thank the fucking god for making your professors lazy these days or else you would be in trouble for sure." Little guy was the one to reply.
"9am? I slept that long?"
"Duh!" Liam rolled his eyes at my rhetorical question. "Anyways, did you see the papers professor you left us?"
"Professor you?" The drowsiness malfunctioned my brain but when I started loosing the sleepiness I understood what he meant. "Oh him! They are with me." I said removing the blanket I was covering myself with when sleeping. Three crumbled papers fell down as a result of removing it. Little guy was the one to pick them up.
"What the fuck were you doing with it last night?" He asked trying to get the papers back to their shapes.
"I took them to read asshole." This time little guy ignored my remark. Then he gasped gaini nngi my full attention.
" This is bad! This is very very bad!" The panic in his voice was enough for me and Liam to look at the papers above little guy's shoulder. "The lines, they are fading and then disappearing!" What he said was true. Letters were disappearing. I recalled the warning professor Focus told me. He asked us to read it before 12 hours could pass but because of the dinner and the cleaning of the house I was too tired and fell asleep before I could read the content in the papers.
"Quickly read what's written in it!" I yelled panicking since that was the only clue we got after many days of searching.
"The compass is what shows the direction of time. It-" He stopped.
"It what?" I ripped off the paper from his hands. To my, our disappointment the paper was completely empty. Not a single pen stroke.
"There's no point of trying. They are already gone." Sighing was the only thing we could do.
24. Badass aliens who kill dinasours
"If only we read it yesterday." I groaned. We were all lost in regret. Now we have no clue. The only thing we knew was that the compass professor Focus said was something we could use to find the direction in time. Hell it doesn't make any sense at all. When did time has directions?
"Atleast we know what to do with this compass." I said trying to lighten up the mood.
"There's no use when we don't even know what this compass is." Way to light up the mood Liam. That stupid punk. He could've just keep his big mouth closed instead of saying things he's not supposed to say.
" Shut up jackass. I was trying to change the tense atmosphere thank you very much."
"But we got an important information after your disappearance. We now know that we can travel to random time lines at random times." It was senior who said it. Atleast he understood what I was trying to do unlike that stupid brainless Liam.
"Hmm...Guess that means we have to be prepared to get sucked into a gate at anytime." I added thinking of the situations I faced.
" I'll take care of things here while you two are away." Liam drummed on his thighs saying.
"Don't be so sure. I wasn't supposed to time travel first but I got dragged by little guy too remember? " Poor Liam dude gulped glancing back and forth between me and senior.
"Then I'll get ready to meet all kinds of fantasies."
"That reminds me, while I was in the days of the origin of the earth, those aliens said so many weird things. Some words they spoke were English words."
"What? English words? Are you sure?"
"Definitely. Those words they said were exactly English words. That's for sure. "
"What are those words?"
"Let me write them down." Once I was done writing down all the words I remembered the aliens saying, I gave the sheet of paper to senior and Liam.
"Human? Year? Age? Boy? and D4? They really said these words?" Fucas asked from himself but I heard him clearly.
"Why? You think I'm lying?"
"Not really. It's just hard to believe. That's all."
" I prayed the gods to save me when the that Trex dude stared at me hungrily. Not only JESUS, Zues, Poseidon, Diana, June, Krisna, Shiva, Chakra. Even Marry. Thankfully those aliens saved me. If not for then, I would be dead."
"You getting killed means I won't be here asshole." Focus commented to what I said.
"You think I don't know that asshole?" I replied back. Does Focus think the world revolves around him? What an asshole.
" Stop fighting will you? You two are the same person remember? So whatever you say they are directed to your own shitty self. I can't believe I'm talking with these two arrogant fools. Always fighting like an old married couple." That last part really disgusted me. Even if it's the end of the world, I would never ever get together with a jackass like Focus. He really needs to know how to talk to a small kid. With an eye roll, senior muttered fine. Then like he remembered something, his face turned serious.
" How did you get in touch with professor Focus. Tell me exactly what happened."
"Is there something you know and we don't know?" Liam asked before I could ask. I was confused as well because the way Focus asked me to tell him everything that happened with the aliens, like he knew what was going on in the time loop.
"I'm still thinking." Focus mad a tsk sound and continued," We might be able to find something from his story."
"True. We might be able to." Before starting, I took a deep breath and exhaled it. "Alright, here goes nothing." With that I explained everything I could remember. I told them everything I saw and heard, trees, bushes, pulses on earth etc.
I was too close. I knew it smelled me too but the worst of it was the stench of its mouth. And those teeth, I don't think it knows how to be pleasant because they were entirely yellow and black in colour. Disgusting. Anyways, it came closer and closer. By then we were only a meter apart. We could see eye to eye without even trying. You can't imagine how I felt. My heart hit onto my ribcage like it was asking for me to let it go free from the cage. I felt the blood pumping in my veins so fast. Now that I think about it, even the Trex might have smelt the warm and fresh blood running inside me because of the adrenaline. You may have heard this somewhere in romance, thriller novels but let me tell you. What I'm saying is true. I was frozen there with just looking at the T-rex standing right in front of me. Then I screamed without me knowing. That's when the aliens got to know about my existence. So much for hiding.
My screaming was also a signal for them to start shooting. If their guns were just like our humans weapons, then there is no doubt they would get killed instead of killing the Trex but their weapons were different. They were in a whole new level of technology. Us humans bullets wouldn't even leave a single scratch on that rough skin of a Trex but their shots went right through its skin like when we make a hole on a paper without much force. The guns of the aliens shot some kind of a light beam that went through whatever its blocking it's way. Although we can't see the damage it causes from outside, it's visible how much damage it causes from inside because the Trex was angrier than ever. It ran around throwing and crushing aliens under its feet. I almost fell off the tree from all this shaking of the ground. After a long time of having an immense battle with the T dude, it fell down dead after one last battle cry.
25. Ape in a lab coat
I thought everything would be fine considering the dead dinosaur in front of me but hell no. Where are the interesting parts if that ended there. Once the Trex exhaled it's last breath, the aliens pointed their guns at me who was still on a tree. Then that commander came to stand under the tree.
From distance I wasn't able to see his face but after having a closer look I clearly understood the origin of us human kind. If I'm speaking honestly, I would say he looks like the Homo Habilis in early ages of human kind. He had small hairy ape like face. His hair was long enough to reach his shoulders. And yet he still had that rough and mighty aura. There were scars on his face which gave him a very scary look. I knew for sure that I would be having nightmares from time to time remembering that horrific looking face. He made a weird sound and another alien who looked smaller than him came running. The sound he made must have been the other aliens name or something. They talked among each other looking at me without blinking even for a second. Actually I guessed they talked because they only made sounds like when we try to talk with mouth full of food. The other alien must have said something that made the commander angry because commander hissed and the poor alien dude fell on his knees without making a single sound. Next second you know it, I've been taken into the space ship under the heavy guard of the aliens. I didn't dare to think how it'll fell if I try to run and get shot from those guns they used to kill the dinosaurs.
Interior of the spaceship was way better than outside appearance. Inside was completely green in colour but with different shades. Standing inside that spaceship made me realize that everything we learn in history is not completely true and all my guesses were incorrect. Before I got into this space ship I never thought the origins of the humans actually began from aliens. That's beyond science. Not logical at all but how can I not believe what I saw from my very own eyes? It wasn't surprising to see them having televisions, computers and smartphones. In movies space ships don't have many things other than a living room, meeting room, kitchen, control room and some bedrooms. Let me tell you, this ship had everything. Cinema, arcade, shopping center, everything you can see in the present time of the human world. Seeing these aliens and inside the spaceship was really an eye opener for me. All my thoughts and beliefs changed about the world. I began to wonder about everything I've learned in my life so far. It didn't take me too long to doubt about everything in life. I tried to find logical reasons for these things but I had no thought .
Not even one.
I let my eyes look around me while the aliens dragged me in through different kinds of corridors. I felt a little chill in my spine when they dragged me through a set of deserted corridors. But I didn't stop paying attention to everything around me. I noted everything we passed by so that I would be able to plan how to escape from these unknown species. I actually thanked my dad for having a good memory or else I would have been a dumb kid who has to study his ass off to remember all those important and unimportant things we learn from school. I remember one time facing a Math exam and getting in to trouble. The teachers threatened me to spill the beans because all the answers I've written were the same answers I've written in my Math workbook. They thought I've copied the answers from my Mathematics work book. How ridiculous is that? Anyways, in the end they made me face the same exam with four teachers watching you from four directions. I really had a hard time concentrating on answering the questions because of how they stared at me like hawks without even blinking for once. When they saw that I've written the same answers they made me write the last term test paper. I wrote the same answers I've written in the last term. That's how they were convinced that I have a great memory. Life is hard people when you have very unique abilities.
I was finally thrown into a prison like room after giving me a hard time remembering the twists and turns. The commander didn't leave but stared at me like he was trying to understand me. So I could only stared back at me. Our eyes contact broke when another person entered the room. He wore a white lab coat and spectacles. First he greeted commander with bending his head and they exchanged and few words. That alien in lab coat didn't look away from commander but listened to everything commander said. To be honest they were very noisy when they talked. Probably because they didn't talk, just exchange sounds. At least according to what I heard. The commander made a weird sound and pointed me. That's when the lab coat ape finally paid attention to me. His eyes went wide seeing me. The next second he was touching my face and hand like I was an experiment material. I almost went deaf because of the fucking sound that dude made right next to my ear. Then he stood up and walked back to where the commander stood. What came next was more than a surprise to me. I was shocked. My mind listed out all the English words that left from the ape in the lab coat by itself. Hearing those words, I was convinced. All my doubts were solved. I doubted whether they knew about us humans. I doubted about them knowing about the chaos in the time line. In the end, I knew for sure that they knew what was going on and they know about the future.
________________
26. A Fool proof plan
I could only watch the two apes talking in front of me until they left me alone in the prison cell with no other living soul seemed to be. Not even a fucking guard. They may think they are some tech big shots but I made the decision of letting them know their place. I'll teach them a lesson for abducting a child. A 13 years old child.
If you pictured a very gloomy prison cell, then got to say sorry because the actual prison is very luxurious.
Since its stupid of me to trying escape the moment you get thrown into a prison room, I decided to take a look around my prison room. There was an attached bathroom to my dungeon. In one side of the bathroom, there was shower cubical and a bath tub. There was a toilet and a sink in the other side. Except for those things shampoo and body lotions stood on the glass shelves near the sink. I was genuinely surprised to see a mirror in there considering what happens with mirrors in prison in our world.
Without having a choice, turned on the tap and put my pointer finger under the running liquid. It didn't hurt me like an acid. But I still didn't want to swallow an unknown liquid. So the next thing I did was putting a small droplet from that liquid on my tongue. I was relieved to recognize the familiar taste of water. I wasted no time to fill my empty stomach with water. Now one problem is solved. Next was escaping. Even if its going to be hard running with a stomach full of water but I took my chances. Like I said, sometimes my memory power really helps me. This was one time it helped.
When that ape in a lab coat entered my cell, I saw him entering the password. I'm not boasting but no normal human could clearly understand the digits he entered. Rubbing my wet hands on my dusty trousers, I got ready to enter the password. One part of my brain screamed at me saying not to do anything. But fuck it! If I don't get out now then I might get stuck in past forever.
"3491758326" with no hasty movements, I pressed each number carefully making sure to press no other unnecessary numbers.
" I'm praying for you one last time JESUS. If you are real, don't be an asshole and let me escape successfully. I'll leave you a chocolate at the church." Putting my goddamn faith completely and genuinely on JESUS, I slowly landed the tip of the pointer finger on the enter button with closed eyes. A second passed but nothing happened. Not even a siren for warning the others about a prisoner escaping. Then the door of my cell slid opened.
Because of so much happiness I almost sang aloud the theme song of Yuri on ice. I'm being serious. Thinking about it, the lyrics really matched my situation. Anyways, I quickly stepped out to my almost freedom. I made a mental note to visit the church to thank Jesus once I have returned to Senior's time safe and sound and to remind me to make a shrine for my brain. I'm so grateful for my brain for remembering so many useless things.
I really felt sorry for these alien dudes. With so much technology inside this ship,they still haven't installed cameras in every corner. I walked through 5 corridors but found only 3 cameras. Before getting out of this goddamn maze like spaceship, I stopped by the control room. Yes. I know what your next question is. ' What the Fuck was he thinking when he must be escaping from that freaking spaceship filled with unknown species of aliens?' That's a good question. I stopped by to contact Focus.
Surprisingly no one was in the control room. I think they all must've gone out to get their lunch. Heck, who cares. At least I get to keep my energy with not fighting with some stupid yet who knows strong aliens. It took me some time to find the correct button. The simplicity of the control panel again confused me when comparing to the technology they've used in the spaceship.
" Hello?" I said the big screen in front of me lit up and showed as the call went through.
"Hello?" Then he again said hello like he didn't hear me first. I would never tell this to Senior's face but just hearing him say hello with his voice I felt like the whole world made sense to me. Actually Focus's voice was like a music to my ears. I swear to myself that I would never tell senior to shut up. Instead I'll ask him to talk more. I felt that happy. I wanted to scream in happiness but decided to do the victory dance later. "Focus, I'm fine. Aliens got me kidnapped. I-" And the whole screen went blank. I just stood on the same place trying to process and understand what just happened. Then out of no where the sirens rang probably to warn the other about the heroic escape of me. Finally coming back to reality, not reality but let's take it as reality. Anyways, finally coming back to reality the gears in my head turned. It didn't take too long to make a good escape plan. Again.
I knew it would be impossible for me to leave this spaceship safe and sound if I go out of this room. But if I stay here no one would be brave enough to come in and destroy the control room which controls everything inside this ship. Even the starting process and the engine. From what I've observed for this few minutes, I've come to a conclusion that they are afraid of dark. So if I make all the lights in the ship switch off and leave only one switched on which is a lot away from the control room. I would leave a count down and when the counter goes off then the lights will automatically switch on leaving me enough time to escape from them without much problem. For now the plan was fool proof. But nothing is impossible. I stretched my arms to get ready to start my plan.
"Here goes nothing." Said I hoping from the bottom of my heart to get out from this hell hole without a single scratch.
________________
27. Greek god
I was fully ready to hit the buttons but then I felt like time stopped. The exact feeling I felt before getting traveled through time. What I heard next was so soft that I almost didn't heard it. "Come with me..." Bam, and just like that I got sucked into a time tunnel again.
I was fucking furious. I mean come on. Everyone just make me go here and there like I'm a goddamn robot who doesn't need a rest and for gods sake I was just 13 then! I didn't even have a fucking girlfriend! Not that it matters here. Still, I was so ready to slap the jerk who was playing with my life. I knew if I stayed in the past for too long, I won't exist even in the present. I would just be someone who was never there. Who ever the fucker is, he's gonna get a piece of my mind. Oh yeah. There's something you don't know yet. I have a way colourful vocabulary than Lucas's. I turned around to slap the dude who just breathed into my ear like a pervert. And holly shit! There stood a Greek god straight from Olympus. From what he was wearing he had to be Apollo. That's what I thought. But looking at his face carefully, I couldn't believe my eyes. After having these same pair of eye balls with me for this long, I have realized something recently. I've found that my eyes can make things look more beautiful. But unfortunately that magical power doesn't happen with my face must be because I look at a mirror to look at myself. Or may be what
they say is true, 'A frog prince will always be a frog prince.' Don't ask where I heard that Because I just made it up.
Okay, about the person who-I-thought-it-was-a-pervert-and-then-turnedabout-to-be-a-Greek-god, he was very handsome looking. Now you must be thinking why everyone in books are always handsome and beautiful. Well I have a good explanation for that. Think about it. It's a technologically advanced era so there must be someway to take care of your skin without much effort. Also because the sun is moving away from the Earth it must be easy since the temperature is always cold and there's no sunlight to make your skin colour become a darker shade of brown instead of the tan. So this is the possible explanation I could give you. Back to the story, this dude, he was in a long coat and a suit without a tie underneath it. He had a pair of glasses sitting on his nose. And boy! The watch he was wearing on his wrist. It's not something a normal person would wear. It's a Rolex watch I've never seen in the market. It's probably something from the future but still,
"If you are done examining me, we could leave." Damn, caught red handed. Flashing an innocent smile I mumbled a sorry. "Come on, hold my hand little Focus." He extended his hand towards me. Hell, if he knew what I was thinking a moment ago he would never give me his hand. Instead he would leave me to rot in this hell hole.
"Who are you?" I was hoping to sound cold but you know hearts can't lie. He was smirking probably because of how I was behaving. I knew he was yearning to laugh out aloud but he restrained himself with a smirk.
"I'm Professor Focus Redman. The future you." That's it. I'm fucking done with this shitty story.
" Fuck no! Another one? Are you serious?" I groaned not wanting to believe this reality yet a fantasy situation.
"Yes I'm quite sure I was being serious. I'm Professor Focus. Age 33."
"Multiples of ten huh? Fabulous! I won't be surprised if I meet my 3 year old self next time."
"I'll explain everything on the way. Just take my hand, I'll take you back to Focus." He said. I'm confused again.
"Which Focus?"
"Student Focus."
"That means?"
"For the love of god just move your ass. We need to go before they come here. I can't hold on much longer or else he will sense me."
"Who will sense you?"
"That's not a 13 year old should know." I snickered thinking about all the things I know.
"That's too late to tell you know. I know a lot of things a 13 year old should not know." I raised my left eyebrow smirking at professor Focus.
"Like what?"
"Like time traveling. I don't think any other 13 year old would know about this. They are just dreams to them."
" You are too innocent little Focus, But what if this is really a dream?"
"Hell yeah! Now I can let myself get killed so I know I will wake up from this fucking dream."
"I should really ask my brother to keep his mouth shut. You know too many curses for your age."
" Are we going or are we going to continue this discussion?" I said reminding the reason why he was here in the first place.
"Ah yeah. Come on. Let's go." And we hit the time line. On the way we chatted a lot. I found out he was a very interesting person to talk with unlike Focus senior. What can I say, time does change people. We even stopped by at his office to get something. But I didn't get to see much inside his office because he made me stand out behind the door so that I could see nothing. He explained a few things regarding the chaos of the time line. Most of what he said were very confusing but I didn't ask further because he said it's better if I don't know much about this situation but I think I should know if I'm the one who was chosen to make everything right. I couldn't be any happier when professor Focus said we were almost at senior's time. He gave me the last advices before letting us enter Focus senior's house. After everything I heard and saw, I understood the main reason I was here.
I was the reason the world is in chaos.
28. Senior professor Redman
What will you do when a gate opens right in front of you and gets dragged in by a hand? Confusion and shock. Yes. That's how I felt. After both professor Focus and senior left, it was only me and Liam in the apartment. Oh yeah. Max was there as well but he had long forgotten about us. He was sleeping on his comfortable bed like he doesn't give a fuck about our existence.
" What should we do now?" Liam asked finally as we were just sitting on the sofa just looking around aimlessly. " What else? Do some research. We still don't know a single thing about time travel." I said standing up to get senior's laptop.
"About that, I think I might know a few things about time travel..."Liam pressed his lips together. I raised my brow asking him to continue.
"Professor Luke Redman,"
"yes my father, what?" I asked getting impatient.
" Yeah. I still can't believe you are one of Luke Redman's sons. But I'm glad I got to study together with you." I sighed.
"Liam, you are going off the topic." I reminded. Liam scratched the back of his head embarrassed. Even his ears turned red.
"Sorry. What I meant to say that I know somethings about the incident 13 years ago. According to you, 6 years ago." Liam sighed leaning back on the sofa. "Right before the incident happened, your father met me outside the lab. I was waiting at the gate to get a little bit of information about project time." I snickered.
"What the fuck were you doing outside the lab man? You were only 7 then. Stop making up stories, now I'm having second thoughts about believing you."
"I'm two years older Focus little guy. I started university two years later."
"Holly Shit! Are you serious? I thought you are in the same age as senior. This is new. Why did you start university two years later?" I asked taking a seat again.
"I got into an accident and I was in a coma for two months and the rest of the time, I had to recover." I was speechless. That dude just talked about his accident like it was nothing. "Anyways, back to the story. Your father was really kind. He answered all the questions I asked but he didn't reveal a single state secret."
"Of course. So what happened next?"
"He-" That's when the thing I said in the beginning happened. A gate opened in front of scaring the heck out of us. Both of us were shocked to even move.
"JUMP IN LITTLE FOCUS!!!!!!!" When the person on the other side felt that I wasn't moving, he pulled me in. All I could do was pull Liam with me. You know what they say, it's better to go together even to hell. So that's how Liam too ended up in the battle between us, Focuses.
On the other side of the gate, there were three Focuses with different ages. I recognized two of them as Senior and professor but the other one, I had never met him before.
" I'm sorry to drag you here unannounced. "Professor Focus apologized. Then he raised a brow seeing Liam standing behind me. "You are here as well. That's better." He pressed his lips together and continued, " Since everyone is here, let's start. First I'll introduce him to you," Professor pointed the other one who looked older than Professor but he had the same face like me. "This is also professor Focus Redman. But he's older than me. He's your 45 years older self." Great. Just great. Another Focus to my list. I wanted to ask him How the hell I should call him but I didn't. Instead I just gave a nod.
"So why did you call us here?" The whole room went silent when Senior asked that question.
We were sitting in an underground room. It kind of looked like Batman's cave but that's another story. From what I got to know later, it was the laboratory of my 45 year old self. But we were only in the meeting room. They took us around his lab after we were done with the meeting. To tell you the truth, that place was super cool. There was even an invisible cloak.
"I'll let senior professor Redman to tell you." Professor Focus sat down. We waited patiently for professor Redman to speak. He cleared his throat and began speaking. Putting the age aside, senior professor Reman didn't look that old. He looked like he was still in his thirties. I secretly asked that question from professor Focus. he told me that when time traveling we age slowly. But that doesn't mean that we won't die. Even if we escape our death with time traveling then we die suddenly while inside the time tunnels. That's the nature. There are laws in time traveling. One of them is that we mustn't use time traveling to escape death. Don't think that I just made that up. I'm serious. Professor told me those stuff. You better ask him if you have any questions.
"If you still don't know, this is 2053. The year of chaos. That's what we call in time travel." He paused to collect his thoughts about what to say next. "We don't have much time. Because we have to get there before our clones disappear. Or else everything we did will go in vain." I sighed.
"Then at least tell us what we are supposed to do."
"We will be fighting He and we need your help for that. " Bam! Way to drop the bomb. The last thing I wanted in my plate. Fucking great.
" Thank the fucking god! we are meeting this He guy. I would like to give him a piece of my mind. I'm gonna punch him to pulp for disturbing my fucking teenage life." I huffed. The silence followed after that was enough for me to know that no one expected to hear that from me.
" Can I know who this 'He' is?" professor Focus wetted his lips and replied in one breath.
"He is the 45 years old Focus. He's only three months older than senior professor Redman."
29. I’m the Crimi-hero
Have you ever seen a movie where the good guy and the bad guy are the same person? Well, you are about to because from what I heard from my senior I am the villain and I’m about to be the hero. Awesome right? Hell yeah!
“And I assume I’m here to negotiate or something.” Said I.
“No, you are here to go back in time.” Now that was weird and shocking. They are asking this clueless innocent boy to time travel. How stupid is that? I mean come on, if I knew about this time travel shit, I wouldn’t have waited to smell the rotting mouth of a T-rex nor would I stay here while my tacos is still at the door!
“Well sorry to burst your bubble but this little guy over here doesn’t know how to time travel.” Professor Redman chuckled.
“It’s a cake walk. Nothing to worry.” Senior professor responded to my statement.
“Yes, now that you all are here, we can kick his ass.” Professor Redman, ok now that name is too long. I’ll just say Prof Red and Senior Prof Red. So anyways, everyone grinned when senior said that in reply to what senior Prof. Red said.
“What’s the reason for this tantrum? I mean Focus always gets angry and throws tantrums but what got him this angry to change the whole world?” It was Liam. He is always the wise guys in any situation related to Focus even though he’s a total nutcase.
“That’s a story for another time. You just have to go back in time and prevent the discovery of grandpa’s diary.”
“Grandpa’s diary?” That’s something I’ve never heard of. I know grandpa was a very systematic and a kind person. Still, what does his diary has to do with my 45 years old self?
“He used to be a time traveler. You can know all about it later. We have to pay more attention to the problem at hand. That bastard has already destroyed half of the world, and our clones are disappearing. We have to be quick, no time to dilly-dallying.”
“Yes, remember you two, don’t change anything else other than preventing the discovery of grandpa’s diary. Just delay it for at least 10 minutes. That’s all you have to do. Got it?” Prof Red’s serious tone made us forget the curses and jokes. We nodded understanding what he was asking for. It was I who destroys the world and it is I who should save it as well. This is my responsibility.
“What about me?” We almost forgot about the presence of Liam. That poor guy.
“You dear Liam will come with me. You have a greater task than theirs. I need your help with dissembling the machine.” Liam smirked and help his fist for a fist bump with prof Red. Prof Red completed the fist bump with the same look.
“Back to the problem, none of us know how to time tra-” Senior couldn’t even finish his sentence because the earth shook like an earthquake. It was as if the world was crumbling. Wait, the world was crumbling. Heh he, my bad.
“Time always has a direction, don’t go astray.” Was all prof Red said before pushing senior and me to a time tunnel. After that, I completely blacked out.
“Oww man!!!!!!!MY FAVOURITE SHIRT!!!!!” I woke up hearing that jackass yelling into my ear. Seriously man, if someone could get him a volume button, I’m really grateful.
“You are screaming into my ear asshole! And I only got two ears!” “But my shirt!” I shushed him. How stupid is he?
“You have enough money to buy a new one and who knows, fairy god mother will pop up and give a pipati papati poo and your shirt will be all good as new.”
“Fine.” He stood up and extended a hand for me to take and pulled me up on to my feet.
“What are we supposed to do anyway? Sneak in and turn the house upside down? Get arrested for burglary?” I asked dusting off my cloths.
“Or how about we approach them like complete normal weirdoes who has come for the little guy’s birth day.”
“Like?”
“Like I’m Peter Parker and you are Bruce Wayne.” Now that was hella ridiculous. I the small one gets that big bulky Bruce Wayne while this shit face becomes Peter Parker. Does he even have a brain to begin with or is he just acting stupid on purpose?
“You sound asinine pal. You should get an eye checkup. Seriously.” I chuckled again. “You big guy will be Bruce and I will be Peter Parker aka Spider man aka Tom Holland aka-”
“Yeah I know shit face. I know who Peter Parker is and all the shit about spider man. Now focus Focus.”
“Right right.”
________________
30. A Letter from the Future
13th October 2022
“To Little Guy,
Hello to you too asshole, I’m writing this paragraph on behalf of this others and I don’t miss you at all. So how was school? Did that girl stalk you again? I know my charms can be very magnetic. Anyways, Lucas got another bun in the oven. Not him, his wife Rita if you don’t remember and Diana has learned a whole lot of new words. I mean no shit; our shit ass brother was grounded for weeks instead of Diana. You should’ve seen that; he called me every hour. Let me tell you the exact same thing he told me once. ‘My little brother, I know I was an asshole to you but remember, this big brother will always love you. I don’t think I’ll ever get to see your face again. But I will always remember you.’ I almost laughed my ass off. Then later a receive a call from Rita saying Lucas was released. After that, Lucas haven’t called me once.
Hey little guy, this time it’s me professor Redman writing. First of all, after your victorious moves, I went back to my time and got married. So, I’m no longer single.
Yesterday, we called everyone to a travelers’ meeting which you failed to attend to since you had your exams. In that meeting we got to know that something we didn’t plan has taken place in the past. While you two were in the past, our father has somehow got to know about your arrival and the time travel thing. -”
I chuckled remembering what exactly happened when we were in the past.
Flashback…
“Speak of the devil.” Senior said pointing the front porch of our childhood house. A small kid which I recognized to be my younger self, let’s call him mini me was coming out from the house. He had a Lego rocket on his hands.
“So, what should we actually do now? Should we approach him right now or-” Senior didn’t answer instead he stood up and marched towards the house brushing back his hair in an attractive manner. I’m serious. Like I have said long ago, my older self is pretty handsome. You’ll know it’s true when you see him. From what I heard from Liam who has heard from someone else, Senior’s high school year book was half filled with my photos. So, you can understand what I mean. Not boasting. Anyways, I too stood up and followed senior who was making a great grand entrance.
“Hey there little kiddo.” Nice start. Mini me looked up at us and went on his way saying ‘I don’t talk to strangers.’ I didn’t know I was that intelligent those days. He was so cool. Just imagine. A seven-year-old boy glaring at you and tells an old uncle, not me, I meant senior and say ‘Leave me alone bitch’ in his own way. Now that was awesome. So worth the trip to past. “Well, I’m no stranger. Ever heard of Bruce Wayne? You just looked at him.” Despite of the situation, I almost let out the biggest laugh I could ever have. It was so hilarious how he said that. He even flexed his muscles. Ridiculous.
I don’t know why I’m so surprised by my mini me but he is just so surprising because the next reply he gave just blew my mind away.
“The last Bruce Wayne I knew was bigger than you.” Savage. How can a seven-year-old say such things? It was amazing. Senior looked at me as if he didn’t know what to say in reply and not only him, I was also speechless.
“But his name is really Bruce Wayne and I’m Peter Parker.” The kid looked at me and then at Senior.
“Did Marvel and DC sign a contract together?” This kid was too intelligent for his age. I wonder how my parents and teachers survived with me. I feel sorry for them now. May god bless you.
“Doesn’t matter who we are. What matters is that you need to do something.” He sighed. Senior left me to speak with the kid and went to the door and picked up something.
“What’s that?” I asked going closer to him. He showed me a piece of paper and a pencil.
“Hey! That’s my stuff!” Mini me tried to get it from senior but senior only raised his eyebrow to make the little kid give in. Poor boy.
“What are you going to write?” I peeped on to the paper as he wrote down something. “Holly shit no! You can’t do that!” said I as soon as I read what he was writing.
“Why not? I don’t think this will change anything much in the future but little guy, this is the last chance we get to see our father and this is the last time we get to write something to our father.” I knew he was right but professor Redman warned us about this. He warned us about taking emotional decisions. But I also didn’t want to lose the chance. I never got to tell him good bye. And I missed him, a lot.
“We have to selfish sometimes little guy.” Senior sighed and stroked my head like the big brother thing he did when we were in his apartment. “And I hope you’ll be with me and trust me on this.”
“Fine man. Just don’t get emotional.” I pushed away his hand and waited patiently for his to finish the latter. I won’t tell you guys the content of the letter yet because you’ll get to see it soon. Yup, professor catches us red handed. So just wait a second longer.
Once he was done writing it, he kneeled in front of mini me.
“You got fucking one job to do. Give this to your father. Got it?” Mini me stared at senior like he has grown two heads.
“What is ‘fucking’?” That was the best question one has ever asked and coming from a little child was more interesting.
“It means…” Senior looked over at me asking for the better term to explain such a huge curse. I smirked seeing how he was suffering. It was fantastic. The best punishment one could ever get. He deserved that. “It means beautiful. Yeah. It means beautiful.”
“Ohhhh…”
“So will you give it to your father?”
“Yes.” Senior folded the paper and stuffed it to mini me’s pocket.
“Now off you go.” Mini me stared at senior and said ‘Fuuuckkkk’ surprising both of us. It was hilarious. I laughed my ass off that day. Imagine a small kid calling you fuck thinking it means good. Just imagine it. Holly shit! Even recalling it makes me laugh so hard. I almost fell down from the goddamn chair. Doesn’t matter. Anyways, that gave me the greatest idea of all time. I walked closer to mini me and kneeled down to his eye level.
“You like to play ball, right?” He nodded. I grinned. Perfect. Just the bait
I wanted. "I'll show you some great tricks if you call this uncle beautiful. " Senior's eyes went wide when he finally realized what was going to happen. He had no time to make a comment because mini me yelled "Fuuuucccckkkk". The best feeling ever.
"Go now. Give that to your father." Senior said once he recovered from the shock. Mini me grinned and ran towards the garage which I also remembered to be the place dad used as the lab at home.
"You have gutts now." Senior muttered to which I snickered. "I think that letter is all we need to make them not find grandpa's diary."
"Hopefully." I sighed. Now all we have to do is wait....wait,shouldn't we go back to our present?
"Shit man! That fucker didn't teach us how to time travel? How the fuck are we supposed to go back now?" Senior also seemed to have figured that out. I tried to remember what the professor said before we were pushed into the tunnel.
"Time always has a direction. Don't go astray."
"Huh?"
"That's what prof said." Senior raised his eyebrow and looked around.
Unconsciously he glanced at his watch.
"Kid, am I the only one seeing this?" He said while staring at his watch. I peeped onto his watch asking, "seeing what?"
"Oh wow,"
"Wow indeed." We both stared at the watchhands which were moving way faster than they should be. Even the clock hand that represented hours was moving like the minute hand. "Is this happening to yours as well?" I glanced at mine and to our surprise it was also behaving the same way.
"There's definitely something going on." I removed mine from my wrist and shook it hoping that would make it better.
"Could it be that our watch is related to time travel? I mean professor said that grandpa was a time traveler and this watch was given by him."
"Possible but whatever this goddamn thing is, we have to figure it out soon-" I couldn't finish my sentence as the ground pulsed like there was an earthquake.
"Hell no! What now? Is that T-rex coming back again?"
"Don't jinx it asshole. You don't know how it feels like to breath in its rotten mouth."
"Eww man. That's gross but how big was its mouth?"
"You are asking now?"
"Fine. Let's talk of this later. Now, how to time travel?"
"Figure that out genius." I rolled my eyes. He's so hopeless sometimes. I feel sorry for his future.
I turned my watch upside down to look at the back and guess what ladies and gentlemen, I'm the real genius.
"Call me Yéyé.” I said still looking at my watch.
“Call you what?”
“Why? I’ve seen them say that in Chinese dramas. Did I spell it wrong?”
“You watch Chinese drama?” Senior smirked seeing me roll my eyes.
“Don’t tell me you have watched Falling into your smile.” I looked away because yes, I have. I mean come on. What kind of a Chinese drama lover haven’t watched falling into your smile? It’s the best Chinese drama out there. If you haven’t watched it, then you are not a real c drama lover. I mean who can resist the charm of Lu Si Cheng? So cool. He looks just like Leonardo Dicaprio. I’m extremely serious. I’m talking as a real die hard fan. I-
“Holly shit man!” Senior laughed out aloud. “ You are an Alaso!(Fandom name of Xu Kai who acts as Lu Si Cheng) This is mega crazy! Oh my god! I think I’m going to die soon!” By then he was bending down holding his stomach. His eyes were wet from tears. If he wants to embarrass me, let the game start because he’s not the only one who has dirt on me.
“Says the one who is secretly following Seventeen profiles.” Jack pot. Hit the nail on the head. He straighten up so quickly and I thought he might be trying to do a backflip or something.
“I do not!”
“Keep lying asshole. I have eyes.” The argument would have lasted longer if the earth didn’t shake again. This time I really fell on my butt. So did senior.
“Something is really going on.”
“The future must be changing. So the past is starting to disappear. That must be it.” I hate to admit this but the big guy might be right. I know he’s a complete idiot but he has good ideas sometimes.
“Stop bad mouthing me inside your head and think how to use this watch because I’m pretty sure this is the thing that can be used to time travel.” “This is the compass professor was talking of. Look at the back.”
“Oh wow! There’s a compass printed on the back but how can we use it?”
“Don’t know.” He removed his own watch and turned the back towards the sky.
“The North is right behind 3.” Senior muttered and the next second I was dragged into a time tunnel again.
We appeared back in 2054. I actually fell on my knees as soon as we stepped into 20254. Thanks to Liam, I didn’t hit my head. Someone gave me some water and that’s what brought some energy into me.
“Let’s take him to a seat. He must be exhausted from all the time travelling.” It was professor Redman. He grinned when I caught his eyes. “You did a great job little guy.” I nodded not finding that much energy to speak.
“What is going on with him?” Asked senior staring at my tired state.
________________
31.The true story
“He’s having the after effects of time traveling. This happens when you are new to this.”
“But why am I not having these after effects?”
“That’s because you are at the right age. You were supposed to find about the compass and everything by the next semester but little Focus is way too young for this. His mind is not that strong to handle the pressure of time.”
“So will he have this until he comes of age?” Liam patted my back asking the question from both professors.
“Yes I think but he’ll get used to it when he does this from time to time.” I sighed. I was finally gaining strength to speak.
“I’m not dying. Stop worrying that much.” Senior ruffled my hair which is a gesture I hate the most. “Stop it.” I swat his hand away glaring as hard as I could.
“Yeah. He’s good.”
“Will you explain everything now? Since we have already defeated ‘he’?”
“yes.” Senior prof. Redman cleared his throat. “But let’s go to the meeting room shall we?” He opened a door to show a room which was completely white but there was a big screen on one wall. In the middle was a long table like the table in the king’s dining room those days. So around them were about fifty cushioned chairs. “ This is the meeting room we use when we are having council meetings.”
“ What council?”
“The time council. They are the once who discuss what to do when something concerning time happens. The officials are in the council. All of us are in it except you.” Senior professor said looking at me.
“What about senior?” I glared at senior who shook his shoulders gesturing that he too knew nothing of this.
“He’s pass the right age. So he’s fine.”
“You know, I can sue you for saying such things! This is age discrimination! This is bullying! All this shit about age comes out only when every use of me was taken.” Senior professor opened his mouth to speak against me again but senior stepped in.
“I also agree with him. I mean we went through a lot and you discard him. Where did all the praises go? Before we went you said; you are the only one we need, only you can do this and shit. Now you are saying he’s unimportant.” I felt extremely happy. After all the fights, senior still stepped in for me. I swore that day that senior is my sworn brother from that onwards. I was that much happy. Hao xiongdi. (chinese word to show brotherhood)
“Actually, I too feel the same. It’s unfair for him. I know the rule, ‘Until the traveler has found about time traveling, they can’t join the council.’ But he has already found out about this, So, there’s no reason to hold him back.” Senior professor looked at each of us and sighed. Even if it pains me to agree, but he is totally the old version of me, trust me when I say this.
“Fine, but I have to get the permission of the whole council. It’s not only us in it.”
“Good, now back to the story,” I grinned since I found justice.
“Here’s what happened,” Professor Redman began. “Although we have the power to time travel, we can’t take anyone except time travelers when traveling through time. So, at the age of 40, Focus decides to make a machine which any other human could use. After years of research, he finally made the machine. By that time, he was married and he even had children.” I snickered. Senior professor glared which I ignored on purpose. “At first, he wanted to test it but he didn’t want to use a stranger as the lab rat. In the end his wife volunteered to do the test run. That’s when everything turned topsy turvy.”
“While he was operating it, something has happened and his wife has gone missing. He thought that his wife has gone to the destined time. As he operated, his wife should have returned back within fifteen minutes but even after fifteen minutes, she never came back. So, he used his own powers to see where his wife was. The council was also asked to search for her. Unfortunately, no one was able to find her. The council finally announced her as missing and closed the case saying there’s no way to retrieve her.
He never thought of going rampage until his lovely children got into a car crash. He was also in the car but he was the only survivor. He was in a coma while his friends did the funerals for the dead.
When he woke up, he was furious. Not only did he lose his wife but also his lovely children whom he cherished every second. That’s when he thought of creating another universe while destroying this one.”
“Is that even possible? To create a new universe?”
“Yes. But that’s unrelated to this.”
“I fear something has already started,” Senior professor said, grabbing all our attention.
“Do you think he has created a universe already?” He nodded when Liam asked that.
“But I don’t think anything will happen. Let’s just wait till council say something.”
End of flash back….
“- it’s okay though. He already knew of it anyways but that’s not it. Something bad is going on. The council asked us to be in alert and that’s not a good sign at all. They even asked you to come to the council meeting as soon as possible. I think this might have to do with the universe thing. Anyhow, reply back as soon as you can. I want to know whether my new method worked. So good bye for now, bye.”
I folded the paper and stuffed it into my pocket as I stopped at the traffic lights. The lights were still red. I smiled at the one on the other side of the road who was looking at me. It was a girl. She looked familiar although I couldn’t recognize her. Those brown eyes and dark hair definitely resembled someone I have seen. Just couldn’t put my finger on it. Behind her was a man in black. He had a black cloak that he had used to cover his face. It was weird but people are always weird right? So, like a complete idiot I ignored it. It was too late when I realized because when I stepped on to the crossing as the lights turned green, all changed. Everything was in flames.
About the Competition
The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is an esteemed platform celebrating literary and poetic talents worldwide. Participants from diverse backgrounds submit their works, contributing to a vibrant tapestry of creative expression. This competition fosters a global community of writers, each bringing their unique voice to the forefront, and aims to inspire, challenge, and reward creativity.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to W.A. Chirathya S. Jayawardene for sharing "Dimension Fourth" with us. Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 enriches the literary landscape with humor and ingenuity. We look forward to seeing more of your creative talents in the future. Thank you for taking us on this incredible journey through time and imagination.
About Hashtag Kalakar
Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.
Comments