Time to Fall

Chapter Seven: Ready, Set, Not Yet

"That... that can't be right." Connie shook her head. "There are infinite realities out there! There has to be one with both Jane and Tim being okay..."

"Webby says it's a temporal anomaly, but... there simply isn't." Doug shook their head. "Something about her dabbling in witchcraft..."

"Who's Webby?" Connie asked.

"Tinky's sister." Doug explained. "She says Jane wasn't a witch, but she was practicing witchcraft in some capacity when she died."

"Well... that tape was playing then she crashed." Tom bit his lip. "It was someone reading some book..."

"The Black Book." Doug sighed.

"That one." Tom nodded.

"But what should that matter?" Connie pointed out.

"There are forces that come with that book, and... once invested in someone, they can be cruel." Doug sighed. "I don't know which one she pissed off, but... it's either her or her kid."

"That's my son you're talking about." Tom growled defensively.

"You're going to have to choose. Apparently... you know that to do." Doug sighed. "But don't waste time trying to find a way to keep them both, because it simply won't happen."

"I even gave him my drones!" Connie stammered.

"She says... it was a good attempt, but he tries flying one in a cave..." Doug winced.

"Shit... could I not just tell him not to do that?" Connie blinked.

"You do that, he forgets and does it anyway." Doug shook their head.

"I... how the fuck am I supposed to choose?" Tom breathed.

"I'm... gonna go, because this is obviously a personal decision." Doug bit their lip. "Good luck..."

"Good evening, officer..." Jane bit her lip, walking up behind her. "Can I help you?"

"Oh, no, I was just investigating a bit of petty theft in the building." Doug lied. "Just had a few questions for Ms. Houston."

"She isn't a thief." Jane protested.

"I know, ma'am. We have a suspect, I just needed to talk to more of the residents." Doug lied through their teeth again.

"Alright." Jane sighed.

"Have a very Merry Christmas, Mr. and Ms. Houston." Doug called back as he left. Jane walked into the apartment with Tim and their sweaters. She passed them to Tom and Connie, who were still in total and utter shock.

"Here you go..." She hummed contentedly. Her and Tim were already in their sweaters. They were red with white snowflakes. But Connie couldn't even focus on the sweater. Not with what had just happened. "You okay?"

"Um... yeah." Connie lied. "Just... wasn't expecting to see the police on Christmas..."

"Why don't we go change, Corny?" Tom reminded her.

"Yeah. Alright." Connie nodded, walking to her bedroom. Tom followed her and closed the door behind her. She grabbed her jeans, heading to the bathroom and closing the door. She set the sweater and jeans on the counter, and sat on the floor, curling into a ball.

They should never have messed with time in the first place. The first time was an accident, but after that... they should have stopped. Then... they would never have to know this. They'd never need to play God and decide who lived and who died. How messed up was this? What... What person should have to make this kind of choice? What had they done? What had she done to deserve this? Was this some sort of sick karma for the affair? Now she had to choose whether her lover lived? Or was she never meant to have been a part of this decision? Was the decision never meant to have been made? Whatever the answer... she hated this, and she knew after she made this choice she was going to hate herself.