It's About Time

R's Story

2001, March fifth I was six years old, only six. I don't remember much when I was six, except for this. For this changed my entire life, and maybe perhaps, somebody else's.
I was six years old standing in my father's office. I can still vaguely remember the extremely outdated red carpet that oddly reminded me of velvet. The smell of leather filled the room that went along with the plain brown walls with huge windows that reached to the top, almost to the ceiling. It was lined with golden trim and his huge brown desk that sat exactly in the center of the room, with a chair I was never allowed to sit in. I was never close with my father until this moment. I actually used to think he was a vampire, he never opened the windows in his office, always kept them shut with a blackout curtain hanging above it. His dim office always reminded me of a cave of some sort. At night before I went to bed, I can still remember putting garlic under my bed in case he might come to eat me. I guess as an only child with no mother you began to let your imagination run wild.
            But this day in particular was extraordinary for more reasons than one. I was standing in my father's office, with his windows open, he was sitting down at his desk and slowly looked up at me, with his long nose and racoon-like eyes. He slowly lifted his glasses up that had been resting on his nose and called out, "Raymond, come here." I gulped, usually when my father wanted to talk to me, it was never good. One thing about my father was that he always seemed sad, I could never pin-point an exact reason why, but why does anyone's sadness ever need to be validated?
            I slowly walked over to him with my hands safely tucked into my pockets, "Yes, dad?"
He stood up from his seat, towering over me like a skyscraper with his long slender body, "Sit."
I stared at him for a moment with my eyes wide, not knowing what to do. He raised his brows, "I said sit, boy. What are you doing standing there with your mouth agape?" I quickly sat down in the chair, as I watched my father get down on his knees, "Raymond, I need you to listen very carefully, I-" He paused, "I am very sick."
            "Like mommy was?" I asked.
            He sighed as he looked down, "Yes, like mommy was."
            "But there is something very important that I must tell you before it's too late."
            I tilted my head to the side.
            "Raymond, us Sinclair's have a gift."
            "What kind of gift?" I asked, "Like a puppy?"
            My father chuckled, which was a rare sound to hear, that gave me goosebumps up my spine, "No, not like a puppy. You see, Raymond, we can travel back in time."
            I furrowed my brows, "Daddy, that's not possible."
            He shook his head, "Oh, but it is!"
            I stepped back away from him, but he quickly bawled his fist in my shirt yanking me towards him. "Raymond listen to me, this is very crucial. I need you to trust me."
            Trust. What a bold word. Trust. This man has given me no reason trust him. In fact, I barely knew him.
            "All you have to do is close your eyes, and remember the exact date, think of your surroundings, the way you felt, and you will be there." I felt my face go cold as I stared at him with my eyes wide, usually a child would believe anything, for they a gullible and fed with children's stories. But I on the other hand had to grow up extremely fast. Since my mother died, I had to do most of the stuff around home.
            "But this is extremely important, never change the past. You can observe, learn from it, go back to any time you want, but never change it. And if you ever go back to which a time you existed, don't let anybody see you, do you understand me, Raymond. Especially yourself." I gulped as I pushed him off, "D-did you forget to take your pills today, pa."
            He shook his head, "This is perilous, you must listen!" I quickly ran out of his office in fright. He died two weeks later.

Ten years later

            I waited outside patiently looking at my clock while it ticked slowly. Looking up at the night sky with bright shining stars I mumbled under my breath, "Any minute now..."  I hunched under a bush and waited patiently. Suddenly light spread across the night sky. Through the bushes I could see the White house in flames. My eyes widened as I quickly scrambled to grab my backpack. I swiftly pulled out my camera and took multiple shots of the burning building.
            "Fascinating..." I whispered under my breath.
            Suddenly I heard a deep voice boom from behind me. "And who might you be?" I quickly turned around in fright to see a tall lean man, with cropped brown hair standing in front of me. I quickly shoved the camera back into the bag. He nodded toward the bag, "Is that some sort of weapon?"
            "Uhh," I sputtered, "It's a bag." The man rolled his eyes, "I can observe that. What's in it, boy." I looked at his outfit, he had a creamy baggy shirt with a waistcoat on top and breeches. On his feet were black loathers. As I was studying him, I could tell he was doing the same, "Are you some sort of thaumaturge." I shook my head, "What? No!" I heard loud footsteps coming closer and I quickly ducked and along did this stranger. I watched three men run past with bright red coats. My eyes lit up in wonder and I suddenly felt a grasp around my collar, "Are you a spy?" The man lifted me from up the ground. "No! Put me down!"  He dropped me and I fell flat on my face. "What's your name, boy?"
            I wiped the dirt from off of my face, "You sure do ask a lot of questions." He stared at me intensely, "Name."
            I gulped, "Uh, Jacob Bradley." I never used my real name; I knew better than that. I shook my head, "And what's yours?" He paused for a moment, almost as if he was debating on telling me or not, "Jackson Moore."
            Suddenly a woman quickly came running up with long brown hair, "Jackson we have to go!" He stared at me then slowly turned, "I'm coming." And they ran off. I let out a sigh of relief as I quickly closed my eyes and went back home to 2011. I reappeared on my bed with my bag clutched in my hand. I quickly took out my camera and the two photos that had printed out. I pinned them up on my wall full of pictures of everywhere I had been. I stepped back as I admired my work, turns out my father wasn't so crazy after all. I never told anyone about it though, not even my aunt who now raised me. One they would think I was crazy, two who knows what the government might do if they found out about me. Sometimes I wished I could go back to my father and tell him I was sorry for the way I acted; I was so cruel to him. I never got the chance to tell him he was right. And sometimes, even though I knew he was sick, I can't help but think I killed him.

Present day December 6th, 2021

            "Yeah, yeah, I'm going!" I yell into the phone that was rested under my neck while trying to carry multiple bags in my hands. "It's still a couple of blocks away and I know what your stupid coffee is." I roll my eyes as I quickly open a large brown door. "I'm going to have to call you later." And with that I abruptly end the call. I walked into a large room with white tile and almost mint-green walls. Set in the middle of the room was a large front desk. A lady sat there with tall white hair and cold, numb eyes. Behind her and the desk were more doors that touched the ceiling. The room would've seemed a lot smaller if it wasn't so huge in the first place for their was no windows. The lady slowly looked at me, "Raymond," she paused, "Your late." I laughed awkwardly, "Sorry Silvia." She stared at me up and down, "And it appears you don't even have the coffees." I raised a finger, "I was just about to go, first I just had to drop of all this stuff in his office," I said gesturing to the bags. She rolled her eyes, "Hurry before I have caffeine withdrawals."
            I smiled bitterly and pushed open the brown doors behind her, which led to a set of elevators.  I pushed the button repeatedly till it opened and quickly slipped in. I Pressed on floor 6 and watched the doors close. The elevator went up, but the doors opened on floor four. My eyes widened as I saw who walked in. A tall man with a clean-cut suit stood next to me. He had crew cut black hair with teeth brighter than my future. The man stared at me, "Raymond, I see you don't have the coffees." I bit my lower lip, "Uh, sorry, sir, I was just about to drop this stuff in your office and get the coffees, sir." He rolled his eyes, "You're lucky your family or you would've been fired by now." The elevator door opened just in time and I quickly rushed out and left the bags in his office.
            "Hello Ray!" Grayson's secretary shouted at me. I smiled, "Hey Julia!" As I got into the elevator and watched the doors close with her face disappearing along the way. Truth be told, I had a miniature crush on her, but it was against company policy to date any of your coworkers, besides, I'm pretty sure Grayson was sleeping with her on the side.
            Grayson is the CEO of this company and my boss. Also, not as well-known as my cousin. He runs my dad's old company, I was supposed to get it when I turned 21, but I guess I wasn't fully ready for it and Grayson got it instead. We used to be really close, but now not so much. We were practically brothers since we grew up together, for I had to move in with my aunt and uncle after my dad died. Now it's as if nothing ever happened.
            I ran down the block as fast as I could. I was on thin ice and I knew I was about to lose my job, Grayson has cut me a lot of slack, but at the same time he hasn't at all. I think he only keeps me because I can remember everyone's coffees.
            I rushed into Starbucks praying there wasn't a long line like there usually is. I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I saw a register with no line. Thank the heavens.
            I quickly walked over and realized why no one was there yet. Nobody was at the register.
            Just to be sure I called out, "Excuse me?"
            I waited there for a moment without an answer and as I was about to walk away, I heard a voice, A girl slowly looks up, "Sorry, what can I get for you toda-" She stops and stares at me like she just saw a ghost. I couldn't help but smile, she was drop-dead-gorgeous. Her beautiful chocolate skin, and her straight black hair that was dyed blue on the ends. I could get lost in her beautiful brown eyes.
            I beamed at her brightly as I slowly bit my bottom lip, "Hi, I'm Ray." I looked down at her nametag, "Skylar..." I said, "That's a pretty name."
            Her face flushed brightly, "I uh," She looked like she was about to start crying. I looked around awkwardly, "Uh, are you ok?" She shook her head, "Yes, of course, I'm so sorry," She stared at me intensely, making direct eye contact, "you just remind me of someone is all."  I laughed uncomfortably, "Yeah, I get that a lot."
            She scoffed and mumbled something incoherent, "Sorry, what was your order again, Sir?"          
            "Two black coffees, make one a double, iced vanilla latte, no foam, caramel macchiato, and lastly iced coffee, decaf."
            She smiled, "I see that you're on coffee duty, huh?" I rolled my eyes, "You have no idea."
            I waited patiently for the coffees and trying to not freak out about being late. I really needed this job.
            She pushed the coffees out on the counter all in a carrier. As I grabbed them and started to walk away, she stopped me, "Wait!" I turned around slightly, "Yes?"
             "I just have to ask," She paused, "Have you ever gone by the name of R?" I stared at her, confused, "Um, no." Her face turned red, "Of course not, I'm sorry." I lingered there for a little longer, "It actually doesn't sound to be actually," I chuckled, "R."
            Her face turned pale as she looked down at the ground.       
            I smiled at her, as I walked out the door. That was a bit weird.
            As I arrived back in the building, I quickly handed Silvia her drink as I opened the elevator. Once I reached the fourth floor, I had to go in the conference room to pass out the drinks. As I opened the door everyone turned slightly to stare at me. I bit my bottom lip as I started passing the drinks out.
            "I don't think there is enough drinks for all of us, boy." Said one of the men. I passed staring at him, dumfounded, not knowing what to say. "Uhhh..." A lady scoffed, "If I would've known we were taking orders; I would've liked one too." I only had one drink left and it was Grayson's as I was slowly placing it down, he grabbed my wrist, "Next time, take orders from everyone got it!" He growled. I gulped, "Yes sir."
            Suddenly something caught my attention, written on the cup were a bunch of numbers. A phone number. My eyes widened slightly as I scanned them over in my head. Grayson pried the cup out of my hands, "For God's sake let go!" I stood up straight, "S-sorry sir." He furrowed his brows and pinched his nose-bridge with his two index fingers, "Please just leave."
            I nodded, but my focus was still on the cup. Suddenly without even thinking I grabbed it. "What is the matter with you?!" I felt everyone's eyes on me as I gulped, "Sorry, I just, uh," I glanced around the room at everyone's irritated, questioning faces, "I just uh, forgot to ask for no sugar!" I exclaimed. "Let me go fix it for you!"
            Grayson stood up, "That's it you're fired!" I felt my whole-body quake. Staring at him and his raging eyes, I knew this wasn't going to be good. I shook my head, "No, I quit." He stared at me, "Excuse me?"
            "I quit!" I shouted, "You had been making my life a living hell since I started working here, I quit!" Before I could even react, Grayson grabbed the coffee out of my hands and threw it at me. A burning sensation flew throughout my body as I yelped, "What the hell man?!" I shouted. He scowled, "Leave before I call security.
I stormed out of the room and walked by Julia who was standing up, concerned, "Is everything ok, Ray?" "Just peachy," I scowled as the elevator doors closed.
            This was possibly the worst day of my life, I was fired, barely could afford my apartment as it was, and now I had lost her number. Not to mention I smelled like coffee.
            As I was walking down the street, I stopped by a nearby fountain to clear my thoughts, god I was ready to jump off a building. I stared at this fountain and it's beautiful carvings and the benches that lied around it. I sat on one of the benches and stared at the water poring over the sides. I thumbled through my pocket and grabbed a penny. I closed my eyes and wished, "I wish... I wish I won't be so alone anymore."
            "Ray?" I looked up to that familiar voice. I turned around and it was the girl at the coffee shop. She slightly smiled, "Oh, how the tables how turned." I raised a brow, "What do you mean?" She shook her head, "Never mind."
            I walked up to her, "Sorry, I kinda lost your number."
            She looked down, "Sorry if that was weird."
            I shook my head, "No, no, actually I was kinda wanting it back." She smiled, "Oh really."            I nodded, "Mhm, and I was thinking you could put me in your contact number as R."
            Her eyes widened, "Yeah... yeah, that sounds good."

25 years later, 2036, present day
           
            In 25 years, a lot can happen. And a lot did. Skylar and I went on that date, which turned into two, which turned into three, where a year later I proposed to her by the fountain. I also had the chance to get my father's company back after Grayson got caught sleeping with half of the women that worked there, huge scandal, but I turned down the offer. I didn't want to be like my father, stressed all the time and barely see my family.
            I am, however, an engineer, which is where I met my best friend, Caleb McKeough.  He is one of the very few people that know I'm a time travel, I haven't even told Skylar. In fact, Caleb and Skylar used to go to high school together, I've tried asking Skylar about it a few times but she never gives me a straight answer. I don't think Sky and Caleb are too fond of each other really.
Sometimes I could feel as if Skylar did know about my secret, the questions she would ask, the things she would say, but I promised myself I wouldn't get her tied up in my mess.
            Speaking of time travel, it seemed that every year I went to, from 1692 at the Salem Witch Trials, to the 1980s lurking in the back of a Guns N' Roses concert, was always a young man with dark brown hair, named Jackson Monroe.
And for some reason it seemed as if he never aged. We never spoke much, I guess because we were both scared of what the other might know, but let's just say we had a mutual understanding.
            But on this day, and on this exact time, I was driving my wife to the hospital.
           
"You know, I was just thinking, I think it would be a good investment to buy one of those like weird little pregnant seatbelts, you know? Like I heard if we got in a wreck that these seatbelts could hurt the baby."
            Skylar rolled her eyes, "R, stop overreacting, and can you please drive a little faster, we're going to be late for the appointment." I shook my head, "Nope, we got to be extra careful, what if something happened to the baby." Skylar sighed, "Ray, by the time we get there I'm going to be giving birth if you don't go any faster."  I scoffed, "Uh, excuse you, my driving is impeccable," I turned to her, "you gotta stop overreacting."   She looked out the window, "I know how much this means to us, we if we expect the worse, the worst is going to happen." I looked over at her, she was twitching with a bracelet that I bought for our 7th anniversary. I grabbed her hand and entwined it with mine, "Hey," I said soothingly, "It's gonna be ok, Sky. Sure, we had a little difficulty conceiving, but we're here now, everything is going to be just fine we just have a month left." I gave her a reassuring smile while I rested my hand on her stomach, which she gave me one in return.
            She paused for a moment before her eyes widened, "Ah, shit, Ray I left my phone at the house!"             
            I looked over at her, "Do you need it right now?" She scrunched her brows "I promised my mom I'd call her to tell her where to meet me up at after the appointment, yes I need it." "Can't you just use my phone?" She scowled at me, "Ray, please."
            "Ok, ok," I said trying to find the nearest place to turn around. The light turned green and I turned left, suddenly it felt as if everything was moving slow. And maybe it was. I looked over at Skylar, who seemed as if she was frozen in time, right across from us was a Semi, heading straight towards us. My eyes widened and before I could even react, everything sped up and the semi ran straight into us, barreling us down the road.
            The sound of crunching metal ringed throughout my ears, everything happened so fast, then everything went black.
            My eyes flew open and I was on the side of the road, the first thought that flew through my mind was, Skylar. I craned my neck trying to look around, I tried to sit up but shot of pain bolted throughout my body and I shrieked in pain.
            I could hear whispers all around me, but not being able to make out what they were saying. Between the constant ringing in my ears, and my vision blurred, I could barely tell if anything was real.
            Suddenly I was lifted in the air, "Wait, no where's Skylar," I whispered. I gulped feeling my lungs burning, "Where's my wife?!" I shouted when there was no answer.
            I was placed down in a white room watching two doors closed, "Sir, I'm going to need you to calm down," A woman's voice said, "Where's Skylar?"  I demanded. "Sir, please-"
            "She's pregnant! I need you to tell me if she's okay," my voice cracked, "Please tell me that she is okay."
            I felt my heart beating faster and faster, my face was getting hotter and hotter, it felt as if my whole world was spinning out of control and I couldn't do anything to stop it I heard the paramedics shouted, then before I knew it a caliginous mist spread over my eyes.
            I woke up to a loud beeping sound, my eyes had a light fog over them as I tried to make out my surroundings. Tons of wires and cords were beside me with and an IV in my wrist. To my far right was a couch with a person laying on it, I focused in on the object to realize it was Caleb, my eyes slowly softened and I felt more relaxed, but that quickly ended before I remembered of all that had happened, "Where's Skylar?" Caleb jumped up in shock, His eyes wide as saucers, "Holy shit dude, you scared the shit out of all us." He walked over to me, "Uhh, I should probably call in a doctor, shouldn't I?"
            "Wait-" before I could stop him, he darted out of the room.
            "Is there a doctor!" He shouted.
            I rolled my eyes, Of course there's a doctor, we're in a hospital for God's sake.
            Caleb walked in with a tall, thin woman in a white coat. She had black hair that was tied up neatly in a bun on the back of her head with side bangs that hung over. She looked middle-eastern mixed with something else I couldn't quite distinguish, "Hi," she said softly, "I'm doctor Smidt." "Is my wife, okay?" I immediately ask. She stared at me, stone-faced, "You gave us quite a scare, Mr. Sinclair, you were in a coma for almost two weeks, you barely survived."
            "Is my wife, okay?" I asked again. She sighed deeply, my face froze as immediately knew what she was about to say, but I was hoping she wouldn't, I was hoping this was just way she surprised people, with her smile slowly fading, and her eyes softening pretending to portray sympathy, before letting them know everything was ok. But I knew that wasn't the case.
            "I'm so sorry, Mr. Sinclair, but I'm afraid she didn't make it."
            Just like that, my whole world collapsed.
            Just like that, everything I loved was gone.
            Just like that, I was never going to be the same.
            Just like that, I felt myself break.
            I could hear them speaking and I could hear Caleb rambling on, but at the same time I couldn't. I felt the ringing in my ears return again as I stared blankly at the wall, I felt my heart stop beating, or maybe it was, just too fast to even tell the difference. I could feel my throat go dry as my vision blurred.
            "I'm so sorry, Ray." I slowly turned to Caleb who was holding my hand. "I need to get out of here." Caleb shook his head, "R, bud, you just woke up from a coma, man. There's no way in hell you can leave."
            I shook my head, "No, I got to get out of here."
            "Ray-" I choked, "Maybe I can save her, I gotta save her." Caleb stared at me with a pitying face. Suddenly I was sobbing as I felt hot tears pour down my cheek, "God fucking dammit Caleb!" I smashed my wrist onto the bed.
            I cupped my face into my hands, "I got to get her back."

           
           
I splashed my face with cold water as I stared at my reflection, bitter. I looked up slowly as I stared at my reflection. A permanent scar was plastered at my lower lip, to remind me every day of how I failed her.
            I turned off the lights and wandered down the thin hallway, letting my feet control me. I found myself standing in the middle of the nursery, staring at the blue walls with lion, zebra stickers and all other sorts of animals. A small blue crib centered in the very back next to a square window that over-looked the city, straight across from the fountain. I wandered over to the toy box where there were tons of teddy bears, astronauts, a few Lego pieces and fiddled with each one.  I sat on the big blue carpet that had a moon and stars printed on it. All I could do was stare out the window, gazing at the people walking on the sidewalk, all in such a hurry.
            Time really does go on. No one else cared. No one else even knew, that this wonderful, beautiful person was gone. Maybe that's what bothered me the most.
            Skylar's mother dropped by a few times to give me lasagna.
            Always freaking lasagna.
            Caleb did too, so did a few of Skylar's friends, and coworkers. But you could tell looking in their eyes, that it was just full of pity. I was now just a man who lost his wife and unborn baby, the widower. The way people spoke to me, as if they said the wrong time that I might shatter. The funny thing is, I broke the very minute the semi hit us, what's a few more cracks going to do. I stood up and slowly walked to the kitchen.  It was a mess. I couldn't push myself enough to clean it. The ironic thing was that it was usually Skylar the one making the mess and I having to go in behind her to clean it up. I softly smiled as I remembered one of the first nights we moved here. She had a tough day at work, her stupid manager, Karl, was giving her a hard time.
            I remember trying to cheer her up by playing All I Have to Do is Dream, by the Everly Brothers. I looked so stupid dancing in the kitchen, holding a spatula, pretending it was a microphone. We never even finished what we were trying to make. I was too busy twirling her around and singing very off-key.
           

"All I have to do is dream, dream, dream," I said as I planted a kiss on her cheek.
            She giggled, "God, you're so stupid." She slowly placed both of her feet onto mine and I shuffled her around. "I'm not too heavy, am I?" I shook my head, "No, as light as an angel feather." I smiled, "You're my Angel." She rolled her eyes, "God, you're so cheesy... also Angel...," she paused, "That has a nice ring to it." "Yeah?" I said raising a brow. "Yeah... I haven't heard that in quite a bit." I stood there awkwardly, what did she mean by that?  Then she grabbed my collar and pulled me down close to her lips, "I love you, thank you for this."   I grinned as I pushed a strand of blue hair behind her ears, "Anything for you."

            My memory slowly faded as I walked slowly towards the empty living room. The nights we used to stay up late watching our favorite TV shows, snuggling on the couch. Or the more difficult times when we had a miscarriage, or she failed a pregnancy test. She was always sad for a good couple of days. Or the times when we were sick, making sure the other was okay.
            I can remember a specific time when I had the flu and was feeling awful, she took off work and never left my side, even after she just got her dream job of being an Associate designer. She was there, the whole time. I can still vaguely hear her singing to me, "I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck."
            Her mother also used to sing that to her when she was feeling down or sick, or just whenever she needed it. Maybe that's what made it so much more special.

            My thoughts were quickly interrupted as I heard a banging on my door. I leaned around the corner watching the door.
            "It's Caleb man! Look, I know you're in there. And I know you haven't left the house. I mean it's been a month man, you gotta come out sometime," he paused, "Anyway, I just wanted to remind you that I'm here for you, and you can always talk to me, y'know." I stood there still, silent. As I started to walk away, I heard, "Jack's here too, we're all worried about you, man." I faltered, why was Jack here? I slowly walked over to the door and placed my hand on the brown metal doorhandle, I hesitated, then shook my head as I twisted the door handle.
            Sure enough, on the other side stood Caleb and Jack. Caleb rolled his eyes, "Oh wow he opens the door for you."
            "I told you I'm special," Jack grinned. I stood there confused, "W-what are you doing here? How do you know each other?"    
            Jack rolled his eyes, "I heard about Skylar so I had to visit you, we're like time travel buddies." I stood there, still dazed, "How did you hear about Skylar thoug-"
            "Look, I have my ways," He said interrupting. Caleb stared at me, "How about you get dressed, take a goddamn shower, you smell like shit for fucks sake, and we go get a couple of drinks. We have quite a bit to catch up on."
            I slowly backed away from the door, "I don't know guys."
            "We're not taking no as an option." I stared at them coldly, "Fine then..."
            They took me to a small bar about only four blocks away. I had only been there a couple of times, and let's just say those weren't the best nights. Nice to see that my streak was continuing.
            "So," Jack began as the bartender slid me my drink, "Time Traveler, huh?" I eyed him, closely, "Care to explain how you've been 25 for 4,000 years?" He smirked, "Well, played." He took a sip of his whiskey as he placed it down, "Seems like we have more than one thing in common." I furrowed my brows, "And what is that." Jack let a playful smile spread across his face, the weird thing about it was it seemed almost as if was hiding something, like hurt.
            "Well, for starters, we've both seen things, no one else has seen, we've both experienced stuff no one else has been able to understand. We've had to watch people we love die," Jack swallowed mid-sentence, "Anyways, I have a proposal."
            "What kind of proposal?"
            Jack smirks, "I'll lend you a piece of... helpful information if you can go back and time and well, fix something for me."
            I shook my head immediately, "Can't do that. Changing time would mess up everything. Time always finds a way to fix itself, and might make everything worse."
            Jack raised a brow, "How much worse."
            "Let's just say, that Earth could possibly be sucked into a black hole and collapse upon itself," I paused, "Anyways, if I could've changed time, I would've done it as soon as Skylar-" I stopped myself.
            "Died?" Jack finishes for me. I scowled at him, "Yes, thank you." Jack scoots closer, "Here's the thing, Ray. I've seen you, in different pockets of time yeah? Young, and old, I've seen you before you even known you've seen me yet." I stared at him closely, "What are you trying to get at here?" Jack smiled, "I've seen you in the same place twice."
            I stared at him, "What are you talking about, I haven't gone back to a time when I was alive!" Jack leaned back, "Not yet." I shake my head, "I'm done with this, c'mon Caleb." I got up out of my chair and start to walk away, before I paused, "Anyway, I would've known better to not go back in a time where I existed."
            Jack stood up, "Why would I lie to you about this?" I rolled my eyes, "Why do you do anything you do?" Jack smiled, "what about this, why do you think Skylar called you R? Or why she knew things about you that you couldn't explain, why you always felt as if she knew? You know why Ray, because she does." I stood there for a moment, it all clicked, I didn't go back in time for myself, I went to see her. I gulped, it was scary because I thought about it, I've thought about it several times, but had to contain myself.
            "The world hasn't collapsed, has it?" Jack asked.
            "No..." I said slowly as I sat back down. I glared at him slowly, "What do you want, exactly." Jack shuffled, "1692, Salem Witch Trials. I need you to make sure I don't go to the hanging. I made a huge mistake," He gulped, "That I'm paying for every day." He looked down, "And I'm making someone pay with me, who doesn't deserve it." I paused, "The Salem Witch Trials? I saw you there." He rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I know." I shook my head, "Yes... with a girl, she had long brown hair and-"
            "That's enough." He demanded.
            We sat there in awkward silence for a few moments before I finally broke the silence, "What time?" He looked up at me, "What?"
            "I need the exact time, to go back to it." He scrunched his brows, "It was around 3 a.m."
            I nodded as I got up from my chair. "And a tip!" He hollered after me. I turned to the side, "Yes?" "Future you told me a while ago, for a helpful tip and whatnot, not only can you go back in time, you can control it. Stop time, speed it up, that's why everything seemed so slow on the day of the accident." I stared at him, "Thanks..." As I slowly started to head out the door. Caleb stared at me in awe before he grabbed my arm, "Ray, what are you thinking? You're not really gonna go through with this are you?" I stared straight ahead, refusing to look at him, "I have to see her, one last time." He stepped in front of me and shook his head, "No, changing time. That's crazy man." I scoffed, "I'm sure it's no big deal, besides it will get him off my ass."
            Caleb sighed, "This is a bad idea man, all of it. How do you know once you see her, you won't come back? Or you'll not be able to handle it and change time, what happened to all your morals?" I rolled my eyes, "First of all, I can only stay in place for a certain hour of time before I disappear, time will find a way to get rid of me because I'm not supposed to exist, and secondly what's the worst that could happen?" I pushed past him and walked out the door, leaving them both.
           
            "All you have to do is close your eyes, and remember the exact date, think of your surroundings, the way you felt, and you will be there." My father's voice echoed through the air. I knew I couldn't go to a time when she knew who I was, that would mess everything up. I went a week and day before we met to make sure there was no possible way I could run into my past self and I close my eyes and went back to November 28th, 2021.
            I opened my eyes and quickly realized my surroundings, I was standing outside of Skylar's old coffee shop she used to work at, my eyes lit up as I saw her at the register.
            I turned and accidently ran into someone, "Hey! Watch where you're going man!" An angry pedestrian called out.
            "S-sorry!" I stuttered. I took a deep breath, I knew no one could see my face or else it could create a black hole.
            I focused as I closed my eyes, I needed to stop time. I remembered everything from that day, how everything seemed to stop it in it's place, how the atmosphere felt, how I felt.
            I listened closely to my surroundings, the sound of the traffic the people, the smells and then my eyes flew open, everything stopped.
            Huh, I thought to myself. I looked in through the store window and saw a girl holding a tray of glasses, all about to fall on the floor and turned around, getting a cup of coffee, I saw Skylar standing there.
            Still, something seemed wrong. It was as if she was still lifeless, just standing there, not moving, not breathing, just existing.
            I closed my eyes; I knew I was going to regret this. When I opened them, I saw her looking around.  She looked afraid, eyes wide open and full of the unknown. I scoffed under my breath, "Of course it's not the same." And closed my eyes again.
            I was back home and brooding on my couch, it killed me inside to see her, I didn't even get to hold her, to touch her, to tell her how much I loved her. It felt like a memory I never had.
            Later that night I was lying in bed, still thinking about her. I knew I was supposed to be moving on and healing, but part of me just wondered, it wouldn't hurt to go back one more time, would it? Just one more time and I would be done.
            I finally gave in to my desires as I closed my eyes.
I opened my eyes and groaned as I felt a burning pain in my back, what in the world? I thought while lying in a field. I looked up and it was pitch black, only thing lighting the sky was a few stars and a lamppost far off in the distant. I looked around trying to understand my surrounding when I realized I was laying by a highway.
            I got up and brushed myself off, but immediately perked up when I heard a scream, a scream that sounded all to my familiar.
            I turned sharply and to my horror I saw two guys preying on Skylar. My blood boiled as I glared at them. If looks could kill, they'd be dead. Without even closing my eyes, everything froze. Except Skylar. I watched her as she got free of their grasp and quickly took their keys and stowaway in their car. I wanted to kill them, I wanted to kill them so bad, how could someone be so evil? I restrained myself as I unfroze time and watched them watch in shock as she drove away in their truck. It took all my might to stay hidden until they were gone. I swiftly got up from the ditch I had been hiding in and went over to inspect. Her car had a flat tire, she must've been trying to catch a ride or something, but was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
            I went to the nearby town, that looked like it had been abandoned for the last fifteen years. I broke into a tire shop and got all the supplies I need.
            I patched up her tire and drove back to her old apartment, I still somehow remembered the address. Once I reached there, I felt a wave of memories sweep over me.
            When we first got married, I moved in with her, since we both had barely any money to buy a place together. It was always tight and cramped and we barely had enough money to do anything; we always did find things to make it fun though.
            I parked her car and then stared at the truck, what am I going to do with it? I thought.
            I had to sneak into her apartment and grab the keys, after that I drove it to the nearest gas station and left it there, hoping those assholes wouldn't find it.
            After that, I knew I couldn't stay any longer, so I was forced to go back home.
            When I reappeared, I sat up straight on my bed, sweat pouring off of me. That was close, almost too close. I spent way too much time there then I should've.
            I suddenly heard a knock at my door and I slowly got up and peered around the corner.
            When I reached the door and opened it, I saw Caleb standing there. He grimaced, "Man, you look like shit." I rolled my eyes, "Gee, thanks." He barged his way through my door, "Look man, about what happened earlier today, I know you're grieving and everything, but how do you know this Jack guy is telling the truth?" I stared at him blankly.  "Oh no.." he said pinching his brows, "you already went, didn't you?" I laughed awkwardly in response.
            "Jesus Christ Ray! What are you even thinking?!" I rubbed the back of my neck, "The thing is, I'm not."
            Caleb took a deep breath, "Ok..." he paused, "Ok..." he repeated again. "This is fine, please at least tell me you didn't speak to her." I rolled my eyes, "Of course I didn't speak to her!" Caleb sighed, "Good, this isn't totally over." I smiled as I sat down on the couch, "God, Caleb she was so beautiful, and you know, I never realized how radiant she really, really was." Caleb stared at me and slowly unhardened his face, "I know you miss her man, I'm sorry."
            I gulped, "And to think those guys were gonna-" I stopped myself, "I gotta see if she's alright, those guys, and last night!" Caleb sputtered, "Wait what?!"
I got up and quickly started putting things together. 
            "You can't go back again!" Caleb demanded.  "And you already know she's alright!" I glared at him, "Just making sure." Caleb scoffed, "You are so goddamn stupid, please to god tell me you didn't go back for that stupid thing for Jack." I smiled at him, "Not yet." Before he could yell at me some more, I closed my eyes to see her yet again.
            This time I was at the crowded sidewalk again, and everything was already frozen beforehand, which was a little strange. I looked around through the crowds of people trying to pick her out. I looked in the sky at the pigeons mid-flight, people walking across the street. A tired mother chasing after her two kids. Suddenly I saw her. I quickly froze, myself, so she wouldn't see me. A wave of relief rushed over when I saw her fine, she in fact looked somewhat happy.
            I thought that would be the last time that I would go back and see her, I swore it. But I somehow always found another excuse, but this time was a tad bit different.
            I appeared outside of an old restaurant called Joe's, and made sure to be extra careful and wore an old black trench coat that I bought for Skylar's funeral along with a hat and sunglasses. I remembered Skylar used to work here with two part-time jobs so she could have enough money to pursue her fashion career. I looked inside the building and couldn't pick her out. I knew I shouldn't do it, but I was going to do it anyway, stopping everything, except her, I opened the door and slowly stepped one foot in, then pulling in the rest of my body; then I looked around the small restaurant. I forgot how outdated this place was, not to mention the stupid uniform the girls had to wear. Skylar always hated hers. Skylar. I softly hummed my song under my breath as I peered around the restaurant. I knew I shouldn't, I knew if I was going to do this, she couldn't see me, but one conversation with her wouldn't hurt, would it?
            I made my way around the restaurant mumbling under my breath, "I love you with a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck, with a hug around the neck, a hug around the neck." I was about to reach the back of the counter when I stopped, this was so stupid, what in the hell was I thinking? I swiftly turned around and left. This could only end one way, badly. Everyone was telling me not, so must be a bad idea, mustn't it?
           
            "Of course, you went back again! You never listen to me! Why am I even surprised? You just can't listen, can you?! If everyone in the world dies by getting sucked into a big black whole, I'm blaming you! You do realize how dangerous this is, don't you? God! Why am I even asking you?! It's like talking to a goddamn brick wall! Let me guess you're just going to go back again, aren't you? And as much as I tell you how bad of an idea it is, it's not going to stop you! What is your head made of, rocks? It has to be because you're so hard-headed!"
            I stared blankly at him, "Are you done?"
            Caleb shuffled around uncomfortably, "Um, just wondering... has Skylar said anything... strange?" I cocked a brow, "No... Why?"
            "Oh nothing," Caleb scowled, changing the subject "I knew that Jack guy was suspicious! Putting all these ideas in your head, please to god tell me you haven't done whatever the hell he wants you to do?!"
            I rubbed the back of my neck, "Well, not yet..."  He glared, "And you better not! I don't trust him, so what he's immortal or whatever that does not mean he's wise. He's hurting like you are, Ray, both of your judgement's are fogged."
            I lifted a brow, "What do you mean he's hurting?" Caleb sighed, "Has he not told you?" I furrowed my brows as I leaned forward, "Told me what?"
            "Yeah, Caleb, what haven't I told him?" I turned my head to see Jack leaning against the front door doorframe. Caleb scowled, "C'mon man, you invited him?! It's supposed to be game night dude, not the rip-off Tuck Everlasting!"
            "Caleb be nice," I scolded. Caleb slowly slumped down in his chair and mumbled something incoherent under his breath.
            Jack sashayed forward, "Can't believe you guys were going to start without me," he said grabbing a pool stick.
            "Of course not!" I said hitting my first shot which knocked a red ball into a hole. Jack grinned, "Luck shot." I moved around the table and arched my back backwards and hit another. I watched as a blue ball rolled into another hole. I raised a brow, "You were saying?"
            "Don't get too cocky now, when you miss it's really going to hurt your ego." Before he could finish his sentence, another ball rolled in a hole. He smirked, "You have a lot of spare time on your hands, bud."
            He cocked his head, "No pun intended." He said as he watched another green ball roll into a hole.          
            "Just a random question, instead of being here and totally kicking my ass in pool, shouldn't you be with Skylar?" Caleb jumped up, "Oh don't you dare encourage him."
            I motioned for Caleb to relax, "I can't go back, if I do, I might not leave." Jack leaned against the pool table, "And who says you have to?"
            I looked up at him, "Do you want the whole world to collapse on itself?" Jack smirked, "Wouldn't affect me any, floating in space sounds rather fun actually."
            Caleb mumbled, "Smartass."
            I shot him a quick glare before looking back at Jack, "Why do you care so much, anyways?"
            He rubbed his forehead, "Look man, I would do anything to go back and see..." He gulped, "To see my family if I could, I'm just saying."
            Caleb scowled as he looked at me, "Ray, you better not be believing this bullshit, you're not going back, remember?" I nodded my head, "Yeah, yeah, I know."
            Caleb face-palmed, "Oh Jesus he's going back!" 
            I looked at Jack, "Just one last trip wouldn't hurt?" Just nodded, "Of course not!"
            Caleb stomped towards me, "Ray you better not or el-" before he could even finish his sentence I disappeared.
           

I looked around and saw Skylar standing by the same fountain I proposed to her at. I gulped as I focused on her and everything stopped.
            Suddenly she whipped around eyes wide and full of fright. My immediate reaction was to take off my glasses and cap, "Wait don't be scared," I said holding out my hands.
            "Who are you?!" She spat.
            I looked at her face, she was so beautiful I could barely contain, the soft curve of her face, the eyes that would make you melt. Her hair that you just wanted to play with as you feel asleep. I felt a sharp pain in my heart as I knew I would never be able to do that again.
            I stepped towards her, "Wow."
She gulped, "Who are you, are you the one causing this to happen?"
I smiled lightly, "I can't say much,"
"What the hell does that mean?" I gulped as she said reaching toward her purse, which she always carried pepper spray in.
"What do you want from me," she continued.
I laughed as I rubbed my brows, "I just wanted to make sure you were okay from the other night, from those guys."
She raised a brow, "How did you-"
"It's complicated," I said.
"Are you stalking me?!" She hollered.
"No! God, no!" My head fell into his palms, "I just had to see you one last time, I'm sorry. This was a mistake."
"What are you even talking about, I haven't seen you before in my life!" she shrieked.
she stood there for a moment, "And why were you humming that song?"
My lips tilted upwards in a cocky smile, "What song?"
She scowled, "You know exactly what I'm talking about." I walked closer to her, watching her twitch in nervousness
"No, I don't. Skylar."
She furrowed my brows, "Who are you?"
I stepped closer, "I can't say."
She bit her lip, "How did you know my name?"
Soon I was only inches apart from her, and all I wanted to do was hold her.
"I know a lot of things."
I smiled at her, "If you really want to know who I am, meet me here same time tomorrow."
She scoffed, "Are you crazy, why in the hell would I do that."
I started walking away, "Because I know you, you want to know what's going on, so whether you like me or not, you'll be there." Then I disappeared behind a building and leaving her alone with her thoughts.

            Caleb gave me hell when he found out I was going back, but I didn't even care. Seeing her, being that close to her, gave me a high. And just like a drug, I couldn't get enough.

            Sure, enough she was there waiting for me the next day, "Well, well, well. Look who came," I said.
She turned around, "I need answers, ASAP." She looked so angry, but I couldn't take her seriously.
I smirked, "Right to the point aren't we, what do you want to know, huh, beautiful?" God, why was I flirting??? What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I contain myself around her?
She gulped as I stared into her eyes.
She quickly shook her head and looked around, "Firstly, how are you doing this?"
I smiled, "Let's just say I'm not from here."
"Where are you from then?"
"Can't tell you that."
She scowled, "Why the hell not, I thought you were going to answer my questions?"
            "Emphasis on some, Angel."  It hit me like a train as my face turned red, that's what she meant in the kitchen that night... I had called her that before.
"Fine, then, how did you know my name?"
"I saw you in the coffee shop one day with your nametag."
"Liar," She spat.
I laughed, "I'm not lying, one day I saw you in the coffee shop, and I saw your name tag." Why was I telling her all of this??
"So, you've been stalking me then?"
"You wish."
She scowled, "What's your name then?"
I paused for a moment what the hell was I going to say? Suddenly it came out like word vomit, "R."
She raised a brow, "Just R?"
"Just R."
She rolled my eyes, "These are half-assed answers."
I shrugged, "Sorry, angel." There I go again.
"Don't call me that," She growled.
I walked closer to me, "Is that all your questions?"
"I-I don't know I'm thinking!" She said stuttering. I watched as he hands shook. I smirked, "You look nervous." "I'm not nervous, I'm thinking." I came closer then, closer than I did last night. I traced my fingers along her chocolate skin then looked at her eyes, "You have such beautiful eyes." I watched as they shinned like chocolate rivers. I was messing up everything and couldn't stop myself. I lost all self-control around her. I knew Caleb was right, but just being with her right now, was like my own personal therapy.
I watched as her face turned red, but then shook it off as she pushed me away, "I don't even know you; I have all my answers and now I'm done." She said, walking off.
"Will I see you tomorrow?" I called out.
She scoffed, and turned around, "Are you crazy?!"

            Sure enough, I saw her tomorrow. She was sitting by the fountain watching the colors change. I almost didn't want to say anything, I didn't know what to say. I was being so selfish doing this maybe I should just leave? But why would I do that, she came back. Not just once but twice, that had to mean something, didn't it? I slowly sat down on a bench and admired her.
            Suddenly she started singing, "I love you with a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck, with a hug around the neck, a hug around the neck,"
            "A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap," I sung joining her.
She quickly turned around then looked at the fountain then back at me.
            "My wife used to sing that to me," I said.
            My eyes softened as I stared at the ground. Why in the hell would I say that? I was never supposed to mention her in another timeline.
            "Not that it's any of my business, but did something happen?" She asked
            I laughed lightly, "Guess you caught on to that, huh?"
            She bit her bottom lip as I looked at her adoringly, "Let's just say she left." I couldn't possibly tell her that she died.
            She looked at the ground, "I'm sorry..." she paused, "My dad left as well."
            I looked at me with no expression on my face, "I'm sorry."
            "It's fine I don't even remember, really. He died when I was two. I still have my mom though, she's my best friend," she paused, "My only friend actually. She's the one who used to sing that to me as well."
I smiled, "She sounds wonderful."
She grinned, "Yeah, she is."
            I got up from the bench and sat next to her, "Why'd you come here?"
            she laughed under my breath, "I don't know, actually, as pathetic as it sounds, you're the only interesting thing that's ever happened in my life, and it's better than doing nothing."
            I nodded my head slowly, "So even though I might be a mass murderer, it's better than being lonely?" she scoffed, half smiling, "You don't have to call me out like that!"  I just now realized how close I was to her. She looked down at my lips and raised a brow,
"What happened to your lip?" she asked without thinking. I felt my whole body go numb as flash backs of the accident reappeared in my head. My dead wife was wondering how I got a scar, a scar that killed her. I touched my mouth trying to remain composed, "Oh, this? It's nothing fascinating."
            She raised a brow, "That's what people always say when it really is fascinating."
           
Only if she knew...

I laughed, awkwardly, "Yeah, I'll save that story for another time." I gazed into her eyes and whispered, "You have the most beautiful eyes."
            She blushed furiously, "They're nothing special, just muddy brown."
            I shook my head, "I bet when the sunlight hits them, they turn into pools of honey, which is the most beautiful eye color, to me anyways."
            My god, why was I being so cheesy, I really needed to get a grip, not to mention I was spending way too much time here anyways. I was also still shaking up about her asking about the scar. I should've been prepared for that though if I was going to talk to her.
             "I don't have much time left; can we meet here, tomorrow?" I said trying to escape my own thoughts. Why would I say that? Why would I choose to meet again? This was all me. Some part of me hopped she would turn me down.
            She slowly nodded, "Yeah..."
But she didn't.
I pushed a strand of her blue hair out of her face, "I like your hair by the way," Was the last thing I said before walking away.

I actually beat her to the fountain this time and watched the shimmering water. It was so much more beautiful when it was actually moving though. Part of me was scared she wasn't going to show up, but I felt a wave of relief when I heard footsteps coming from behind me.
I turned around, "Well, hello there stranger."
She smiled, "Hi to yourself."
I walked over, and stared her up and down. She was wearing her uniform from Joe's. I actually forgot about how short it was, not gonna lie it made me a bit envious of how she was walking around in that all day,
"What is it?" she asked nervously.
"Nice dress."
She looked down at what she was wearing as her face flushed red.
"Aren't you freezing?" I asked.
"Well, it's a little cold."
Without hesitation I pulled off my jacket and slowly wrapped it around her, "Better?"
She gulped. "Y-yeah, thank you."
I laughed quietly.
"What's so funny," she said with a grin.
"You're just so tiny, the jacket engulfs you."
She rolled my eyes, "Yeah, yeah."
  She looked up with her eyes enamored.
"What are you looking at?" I asked.
"Oh, just the lights, I just noticed how pretty they are for the first time. Isn't it sad? I've lived here for three months and just have noticed beautiful the lights truly are."
I smiled, "Do you trust me?" I asked stretching out his hand.
She raised a brow, "Why?"
"It's a yes or no answer, angel."
She hesitated, "Is this your plan to murder me?"
I smiled, "Maybe," still stretching out my hand. She slowly reached her hand out and paused, she looked straight into my eyes and then entwined her hand with my own.
I took me to a tall building and gestured toward the fire escape. I helped her up and we climbed the stairs to the roof of the building. Before anything I quickly said, "Close your eyes."
"Why?"
"Just close them."
"Is this when you're going to murder me?"
"Angel, if I was going to murder you, I would've done it a long time ago."
She sighed as she shut her eyes. I wrapped my hand around hers and immediately felt a jolt of electricity. I wonder if she felt it too? We used to come up here all the time together, this time though, it felt like the first time.
I slowly walked her over and walked up behind her and leaned down next to her neck, "Okay, now open them."
She slowly opened her eyes, they looked so full of light. We could see lights for miles, it was gorgeous. All the colors faded together lighting up the world. I watched as she slowly walked towards the edge, resting her arms upon the small wall that was guarding you from falling off, "R, it's so beautiful," she said.
I came up from behind her, "I used to do this all the time with my," I paused staring at all the buildings lighted up like the Fourth of July.
"Your wife?" she finished for me.
"Yeah..." I say staring at her. I bit my lip, "You remind me a lot of her." Of course, I had to say that, why not make it worse?
She blushed looking back out to the lights, "What was she like?"
I sighed, "Well, she was beautiful, smart, funny. She had the most amazing laugh." I looked down at her, "She loved the color blue."  Why in the hell was I saying all this to her, why couldn't I just say she was nice and leave it at that? She must think I'm crazy. I screwed up everything for sure.
"I have the go," I mumbled.
"Why so soon?" She asked, like she was dreading for me to leave.
"I don't have much longer, angel." I say.
"Why do you keep saying that?"
I bit my lip, "I think you know the answer to that."
She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah. I know. It's complicated."
I smiled, "Exactly." And without a second beat I leaped off the building, watching her slowly fade as I fell. I closed my eyes and landed on the middle of my sofa, staring at the ground with her face permanently engraved into my mind.
A day passed and that night I was laying on my bed watching my ceiling fan spin round and round debating on whether of actually going back or not. Caleb wasn't speaking to me and I didn't blame him, I was ignoring all of Jack's calls, I knew if I answered I would only make more stupid decisions. I rolled over on my side, it would be cruel no to show up, just leave her there, wondering. I would never forgive myself if I didn't, but at the same time it would be better for her. Yet again I never said I was going to go back, if I was going to bail now would be the perfect time. The longer I spent there the more I was hurting her. The more I was hurting myself.
I sighed as I finally gave into my temptation and went back to her.
            I watched her as she looked around frantically. My eyes lit up when I noticed she was wearing my coat.
"Looking for something?" I say smirking leaning against a lamppost.
She quickly turns around and releases a slight smile, but then it quickly fades as she stomps towards me.
"You scared the hell out of me!" she shouts.
"Sorry, Angel," I said pushing hair out of her face. She rolls her eyes, "What the hell were you thinking, how are you okay?!" She stopped herself, "Wait, I know. It's complicated."
I grinned, "Exactly, now you're catching on."
She scowled, "Unbelievable."
I looked down at her, she was wearing that short dress again, I swear I hated her stupid manager. He was the main reason they had to wear these. What did I really expect though, anyone named Karl is an A class asshole? "Wearing that tiny dress, again, are we? Where do you shop, the children's section?" I sneered.
She rolled my eyes, "No, it's for work."
I smirked, maybe I could tease with her a bit, "I bet your boyfriend can't stand that."
She looked down at the ground, "Actually, I don't have a boyfriend."
I raised a brow, "I have a hard time believing that. A beautiful girl like you must be taken."
"I don't do relationships."
"Oh?" I say.
She bit her lip and broke eye-contact with me.
"Who hurt you?" I asked, grabbing her waist and pulling her closer into me. I swear to God if those guys had touched her before I got there-
"He's irrelevant."
I nodded my head slowly, "If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine Angel."
"Thank you," she said slowly.
I smiled at her, "But don't think I didn't notice you wearing my coat again."
She smiled bashfully, "I'm only wearing it to give it back to you!" I laughed, "Keep it, Angel. I don't mind." Jesus Christ I was the most fucked up person ever. I was giving her the coat I wore to her funeral.
We sat for a few moments in silence, before she interrupted it, "R?" She asks. I looked over, "Yes, angel?"
"Do you have any kids?"


"R?" 
I was sitting on the couch only in a pair of underwear and an old t-shirt drinking a cup of coffee. "Hmm?" I said half-awake. "R." She repeated again. I looked up to see Skylar standing in the middle of the hallway holding something in her hand that I couldn't quite make out, I raised a brow, "What is it, Angel?" A huge smile spread across her face, "We did, we finally did it!" I sat up, "Baby, what are you talking about." She flashed a pregnancy test in my eyes, "We're pregnant." My eyes lit up as I jumped up out of my seat, "You're serious?!" She nodded as I lifted her up and kissed her on her forehead, "I'm gonna be a dad..." I whispered in her ear.  I leaned back, "I'm not too old, am I?" She rolled her eyes, "No you big idiot." "Well, says you, you're not the one who's turning 41." She scoffed, "If it makes you feel better you don't look a day older than 39." I rolled my eyes, "Gee, thanks."
She sighed, "We finally did it..."

And I killed it.


I stared at her intensely, feeling my hand clench, I really was a monster. I killed them, if I had been watching what I was doing... we wanted this baby so bad and I killed it. All those years of doctors saying we will never be able to have kids... and when we do, I killed it. I killed my unborn baby.
She broke my train of thought, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
I stared at the frozen fountain, "It's fine, I just rather not talk about it."
She nodded my head, "Of course."

"R?" She asked again.
"Yes, Angel."  I stuttered trying to keep my composure.
"Why me?"
I lift a brow, "I don't follow?"
"Out of everyone in New York city, you choose me, I find that quite odd. Why is that." I forced a smile, "Well, it was your wish, wasn't it?" Her eyes grew big, "Y-you heard that."
"Maybe, maybe not." She scowled, "W-well, you were there before I made that wish!"
I chuckled, "So, you remember that, huh."
She scowled, "How could I not?"
I sighed softly, "You just stood out to me, I guess." She stared at me watching my every move, analyzing me,
A random thought popped into my mind, "Do you like to dance?" I blurted.
She squinted at me, "That's so random." "It's a yes or no, Angel." "I mean, I haven't really danced before," she stuttered.
I stood up, "Dance?" She scoffed, "There's no music."
"So?"
she hesitated, "I really can't dance."
"Neither can I, but wouldn't you rather be having no regrets of never dancing? I wouldn't."
she smiled slightly, "And if I break your foot?"
"Please, Angel, you're like a gremlin, you could never."
She scowled at me as she stood up, "Want to bet?" I smiled and grabbed her by the hips and reeled her in, "What would you do if I win?" I smiled, "What would you do if I?" she said grinning, "I asked first, Angel."  "Well, you'd have to win first, wouldn't you?"
I cocked my head to the side, "I suppose I would."
Suddenly I lifted her off the ground and onto my feet.
"What are you doing?!"
"Well, you obviously didn't break my feet, tiny." She rolled her eyes. "Wrap your arms around me," I whispered in her ear.
She gulped and did as she was told.
I slowly waltzed in a box shape, holding her in my arms, going round in circles of the fountain.
"I suppose I win the bet, don't I?" I asked,
She gulped, "I-I suppose."
I stared at her heavily, why did she have to be so goddamn beautiful? "What do you want then?" She asked.
I smiled, "To see you again. Here. Tomorrow."
She grinned. "Well, that can be arranged."
I slowly lifted her off my feet and gracefully placed her back onto the ground.
"Well then, I'll see you tomorrow then, angel."
And just as I had done every night, I disappeared into the shadows.
I suppose I just wanted to dance with her one last time.


When I got back home, I went into my kitchen and got out a box of cereal. As I was pouring it into a bowl, I heard a knock on my door. I stopped and leaned to see he was knocking through the small window. It was Caleb. I sighed as I walked over and opened the door. He was scratching the back of his neck, "Look, I know you're probably not going to listen to me, but can I come in?" I sigh, "Yeah, sure." I went back into the kitchen and opened the fridge and poured milk into my bowl. I then opened a drawer and pulled out a spoon, "What'd you come here for?" I asked.
"I'm not saying I don't trust your judgement or anything, but you really can't go back... after today." I raised a brow, "And why is that?" I watched him shuffle around, "You've gone back seven times, which means seven days, and you went eight days before you met her. You said it yourself, she can't see you and past you at the same time, it will definitely mess everything up... anyway, the more you go the harder it gets."
I rubbed my brows, "Shit... that's right." I leaned back against the counter as I stared off into space, "How am I even gonna tell her?" Caleb paused for a moment, before he said, "You could write her a letter!" I glared, "A letter?"
"Sure, why not? It's perfect!"
"Shouldn't I tell her in person?"
Caleb glared, "Ray, I can tell you right now that if you go try to tell her in person you're just going to stay." I sighed as I looked down at the ground, I knew he was right.
"A letter," I mumbled under my breath.
I was sitting down at my office desk not knowing what to write, I was never really good with words. Finally, I felt my hands effortlessly moving across the keyboard as I wrote,

'Dear Angel, if you're reading this, this most likely means I had to leave, I know what I did was a risk, but I had to see you one last time, to kiss you one last time. but don't worry, we'll meet again soon, but this time, it will be when time starts.  -R'
It wasn't poetry, but it was honestly the best I could come up with.

I felt my body go numb as I stared at my reflection in a display window of a store that was close to the fountain. This was going to be the last time I saw her... ever. This was the first time it was really sinking in. I slowly tapped my note on the window, praying she would see it. I stepped back, ready to leave when I heard a scream. I felt impulses shoot throughout my body, it didn't take a genius to know who's scream that was. I felt my body jolt as I ran towards the fountain. If anything happened to her-

As I reached the corner, I stopped time to see the I saw the same two men from a couple nights ago. I felt my fist clench, I already broke a few rules, another one shouldn't hurt. Who cares if anyone else sees me anyway? Time unfroze and I head one of them say, "No one's around Tony, we're in the clear."
"Good," Tony said with a wicked smile.
"No!" Skylar screamed reaching for her purse
"Are you sure about that?" I was leaning up against a pole with a dim light shadowing over me. At this point I didn't care what I did, I wasn't accountable of my actions. Tony squinted, "Who the hell are you?"
I walked closer, "I don't think you want to find out, and if you don't want me to break your teeth, I suggest you leave." My face hardened in a way I've never done before, "Now." Tony smiled, "Get a load of this guy, Travis!" Tony stared me up in down, "In case you haven't noticed, old man, the odds aren't exactly in your favor. There's two of us, and only one of you."
I grinned, "I'm giving you once last warning, pantywaist, turn around and leave, or I can't be held responsible for my actions."
Tony scoffed, "Please, like I gave a shit about your stupid bitch."
Immediately I slammed him against the brick wall, and Travis took off running. I felt my heart racing, how dare he call her that, it was all my might not to beat the absolute living shit out of him, "Call her that again, I dare you." Tony choked, "A-Are you crazy-"
I gritted my teeth, "I want you to leave now before I do something I regret. But if you ever come near her again, I will make sure you'll be stuck in a hospital bed for the rest of your damned life."
Tony nodded his head repeatedly and I dropped him to the ground. Quickly he scrambled to his feet, and ran off.
I turned to Skylar, whom looked she had seen a ghost, "Are you okay, they didn't hurt you? Did they?"
She was still, frozen in fear, I could tell she had so many questions, I knew I scared her, and I felt horrible about it. This was the last she would see me. A monster. Just like in the car. I tried to change things, but I didn't. I was a monster. 
I walked over and cupped her face into my hands, "Oh, god." He whispered. "Angel, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"I'm just... surprised is all."
I held her close, "I'm sorry."
She held me back, "Thank you."
I combed my fingers through her hair, "I don't think they'll bother you again." She looked up at me and started crying. My eyes widened, "Shh, angel, why are you crying?"
"I-I, I can't say." She bawled.
I held her tight. She looked up at me and broke down and told me everything. About the man who broke her. And to my horror I heard a name I thought I would never hear.
She quickly wiped away her tears, "Why didn't everything freeze again?" She asked.
I was furious, I could barely concentrate on anything she was saying, not to mention I was really running out of time, I always had so much of it, yet so little. I bit my lip, "It's..." I winced, "Complicated."
She sighed; I should've known.
I stared deep into her eyes which moved down to her lips, after what she just told me I wanted to make all the pain go away, not to mention this asshole has been under my nose the entire time and I had no idea, there was so many red flags, but I never even acknowledged them.  "Angel?" I asked, "Can I do something?" She gulped, "W-what is it?" I grabbed her back and pulled her closer, "I think you already know." Her face went red and my heart skipped a beat.
"Y-yes."
And without wasting a second my lips crashed onto hers. I hugged tightly onto her waist as her hands went through my hair and wrapped her legs around me. I slowly lifted her up in my arms then gently placed her down on the fountain.
She slowly pulled away and stared at me, her eyes were so mesmerizing. I drew back, "Angel, I'm so, so sorry, but I have to go."
"You'll be back tomorrow, right."
Silence. I couldn't answer her, it physically hurt me.
"R... you'll be back tomorrow, right?"
Nothing. It felt as if I couldn't speak.
Her voice cracked, "R...?"  I looked down at the ground. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach.
"R, answer me!"
"Sky, I really, really wish I could. But I'm afraid, my times up." Her jaw dropped, "What is that supposed to mean?" I closed my eyes, and pulled her into a hug, I never wanted to let go. I could feel myself slowly disappearing back to my own time, her touch slowly leaving my skin, the skin I would never be able to touch again.
The last thing I heard her say was, "Y-you can't leave! You're the only thing I have..."

My eyes flew open and I was sitting back at my desk.
I immediately pushed my chair backwards, making it hit the ground with a loud boom. I could still almost feel her in my arms, remembering her touch, her smell, which fueled my rage, my hared.  I drove to his house, with anger flowing through me. Her face... what was she going to say? Maybe I should've stayed, just a little longer, just a little longer.
I pounded on his door so hard it felt as if I broke a knuckle. The door slowly opened, "What is it...?" I shoved open the door and grabbed him by the collar slamming him up against the wall, "You mother fucking asshole!" His eyes were wide with fear, "R-ray, what's wrong?!"
I growled, "I think you know what's fucking wrong, Caleb."
Caleb raised his hands in defeat, "I really have no idea what you're t-talking about man!"
"You hurt her, you were my fucking best friend and you hurt her!"
His eyes widened, "What?"
"All that bullshit about not going back for my own good, it was all an act wasn't it. I should've fuckin' known, god dammit! All the fucking times she got scared around you, I never knew! You were right under my goddamn nose! Telling me not to go back? You didn't care for my well-being! You were just scared she would tell me, weren't you?"
Caleb tried to push me off, "Ray! That was forever ago... I was just a stupid kid." I slammed his head against the wall, "I was sixteen once too Caleb! And I didn't force myself on someone who didn't want to you then fucking go around tell people I had sex with people who I didn't! I didn't ruin someone's life!" I shook my head, "You caused all of her friends to leave her! Do you realize that, the whole fucking school hated her because of you?"
I stuttered, "Jack knew all along, that's why he wanted me to go so bad. He knew." I glared at him, "I can't fucking do this anymore." I dropped him to the ground as he gasped for air, "And where the fuck are you going?!"

"I'm getting her back, no matter what."