Backwards Traveller

A Case of the Blues

Paul's POV

It's been about three hours since John disappeared. Poor Y/N has been working on the answer nonstop. That girl hasn't taken a single break. I feel sorry for her, thrown into this mess all because of one little mishap.

"Should I go check on her? She's been working for an awfully long time."

George looks up from his pack of jelly babies. "Nah, don't bother her. She's really working hard in there, trying to fix John's mark..."

"Wait...did you bring those with you?"

"Yeah, I had them on me even before we got here."

"Why?"

"I get hungry sometimes."

"Sometimes?" Ringo questioned.

I couldn't help but laugh at Ringo's remark.

"Anyway, I don't care. I'm worried about the bird."

I knock on the door to her crafting room. Even from the outside, I could feel her frustration and stress inside.

"Uh...Y/N? You ok in there?"

"I CAN'T DO IT!"

I gasp. I softly open the door, greeted by a broken girl. Head in her hands, stressed and tense beyond belief with  tear stained cheeks. I wish I could take that all away...

"I'd ask what's wrong, but I think I get the picture..."

She finally gathers the strength to look up at me. "Paul...is there something wrong with me?"

"You'wha? No! Why would you say something like that?"

"Because I've tried everything, and I keep contradicting my theories. There's nothing I can do."

"Somebody needs to relax..."

I rub her shoulders soothingly. She fought back at first, but quickly let go. She needs this and she knew it.

"Thanks for that."

"It's the least I can do." I grab her hand. "Come on, you need to take a break."

"But what about John-"

Right on cue, the machine began to shudder and release steam. I pulled Y/N into the room and, lo and behold, the doors opened to reveal John lying on the floor.

"JOHN!"

His eyes were wider than normal. He was shivering. He sang a random lyric I've never heard him sing before:

"Free...as a bird...it's the next best thing to be..."

"John! I'm so glad you're ok." I spoke, trying to lighten the mood.

He said nothing. He rolled out of the machine, glaring at me in his traumatized state.

"Macca...why?"

I kneeled down to my traumatized best friend, gently running my fingers along his cheek. "What's the matter, Johnny?"

He sits up and pulls me towards him, whispering "Never go in without a destination, Paul. NEVER."

"Why not?"

"I'd tell you to try it yourself, but no one deserves what I've been through, much less you..."

"That bad?"

"I don't want to talk about it..."

"You don't have to, Johnny. You don't have to do a thing."

Ringo curiously turns on a nearby television. Our heads immediately turned to the cartoon. A sponge underwater playing with a starfish. Interesting.

"Aw, this is so cute!" Ringo exclaimed.

George raised an eyebrow. "This is in color?"

Y/N chuckled. "Yep! Everything's in color now."

"Everything is so new! What else is there to see?" I asked, excitedly.

"Well, there's lots, if you want me to show you-"

"Please!"