Backwards Traveller

The Material World

Ringo's POV

"Hey guys, we're back-oh."

There Paul and Y/N lay, resting in the same bed.

John claps his hands in joy. "Ha! I knew it! Pay up, Hazza."

George groans. "Fine, but then again, Paul falls in love with pretty much any girl he sees. Also, keep your voice down, you don't want to wake them."

"Sorry, I'm still all shook up from what happened today."

"From the cat?" I ask.

"Yes, from the cat! She was so cute!"

"That woman almost punched you." I chuckled.

"You're lucky Ringo and I pulled you away from her in time."

"Good times, though, good times. Also, while we were there, I noticed something."

"Noticed what?" George wonders.

"That you and Ringo haven't traveled in time yet!"

George stepped back. "Oh no. No, no, no, no. You are not messing with that time machine again. Don't you know how upset she'll get? You never know, she might be close to finding a cure and going through will completely ruin it!"

Unfortunately, before we could get another word in, John had already locked us inside.

"Have fun!"

George furiously banged on the door. "I'LL GET YOU FOR THIS, LENNON!"

And from there, all was lost...

"Ugh, George, what happened?"

Holding back my throbbing migraine, I looked around expecting my crony to be by my side.

That was not the case.

"George?! George, where are you?! Why didn't you travel along with me?! I can't handle this myself!"

George's POV

"Ringo?! RINGO?!" I call out, but there is no answer. Did he not travel with me? I know he was in the time machine.

And speaking of that, where on earth did I travel to? Ah, I don't care anymore. I'm still upset at John for forcing Ringo and I into the time machine. Whatever happened to "Never go in without a destination"? 

"Namah Parvati Pataye Hare Hare..."

What was that?

"Shiva Shiva Shankara Mahadeva..."

"Ah! Listen, you can have the jelly babies, just please don't hurt me!"

"George, why would I ever want to hurt myself?"

My eyes widened. "You'wha? How do you know my name? And- YOU'RE FLOATING?! HOW?!"

The mysterious long bearded man laughed. "Well, my child, this may be hard to believe, but I'm actually you from the future."

"Wow, I look really nice with a beard. But...what is life right now? Where am I?"

"Indeed. Welcome to Crackerbox Palace, George. The material world welcomes you."

"Alright then. But that still doesn't answer my question of how you're floating! What happened to me?"

"Ah, yes. The Lord loves the one who love the Lord, y'know. And the law says if you don't give then you don't get loving."

"So?"

"So? So, I've ascended. I'm a dark horse and I'm here for those who need help."

"I need help! My best friend is probably somewhere around here! His name is Ringo. Have you seen him?"

"Oh wow. How coincidental! He's likely being lectured by his future self right now to find you."

"Really? So he's here? Where is he? Can you take me to him, please?"

"I don't have those kinds of powers, Geo. The only way to find him is to find him yourself."

"How can I do that? He could be anywhere!"

"Don't worry. Let me give you some advice: if you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there."

"So you're suggesting to just follow random roads until I run into Ringo?"

"Do you have a better idea? I know how the material world works-"

He paused and stared briefly into the horizon where a mesmerizing sunset faded into the sky.

"Here comes the sun. And now, here comes the moon. Speaking of which, it's probably best to complete your journey at night."

"You'wha? Why?"

"The Apple Scruffs."

"Apple Scruffs?"

"They're ravenous fangirls who are in love with you. You better be careful. They could be out there. There will be less at night so it's best to search now before the sky falls in the morning."

"Ok then."

"Oh, and you need to stop smoking."

"Why?"

"Just...just stop, ok?"