September Stories

Amusement Park

My head was buzzing. The neck ached as if I had a high fever. I opened my eyes and saw a bright white light. Aghhhh. No. Better close them now.

I wasn't sure if I was awake. I felt delusional. Dreaming? Could've been. But most likely – hallucinating. Never experienced that before. Not much of a fan so far. Too dizzy. Like after a wild ride in an amusement park. I had a mess of thoughts in my head right now.

Zoe adored amusement parks. We rarely missed a weekend not visiting one. But we weren't there for the attractions. It's the atmosphere: laughing, screaming, cheering. All this happy children noise – it was her personal addiction.

I wonder if I'm drugged...

She couldn't live without it, my Zoe. The cacophony that could easily get one annoyed, powered her up. After our walks she would come back home all shining, ready to take on any hard task that she might've been putting off for a week. She was special.

I know I'm not supposed to do that, but I once travelled 30 or so years into the future, to that very park. Our park. Spent the whole weekend waiting for me and her to show up. Sure, the chances that we haven't moved or still had the same habit were slim, but I tried my luck.

And so indeed I was rewarded. I saw myself – easily recognizable after all these years – and an older woman who reminded me of Zoe. At least I thought so in the moment. Who would've known that this was not meant to be.

...Or maybe I am dying?

Me and her looked so happy together. We were eating ice cream – as always – and casually chatting. I dared not to come closer. Me would kill me for breaking the rules. But then, me knew I did that. Still, I couldn't bring myself to approach.

... Funny feeling, being murdered, I guess.

Me and the woman took our usual path past every single attraction. I believe I've never been as content in my whole life as in that very moment, seeing that a happy future is ahead of me. I always wonder if I'd ever settle and leave time-travel for good. I was not ready, not yet. But when I have everything I need at home, why would I ever want to leave?

I always wanted to show Zoe around time. Bring her back, as little as 10 or 20 years ago, it would still be impressive! And I didn't want to endanger her with longer travels. But I had nothing to worry about. I wasn't able to do that. It only worked on me.

...What if I'm time travelling?

Zoe enjoyed listening to my stories about the past. I could spend hours telling her about my tiny adventures. I never got entwined into any major historical events. That'd be too much, too risky. I did not dare influencing history in any way, as much as possible. Neither did I dare to travel further than the beginning of the 20th century. I was just... too off for the older times? I could feel how I didn't fit with every cell of my body. All those gazes. And accents! We're not speaking a whole different language now, but it sure has changed quite a bit. Travelling further back would simply be too dangerous. 

...I could  be way too far into the future or way too far into the past. That's unhealthy.

Although I'm pretty sure that I accidentally appeared someplace in the medieval times. That was quite a week. Never really found out what the year was. Almost starved myself to death. I had no idea how the locals would react if they heard me speak. I was just a child back then, around twelve or so. After a few days I stole some clothes and pretended to be a mute homeless girl. Worked well enough to find myself shelter and food at the local church. The nun was very kind. It was almost sad to leave her. But the moment I realized I could travel back home – I didn't hesitate for a single second. 

That's right, this is how our walks in the park normaly went. I'd tell some nonsense about time travel while Zoe pretended she liked listening to it. She wasn't lying, of course. She really did love my stories. And me.

...To be reunited. Whatever that meant, I'd agree to anything.

Me and the older woman found a bench and sat there. I observed from afar. The way me was with her – no wonder I thought it was Zoe. They complemented each other. They looked like they were meant to be – together, and this way only. Holding hands. Those loving eyes.

That's where I left them. The wonder of who the mystery woman was never left my mind since Zoe... Since she left. This is why you shouldn't peek into the future! You only get false hopes, silly M! 

I noticed something that didn't register in my brain before. A faint beeping. A hospital kind of beeping. And then it all came back to me.

Me! Something happened to us! I tried to move but restraining belts held me firmly in one place. I opened my eyes to face the blinding light. Not nice, not nice at all. Was this a medical lamp?

"M-27 is back to consciousness. Awaiting instructions." A pleasant female voice announced in background. This is definitely robotic.

"Finally. Welcome back Maurice."