When and where (Fruk)

3

"Here, sit down."

The guy took me to his place, and I didn't even protest. I was in shock by everything. I nodded, and he quickly rushed to get me something to drink. "So, will you tell me why you ran into me and started freaking out?" He asked. He placed the glass in front of me, and I looked at it, shocked.

Those men...

Who were they?

I needed more information.

"Hey! Anyone home?!" He yelled. I looked at him nervously, and he sat in front of me. "I can't help if you don't talk to me! Please!" He begged. He came closer to me, and I still felt stunned.

"Right..." I spoke.

"Well..."

"Uh...sorry about running into you...I was..."

Wait... I can't talk about time travel...right? Quantum mechanics is a thing now but it isn't significant.

"Well?" He asked, annoyed.

I still wanted to know who he was and why he was here. He had to have a son.

Wait...

One hundred minus twenty, that's eighty...

Eighty years in the past, this guy looks thirty at least...the math isn't mathing...

There was no room for him to be a grandfather...unless his son was already older, but he was too young to have a kid that old.

What the hell was going on?

First those men...now this?

I must be dreaming!

I began to clench my jeans, and he still looked at me, worried. "Hey, just talk already; you are freaking me out," he spoke. "Right...uh...I don't really know where to start..." I spoke.

"You look so familiar...you wouldn't happen to have a son?" I asked. His eyes widened, and he shook his head nervously. "Ah! No! Maybe I have one of those faces..."

No kid...

The math isn't mathing!

He continued to look at me, concerned, and I felt my heart racing. "Please, are you okay? Would it feel better if I introduced myself?" He asked. I nodded at him nervously, and he smiled. "My name is Francis, and you?"

"Arthur..."

"Great! We are closer already! Now...are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

"Uh..."

He looked at me, annoyed, and began to stand up. "Fine, then I guess you don't want help; you can leave then," he spoke. My eyes widened, and I shook my head. "Wait! I don't want to be alone! I don't know what to do!"

"THEN SPIT IT OUT!"

"OKAY!" I shouted.  I began to fan myself, and he crossed his arms, looking at me. "Okay...it will be hard to believe...but keep an open mind..." I spoke. He nodded at me and waited for me to say something.

"I...I'm from...from the future..." I whispered the last part. "Sorry, what?" He asked. He gestured for me to speak up, and I glared at him. "THE FUTURE! YOU STUPID IDIOT!"

"Really? Was that necessary?"

"I know you heard me the first time!" I said, annoyed. However, I stopped being annoyed, realizing he did not react to what I said. "Wait...you don't seem shocked," I spoke. I looked at him, and he shrugged. "Not the weirdest thing I've heard..."

What? It's 2020! What's the weirdest thing? Covid?

"Anyway, I should be on my way; I came here by accident," I spoke. I began to stand up, but he looked shocked. "What? You just got here!" He spoke. This guy was weird...I didn't even want to think about how he looked like someone from the future.

I felt my heart beating fast again, and he took a deep breath. "Hey, no need to freak out; just calm down and explain everything to me."

I nodded at him and began to sit back down. I was about to dump everything on this random guy I quite literally ran into an hour ago.

"So, tell me..."

"Well...as I mentioned. I really am from the future...I tested my device out, and it worked, and suddenly I was attacked and had to leave suddenly, then I'm here...however, I don't know why those people attacked me, or if they are following me..."

I paused.

Shit...

My work! All of it is there in my place; they would figure it out eventually. The only good thing is they didn't know when I was.

"Then...you...you look like someone I ran into earlier...I feel so overwhelmed and confused; I'm not sure what to do," I spoke. He nodded at me, worried, and placed a hand on mine. "I think coming here has overwhelmed you; rest a bit. Have you slept? Maybe you need sleep?"

He was oddly calm about the information; it was weirding me out. "Uh...maybe..." I spoke. Maybe he was right. However, I knew it was a matter of time before they found my blueprints and stole my invention. If they do, I doubt those men would try and find me. Right?

I'm not crazy by reassuring myself?

They won't try?

"Why are you so calm?" I asked. However, he didn't say anything. "I suppose I am not sensitive to certain things," he said. I nodded, confused, and he gestured for me to follow him. "What?" I asked. "Have a seat on my sofa; you will feel better," he spoke. I nodded and stood up as he grabbed my hand. I still felt my heart beating, and he rubbed my shoulder reassuringly.

What the hell?

"Thanks for the concern, but I think maybe I should leave," I spoke. His eyes widened, and he shook his head. "Wait, maybe you should stay here," he uttered nervously. I lifted a brow at him and began to look through my pockets. "No, I really shouldn't; thank you for your help, but I need to leave," I explained. He nodded at me, worried, and I took out my pocket watch.

"Seriously?" He asked. I nodded at him and watched as he followed behind me. "Don't you want to wait?" He asked. "No, I have to go," I spoke. Why was he eager for me to stay, this was weird. I stood by the door, preparing by putting my goggles on, when he suddenly grabbed my wrist. "What is up with you?" I asked, confused. I shrugged him off and stepped away. "Please," He begged.

"Bye now," I spoke, annoyed. I closed my eyes, thinking of the time I had come from, pressing the button. That guy was weird; maybe his grandchild won't be so odd.