UNKNOWN GUEST

#134 Heading To Future

After freshening up, I slipped into a clean shirt and pants. My wrists and ankles were still wrapped in bandages, holding on despite my faster-than-normal healing abilities; a reminder of my recent nightmare in the Raft.

I looked around the small room that had become my temporary home here in the past-a storage room that Uncle Clint had cleared out just for me. I knew soon, maybe even sooner than I was ready for, I'd be leaving all of this behind: the room, these people, this entire time. It was a thought that filled me with both relief and an odd ache.

Something tugged at my mind, though. I glanced around, scanning the room, until my eyes found what I was looking for: the small cupboard tucked in the corner. I opened the door, reached inside, and pressed my thumb against a hidden compartment.

A drawer popped open, revealing the small, oval-shaped device nestled inside. This was my key to time travel, the machine that had brought me here and would someday take me back. Uncle Clint had carefully arranged this spot for it, almost like a safe.

I took the device in my hand, feeling the familiar chill of the metal under my fingers. The oval shape hummed to life with the warmth of my skin. I twisted its upper half, connecting a few digits on its surface until the code was set. Leaning close, I spoke into it. "Variant Sharon Carter from 2042."

It was a brief, precise message for the TVA. With this, they'd be alerted, and they'd take care of her-arrest her in my time. The future I'd feared would be averted. At least, that was the hope.

Sliding the device into my bag, I tossed my jacket on top, double-checking that I had everything I needed. My pulse quickened at the thought of finally reuniting with my parents after so many months, but the warmth of that thought also came with a hint of sadness. This era, these people-they'd been family to me too, even if just temporarily.

I stepped out into the main area to find Clint's kids lined up with eager smiles. Lila, Cooper, and little Nate waited with Uncle Clint beside them. Lila grinned and waved. "Jason, don't forget to finish your studies and come visit us during summer break, okay?"

Before I could answer, Cooper chimed in, "Nah, summer's too long. Jason, you should come at Christmas."

I was about to say something when Nate, all four years of him, waddled over and wrapped his little arms around my legs. I scooped him up, holding him close. If only I could go back to the future soon and tease Nate Francis Barton that once upon a time, I could lift him in my arms. This little version of him looked at me with big, sad eyes and muttered, "Jason... don't go."

I smiled, ruffling his hair. "I have to, buddy. I've got school."

He frowned, his small hands clutching my shirt. "Why can't you go to our school?"

I chuckled and glanced at Lila, who seemed to catch on, giving Nate a little nudge. "See, buddy, how old is Lila?"

"Fourteen," he replied with an innocent nod.

I gave him a grin. "Right. And Lila can't go to your school, right?"

Nate shook his head, mimicking his big sister. "No..."

I nodded, setting him gently back on his feet. "Exactly. And I'm twenty-four. So, I'm even older than Lila, so I definitely can't go to your school."

A giggle rippled through the kids, and even Clint smiled at the exchange, though his gaze held a hint of goodbye that told me it was time. I waved at them, and then to Aunt Laura, who stood nearby with a warm, maternal smile. I took a step toward the door, my heart tugging as I turned to leave, when Aunt Laura's voice stopped me.

"Jason, wait!"

She disappeared for a moment, then returned holding a long, gray coat. "I think this is yours," she said, holding it out to me.