Parallax

Chapter 6: Not a Time Machine

I took a deep breath. I couldn't let him go in there alone--who knew what was out there?

My stomach was in knots, and my heart was pounding. It really was a time machine. How Creed had done it, I had no idea. He never ceased to amaze me.

I stepped closer to the machine the funnel was slowing down--and fast! If I was going to go through with it, it would have to be now.

I was right next to it. The cloud was almost gone. I took a deep breath, and closed my eyes, and...

I stepped through.

I peeked open one eye and saw my surroundings were...exactly the same. How far into the future were we, exactly?

I opened my other eye and looked around--Creed was nowhere to be seen.

Hm. I guess it didn't work.

I opened his bedroom door, and looked down the hallway. No one was there.

I closed the door behind me and casually walked into the living room. I plopped down on the couch and...

I screamed and jumped behind the couch. I tried to calm myself and control my breathing. What the heck was going on?

I peeked over the top of the couch and found Creed and Roth rushing to hide behind anything they could.

Creed and Roth, you ask? Well, apparently wherever I was, Creed and I were there too. I crouched back down behind the couch, breathing heavily.

"Creed, what did you do?" I whispered to myself.

Okay, okay, Roth. Get a hold of yourself. I need to get back to Creed's bedroom so I can call him and find out where the heck I am.

I peeked back over the couch, and turned to the hallway.

One...

Two...

"What the heck is happening?"

Out of surprise, and collapsed back onto the ground. I didn't think that! Someone was in my mind!

"Okay, okay, Roth. Calm down. I need to find out who that is...she looks exactly like me!"

I couldn't breathe. Was the other Roth in my head? She was using my name and...this wasn't happening. This was just another one of my crazy dreams. I started pinching myself.

Wake up, wake up, wake up!

I heard a squeal behind me. I turned around and saw the other me looking over the recliner. I quickly turned back around and crouched down.

This is gonna be the best day of my life.

My li-I-I-I-I-I-ife.

Dang it Creed. Why now? (That is his ringtone, by the way). I answered the phone, and hissed, "Creed, what the hello did you do?"

"What are you talking about? Where are you? I walked through the time machine, but apparently it didn't work."

"Didn't work?! Of course it worked!"

"How would you know?"

"'Cause I went through it, dummy!"

"Roth, calm down. Why are you acting so...insane?"

"Because I'm in the same room as you and myself."

"What are you talking about?"

"Walk into your living room."