Time Machine (editing)

3 - ✓

Apparently I did travel somewhere. A cold, clammy sensation seeped through my shirt, confirming my suspicions – I was definitely lying on a wet floor. Dizziness washed over me, urging me to stay put for a moment longer. Had it really worked? Was I truly in the past?

The doubt gnawed at me, but curiosity finally won. Looking around I could acknowledge that I was no longer in school grounds, there were grey, unfinished buildings and the weather was the complete opposite of what was back home. It was cloudy and... grey. Just grey.

Approximately five minutes after. I looked around better, trying to understand my surroundings. I was in an alley. There were no motion, no people around. Nothing. Not exactly the grand entrance I'd imagined, but an entrance nonetheless.
I think I was in the future, with such grey weather and grey buildings. The present life, the one I left behind seemed to be more colorful. 

My attempt to rise proved almost disastrous. Legs that felt like thick wooden sticks refused to cooperate, sending me sprawling back onto the slick floor. Frustration bubbled up. If I tried again, I would probably fall again. At this rate, a trip to the hospital seemed inevitable. Maybe I could claim "body.exe has stopped working" and get whisked away to some high-tech lab for a full diagnostic. They'd discover the misery radiating off me, the way my body parts were practically waving goodbye and booking a one-way ticket to Hawaii.

Okay, Sandra, enough with the dramatics. Get a grip.

With a deep breath, I focused on my legs, willing them to move. This time, they responded, albeit shakily, allowing me to stand upright. A small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

Reaching for my phone, I patted my pockets frantically. Nothing. Panic started to crawl up my stomach. I definitely had it in class. Where could it have gone? A quick pat on the other pocket revealed a wad of bills and my ID card. The money must have replaced the phone, a detail I vaguely recalled from Mrs. Henderson's explanation of rules, but my ID? That was completely new.

Realizing what was happening, was truly eye opening. A wave of exhilaration washed over me – it had actually worked! I wasn't just sprawled on a wet floor in Mrs. Henderson's classroom anymore. This was... somewhere else. But where?

The urge to jump for joy warred with a sudden urge to curl up and cry. So much for a grand entrance, I thought wryly, taking in the sight of the narrow, deserted alley. Not exactly the bustling metropolis I'd envisioned, but an entrance nonetheless.

Pushing past the disappointment, my stomach reminded me of feeling hungry. A primal reminder that any kind of travelling wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. Ignoring the throbbing ache in my legs, I set off in the direction of the city, my nose leading the way.

The heavenly scent of homemade food made with spices and grilled meat drew me in like a siren song. My stomach rumbled in agreement, and I patted it reassuringly. "Food soon," I murmured.

The walk to the first shops and restaurants was a whirlwind of sensory overload. The writing on the signs – it wasn't Latin! And the flag hanging proudly above the stores... White, blue, black and red. Going back on geography lessons, a familiar flag came to mind... South Korea?

My jaw dropped. I am in the other side of the world! I vaguely remembered telling Mrs. Henderson I could read basic Korean because I had done a historical project on South Korea, but this was insane! Had I somehow landed in a country I'd mentioned randomly?

Taking a deep breath, I approached what appeared to be a restaurant. Summoning my meager Korean, I bowed politely. The staff stared at me with expressions of utter bewilderment. Double shock – not only could I understand the language, but I spoke it well enough for a greeting!

"Hello Miss. Do you speak English?" I asked her in Korean and she looked at me terrified. I also looked terrified, by my sudden fluency in Korean. 
Double shock!

No... certainly my ability was not just for a greeting. Random words of the Korean language were scattered all over my brain. Not had I just time-travelled, but somehow, I knew how to speak like a local!

Her eyes enlarged and she shouted for someone.

A flurry of activity followed as the old lady behind the counter summoned a young man with a panicked shout. "What happened? Why are you screaming?" he asked, confused by the sudden commotion.

I repeated the greetings and he greeted back.

His response was hesitant. "Um, hello. Would you like to eat?"

Relief flooded me. "Yes, please," I replied, grateful for the normalcy. He scurried off to grab a menu, but I stopped him. "Oh why? Is... th-there a problem with it?" He asked in a heavy accent.

 "No need, I just already know what to order." I said with a smile. "The food you're cooking – it smells amazing. I'll have that, please." I politely smiled and the waiter nodded.

He went back to the kitchen to bring me some food.  The old lady, now fanning herself with a paper fan, settled into a chair across the store. The day was humid, and it felt like we would all melt in a puddle.

A few minutes later, the most delicious-looking chicken arrived, accompanied by a steaming bowl of noodles. A wave of gratitude washed over me. "Thank you," I said sincerely.

I took one bite and I felt fireworks sparkling inside me. This chicken! This... This was the best chicken I'd ever tasted – juicy, spicy, and sweet all at once. Each bite was a revelation. A flutter higher to the sky.  I made a mental note to thank the chef profusely when I left, assuming I ever figured out how to get back.

The thought of returning home, a place that suddenly felt alien compared to this foreign paradise, sent a pang through my chest. But for now, I focused on the delicious food and the warmth of the sun on my skin.

With a satisfied sigh, I paid my bill and stepped back out onto the bustling street. 

My feet seemed to have a mind of their own, leading me on a random exploration of the city. This wasn't the first time I'd gotten lost in an unfamiliar place, but somehow, it didn't feel like a bad thing anymore.

Women, young girls roamed around the shops, dressed beautifully. I felt embarrassed with my basic attire, I stood out, and not in a good way. An idea came to my mind. I had money, there were shops, so what should I do? A brightly lit clothing store caught my eye, and I wandered inside, deciding that I should use the money I had. The clothes were beautiful, and surprisingly affordable. Before I knew it, I had an armful of new clothes and accessories– jeans, tops, underwear, a dress, a pair of shoes, two bags and a wallet. I needed to put my ID and the money somewhere safe. There was a strange abundance of money in my pocket, enough to buy even more luxurious items, but I decided to save that for a hotel.
I wasn't used to having money, so it felt kind of weird to buy things like that and carrying around such amount of money.

Thanking the cashier with a newfound confidence, I stepped back out, wearing my new outfit. A warmth spread through me, a feeling completely unrelated to what I had felt before. I don't know if it was a dream or reality, but it made me feel surprisingly content.  This foreign land, with its strange language and intriguing culture, felt strangely... like home. A feeling I'd never truly experienced, not even when surrounded by my own family.

I felt my heart warming minute after minute. Even the grey sky made me feel like I was in heaven. Being somewhere you know a little about but have never gone... it felt like home. And not even in my home I feel like this.

Sitting on a nearby bench, I watched the world go by. Everything was so unfamiliar, yet somehow comforting. A knot of loneliness that had resided in my chest for as long as I could remember seemed to loosen its grip. 

 Here, alone in a strange land, I felt a sense of belonging I'd never known back home.