The Butterfly Effect

7. One Chance

I wasn't sure why I heard gurgling, but I could feel the mattress moving slightly, almost as if it was rocking back and forth. I was still fucked out to be honest with you; I could barley keep my eyes open, but I felt a cold, sweaty body roll into me and I opened my eyes, smiling at those blue eyes that already have me craving him...but something was very wrong.

Louis was foaming at the mouth, choking on his own vomit. His body was seizing and his lips were turning blue. His blue eyes were looking at me, pleading almost to not intervene.

"Fuck....Louis!" I begged. I was wide awake now, that's for sure. I stuck my fingers down his throat and tried to help his obstructed airway. I tilted him on his side, trying to make some of the froth exit his mouth

With one last breath, however, he stopped moving. His head hit my chest with a thud, cold sweat beading down my skin. I am not sure what to do. Do I call an ambulance? The police? What the fuck?

It wasn't until I found a letter that I realized this was not accidental. He wasn't some escort junkie wanting another fix. He had intentions to die by doing this....but I can't let that happen. I can't grant his wish. I just can't.

It takes a lot out of me to rewind time. I remember grandma telling me that you can only change an event once so I have to pick the perfect time to redo. The narcissism in me wants to get to know him better. God, he was so good in bed and I can't help but want to know more about him. He's such a mystery. So I don't want to rewind it and change the fact that I met him. No, not at all.

I could redo the sex but what if I fell asleep again and then he had the opportunity to kill himself? I wouldn't be able to stop it this time, no redo.

Then it hit me.

I placed my hand on my butterfly tattoo, clawing at one of the pieces of wings. This is not an infinite gift. When the last piece of wing has faded, my power is gone. In my early days, I used it on a lot of shit trying to figure it out. Sigh.

Anyway, focus Harry. Someone's life is literally at stake here, and with that in mind, I need to figure this out.

Hi eyes are still open, not blinking, no tears – just staring ahead. God, there is so much sorrow in them. Why didn't I ever see that before? So beautiful though, I must say. Even in death, he has to be the most gorgeous person I've ever seen. Why am I having these thoughts about a corpse?

As I touch a piece of wing, the room suddenly begins to shake beneath me. The bed is convulsing, much like Louis' body moments earlier. The room turns hazy, chaotic. I watch as time rewinds. It's weird seeing someone come back to life, and watching yourself be fucked backwards.

The time reels in front of me until I see the part I want to recreate. I then push the line on my tattoo again, watching as that one become faint. I watch as Louis is suddenly back to life. I hope this is enough to save him this time.

I can't believe I went from having the most amazing night, on that almost felt like a dream, to this....walking nightmare.

~*~*~*~*

Here we are, back at the nightlife pub I chose to take him to on 4th street.

"You wanna know how my audition went...what kind of moves I have that made me cut out to be a escort?" He leaned forward, motioning me to do the same. He stood up out of his chair, hot breath ticking my nose. "But the only question I have is...."

Oh fuck. I can't even think straight right now, much less answer a question. Stay calm.

"My place or yours?"