In Your Time

Chapter 1

I woke with a cough as I sat up slowly. It took a moment, but eventually, all the memories of what happened came flooding back to me. Even having the bruises to prove it, it still didn't seem real. Now for the real question: what exactly happened? I sighed as I looked around. I had no idea where I was. A park, maybe? But it didn't look like a park I knew. I stood hesitantly on shaky legs before falling back to the ground immediately. I felt weak. I clutched my chest as my breathing worsened. Whatever happened, it sure was taking a toll on my body. Did I teleport across the world or something?

"Oh! Honey! Honey, there's a girl here," someone yelled. I felt a pair of hands on me gently. I looked up to see a woman who looked to be in her late thirties.

"Are you okay? Did something happen? Where are your parents?" The woman asked me. The man joined her to kneel beside me as he placed a hand on my forehead. I painted as I tried to catch my breath.

"She's burning up," the man said. He picked me up gently and they started walking with me.

"Sweetie, what's your name? Where are your parents?" The woman asked.

"Phoenix Di, and I'm not sure," I answered shortly between pants. We ended up at a police station, but it didn't look anything like the police stations where I lived. Even the people who brought me here were a bit off. People weren't this nice where I was from.

"Where am I?" I asked as my breathing started to calm down.

"We're at a police station in San Diego, California. My name is Elizabeth and this is my husband George," the woman answered. The woman turned to explain and give the police officer my name as the man sat me on the bench and handed me a paper cup with water in it. I drank it gratefully. The police officer looked up my information before looking at me curiously.

"It says here that your parents Derek and Felicity Di are currently in Australia, and you're eight years old," the officer said hesitantly. My eyes widened. I was at a loss for words.

"What year is it?" I asked hesitantly.

"2017," the officer answered. "And I'm going to need to see your ID," the officer continued. Luckily, I still had my phone and wallet in my pockets thanks to the zippers on my jacket. I pulled out my ID and social security card to show them. It only confused them further. After making a few phone calls, the officer scratched his head even more confused. The entire time, the nice couple stayed with me.

"I don't really know what to do in this situation. You are Phoenix Di, you're just the wrong age. You can stay here and we can try calling your parents in the morning when it's an appropriate time over there," the officer concluded. A conversation I had with my father fora while ago popped into my head suddenly.

"... something like time travel?" I asked. We were talking about the impossible.

"Yes, something like that has been impossible even until now, although it's been researched since earlier than the 1990s," He answered.

"I would tell myself all the mistakes to avoid," I said before taking a bite my dinner. My father sighed before he shook his head.

"There's a time theory that meeting your past self our relatives can fundamentally alter the future. Something like telling someone their future, or using your knowledge to your advantage can create a butterfly effect that could potentially end the world or create blackholes," He answered.

Now I knew that conversation was more than just table talk. My father really created a time machine. Which meant I had to avoid myself and my relatives. Luckily, they were in a different country. The couple beside me began whispering to each other before the wife looked back to the cop.

"Does she have to stay here? My husband and I have a spare room she can stay in until her parents can come get her. It's not like she's an orphan. It wouldn't be right to put her in the system just because her parents are out of country. Is that allowed?" The woman asked. The cop scratched his head in confusion again.

"I've honestly never encountered a situation like this before, but the age on her ID is 17, so legally, it would be up to her," the cop answered.

"Would that be okay with you?" The woman asked. There was so much sincerity in her eyes, and they had done the nice thing up until now. It didn't feel unsafe. I nodded.

"Okay," I agreed. The couple filled out some paperwork before we began walking slowly back to where they parked their car. When we got in the car, the woman sat in the back with me and held my hand gently in hers.

"Thank you... for helping me," I said into the silence. My body was throbbing in pain as I sat there. Elizabeth smiled at me sympathetically.

"Of course, sweetie. So Phoenix, how did you end up in the park, if you don't mind me asking. Are you okay?" She asked. I couldn't very well tell her I accidentally time traveled from the year 2026.

"I don't remember," I lied easily. I would fake amnesia if I had to, but no one could know the truth. Even if I didn't know anything else, I knew that much at least.

"I'll check on her when we get to the house," the man, George, offered.

"Oh, my husband is a doctor," Elizabeth explained. I nodded thoughtfully. When we got to their house, George's profession showed. The house was amazing. It was huge. Walking inside, the entire place was spacious with an open floor plan for the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Elizabeth showed me around, explaining each room until we got upstairs.

"This is our son, Braden's room. He's often kind of quiet so you won't have to worry too much about him. And this will be your room," she said as she opened a room doors the room itself was spacious and comfortable.

"Tomorrow, Ill take you shopping for some clothes. There's an extra toothbrush in the bathroom already as well as soap, shampoo, and conditioner if you want to shower. I'll give you a pair of my clothes for now. I don't think they'll fit well, but you can wear them as pajamas until I can get your own clothes cleaned," she offered.

"Thank you. I don't mean to put you through so much trouble," I smiled lightly. This couple was really going above and beyond to help me. Elizabeth smiled and waved me off.

"It's no trouble at all. I've always wanted a daughter, and while you're here, I can pretend it's true and do all the girls' stuff with you," she smiled. She left before returning with a pajama set and towel for me. I walked down the hallway to the bathroom and took a shower with a grateful sigh. It felt nice and refreshing.

I changed into the pajamas I was given and brushed my teeth before I stepped out of the bathroom while drying my hair. I almost immediately ran into someone.

"Oh sorry. Oh," I said in realization. His face was oddly familiar. His strong jawline, those piercing blue eyes, and curly brown hair; I knew it. I'd seen it repeatedly before.

In my phone...

I dropped my towel as my hands covered my mouth in shock. It was Braden Park. The Braden Park! But the Braden Park I knew was the one from the future.