Of Time and Deceiving

02 | Of Lost Innocence

Troy smiles. He knows what's coming and he is super excited. It's like it's his birthday again, but it can't be because that was like a month ago, so he knows he will spend the day jumping from one side to another while his parents watch him with proud smiles, and that thought makes him grin widely. Then, while he is jumping from his bed to that of his sister, he smells the delicious food his mother is preparing for him. Unable to contain himself, he runs from his bedroom, passing many clocks marking 7:00 AM, and arrives at the kitchen.

"We have talked about this, Troy", his mom says with a fake frown, only ruined by her amused eyes, "refrain from running inside the house".

"Sorry, mom. What are you doing? I mean, obviously cooking, but what are you cooking? It smells awesome!" he yells rapidly, making his mom laugh.

"I am making the best dish in existence, not even your father can make. It is so delicious, not even the Cryests would reject it", she tells him, and air of mysteriousness surrounding her words and leaving him starry-eyed. "I am making... French fries with rice!"

He gasps exaggeratedly, eagerly nodding. "Woah! Will dad be here? Will sister be here? We leave at 8:30 AM, don't we? So they can't just take their time doing whatever and..."

He knows he talks a lot, but he also knows his mom listens to him at all times, which makes it hard to avoid it. And that is how they spend the next fifteen minutes until his dad and sister get back home.

"Welcome home, sweetie", his mother smiles at his sister. "And welcome home, Thomas".

"Thank you, Teresa", his dad says as he kisses her. To this both Troy and his sister fake gag, before looking at each other and grinning.

"Hullo, mum", Sister says to mom, smiling softly, "and hi, little snowball, how's it going? Excited for today?"

Sometimes Troy can't believe his twenty-year-old sister can be so soft-spoken, especially as they play deep into the night some game on her computer listening as she shouts to the enemies to stop being wimps, and quietly giggling at each frustrated yell as she dies in the game, leaving her throat raw for the whole next day. 

"Of course I am excited! I am so happy!", Troy exclaims as he thinks about what day is today.

It's an important day for every child his age at the base. Most people would say he doesn't have a normal life, and they would be quite right. Yeah, he grew up with an awesome family, and a really cool house, and so many games; but in all honesty, he agreed with those people. Today is the day when all recommended ten-year-old children leave their normal schools to join the Timeline Academy, to study for the years to come and then become a Timeline Protector. It is such an honor! If you become a Timeline Protector you get paid a lot and then can be rich and buy everything you want, you protect people and act like a superhero. Troy loves the idea of the job, and he isn't surprised when he gets his admission letter. His dad is, after all, a Timeline Master, the penultimate rank of the Custodes Timeline International Organization.

"I am sure you are going to become a Time Master in no time, snowball. You definitely have the potential", his dad quietly tells him, and his dad's tone reveals that he is proud, and Troy knows he made his dad happy.

He is so happy he can't even form words to thank his dad, so he just resorts to giving him a large grin and hugging him. He watches as his mom's wavy white hair moves while she walks, almost in a trance, for five minutes straight, thinking about his own, white as snow, hair. Troy tried to wash it as best as he could yesterday because he didn't want it to look dirty. His dad had to, almost, drag him out of the bathroom. He is still thankful that did not happen.

They eat as fast as they can and leave home at 7:45 AM. Troy counts as minutes tickle by, nervous about going to this new academy, but confident about his skills. He repeats in his head again and again that he is going to become a hero, that he is going to protect people from those that want to destroy and change timelines, and that he is going to make sure that under his watch no universe collapses. He resolutely nods, satisfied at his line of thought.

Once they arrive at the front of the Timeline Academy, he shudders. He quickly hugs his dad and sister, throwing an extra playful punch where his sister is concerned, and then hugs his mom for as long as ten seconds, unbothered by the other one or two kids looking at him weirdly about it. Then he turns to the academy, looking at it with determination.

He takes a step to his future.