Countdown

Chapter I

Chapter 1

"You have to go. There's no other choice."

"No, it's too dangerous. Messing around with time, we could change something we don't mean to."

"There's nothing more we have to lose. We have lost everything, literally. What's the harm?"

"It's a time machine! Going back five years..."

"Please. I can't—I can't live like this. None of us should."

"...You're right," he breathed, "Okay."

He gulped nervously. His hands sweated by his side, fidgeting furiously in his pockets as he stared the golden piece of machinery that held great mystery. Intricate clockwork lined its side, the sapphire in its centre staring intensely back at him. It was mocking him, 'you're going to ruin everything', it whispered in his mind, 'you can't do this'.

He shook his head and took one step forward. Then another, and another. Finally, he touched one of its icy pillars. It sent a chill through his spine, making him shiver out of reflex. He leaned his head upon it, feeling its energy pulsing through him.

He glanced back upon his friend and smiled sadly.

"Hopefully the next time we meet, it'll be in different circumstances."

And with that, he left.

Meanwhile, 5 years in the past:

Blair's POV

"Blair, oh my god! You are such a dog!" Livia sputtered out, simultaneously stuffing chicken into her mouth and laughing uncontrollably.

"Shut up, Liv," I whined, "I'm sure you've accidentally  walked in on Chase before."

"Well, yeah..." Livia said with a suggestive tone, "but," she coughed nodding, "We both know it wasn't an accident."

"Yeah, fuck you. Go to hell," I huffed, holding my middle finger up in her direction.

"Honestly, I don't know why you don't just admit it," she said, sitting back, propping her legs up to the velvet couch, that was definitely meant for three people, at least.

I puffed dismissively and rolled my eyes. "OKAY EVERYONE, LISTEN UP."

Silence.

.

.

.

I scanned the room for my missing platoon members. You would think being in an all-out war would make people more attentive and... alert. Obviously not the case, I thought bitterly as I saw one of them, Sabina, trying to steal a box of Cheerios from the top shelf; and another, Alexander; or Alex as we call him, trying to pull a door, that clearly says 'push'. I sighed in defeat as I slumped back into my chair, gazing off into the distance.

"Guys, guys. Gather around. Gather around," Livia started, standing up and stealing the box of Cheerios right out of Sabina's hands, "Ms Grumpypants is going sulk all day if you don't come here for the morning briefing," gazing over at me teasingly, sticking her tongue out in a childish manner.

A loud chorus of groans echoed across the house, coupled with quiet shuffles to the dining room.

"Okay," I started, "The Ark is moving towards the east tomorrow, to Skichon Beach. I heard that they are looking for supplies that because apparently, there's a doctor who was living there, and he had a lot of medical supplies. If they're going there, they're short. Meaning, if we intercept them, it could be a good hit."