A Glance Through Time

Chapter One

   I sat in my messy unmade bed, staring upwards at the golden sunlight dancing on my ceiling through the half open shades. The time box sat haphazardly on the edge of my desk, teasing me to use it again for the third time that day. I'll admit, I had a pretty serious obsession with that machine, far beyond any of my friends, but I simply couldn't help myself. The adventures I went on, and the things I learnt about the history of our world were mesmerising, far more beautiful than the sleek grey world I've grown up in.

 I lifted myself out of bed and reached for the time box. It was surprisingly small and compact, resembling that of an alarm clock from the past, with two knobs and fingerprint reader. I'm not sure where exactly I wanted to go, I've been pretty much everywhere that posed any historical significance, and I'm definitely not interested in reliving my miserable excuse for a life. I closed my eyes and turned the first knob, randomly picking a time in which i'd visit, then turned the second knob, selecting a random place in the world. I touched my thumb to the reader and instantly felt the jolt from the machine run throughout my entire body. Every nerve in my body felt electrified and alive. A smile crept upon my face. No matter how many times I do this, the feeling of being jolted through time never fails to bring me joy.

  I opened my eyes slowly, trying to adjust to the harsh light of my new surroundings. The place I was in was old, and full of beautiful buildings and cathedrals. I checked the place and time on my time box; Paris, France, 1672. It seems that I've brought myself right in the middle of the French revolution. I watched in awe at the world around me, light years different from the one I came from. Women were encircled by beautifully massive dresses in all sorts of colour, carrying dainty laced umbrellas or intricate fans. Their hair was a marvel in itself, the next one larger and with more feather strewn throughout than the rest. The men bore beautifully intricate frock coats and jackets that flowed behind them and glistened in the light. It was a marvellous sight, and I was instantly enchanted by all the beautiful fashion I would never get to wear.

  I walked along the cobblestone streets, watching the people partake in their usual daily activities, completely invested in their strange old timey lives. Of course I was well aware that this was just the norm for this era, but to me this way of living seemed so unimaginable, yet strangely inviting. I've always wondered to myself what my life would be if i was born in a different era, one that wasn't as consumed by technology as mine. Maybe I would find a way to exist comfortably, and live a simple unbothered life, much like the people I often spend so long admiring. 

  I pulled the time box out of my sweatshirt pocket and waved goodbye to the world that stood before me. It always sort of feels like i'm ending it, and killing everyone off, even though I know they've been dead for centuries. However, when i'm there, it's as if they get another chance to live, before they're lost in history again.

  I closed my eyes and turned the knobs back to my present day. When I opened them again the sun had set, enveloping my room in a veil of darkness. I snapped my fingers and the lights in my room brightened, revealing the large stacks of historical novels I had strewn throughout my room. It was only 8pm, but the hologram that covered the night sky always set to night at precisely the same time all throughout the year. The order believed it would help establish strict routines throughout the civilians, and diminish the amount of petty crimes and disobedience. It worked out pretty well for them honestly, everyone has become a mindless follower of the order, going about their daily lives in such a routine way that they're almost like robots. Of course the control of the sky isn't the only way that they control the people, every aspect of our daily lives are controlled from the moment we are born until the moment we die. Maybe that's why i'm so fascinated with history and time travel - it's the only escape to freedom that we are allowed.

  I sat the time box back on my desk and wandered down to the living room to find my mother in the kitchen. She looked at me sideways and shook her head, then went back to washing the dishes.

"You missed dinner." She sighed. "Again."

"Sorry mom. You know I lose track of time when I'm using the time box." I said, waltzing down to the kitchen and grabbing my leftovers from the heater. "I visited Paris during the french revolution today. It was wonderful."

"I wish you would stop spending so much time on that thing and start spending more time here, in your own life. You know your exams are coming up real soon and then you'll have to start your chosen profession. Have you even though of that?"

"Of course I have. Please don't remind me."

"I wouldn't have to if you actually bothered to care about your future every once in a while. I just hope once you start working you'll realise how silly this time travelling is."

"Okay. Whatever you say." I rolled my eyes and began heading back upstairs with my plate. How am I supposed to be excited about a profession that i'll neither choose nor want? It's just another way that the order controls my everyday life. 

  I sat on my bed, occasionally taking a bite of the tasteless chicken and staring blankly towards the ceiling. My exams were exactly three weeks away. Depending on how I did on those exams would determine practically the rest of my life, including my career, wage and living accommodations. People used to be able to choose something they were passionate about, and live wherever they wanted in the world. Now the order chooses everything for us, to keep everyone controlled and allow society to function smoothly. 

  I placed my half empty plate on the nightstand next to me, and once again glanced over to the time box across the room. I had to get ready for bed soon, but surely there would be no harm in using it just once more tonight. I smiled to myself and stretched across my bed to reach for it. I knew exactly the time that I wanted to visit. It's the only century I would feel truly happy living it. I turned both knobs and selected the time and place; New York City, New York, 2019, and then I closed my eyes.