Threads of Life

The day was like every other. The robots hovered by, delivering their packages precisely—each perfectly upright, dropping as if it contained a ruby.

The bright billboards shone, displaying the latest flying cars that could stay airborne for a week without needing a charge. I remember in my day, BMWs were the hottest thing. Now, they are considered antiques.

The atmosphere is so clear. My beautiful sunflowers dance in the sunlight. Buttercup the cat is huddled in the corner, like always.

Today is the day I am going to save my sister. The time machine is almost ready—only the juice remains.

I start to pour the juice in when the doorbell rings. It’s my brother-in-law, Ron, whom I had asked to get more juice. I don’t like him, but he’s the only one with a fleet of cars.

"Hello, Lewes. Oh wow… the place looks exactly how I imagined—absolutely spotless. But then again, with you living here, what else could I expect?" Ron Ron chuckles.

"And why did you ask for so much juice? You’re a hole in the pocket!"

"For your information, I am going to save my sister!" I say proudly.

Ron laughs. "So, you’ve built a time machine?"

My mind flashes to her blue eyes.

"Yes. How did you know?" Great—now the whole world knows my business.

As I return to my machine, the final drops of juice swirl into the chamber, and the console blinks to life. A low hum fills the air.

Ron leans against the wall, arms crossed. "So, you really built one, huh? And you’re actually going to use it?" He said, staring down at my watch. I nod, pressing a few buttons on my watch time machine. "Of course, I am. For my sister—for your wife, for, Mary."

Ron suddenly lunges forward and grabs my wrist trying to pull. "You can’t go," he hisses.

I wrench my arm away, frowning. "What’s your problem, Ron? You don’t even like me. Why do you care?"

He exhales sharply. "Because she… I have my reasons," he says.

Then my time machine watch lights up lights. A loud beep echoes through the room.

Ron’s eyes widened. "Wait! What did you just—"

Before he can finish, the room blurs, gravity shifts, and my stomach flips as the world around us collapses into a swirling tunnel of light.

We are moving.

I hadn’t planned for this.

Ron and I are both being pulled through time.

And from the way he is gripping my arm now, I know one thing—he didn’t want me to go because he wanted me dead before I even got the chance.

Then I feel it—his grip on my arm tightening.

A second later, his fist slams into my stomach, knocking the air from my lungs.

I choke on my breath. "Ron—what—"

His voice is different now—shaking, desperate. Mary doesn't need saving."

I shoved him back, struggling to stay upright because I was dizzy. "She’s my sister!"