I am re-posting this in honor of a friend that passed away 24 years ago today. I miss her much.
I wasn’t supposed to be there. As I looked through glass into the cluttered, yet sterile, room it was a fact that was amplified a million-fold. It was a place for big dreamers and people that didn’t know the meaning of the word no. A place of unknown possibilities and limitless power. I was afraid of it all and yet there was no way I could stay away. What a marvelous, terrifying, unbelievable creation of imagination and it was only five short steps away. My body shivered with suppressed emotion. A miracle, that’s what it was. They said that it would work and that there was very minimal chance of failure. Professor Watkins swore that he tested it himself, but I don’t know for sure. Very few people were allowed in here that day two weeks ago. I’ve studied his face many times since then trying to find a glimmer of a changed man–only not really knowing what I was looking for. A new cockiness? A wistfulness? A newfound enthusiasm for his life’s work? I saw none of those, but if I really made an effort I could see a tinge of sadness coloring his every move. There must be a certain headiness, knowing that you have power over all things. I imagine there must be at least one moment of feeling unworthy (and perhaps a little terror over being in over your head) but then I suppose it would be easy to justify playing with time—playing with lives. To change that one moment. To take that other path. To warn that one person… And it is all right there, right in front of me. Can I handle the responsibility? I like to think so. I don’t feel unhappy with my life and I have no desire to change it, but this moment has never been about me. Five steps and I could right a wrong. Stop a tragedy. Save my friend. Nineteen is just too damn young to die. Her possibilities gone. Her dreams exterminated. How could I not try? I’ve thought little about consequences because what do they mean to me when I can be the hero? When I can stop the pain? My body declares the final verdict when my foot moves towards the door. Three steps. Two. I take a deep breath, and embrace the power. (393) © DRB 2015 Want to comment?
a funny thing happened when I was learning myself 
What a touching story!
I love how you start and end it.
Your description is so fabulous as well ….
I just want to know what will happen next!
What is this power and how can you give a hand to others?
I feel bored too and want to change something in me or maybe in the people around me or even the whole world! What a great feeling to have to change something? Sometimes telling stories is the only escape or an outlet to our imagination.
Great work! I really enjoyed reading it.
🙂
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Thank you for reading my story. It was kind of hard to make it all fit 400 words but I like the way it turned out. I don’t
know if I, personally, would be brave enough to try time traveling because I am not one who likes to take on serious responsibilities.
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So let me in hahaa …. I love that!
Have an nice weekend! 🙂
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I love time travel fiction. You are smart to leave this as a short piece. The logic that starts piling up with time travel novels makes my head explode.
Who is this girl she’s going to save?!?!
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A good friend I had in high school. She was in a bad car accident right out of school. Whenever I start thinking about whether or not I wish I could go back and change anything, she is the first person I think of.
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Strong emotions. I am salivating, please, please, what happened? Did you or did you not? I shall spend my time deliberating 🙂
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I do wish I could answer that. My next scene would have had a hand grabbing her shoulder, but that’s all I know!
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Sometimes, I enjoy the roundabout journey a story takes me. A lot of times I start out in one direction and then get driven to an entirely different location in my warped mind. I however, enjoy the rides of the tale 🙂
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Wow, way to leave us on a cliff hanger! I thought the suspense level in this was great and it was cool to be inside the head of your character. I agree with the comment above me that this sounds like it could be more and I’d love to see if you expand on it -M
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Thank you. It kind of overwhelms me to think about expanding a small story. This one took me almost 2 hours to write and re-read fifty times! I am happy with what I came up with, though. Thank you for reading!
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I think it’s great as it is as well!
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I like the idea of embracing the power, that was a nice line. I also loved the “coloring his every move” description, it was very unusual. Great story, it was nice that you left some to the imagination of the reader.
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Thank you. I sometimes shy away from fiction because I find it overwhelming to discover my characters. This is good practice. Thank you for letting me participate.
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It certainly is good to practice, I find even if I write something awful it’s better than nothing at all… I can always edit it! You’re very welcome, and thank you for participating, I hope you continue to do so 🙂
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oh this looks like you are on to something…can’t wait to read what you imagineer!
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We’ll have to see if this one gets expanded. It’s pretty hit and miss on what interests me. I was really into this story, though.
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and so great that you are taking a course! I’m excited for you.
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Great job and quite moving. I am going to start a weekly, but I have to wait until I return from my trip.
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Thank you. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
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