After finishing his breakfast, Shesmu looked at the clock. It was seven past quarters. Normally, Shesmu would wait out the remainder of the time—maybe go watch streams, play Ashes of Gods, or something. However, today was anything but normal. There wasn’t anything he wished for more than to meet and talk with Allan—one of his only friends in this timeline.
As such, he opened his messaging app. Allan’s confirmation was at the top.
“Hey, Allan, changes of plans. Can you come to the park, like right now?”
“Sure, kinda weird, but… Just let me finish my breakfast, and I’ll be with you.”
“Thanks, man, I’ll be waiting for you.”
Shesmu turned off the laptop, wore his Revs, and exited the house making his way towards the park. While he could meet Allan digitally through VR, today was a special one. He needed to meet him face to face.
After a fifteen-minute jog, Shesmu reached the park. He found a young man around his age standing in front of an eye scanner at the entrance. The gates opened with a click.
“Hey, Mike.”
Shesmu’s call made the young boy turn around. A much younger, skinnier version of the Mike he was used to stood in front of Shesmu. His hair was still full and glossy, a far cry from his older self.
“Oh, hey, Mark. G’Morning, you’re early today.”
“Ah, just felt like coming here to breathe some good air,” Shesmu said while stretching his hand for a handshake. “Nothing beats being one with nature after a good morning jog.”
Mike accepted the handshake while replying, “True that. Sometimes, you just gotta relax and be one with nature. You know, without bots and cameras and bullcrap everywhere trying to know what is the chemical composition of the dump you shat last night.”
Mike’s unexpected rant made Shesmu laugh hysterically, “Haha, couldn’t agree more, dude. Sometimes, you just wanna be alone in this world.”
The two laughed for a bit before Mike nodded at his cabin and asked, “Want me to bring you something? At the usual spot?”
“Nah, no need. I’m full.”
“Okay then,” responded Mike while making his way to his little office. “Just tell me over, Rev, if you change your mind. My lemon grape cocktail juice is a killer!” He then winked at Shesmu before shutting the door.
Shesmu shook his head at Mike’s usual antics. Even as he grew older, his sense of humor never changed. The only thing that did was his forehead. He lost the genetic lottery and started losing his beautiful orange hair early. Not that it bothered the dude as he just accepted it for what it is and went full bald.
Shesmu then made his way to the usual spot. It was right next to the Pennantia Baylisiana, the rarest tree in the world. Looking at it, Shesmu smiled. Some things just never change. Even ten years into the future, this tree was still there breathing. Maybe in this new yet familiar world, it was the one thing that didn’t change.
A notification awoke Shesmu from his stupor. Allan sent him a message saying that he arrived. A few seconds later, a man with a tall frame walked towards Shesmu from the entrance direction. Brown hair, blue eyes, and a small beard. He was wearing a blue t-shirt with a white dragon inscribed in its middle and some black pants.
“Yo,” he called.
“Hey, Allan.” Looking at him, Shesmu suddenly felt a torrent of emotions well up to his chest. All of the events that happened the past few days flashed in his mind like a film. It was hard not to show it.
Allan sat down next to Shesmu and stayed silent for a few seconds.
“So, what’s happening? Whenever you make that face, something is bound to have gone wrong.”
Shesmu looked at Allan in the eyes before letting out a chuckle.
“Was it that obvious?”
Allan slapped Shesmu on the back and laughed, “Dude! Do you think I just met you yesterday? I’ve known you since you were sucking on your mom’s titties. You can’t fool me.”
Shesmu just smiled and stayed silent in response. After a few moments, Allan got tired of the awkward silence.
“Hey, bro. If you’re not going to talk, I’m just gonna go back to sleep.” He then sat up, walked down a few firm steps before Shesmu talked.
“Allan… Do you trust me?”
He looked back and asked, “Huh? Where did that come from? Of course, I trust you.”
Shesmu then looked at Allan straight in the eyes. His eyes were full of myriad emotions—Hope, sadness, reluctance, fear, but most importantly, confidence.
“What I’m going to say might sound like the rambling of an insane man. Something that is just impossible to believe. But it’s true, all of it.” Shesmu took off his Revs, his earpieces, and every electronic device present in his body. He then gestured for Allan to come closer. After he did, Shesmu leaned into his ears and whispered.
“I… I came back from the future.”
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