I spent the next three days confined in the hospital, as the doctors subjected me to a battery of tests. They were trying to determine if my fainting spell — which culminated in a miraculous recovery — was in any way connected to the mysterious Time Shaft. I said nothing of what really happened, even when the police came to question me on the last day. I was scared to high heavens they'd charge me with some kind of crime, but I insisted I went into that forbidden zone just out of curiosity. And everyone seemed quite willing to believe me, even my parents. I guess breaking into the Time Shaft has become pretty normal nowadays? Maybe that explains the hole in the chicken wire that Karl led me through.

Speaking of Karl... my eventual release didn't bring the relief I thought it would. I spent the next week or so looking over my shoulder, watching for the familiar ragged shirt and shorts. I started looking twice at every streetlight at night, and at every window on the way to and from school. There's no telling when or where he'd show up, and I had to keep my guard up against anything that looked supicious.

But he didn't show up, and nothing out of the ordinary happened. Days and weeks passed, and it was almost all back to normal. True, I had to piece back the events of this altered timeline and relearn a few things. It seemed that my death in that past hadn't undone the changes I've done since then. Gian was still with us. I was still on friendly terms with Hannah. I wonder how the other "versions" of them reacted to my demise?

Overall, things were pretty quiet. As time went on, I began hoping that little adventure with the orphan kid was nothing more than a dream. And yet, my heart continued to race whenever I see the imposing silhouette of the Time Shaft on the horizon...

"You're staying to help clean up, aren't you?"

Monique suddenly intruded into my thoughts. It was a cool September afternoon, and I had been staring out the classroom window for Lord knows how long. The sun was slowly setting, painting the white school building in a subtle golden hue. The thin floral curtains fluttered lazily in the breeze. Inside the room was the familiar din of people jostling each other as they picked up their bags. Another week was over, and it was time to go home.

"I'm in the Friday cleaners group. Is it Friday already?"

Monique glared at me, her hazel eyes boring deep into mine. "Go get another box of floor wax before I break your ribs."

"Alright, alright!"

I was on my way out to the broom closet in the hallway when I saw Hannah straightening up the rows of chairs.

"Hey! Aren't you in the Wednesday group?"

"Yup, you're right! But my brothers won't be coming home for a few hours, and I didn't want to be home alone. I might as well help you guys out."

"Really? What's Ren supposed doing at this time?"

"Theater club, he said?"

Ren was part of the theater club but I really doubt that's the reason he hightailed out of the classroom when the bell rang. Just the same, I shrugged and flashed an awkward smile. "Err, thanks! An extra pair of hands would be great!"

It took us almost an hour to get the classroom back in order, and soon we were bidding each other goodbye. By then the sun was already piercing our windows with spears of orange light, causing everything to throw long, harsh shadows across the hardwood floor.

"Heading home?" I asked as Hannah and I stepped into the hallway. Her hair was tied back into a ponytail, and her bright red handbag was slung over one shoulder.

"I guess. There's nowhere else to go to at this hour."

"Want to grab something to eat first? Or... or maybe a drink?" Smooth as usual, Erik.

"Hmm, maybe a drink." Hannah smiled. My eyes instinctively swooped down to the floor, and I can feel my cheeks flush with warmth.

We headed to the convenience store just outside the school's back gate, where I desperately fumbled with my wallet just to make a show of paying for her bottled tea. After that, we walked towards the highway in silence. I could have taken the shuttle home at the nearby bus stop, but I knew Hannah commuted from a different point. I'm just glad she didn't ask why I was heading her way. Come on, think of something to say —

"You know, you're not half bad, Erik."

"Huh?"

Hannah's face was turned up at the sky, her dreamy eyes scanning the feathery white clouds. Stray strands of jet black hair waved slowly in the afternoon wind, trailing behind her as she walked. The touch of gloss on her lips sparkled as they curved in a soft smile.

"When Ren told me about... well, you... I thought I'd just shrug you off."

"Really? But... what made you change your mind?"

"Who said I changed my mind?" Hannah let out a small laugh and looked me straight in the eyes, the sparkle of a jest shining in hers. This time I didn't look down.

"Ah, and here I thought my luck was changing," I uttered as I joined her chuckle.

"But don't worry. Maybe you're getting there." I sorely wanted to ask what she meant, but I thought it would be better to shut up for once.

"Hey," I said, trying to wriggle out of the topic, "have you seen Karl recently? You know, the little orphan boy who hangs around school?"

Hannah's round face looked thoughtful. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in about a month. Do you think something's wrong? Maybe social services finally picked him up."

"I don't know, it just feels weird. He seemed like a sort of fixture around here, at least for the past four years. It's unusual for him to disappear like that," I mumbled.

"Oh, do you miss him?", Hannah was jesting again.

"Maybe in the same way I miss the school during weekends."

"So... not at all?"

Our laughter broke through the sunset. A minute later, we had reached the highway, and it was time for us to part ways. But for some reason, we just stood there by the sidewalk, our eyes drawn to the emerging skyline of the provincial capital just one city over. Its tall buildings clad in steel and glass shimmered in places where they reflected the dying sun. As we looked, the roar of vehicles speeding past us seemed to fade.

"Senior year will be over soon. Quite a journey, huh? Have you been making plans for college already?"

I paused. Truth is, college has been the farthest thing from my mind. Sensing my hesitation, she continued. "You should really think about it, you know. Entrance exams are barely two months away. At this point that's the only thing we have — our future."

"Well I guess I'll leave you to your thoughts for now. See you on Monday!"

"Wait!", I blurted out on impulse. Err, what am I doing?

"Hmm?" Hannah stood by the roadside, silhouetted against the deepening red of our surroundings.

"Are you... free this weekend? For a meal, maybe? Lunch... or dinner?"

"Erik — are you asking me out on a date?" I can't see much of her exprssion against the sharp light, except for a widening of her eyes. Was she surprised? Happy? Mortified?

"I guess so," I mustered up the courage to say.

Hannah stood silently for a few seconds. "Well I guess it's okay, if you're free on Sunday."

"I'll be free!" I must have been grinning like silly, because Hannah let out another laugh.

"Okay then, I'll chat you up. Seeya!"

I inhaled sharply, letting the smoggy air gush against my throat. I... just got a date with Hannah! I watched as she walked away, her ponytail swishing in time with the knee-length hem of her checkered skirt, her red handbag swaying ever so slightly with her step. Was fate finally smiling on me?

Then I closed my eyes, and relished the fluttering of butterflies in my stomach.

That was a big mistake.

A very big mistake.

I let down my guard again... And I learned that fate was smiling neither on me, nor on Hannah.