VINCENT

<we should talk>

Surely enough there was the same screen from before. Actually, on further inspection, it looked less glitched and slightly different. The screen from before was a muddy red but this screen let off a calming blue light. I had to pull my mind back to the moment and focus.

Ok, so maybe this was real. But seriously this crazy game window thing wanted to talk now of all times.

“Now seriously, and you couldn't have done that before you stole my wife and my life away from me!”

<there is no need to shout I can hear you just fine. I understand this situation isn't to your liking, but please be civil about this so I might have a chance to explain.>

“Explain, you want to explain?! Now?! You couldn't have explained before stealing everything from me?!”

<I understand that you are frustrated, and though I'm sure it's of little help. I feel I must alert you that what you dealt with before wasn't me.>

“I suppose arguing won't get us anywhere, so go ahead and explain. Because, for the life of me I have no idea what is going on. And you can start by telling me what happened to me and how I get back.”

< First i shoul introduce myself , i am the Returner. Intrication. System. Executive. Or R.I.S.E for short. As you were once an advad gamer in your younger years Ill explain your situation in videogame terms. Your current playthrough was erased and you were sent back to your last available save.>

“ My progress was erased? What about my wife?”

< From your perspective it might seem like everything was destroyed and replaced. However, everything and everyone you knew have simply been rewound in time.>

“ Okay? If i was sent back in time than why cant you simply send me forward in time and back to my future”

< Unfortunately, the only form of timetravel i am permitted to allow you is the old fashioned way.>

“The old fashioned way? And what way is that?”” I ask not sure what that meant.

<forward at a constant speed of one second at a time.>

“You've got to be joking?!”

<No I am dead serious. The future you were once in no longer exists. If this timeline plays out the same way it did the first time the people around you will eventually become exactly the same people you once knew.>

“So are you saying i have to somehow perfectly replicate my original life to get back to MY penelope.”

< You dont necessary have to follow the same path you did the first timeline. That is actually why im here i can make this life even better than your last. Because you are one of the gifted few who has been gifted the chance to rewrite their life. You are now a Returner.>