“Sammy!” Karen called out to her dog as he raced around her on the field. She glanced down as she walked, changing the music on her MP3.
There was a sudden rush of wind in her ears and a flare of light that made her squint. She looked up again and realised that the scene in front of her had changed slightly. The light was different and she could have sworn the trees ahead had been in blossom earlier. Turning around to look at her house in the distance she saw that it appeared run-down and… older.
“Sammy, come here boy!” There was no response. Karen yanked her earphones out and fumbled for her mobile – she needed her parents’ help here, “Darn, I’ve really got to stop leaving it at home!”
She heard a low chuckle from behind her and spun around instinctively. A smartly dressed man was stood there, holding an open notebook.
“Can I help you, sir?” She was instantly on guard – something weird was going on.
“Karen Elizabeth Winters,” A statement, not a question. “You have a collage of notable scientists on your wall, you’re reading The Crysalids and you keep your diary in your sock drawer. This is currently the year 2042 and you need to come with me.”
“…And that’s enough to make her trust me?”
“It’s enough to make her come with you,” The woman looked up from where she was writing in the notebook and smiled. “Paul, there’s no need to be so nervous – I know we haven’t tested it but the Time Machine will work with no side effects. It evidently does otherwise I wouldn’t be here!” Paul nodded.
“I do know that – we’ve worked hard enough. To be honest, I’m more nervous about the fact that I’m about to meet the 16-year old version of my best friend! What if I say something wrong?”
“Worried I won’t like you?” She smiled, closed the notebook and handed it to him. “That’s all the information you need.”
Paul took it, turned to go and then paused. “Also – you must have recognised me when we met at uni. It means you always knew we would succeed… Why didn’t you say?”
Dr Winters sighed and leant back in her chair, “Because at the same time I was learning all this stuff about paradoxes and how easy it could be to change the future. I didn’t want to risk it,” She grinned at him suddenly, “Besides I didn’t recognise you immediately – you’ve changed a lot since you were a student!” Paul grinned back.
Paul led the way to the Time Machine, their creation. Everything had gone well, he’d managed to avoid any major disruptions to the Space-Time Continuum. He’d found it unnerving talking to the 16-year old version of his best friend. He could see glimpses of the woman he knew she would become but she was still unfinished to his eyes.
There was still so much she had to look forward to.
