Perfectly Timed

by Jamie Campbell

  I stand for a moment and watch the television, trying to working out what time I’m in. The ticker tape running at the bottom of the screen has the date—December 13, 2086.

  I’m in the future.

  Chapter 7

  The first thought that runs through my mind is that this is really cool. I’m actually in a time where I might exist in some form—admittedly very old. Perhaps I’ve already died? The thought makes my head hurt. What if I could find myself here and can ask my future self how I stopped time travelling?

  But then would I still be the same person if I am able to change my past? Or would I be changing my future? Would it matter because I haven’t done it yet? Or have I already done it? The thoughts are way too confusing for an empty stomach. I’m pretty sure these are the things scientists argue over when they talk about whether time travel is possible.

  Newsflash: it is.

  Across the mall is a clothes store. It doesn’t look like the most fashionable place around, but it will do. Anything that has something warm and clean in my size will do. I hurry over.

  The store is lovely and warm inside. I try to hold the door so it doesn’t make a sound as I close it. It’s difficult being quiet in this place when everything else is whisper silent. There isn’t even any music playing in the stores. Like I said, it’s creepy.

  I feel like tip-toeing through the clothes so I don’t disturb the shop assistant. She’s engrossed in an electronic gadget that I’ve never seen before. At least it means she won’t notice when things start to move by themselves.

  There are some clothes at the back that sort of look normal. I grab some jeans, a T-shirt, and a woolen sweater. I won’t be setting any fashion trends on fire, but at least I’ll be warm. I take them into the change rooms and trade them for my dirty clothes. I feel bad leaving them in the room but it’s not like I can put them anywhere. I haven’t had a closet for years.

  The clothes fit well and make me feel a little more comfortable. Some clean underwear would be even better but they’ll have to wait until I can find some. This store only sells outerwear.

  I leave the shop assistant to her gadget and step back into the mall. My list of necessities is now down to food and underwear. I don’t care in what order I find them, just as long as I do. God only knows where I’m going to end up next and I want to be better prepared.

  Perhaps I should have chosen an outfit with better pockets. Would a backpack do the same thing? I add it to the list, just in case. If I can work out a way to take more things with me when I’m pulled away, I can avoid situations like I’m in now. That would certainly be handy.

  I’ve never really cared about being prepared before. I guess a part of me always hoped I would bounce home one day and stay there. Being prepared meant I was giving up on that dream. I know it was stupid and only made things harder but I didn’t care. Now, Noah has given me a different type of hope.

  My nose catches the scent of something and my stomach immediately responds—food. I follow the trail with my nasal cavity, it leads me right there.

  I enter the diner and look around. It’s full of people but there is still no sound. I’m used to people talking, having a conversation, even the clinking of silverware as they eat their meal. But there is nothing like that. The television projected on the wall is about as crazy as it gets and even that is barely audible. All this silence is going to drive me crazy soon, it really is deafening.

  At least the food on the plates look good—and recognizable. I may be in the future but they’re eating the same things as the past. I head straight for the kitchen and help myself to a burger. It feels like forever since I’ve had a meal like this. My mouth waters just looking at it.

  I take my burger back into the restaurant and sit at an empty table in the corner. I make sure to keep at least one hand on the plate to ensure it stays invisible like me. I wouldn’t want an overly helpful waitress coming to take away my meal. I will guard it with my life.

  As I savor the taste and try to eat slowly, I can’t stop thinking about Noah. I hope he bounced somewhere safe, somewhere comfortable. I hope he’s not still on the deserted plateau with nothing but a few rocks for company. I desperately wish we could meet again. Even a few moments together are better than nothing.

  His words keep echoing in my head about the reason why we time travel. He thought it was because we were disconnected from our lives already. If anyone is disconnected, it’s all the people around me. Why aren’t they bouncing through time and space every five minutes like me?

  I don’t know what to believe about his theory, it could be true or it might not be. Before it all started, I was normal—at least I thought I was. There are probably millions of kids in the world that felt just like I did. So why would I be chosen out of all of them to bounce around? There is nothing special about me, that was the whole point of how I was feeling when it started.

  Still, I don’t want to discount his thoughts as definitively wrong either. He’s got a good two years on me, who knows what more wisdom I could obtain in that time? Maybe it will all become clear. Or, perhaps, I could just let the thought drive me crazy because I can’t help but think of Noah all the time.

  I finish my burger and help myself to a milkshake. It was destined for someone else but I really need it. The waitress doesn’t say a thing when she notices it has disappeared, she just turns around and makes a new one.

  This time I sit at the counter and use my position to watch everyone else. I now know why nobody’s talking, nobody is actually sitting together. Every table holds only one person. The tables are smaller than I’m used to also. Especially designed, perhaps for the solo diner? Either I’ve stumbled into a weird restaurant for singles or that’s how they live now.

  At least all the diners aren’t bored. They are all playing with the same electronic gadget the lady in the store had. It’s a tablet of some sort, kind of like an iPad in my time. Whatever they are, they must be fun to hold their attention for so long. They look as intent on the tablets as their meal.

  It’s kind of sad, really. How do all these people communicate with each other when they’re all sitting by themselves? What happened to listening to music? Sharing a meal with someone?

  It’s crazy to think these people live like this. I would love to follow one of them home and see how they interact with their family. Are their homes just as quiet? I hope not, it’s the most annoying noise I have ever heard.

  But before I can do research, I need to look after myself. I grab some cookies from the kitchen, wrap them in a napkin, and put them in my pocket. They will probably be nothing more than a few crumbs before long but as least it will be something. I’ve been in situations before where I would have killed for those crumbs.

  I keep walking, vowing not to stop until I find everything I need. Another clothing store lets me pick up some new underwear and a department store gives me a backpack. I’m all set for now, give me a bed and I will gladly sleep for days on end.

  I consider finding a house to creep into, partly out of curiosity, but I know it’s not practical. I’ll most likely be caught as someone accidently stumbles over me. No, I need something more anonymous.

  A hotel should do it.

  I keep walking, my legs growing more tired by the minute. Thoughts of a shower and a soft bed spur me along, there has to be somewhere around here where I can rest. It’s a city, surely people stay somewhere when they visit?

  Finally, like it’s a mirage on the horizon, I see a big building with a sign that says vacancy. I blink a few times, just to make sure I’m not imagining it. But when I open my eyes, it’s still there. I hurry along, boosted by the hope of a warm place to rest.

  The lobby is nearly deserted with just a few random people sitting in the plush seats. I head directly for the reception counter and tiptoe behind, watching the concierge as he checks someone in.

  The hotel uses electronic key cards, just like in my time. I’m going to have to program one if I want to get into an
empty room. An old fashion lock and key would have been so much easier.

  I have to wait until the concierge finishes and steps away from the counter before I can get control of his computer. It’s a touch screen, there isn’t a keyboard in sight. I’m not exactly a computer whizz, spending so much time in the past has its downfall. But I manage to work it out eventually and program a plastic card with an empty room number. The room is listed as vacant for the whole night, hopefully nobody comes in to book it before morning.

  The elevator is just as I’m used to, except with a lot more buttons. There are ninety-eight floors to this particular building, so many it’s scary. I find floor fifteen and hit the button. I almost lose my balance when it takes off, the lift shoots up faster than I expected.

  By the time I get to my room, it’s like a beautiful oasis away from the rest of the world. Here, I can actually make a noise and not be worried about being overheard. I can sit freely where I like and know nobody will sit on me.

  The shower is heavenly, quite possibly the best feeling in the world. I let the water flow over me for as long as possible, lathering the soap everywhere. I don’t care if I run out of hot water, I’ll use it all up if I have to. The dirt from my body and hair is disgusting. I don’t think I’ve ever been this filthy before. I finally turn off the tap reluctantly, but only when I feel clean again.

  I wrap myself in the plush oversized towel and just put my underwear back on. I didn’t think to get pajamas from the shops, I haven’t worn a pair in a very long time. I slide into the soft bed and spread out like a snow angel, enjoying how comfortable I feel. I want to stay here forever, just like this. The only thing that would make it better is to have Noah here with me.

  Sometime during the night I drift off into a peaceful sleep. For once, there are no bad dreams or nightmares. My mind wanders to thoughts of Noah but I think that’s more from my subconscious rather than the dreamland. My mind even lets me off thinking about my family for one night, it’s a rare treat.

  Suddenly, the insane quiet is shattered as an alarm rings out. A constant buzzing, it tolls over and over again, making my teeth rattle

  “Please evacuate the building. Please evacuate the building.” The robotic voice repeats over and over again from speakers in the wall. Footsteps start to pound down the corridor outside, I can just hear them through gaps in the instructions.

  I can’t smell any smoke or hear anything else but I guess I should leave the room too. I hit the pillow in frustration, I don’t want to move out of the comfy bed. So I either stay and possibly get hurt or go and have to say goodbye to my comfort. Ugh, like I really have a choice. I push back the covers and get dressed, taking everything with me in case I can’t come back.

  The backpack is still empty on my back, but I’m not leaving it behind. I throw the contents of the mini bar into it, just in case I need a snack later. I also swipe a towel from the bathroom, stuffing it inside. Hopefully the hotel won’t blame anyone for their absence.

  I join the other guests as they trudge along the corridor toward a set of emergency stairs. Thank goodness I’m only on the fifteenth floor, imagine the walk down from level ninety-eight. If I was that high up, I don’t think I’d bother. I still don’t know why we are being evacuated.

  The stairway makes it difficult to stay away from people. Nobody is panicking, but they still flood into the stairwell in droves. I’m pushed everywhere, I have to refrain myself from pushing them back.

  The coldness of the night is a sweet relief. I leave the rest of the guests to stand by myself. Finally, I can see what all the fuss is about. It is a fire, a big one at the end of the hotel. The fire brigade is diligently trying to douse it with their hoses but they aren’t having much of an effect on the large building.

  Everyone stands around watching but they stand as if unaffected by it all. There is a coldness to them, it’s more than just being calm. It’s like they can’t connect with the tragedy of the situation. People might be trapped inside but nobody is doing anything to help. The hoses spread water and that’s it. Even the firemen don’t seem particularly concerned with the danger.

  Surely I can’t be the only one concerned for the people left inside? What about if there are children or old people who can’t make it down the stairs? Are they just going to leave them all to burn to death? Every second that passes only adds to my rising panic. Somebody has to do something.

  My worst fears come true as people stand on their balconies high up and start to scream. Fire licks at their backs as they try to garner attention from rescuers. The problem is, there doesn’t seem to be any rescuers—only robots.

  I can’t stay quiet a moment longer. “Someone do something! Help them!”

  I stomp around, trying to get anyone to listen to me. Some heads turn in my direction so I know they’ve heard me but still they do not move. I start my yelling campaign again, wishing someone would step up and be a hero. The screams are painful to hear.

  “Save them! Hurry!” My voice is starting to go hoarse from all the yelling. My heart is pounding in my ears as my panic only continues.

  The people standing on the balconies are pressing up against the railing. Some are even sitting on it to avoid the flames. I can tell thoughts of jumping are already occurring to them. Would they rather die in the flames or from colliding with the ground below? It’s an impossible choice.

  But it’s avoidable. The firemen can extend their ladders to get up there. They might not have time to save them all, but they can try. They can save at least a few, even I can see that.

  I head directly for the fire trucks. “Use your ladders! Get them down! Save them!”

  A few more heads turn but they don’t move from their hoses. Nobody does anything to save these poor people. I hear a loud bang but I can’t bear to see what caused it. A part of me already knows there will be a body splayed on the ground somewhere. High above, someone made the decision about how they wanted to die.

  It only makes me scream louder, even though I am standing right in front of the firemen. They don’t even react to me but I know they can hear what I’m saying. Are they even considering doing anything except dousing the flames? What is wrong with them?

  These people are ridiculous, it’s like all their humanity is gone. In its place is an uncaring robot who is just going through the motions. If this is the future, then I don’t know if I want to live for this long.

  I take a breath and start my yelling again, wishing someone would do something. It’s the most frustrating thing I have ever experienced.

  With nothing working, I start to push the shoulder of the fireman closest to me. He looks around, trying to find the source. He shrugs me away and continues on like nothing has happened. He’s a brick wall, completely incapable of thinking.

  When I feel the tugging at my chest, I’m almost relieved. I’m glad to be leaving this place, I can’t deal with all the carnage that is only going to get worse.

  I welcome the bright light and wait for it to fade, praying I will be somewhere else. I haven’t been bounced to the same place twice before, but I guess there is a first for everything.

  I just hope this time won’t be the first.

  I collapse onto the ground, oblivious to my surroundings. I notice it’s daytime but that’s it. I haven’t returned to the burning hotel in the future, that’s all I care about.

  Taking several deep and gasping breaths, I can’t get rid of the stench of smoke from my nostrils. It’s difficult to believe I have really left the place. I try to tell myself I have and the logical side of my brain agrees, but I can’t help but still be upset.

  I find myself crying, unable to keep the tears inside any longer. I know they’re not here, but what happened to those poor people? Were they all forced to jump from the balconies because nobody would save them? I can’t get the picture out of my head, it repeats in a loop like a horror movie.

  I need to get up and make sure my surroundings are safe. I know it but I still let the minut
es tick by without paying any attention. Nothing has run me over or hit me so I can’t be in any immediate danger.

  As I sit hunched over, I can feel the weight of my backpack behind me. It worked, it managed to come with me. It’s a small glimmer of light in my otherwise horrible night. It had started off so well and just turned tragic so quickly my head is still spinning.

  I don’t know how long I sit here, but I eventually wipe my tears away and look around. It’s like I’ve walked onto a movie set. For once, I know exactly where I am and in what time period. The long dresses in vivid colors of the women bustling about give them away.

  I’m in medieval England.

  Chapter 8

  The old fashioned castle stands on a high hill, overlooking green fields in all directions except one. To the west is water, a whole ocean of it. Everything is lush and pretty, just like you would imagine it to be in the sixteenth century.

  Walking around the castle, it’s kind of magical. I remember my grandmother visiting England once, she sent us postcards from all the castles she travelled to. Some were just in ruins and none were as grand as they once stood. Actually being inside one now is a privilege nobody else gets. It’s slowly making me forget about the fire.

  The people here are all busy, something must be going on. I hope it’s something good and not bad—that would be a nice change. It would be fun to explore the place with Noah. Even though we have spent such a short time together, I know he would like it here. Perhaps he’s already been here before me? I hope I get the chance to ask him.

  I pick a group of women in bonnets and red dresses and follow them. They look like they’re on a mission. Perhaps they’ll show me where the kitchen is so I can get some food. I’m not hungry right now, but I have a backpack so I can take full advantage of the situation if it arises.

  The women walk faster than I expected, I have to hurry just to keep up with them. The stairs here are unsteady, I have to be careful not to fall flat on my face.