I jolt awake, startled by the sound of a man shouting at me.
"Oy! Get out of here! I don't want you rummaging through my rubbish! You hear me? I will call my guards if you don't move out now!"
Rubbing my painful head, I slowly sit up, wincing as I discover a massive bruise. How did I get injured? Confusion sets in as I realize I'm still in the same dirty and foul-smelling alley. It seems I didn't manage to leave as planned. Determined to find my bearings, I make my way towards the main street, reaching for my AI device to gather information.
"Where am I?" I inquire.
The AI responds, "You are in Bolensbry City, England, in the year 2982 AD. The current ruler is Bohnan from the Bo succession line. However, there are disagreements and conflicts arising from other prominent successors of the Gonzales bloodline. Education has been fully suspended worldwide due to the introduction of mobile ear-placed AI, allowing for immediate education. Today marks the official disassembling of the last government of Bulgaria, with their final president signing the dismemberment document in Bolensbury City. Bohnan will co-sign the document, intervening directly in Bulgaria."
My mind races with disbelief. I've traveled even further into the future than I anticipated. Panic starts to creep in as I realize I don't have any water to make a quick return. I quickly consult my AI again, desperate for a solution.
"Where is the nearest source of freshwater?" I inquire.
The AI responds, "Access to freshwater has been suspended to prevent unauthorized time travel. Only trained and qualified energy repossession experts have access to possible sources."
Seeking a way out of this predicament, I ask, "Where is the base of the nearest energy repossession experts?"
A map materializes before my eyes, indicating the location of the base. It's not too far from my current position. Determined, I choose appropriate clothing from my AI's selection, ensuring I blend in with the time period. With newfound confidence, I emerge from the alley, joining the bustling main street.
As I navigate the busy streets, the vibrant, three-dimensional billboards flash with colorful advertisements and news updates. Among the news, I catch glimpses of the President of Bulgaria signing the document and the ruler of England, Bohnan. The mention of a grand celebration in the city, attended by important figures in their finest attire, makes me apprehensive. I desperately hope to avoid getting entangled in such an event.
Walking briskly, I weigh the significance of my role as a descendant of the Gonzales dynasty in this future world. It appears that the destiny of my family is intricately tied to energy manipulation and time travel. Memories of Michael's cryptic words about the importance of my family's involvement flood my mind. I think of Jack's intellect and Emily's wit, wondering how their roles fit into this grand scheme.
Determined to navigate this unfamiliar future and uncover the truth, I steel myself for the challenges ahead. My focus is to fulfil my mission while seeking a way back to my own time, all while avoiding any unwanted attention from the celebratory events unfolding around me.
I follow the guidance of the AI and soon find myself standing in front of the building housing the energy repossession experts. Surely, they must have access to water. As I approach the entrance, I notice a pole with a digital recognition system. A sign on the display catches my eye.
"Place your hand here."
I place my hand on the scanner, waiting for the scan to complete. Suddenly, the door in front of me opens, accompanied by a display message.
"Welcome, descendant of Emily and Jack's dynasty."
They are my ancestors! A sense of awe washes over me as I enter the building, astonished by how easily I gained entry. I quickly consult my AI, eager to find the freshwater source within the facility.
The AI displays a map, directing me to take a lift. I step into the lift and press the button for the 47th floor. As the doors open, I'm greeted by a familiar face—a man with a warm smile. Behind him, a group of guards stands in formation.
Oh no, I've been discovered...
"Welcome, Bethany," he says, approaching me and kneeling before me, followed by his guards. After a moment, he rises and continues speaking.
"I've been waiting for you."
"Waiting for me?" I inquire, filled with curiosity.
"Yes, for quite a while, in fact."
"Why is that?"
"I've longed to meet my great, great, great, great grandmother. I am Bohnan, your descendant further down the line."
"I saw you in the news..."
"Come," he gestures, tucking my hand in the corner of his elbow. "We have much to talk about, and I have much to show you."
I follow Bohnan, intrigued by his words. As we enter a spacious room, he reveals its purpose.
"Welcome to the travel room, where all the magic happens," he explains, pointing at a small pool of water in the center. "It may be small, but its depth allows for instantaneous travel from here to the moment of the Big Bang. Every year, we make it slightly larger to accommodate different time frames. I've traveled twenty thousand years into the future, and this pool was as big as this entire room. Thus, I know that future generations will continue the traditions of this travel room."
Bohnan then guides me to an adjacent room. It is smaller and bathed in pristine white. A gentle breeze carries the scent of fresh-cut grass after a rain shower, surrounding us.
"You may be wondering about this fragrance. It's created by a virtual scenes constructor," I interject, finishing his sentence.
"Ah, I see you are well-informed," he remarks with a smile.
"I've already been to the future and encountered a similar technology, though it was set by the seaside."
"I understand. So far, when in the future have you traveled?"
"3073."
"Ah, I see. Then you already know..." Bohnan's voice trails off.
"Well, what can I say?" I respond, intrigued.
"You see, it only remains until 3492. After that, general peace is restored. That's why Bo decided to show you all the achievements before discarding history and his role in it."
I notice a frown on Bohnan's face, and his blue eyes remind me of someone familiar...
"Why would I do that?" I question.
"Exactly! That's what I said! Why would you discard all the accomplishments of the human race throughout the centuries to come? You see, we are truly family, thinking alike."
He proceeds to show me the remarkable advancements in medicine, history, and technology. He tells me incredible stories of how the scientists, our descendants, have saved the Earth multiple times, eradicated major diseases, and achieved world peace.
"It's all incredibly impressive, I must admit," I remark, genuinely awed by the accomplishments.
After our tour concludes, we find ourselves back in the large room with the pool. Bohnan turns to me and asks if I have any questions.
"Many," I reply with a smile, and we share a laugh.
"What can you tell me about those four or five hundred years within the three thousand years?" I inquire, curious about the period I have yet to witness.
"Oh, that... Well, I understand it's difficult to see those things and do nothing, but it was necessary for progress. Things are better for it, and I believe it's a small price to pay considering the peace and achievements we've accomplished over the centuries to come."
"I see. Is that truly how you feel?" I ask, peering into his blue eyes, and suddenly, it dawns on me. But it can't be...
"Yes, I truly feel that way," he confesses, a tear trickling down his cheek. He kneels before me, gently kissing my knuckles. I kneel beside him and embrace him in a hug.
"Isn't that how family supports one another?" I say, and he looks at me, his body trembling. His expression reveals confusion, prompting me to add, "With love?"
"Yes," he replies, holding me tightly and beginning to sob softly.
"I'm so sorry, Bethany... It's just overwhelming to meet you in person, and you're so much more than I could have ever expected," he admits, gradually calming down.
"Considering our large and supportive family, I would expect you to receive a lot of support from your loved ones. Do you have siblings, Bohnan?" I inquire.
"I do," he replies, hanging his head.
"You're not on good terms with them at the moment?"
"No, we're not... My sister, Emily, sees things differently. She has an idealistic perspective, lacks discipline, and fails to understand that difficult decisions sometimes need to be made."
We sit on the floor, gazing at each other, when I ask, "What is her name?"
"Emily. She was given her name after your daughter..."
"I see. Well, if she's anything like my Emily, she thrives when given freedom. The more freedom she has, the more she excels, and she handles responsibilities well because she feels trusted. I can't speak for your sister, but for my Emily, trust is crucial. Once she feels trusted, she becomes a loyal and loving companion. Do you trust your sister, Bohnan? Do you provide her with the freedom and responsibilities that match it?"
"Perhaps not as much as I should..." he admits.
"I hope that you and Emily can reconcile your differences," I say, offering a comforting smile. After a moment, when I can see that he has calmed down, I say, "Alright, I think it's time for me to make my final journey back home."
"Are you sure? I thought maybe you'd like to join me for today's celebrations, or we could have a private dinner together?" Bohnan suggests.
"Thank you, that's incredibly kind of you, but I've been away from home for far too long, and I truly long to see my family again. However, I deeply appreciate everything you've done, and you will hold a special place in my heart."
"Truly? You mean it?" he asks, his eyes searching mine.
"Of course! It's not every day that I get to meet my accomplished great-grandchild from the distant future," I say, smiling warmly at him.
We walk over to the pool of water, and I reach into my pocket to retrieve some white powder. But Bohnan interrupts me and brings a small vial of white powder from a nearby table.
"Here, this is the exact measurement you need. It will take you straight back home, precisely to the day and time you left," he says, handing me the vial.
"Thank you, that's the best gift I could receive right now," I say, reaching out to give him a final goodbye hug.
Suddenly, the large door swings open, and a young woman rushes into the room, screaming.
"Don't listen to him, Bethany! There's so much more to the story that he'll never admit! You have to listen to me!" The guards swiftly move to restrain her, while Bohnan waves his hand, singling for them to remove her quickly.
As she is being pulled away, she continues to shout, her voice echoing in the room, "Bethany! You have to listen to me!"
I turn to Bohnan, my shock evident on my face, and ask, "Who is she?"
"It's my sister, Emily. I told you we don't see eye to eye," Bohnan replies, a hint of frustration in his voice.
Suddenly, Emily breaks free from the guards and charges towards me. In her haste, she slips and collides with me, knocking me off balance. I stumble and fall into the pool, still clutching the vial of powder. Caught off guard, I find myself submerged in the water, struggling for breath. Instinctively, I open my mouth, only to fill it with water, causing panic to set in as I start to drown.
The AI swiftly recognises the situation, and before I know it, I am whisked away. As I travel, I glimpse a message that reads, "Traveling to England, Surrey, 2021 AD. Would you like to change the destination?" But unable to respond due to the water in my mouth, the message repeats three times until I see, "Arriving in... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
I am abruptly expelled from the pool, crashing onto the ground. Gasping for air, I struggle to comprehend my surroundings, only to realise that I've been ejected onto the middle of a motorway.
The first car that approaches violently sweeps me off my feet, colliding with my ribs and stomach. The impact propels me into the air, crashing against the windshield before plummeting back down onto the roadside with a jolt.
Trembling in pain, I feel blood seeping from countless wounds, gradually enveloping me in warmth. As the pain intensifies, I find myself lying in the grass, overcome by the sensation of relaxation.