Adam was immersed in melancholy, a stark contrast to the vibrant colors of spring that surrounded him. The entire world seemed shrouded in gray, mirroring the desolation within him. His passion for experimentation had waned, and the laboratory that once fascinated him no longer held any allure.
Day after day, Adam aimlessly wandered the school corridors, his footsteps echoing through the empty halls. Every corner of the campus reminded him of the beautiful moments he had shared with Emilia. He tried to find solace by revisiting those places, cherishing her memory, and commemorating their time together.
The sunlit meadow was their sanctuary—a place where they picnicked under the shade of a towering tree, laughter blending with the gentle rustling of leaves. Adam would sit on the same patch of grass, running his fingers through the blades, closing his eyes, and letting his thoughts transport him back to those blissful moments. Emilia's laughter echoed in his ears, and for a fleeting moment, he could almost feel her presence beside him.
The cafeteria held precious memories as well. It was where they often met, trays in hand, engaging in lively discussions about social issues. Their voices intertwined with the clatter of cutlery and the bustling crowd. Adam would sit at their usual table, gazing at the empty seat across from him, imagining Emilia's vibrant expression and sharp intellect. In those moments, he found solace in the echoes of their conversations, as if her spirit still lingered in that space.
Even the parking lot, once an ordinary place, now held profound significance. It was where they exchanged countless farewell kisses. Adam would stand in the same spot, his gaze fixed on the horizon, reliving the warmth of Emilia's lips upon his own. These memories evoked both joy and sorrow within him, reminding him of the love they had shared.
The world continued its pace, oblivious to Adam's grief. Students hurried past him, their laughter and chatter filling the air, unaware of the storm brewing within him. Adam watched them, a mix of envy and longing, yearning for the simplicity of their lives, untouched by the colossal void they had never experienced.
As Adam passed by a notice board, he saw a memorial event notice related to the campus shooting incident. On Wednesday evening, community residents who had lost loved ones would gather together, lighting candles to commemorate their departed souls. Adam knew about this event, and he knew that Emilia's parents and his own would be attending. It reminded him of the comforting tones and scenes of solace at Emilia's funeral, but he also knew that this memorial day would once again pierce his heart, stirring up memories of the beautiful times they had shared. These thoughts left him breathless with pain.
His beard had grown long, a testament to his neglect of self-care. Adam stumbled into the laboratory, devoid of soul. Lily was deeply concerned about him and tried to engage him in conversation, but he seemed deaf to her words. Only Lily persevered in her experiments. She told Adam that life had to go on, hoping that he would eventually recover. He wasn't the person Emilia would want him to be in his current state.
His passion for the laboratory had vanished, as if he had lost the drive to move forward. His gaze was vacant, his eyes wandering, unable to focus. Lily knew her words couldn't heal Adam's wounds immediately, but she hoped to offer him some warmth and support. Quietly, she continued her experiments, silently praying for him. She understood that everyone had their own way and timeline of dealing with pain, but she hoped Adam would find his strength and regain confidence in life.
On Wednesday, despite his inner resistance, Adam decided to attend the anniversary event. He stood on the outskirts of the crowd, gazing from a distance at the place where Emilia's photos were displayed. The pictures showcased her beautiful smile, as radiant as spring, as if nothing had ever happened. After the event concluded and the crowd dispersed, Adam silently approached. His hands and feet trembled, and tears welled up uncontrollably. He looked at that familiar smile, crying louder and louder until he eventually sat down on the ground, engulfed in silent grief.
He began to reminisce about that day when they had planned to watch the movie "Time Traveler." The film's protagonist constantly traversed through time, attempting to change fate. Suddenly, Adam remembered Lily's breakthrough in the experiment and Emilia's words about doing the right thing. A spark of inspiration ignited within him. He thought about how the quantum collider, the experimental data breakthrough, could potentially generate a wormhole, warping space and time. Perhaps, like the protagonist in the movie, he could also travel through time. Emilia had once said to do the right thing, and Adam believed that the right time was before the shooting incident occurred—he could save Emilia.
Suddenly, a surge of power rushed through him. He stood up and dashed towards the laboratory. This newfound strength filled him with unprecedented courage and determination. He believed that through the research in the laboratory, he could find a way to change the past and save Emilia. Filled with hope surging in his heart, he rushed into the laboratory, ready to embark on his plan.
Adam eagerly arrived at the laboratory and quickly located the storage place for the experimental results. Nervously, he examined the data and realized that Lily's experimental data was very close to the breakthrough point of the wormhole theory. This further solidified his belief, convinced that by adjusting the experimental data, he had a chance to achieve his goal of time travel.
He began continuously adjusting the experimental data for testing, meticulously searching for a method to open the wormhole. Suddenly, the quantum collider triggered a violent change in the magnetic field monitoring equipment. The lights in the laboratory momentarily went out, then flickered back to life. Adam felt as though the laboratory had undergone some sort of wondrous transformation.
He looked up at the computer screen and was astonished to see the date displayed was from a year ago. His heart filled with shock as he realized that he might have truly succeeded in traversing through time. A wave of excitement and incredulity swept over him, along with a sense of uncertainty about the challenges he would soon face.
Adam quickly recalled the scene from a year ago, knowing that this was his chance to prevent Emilia's misfortune. He hurriedly searched through past calendars, confirming important dates and events. He was determined to seize this opportunity and do everything possible to change Emilia's fate.