As Alex sprinted through the bustling streets of New York City, his mind raced with possibilities. He knew the winning lottery numbers—$514 million worth of possibilities—and he was determined to ensure this timeline didn't end the same way it did before: stuck in middle management for seven long years, grappling with the weight of failure, no matter how much his father or his friends reassured him. This time, everything was going to change.
Alex's legs pounded the pavement as he dashed through the city, his suit jacket flapping behind him. No ties—he hated them, never wore them again like in his previous life. It felt strange to be running like this, adrenaline pumping, knowing exactly how this day would go. Or at least, how he thought it would go.
His mind buzzed with energy, and he checked the Maps app. A glowing digital arrow appeared in front of him, guiding him to the nearest lottery station. "Now this is helpful," he muttered, feeling a surge of hope.
Every few steps, he noticed it—a small pop-up notification in the corner of his vision.
Charging... 23%...
He couldn't help but glance down at his hands mid-run, half-expecting to see a charging port or battery symbol on his skin. The realization hit again: I am fused with my aPhone.
"Hey, Alien!" Alex called out breathlessly as he weaved through the crowd, dodging pedestrians on their lunch break.
"Are you gonna explain why I'm charging? Why do I feel like a damn Tesla on a treadmill?"
A voice crackled through his head, that same irritated snark. "Because, genius, you're moving. Your body generates energy, and since you've become part phone, that energy translates to a charge. Exercise powers your pathetic existence now. Maybe you should've considered that before turning your life into a glorified hamster wheel."
Alex rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. It was ridiculous, all of it. Running to a lottery station, knowing the exact numbers for a jackpot worth millions—$514 million to be precise. The future was literally in his hands. He'd hit the jackpot, and soon, his problems would be history. Or would they?
As he rounded the corner and the lottery station came into view, the alien's voice cut through his thoughts. "And what's your big plan after you win, dumbass? Think a few million dollars is gonna solve all your problems? You'll still be the same insignificant speck you were before."
"Shut up," Alex muttered.
"I'll figure it out."
"You better. It's amusing to watch you chase after fantasies, thinking you can change the script written by the cosmos."
Alex's eyes narrowed as he hurried down the street, dodging pedestrians again. The alien's taunts were starting to gnaw at him, but there was also a nagging curiosity he couldn't shake. The alien knew too much about Earth. And he wasn't just familiar with modern technology—he seemed deeply knowledgeable about human history. Alex had to know more.
"Why do you even care about Earth?" Alex asked, slowing his pace as he reached a quieter side street.
"I mean, you seem to know a lot. Why are you even speaking my language?"
"Your language?" the alien scoffed. "You think I'm here for you? Get over yourself, moron. I've been watching your planet for eons. Not you—no, you're just background noise."
Alex stopped in his tracks, wide-eyed. "What the hell could be so interesting about Earth for that long?"
"Oh, I wasn't watching you humans," the alien snorted.
"Let me guess, the ants?" Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, ants. You wouldn't believe the coordination and strength those little buggers have. You're the extras in this whole cosmic drama. I was observing the true players."
Alex ran a hand through his hair, trying to wrap his head around the absurdity of it all. He glanced down at the lottery ticket in his hand. Am I really just some extra? He shook the thought away and glanced around the street. There was no one else in sight.
Alex shook his head, both baffled and intrigued. "So you're just a spectator?"
"More like an analyst," the alien corrected.
"I observe, I learn. The way they navigate their challenges, their intricate societies—there's beauty in it, even if it's often messy. You might see yourself as insignificant, but you're part of a greater system. Each interaction, each decision, can shift the balance in unforeseen ways."
As the conversation lingered in his mind, Alex's pace quickened. Could he really change his narrative? Maybe he wasn't just a minor player after all. He had a chance to claim a future that was distinctly his own.
He pushed open the door to the lottery station. The faint scent of old paper and cheap coffee filled the small, dimly lit room. A bored-looking attendant sat behind the counter, scrolling on their phone, not even looking up as Alex approached.
"I need a ticket," Alex said, his breath still labored from the sprint.
"Pick your numbers or quick pick?" the attendant asked, deadpan.
"Numbers," Alex replied, his heart thudding in his chest. He recited them, every digit directly from his browser.
"Good luck," the attendant said without enthusiasm, tearing the ticket from the machine and handing it over. Alex glanced at the small paper slip in his hand, feeling a rush of excitement surge through him.
Charging... 35%...
"I swear, it feels like I'm charging faster," Alex muttered under his breath as he left the station.
The alien's voice chimed back in immediately.
"Duh, you're excited. All that heart-pumping action is giving your batteries a boost. But, hey, don't get too attached to this little victory. It's just a drop in the ocean of your insignificant life."
Alex's eyes narrowed as he hurried down the street, dodging pedestrians again. The alien's taunts were starting to gnaw at him, but there was also a nagging curiosity he couldn't shake. The alien knew too much about Earth. And he wasn't just familiar with modern technology—he seemed deeply knowledgeable about human history. Alex had to know more.
He checked the Zarafi window floating in his field of vision. The search results for the lottery grand prize stared back at him, confirming the jackpot: $514 million. His pulse quickened. He knew the winning combination. Tomorrow, it would be announced, and he'd be rich beyond his wildest dreams.
His suit rustled as he started to jog again, picking up speed. But now there was another feeling brewing inside him—a strange sense of power.
Charging... 50%...
He smirked. I am literally powering up. Then something else caught his attention—a notification, not on his screen, but in his head.
I am charging.
Alex's grin widened. He could feel it—the energy building inside him as he ran. He wasn't just some insignificant office worker anymore. He had a chance to change everything. And the first step was claiming that jackpot. Then… who knew? Maybe he'd make a name for himself in this timeline. Maybe he'd become something bigger than he ever imagined.
The alien's voice, dripping with sarcasm, cut in again. "Congratulations, you've reached 50%. Should we throw a party? Oh wait, that'd drain your precious battery. Wouldn't want your fragile existence to short-circuit."
"Can't wait for you to shut up," Alex muttered, but he couldn't deny the surge of excitement. Everything was falling into place.