A searing electric charge crackled through my mind, illuminating the dark recesses of my brain. The familiar beep of the notification system echoed within me, and a disembodied voice announced:
"All knowledge and important memories from 27 November 2017 in your past life have been successfully transferred to your brain."
I reeled, struggling to comprehend the sudden influx of memories. As they played back in my mind in fast motion, I questioned myself:
"What's going on here? Why am I remembering things that haven't happened yet? Am I missing something?"
One particular memory surfaced, and I was transported back to that fateful day.
I stood in the same room, surrounded by the familiar furniture and decorations. Everything was identical, except for the eerie feeling that I was reliving a moment from my past. The memory unfolded before me like a movie:
I walked downstairs to the living room, where my family was chatting and laughing. My mom, pregnant with my future sibling, was dishing up breakfast. My dad and little sister, Hannah, were engaged in a lively conversation. I joined them, feeling carefree and happy.
After breakfast, I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door. As I walked through the quiet neighborhood, the warm sun shone on my forehead. I passed by an alleyway, where I heard a muffled scream. I saw feet peeking out from behind the dumpsters.
My heart sank as I realized I had ignored the cry for help. Why had I done that? Someone needed my assistance, and I had turned a blind eye.
The memory fast-forwarded to the afternoon. I was walking back to school, passing by the same alleyway. This time, it was crowded with police and onlookers. A yellow tape surrounded the area, and a body lay covered on the ground. Those feet... they looked familiar.
A wave of guilt and regret washed over me:
"Why didn't I save her? I saw her in the morning, and I hesitated. Now she's dead."
Back in my room, I felt a sense of determination:
"I have to save her. I should get going... I understand now. This system is giving me a chance to rewrite my life, to correct my wrongs and bad choices. I'll take full advantage of it."
With a sense of resolve, I paced out of my room, took a quick shower, and got dressed. I grabbed my backpack and phone, my mind racing with the urgency of the situation. Downstairs, my family was eating breakfast.
"Erin, what took you so long?" my mom asked, eyeing me with concern.
"I had to take a quick shower," I replied, trying to sound casual.
"Okay, fine. Sit down, put down your backpack, and I'll dish up your favorite breakfast," my mom said, smiling.
But I was already on edge, my heart pounding with anticipation.
"Actually, I'm in a bit of a hurry," I said, trying to come up with a convincing excuse.
My dad chimed in, "Nonsense, come sit down. You can't rush out of here without eating something."
I hesitated, feeling a surge of anxiety. I couldn't reveal the truth – that I was racing against time to save a girl's life.
"I have a big test today, and I want to arrive early to revise before it starts," I said, trying to sound confident.
My parents exchanged a skeptical glance, but my dad just shrugged.
"Whatever suits you, son."
I grabbed my backpack and made a hasty exit, my heart racing with every step.
As I walked down the familiar path, I felt a sense of déjà vu. This was the same route I had taken in my memory, the same alleyway where the girl had been murdered.
I quickened my pace, my senses on high alert. Should I check the alleyway? What if she's already there?
I pushed aside my doubts and approached the alleyway, my heart pounding in my chest. But as I turned the corner, my eyes scanned the empty space, and my stomach dropped.
Where was she? Was I too early? I waited for 10 minutes, my anxiety growing with every passing second.
And then, a creeping sense of dread settled in. What if I was too late? What if I had failed again?
Did the system change the order of which this events or did I rewrite the whole thing, then this means someone else is a danger but who , I'm confused, what is happening ?