《Re-Timed》 Chapter 1 ¡°The distinction between the past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.¡±- Albert Einstein- Rain trickled down in sporadic drops, painting streaks across the cracked windshield. Night blanketed the empty road, its silence disturbed only by the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze. A car sat skewed at the edge, its front crushed into a tree, the bark wedged deep into the mangled hood. Smoke curled from the wreckage, dissolving into the cold, damp air. Inside the vehicle, a male figure slumped in the driver¡¯s seat, his breathing ragged. His hands, trembling and bloodied, reached for the passenger beside him. A woman with a lean frame lays motionless, her head resting against the seat, her face pale in the dim light, dark hair sticking to her skin in damp strands. The soft patter of rain against the roof was the only sound as time seemed to hang still, suspended in the aftermath of the crash. His breath hitched as he cradled her limp body against his chest, the cold air biting at his skin. He closed his eyes briefly, swallowing the rising wave of panic. His voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper. He muttered: ¡°Not again.¡± ...... Several months earlier¡­.. ¡°Scientists have detected strange readings from deep space, millions of light-years away, some speculate it may be caused by the collision of two black holes recently...¡± News anchor¡¯s voice can be heard coming from a flat screen television, filling the quiet living room. The sound from the television became vague, fading into the background. A male figure sat on the sofa in front of the television screen, his figure still and silent. It was early evening, the calm settling in with the dimming light outside. ¡°James,¡± a soft, playful voice called from behind. He glanced over his shoulder to see a slim female figure his girlfriend Ashley standing just behind the sofa, her hair resting just above her shoulders, dark and slightly tousled. She wore a dress, a shade of deep blue that complimented her eyes, modest yet flattering. The fabric hugged her waist gently before flowing down, stopping just below her knees. It wasn¡¯t too long, nor too short¡ªjust enough to move gracefully as she took a step forward, the hem swaying with her movements. She smiled, eyes gleaming with anticipation, and struck a playful pose, arms spread wide. ¡°How do I look?¡± She asks. There was an eager glint in her eyes, the kind that suggested she cared about his response more than anything else in that moment. ¡°Beautiful,¡± James replied, his voice soft but genuine. A satisfied smile spread across her face. She leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. James closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the warmth of her touch. But as she pulled away, his expression shifted¡ªa flicker of something unspoken passed over his face, like a brief shadow of hesitation or doubt. His lips curved into a faint smile, but his eyes remained distant, as if his mind was elsewhere. ¡°Come on, we don¡¯t want to be late,¡± she said, her tone light and cheerful. Breaking from his thoughts James reached for the remote and switched off the television. The night was calm, the sky clear and moonless, stars faintly visible against the dark canvas above. A light breeze carried the cool air, making the evening feel fresh. The streetlights glowed with a soft amber hue, casting long shadows across the road as a few cars passed, their headlights cutting through the stillness of the night. The gentle hum of engines filled the otherwise peaceful atmosphere. Inside one of the cars, James gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles pale in the dim light. His expression was tense, a frown settling deep across his face as his hand instinctively moved to his temple, massaging the side of his head. Ashley glanced over, her eyes filled with concern. ¡°Are you okay?¡± she asked, her voice breaking the silence in the car. James forced a smile, though it didn¡¯t reach his eyes. ¡°Just a slight headache, nothing to worry about.¡± Ashley sighed, her brows knitting in frustration. ¡°You¡¯ve had that same headache since last week.¡± James shrugged, his hand dropping back to the wheel. ¡°It¡¯ll subside.¡± Ashley¡¯s irritation bubbled up. ¡°If it¡¯s getting worse, you should check it out.¡± But James didn¡¯t respond. Instead, the car fell back into silence, the faint sound of the road beneath them and the soft whoosh of passing cars filling the space between them. His eyes remained focused ahead, but his mind seemed far from the quiet road they travelled. The headache hadn¡¯t subsided. It lingered, pulsing lightly beneath his temples, as though something were pushing at the edges of his mind. He exhaled slowly, glancing at her as she stared out the window, her concern hanging in the air between them. Colorful LED light flicker at a modest bar. The atmosphere wasn¡¯t loud or rowdy, just a cozy spot where people gathered to unwind. Strings of decorative lights hung overhead, casting a soft amber hue across the tables and booths. The sound of clinking glasses and low conversation filled the space. At one of the booths, James and his girlfriend sat with their friends, the energy light and relaxed. They had been there for a while now, nursing their drinks and enjoying each other¡¯s company. James¡¯ hands rested loosely around his glass, but his focus drifted now and then, the remnants of his headache still gnawing at him. Keith, seated across from James, leaned forward, adjusting his glasses with one hand, his curly hair falling into his eyes. He turned to Gary, who sat with his arms resting on the table, his lean frame relaxed in his chair. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°So, Gary,¡± Keith said, his voice friendly, ¡°you¡¯re heading to Rome next week, huh? That¡¯s exciting.¡± Gary, ever the easy-going one, nodded eagerly. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s been a long time coming. Me and Rachel have been planning it for months. I can¡¯t wait to get there.¡± Keith chuckled, leaning in a little. ¡°I¡¯ve been there before, you know. It¡¯s amazing, but¡­¡± He raised a finger with mock seriousness, as though giving sage advice, ¡°be ready for the chaos.¡± Gary raised an eyebrow, intrigued. ¡°Chaos?¡± ¡°Oh yeah, the traffic is insane. Don¡¯t even try driving in the city, it¡¯s madness,¡± Keith said, laughing. ¡°And make sure you¡¯ve got some comfortable shoes. The sights are incredible, but there¡¯s a lot of walking. Trust me, you¡¯ll thank me later.¡± Gary chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Duly noted. No driving and comfy shoes.¡± Keith grinned, clinking his glass against Gary¡¯s. ¡°Other than that, you¡¯ll love it. The food alone will blow your mind.¡± James, quiet through the exchange, glanced between them, trying to stay present. Ashley leaned into him, offering him a smile, though she could sense he wasn¡¯t quite himself tonight. She nudged him gently, and he smiled back, but that distant look still lingered in his eyes, the remnants of his headache gnawing at him. As Keith and Gary¡¯s conversation shifted to travel tips and sightseeing, Rita, seated beside Ashley, leaned in, her curiosity piqued. ¡°So, how¡¯d the interview go?¡± Rita asked, taking a sip of her drink. Her dark hair framed her face, and her eyes sparkled with interest. ¡°You said it was for a hotel chain, right?¡± Ashley, fingers lightly drumming on the table, let out a small sigh. ¡°Yeah, I still haven¡¯t heard back yet, though.¡± Rita raised her eyebrows sympathetically. ¡°That sucks, but no news is good news, right?¡± ¡°I hope so,¡± Ashley replied, a hint of frustration in her voice. ¡°Honestly, I just want to be done with my current job. It¡¯s getting unbearable. The workload¡¯s been insane lately, and don¡¯t even get me started on the pay¡ªless than before, even with the extra hours.¡± Rita nodded knowingly. ¡°Ugh, tell me about it. They¡¯ll squeeze every last drop out of you if they can. But you¡¯ll get this new gig, I¡¯m sure of it. Then you can finally breathe.¡± Ashley smiled, though it was tinged with weariness. ¡°That¡¯s the plan. I¡¯m just ready for a fresh start, you know? Something where I don¡¯t feel like I¡¯m drowning all the time.¡± ¡°Totally,¡± Rita agreed, offering a reassuring smile. ¡°And when you get that job, drinks are on you!¡± The table erupted into a soft chorus of chuckles, and even James couldn¡¯t help but crack a smile. ¡°Deal,¡± Ashley said, her spirits lifting just a bit. ¡°If I get the job, the first rounds on me.¡± Keith, still laughing from his conversation with Gary, chimed in. ¡°And then you can start planning that vacation to Rome too, huh?¡± Ashley laughed softly. ¡°Let¡¯s get the job first, then we¡¯ll talk Rome.¡± Amidst the laughter and casual chatter, James found himself zoning out, his focus slipping from the conversations around him. His friends¡¯ voices, once distinct, now felt distant, as if they were speaking from the other end of a tunnel. A sharp, stinging pain pulsed through his head, growing in intensity. He blinked a few times, trying to clear his vision, but the edges of his sight were starting to blur, shapes and lights blending together. That sound¡ªfaint but persistent¡ªbuzzed in his ears like a high-pitched whine, gnawing at his concentration. James raised his hand to rub his temple, hoping the pressure would dull the ache, but it only seemed to get worse. Across the table, Ashley¡¯s smile faded. She noticed the way James winced, his fingers massaging his temple, his eyes unfocused. ¡°James?¡± she asked softly, concern clear in her voice. She leaned closer, her posture tense as she searched his face. ¡°Are you alright?¡± James forced a weak smile, blinking through the haze. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he muttered, his voice strained. The effort of speaking seemed to only make the pain worse. His head throbbed, and for a second, it felt like the world was tilting ever so slightly. Ashley wasn¡¯t convinced. She studied him carefully, her brow furrowing deeper. She reached out, placing a gentle hand on his arm. ¡°James, you don¡¯t look too fine. Maybe we should head back early?¡± Her touch was comforting, but her words barely pierced the fog in his mind. James could see the worry in her eyes, but his own thoughts were too scattered, too overwhelmed by the pulsating pain. He took a breath, trying to steady himself, but his body felt heavier than it should. The noise in the bar¡ªthe chatter, the clinking glasses, even the soft background music¡ªhad grown too loud, too overwhelming. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re right,¡± James finally admitted, his voice low, as if speaking louder would worsen the sharp ringing in his ears. Ashley nodded, her concern deepening as she stood up. ¡°I¡¯ll get the check,¡± she said, already signaling the waiter as James leaned back in his seat, his hand still pressed to his forehead. As Ashley signaled for the check, Keith glanced over, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his lips. ¡°Leaving so soon, James? You usually outlast all of us,¡± he teased, raising an eyebrow. Ashley offered a polite smile, gently placing her hand on James¡¯s shoulder. ¡°James isn¡¯t feeling great, actually. He¡¯s been dealing with a headache for a few weeks now, so I think it¡¯s best we call it a night,¡± she explained. Rita, sitting across the table, gave a sympathetic nod. ¡°Take care, okay? Don¡¯t push yourself too hard,¡± she added, her voice sincere. James forced a faint smile, his hand still resting on his temple. ¡°Sorry, guys,¡± he said, his voice soft but genuine. ¡°I¡¯ll catch up with you all next time.¡± Keith chuckled, giving him a friendly wave. ¡°We¡¯ll hold you to that.¡± As the check arrived and Ashley handled the bill, James stood up slowly, still feeling the weight of his headache pressing down on him. With a few more exchanged goodbyes, the couple made their way out of the bar. Driving home, James sat behind the wheel, his grip on the steering wheel tight, though he insisted, ¡°It¡¯s getting better. A little bit, at least.¡± His voice was calm, but the tension in his shoulders told a different story. Ashley, sitting beside him, wasn¡¯t convinced. ¡°It might be a good idea to get that checked out tomorrow, just to be sure,¡± she replied, her concern evident. Outside, the weather had shifted to a light drizzle, with faint raindrops tapping the windshield. The road ahead was mostly clear, with only a few cars scattered along the stretch. It was nearly 11:30 pm, and the quiet of the late night settled around them. Suddenly, James winced, his headache flaring with unexpected intensity. It wasn¡¯t just a dull throb anymore; it was sharp, like a finger pressing deep into the back of his skull. His vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to dim, fading at the edges. He blinked, struggling to focus, but then¡ª HEADLIGHTS! Blindingly bright, coming straight at them. He heard Ashley scream, but it was distant, muffled, like she was shouting from underwater. And then¡ªeverything went dark. ...... James jolted awake, his body lurching into a sitting position as he gasped for breath. His heart pounded in his chest, racing with confusion and fear. Sweat clung to his skin, his breaths shallow and quick. He pressed his hands to his head, but the pounding headache was gone¡ªjust like that. He breathed hard, his mind spinning. Was it all a dream? It couldn¡¯t be. It had felt too real, too vivid¡ªthe blinding headlights, the crash, Ashley¡¯s scream¡ªit was all still fresh in his mind. But here he was, in his bed, unscathed. His gaze shifted toward the digital clock on his nightstand. 11:30 pm. Chapter 2 James¡¯ bedroom was dimly lit, the soft glow from his digital clock reading 11:50 pm. The night outside was quiet, still. The only light in the room came from the open bathroom door, casting a faint glow across the floor. Inside the bathroom, James stood at the sink, water dripping from his face. His reflection stared back at him in the mirror, pale and troubled. His hands gripped the edge of the sink tightly, knuckles white, his entire body tense. His eyes were wide, filled with confusion and distress, as fragments of a haunting memory flashed in his mind¡ªheadlights, Ashley¡¯s scream. ¡°It felt too real,¡± he muttered under his breath, his voice shaky. ¡°It couldn¡¯t have just been a dream.¡± ...... A coffee shop buzzed with morning activity. Conversations overlapped, chairs scraped the floor, and waiters moved swiftly between tables, balancing trays of steaming drinks and clearing empty plates. A clock above the cashier showed 8:30 AM. At the farthest corner of the shop, James sat alone, his posture slouched, still looking troubled. In front of him sat a cup of coffee, the steam rising slowly, untouched. Across from him, an elderly man sat reading a newspaper, the headline boldly stating: ¡°Scientific Discovery of the Decade.¡± The words barely registered in James¡¯s mind, his thoughts too clouded by the unsettling memories flashing through his head. His gaze shifted as the door chimed softly, and in walked Ashley, her presence pulling James back to the present. James felt a wave of relief as he saw Ashley enter the coffee shop. She wore a cozy, striped sweater¡ªblack and white, loose-fitting but stylish, tucked slightly into her light-wash jeans. The jeans hugged her frame comfortably. With her hair falling effortlessly barely over her shoulders, she looked both relaxed and effortlessly chic. As she moved past the waiter, placing her order for a cappuccino, her outfit complemented her natural grace, every step measured and confident. Before she could sit down, James stood up abruptly and wrapped her in a tight hug. Ashley blinked in surprise, caught off guard, but smiled anyway, her arms loosely resting around him. ¡°Good to see you too?¡± she said, her tone playful but laced with confusion. James held onto her for a moment longer before pulling back, searching her face with an almost desperate intensity. ¡°Are you okay? I mean... do you feel fine?¡± he asked, his voice hesitant, but his eyes eager for reassurance. Ashley¡¯s brow furrowed as she tilted her head, still unsure where this was coming from. ¡°Yeah... I¡¯m fine,¡± she answered slowly, concern creeping into her voice. ¡°James, what¡¯s going on?¡± Realizing how strange he must¡¯ve seemed, James gave a weak, awkward smile, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°I¡¯m... I¡¯m fine,¡± he stammered, trying to smooth over his worry. ¡°I¡¯m just¡ª¡± he paused, searching for the right words. ¡°I¡¯m just glad you¡¯re okay.¡± Ashley studied him for a moment longer, her confusion not entirely gone, but she gave him a soft smile anyway, accepting his answer for now. Both of them sat down, adjusting themselves into the soft caf¨¦ chairs, trying to get comfortable. The cozy murmur of the coffee shop continued around them, but Ashley still couldn¡¯t shake the odd feeling about James. ¡°So,¡± she began, tilting her head slightly as she watched him, ¡°how¡¯s the headache? Any better?¡± James, who seemed to have found a brief moment of calm, nodded. ¡°It¡¯s gone,¡± he said, leaning back in his chair. ¡°I feel really well, actually.¡± But just as he finished speaking, his eyes locked on Ashley¡¯s face. In an instant, a fragmented memory flashed across his mind¡ªa blinding pair of headlights, Ashley¡¯s scream¡ªand his heart skipped a beat. His face drained of color, his calm exterior breaking. Ashley noticed immediately, her eyes narrowing with concern. ¡°James,¡± she said softly, leaning forward, ¡°what¡¯s going on with you today? You¡¯re acting... different.¡± For a brief moment, silence filled the space between them. James¡¯s gaze lingered, distant and clouded by the lingering confusion of that vivid memory. Just as he opened his mouth to respond, the waitress arrived with Ashley¡¯s cappuccino, interrupting the moment. She placed the cup gently on the table, and Ashley, offering a quick thank you, turned her attention back to James. James, however, hesitated. Whatever he had been about to say dissolved, swallowed by a wave of uncertainty. The images in his mind¡ªthe headlights, the screams¡ªwere too raw, too strange to explain. Instead, he forced a faint smile and waved it off. ¡°I¡¯m just tired,¡± he said, his voice softer now, almost too casual. ¡°Didn¡¯t sleep well last night.¡± Ashley¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, but she didn¡¯t push. She took a sip of her coffee, her gaze still resting on him, trying to decipher the unease behind his eyes. Meanwhile, James kept his thoughts locked away, for now. Ashley sipped her coffee and then casually reminded James, "Don''t forget about our meeting with everyone tonight. It''s probably the last time we can hang out before Gary and his girlfriend leave for Rome next week." James furrowed his brow, slightly confused. "Wait, didn¡¯t we just meet yesterday?" Ashley gave him a strange look, chuckling softly. "Yesterday? James, we¡¯re supposed to meet tonight, Saturday night. Didn¡¯t you read the text I sent you yesterday?" "I did read it, but isn''t..." James trailed off mid-sentence as he glanced at his smartphone. His eyes froze on the screen¡ªit was Saturday. A wave of confusion washed over him. He could¡¯ve sworn today was Sunday. This entire morning, he hadn¡¯t checked his phone. The first thing he did after waking up was freshen up, get dressed, and head out. Every weekend, especially in the morning, he¡¯d meet Ashley at a local coffee shop nearby. It was their routine. But now, seeing the date, he felt an unsettling shift. For a moment, he stared at the date in disbelief. How could he have been so sure? He paused, lost in thought, as the eerie sensation crept back over him. James blinked, feeling a strange sense of familiarity wash over him. As he glanced around the coffee shop, something tugged at the back of his mind. Although vague, the feeling was undeniable¡ªalmost like he¡¯d lived through this moment before. He looked at Ashley again, noticing her striped sweater and jeans. She¡¯d worn that same outfit... yesterday, hadn¡¯t she? The thought felt hazy, like it was slipping through his fingers, but it lingered. His gaze shifted to the other patrons. The same faces, the same number of customers seated in their usual spots. The elderly man still reading his newspaper. A feeling of d¨¦j¨¤ vu crept up his spine, unsettling him. He couldn¡¯t shake the nagging sense that everything¡ªAshley, the coffee shop, even the conversation¡ªwas eerily, frustratingly familiar. But why couldn¡¯t he remember exactly why? It felt like grasping at shadows in his mind. ¡°James, James,¡± Ashley called, her voice pulling him back from the fog of his thoughts. He blinked and looked up, offering a subtle smile. ¡°Yeah, sorry. Just lost in my thoughts.¡± Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Ashley raised an eyebrow, slightly annoyed, but she brushed it off. ¡°Do you remember that you promised to come shopping with me today?¡± James snapped out a response, almost too quickly. ¡°To buy your blue dress?¡± Ashley tilted her head, her tone puzzled. ¡°What blue dress?¡± She paused, then added, ¡°I mean, I was planning to buy a dress today, and blue is my favorite, but...¡± She trailed off, studying his face with curiosity. The feeling tugged at James again¡ªvague but persistent. He could swear they had already done this, shopped for that blue dress. Hadn¡¯t she bought it already? The memory was foggy, but it was there, hovering in the back of his mind. He chuckled lightly, trying to shake off the oddness. ¡°Just guessing,¡± he said, flashing her a playful grin. ¡°I know blue¡¯s your favorite color.¡± Ashley laughed softly and teased, ¡°Seems like you already know what I like. Why don¡¯t you just pick the dress for me instead?¡± James smiled, more confidently this time. ¡°Sure, why not.¡± She beamed at him, her eyes lighting up as she giggled. ¡°That¡¯s why I love you so much.¡± Her joy was infectious, and for a brief moment, James felt a wave of calm wash over him. Seeing her happy brought him a sense of peace. But as her laughter faded into the soft hum of the coffee shop, that strange, nagging feeling returned. No matter how much he tried to push it aside, he couldn¡¯t shake the eerie sense that something was... off. Something he couldn¡¯t quite wrap his head around. ...... It was just past 8 p.m., according to James¡¯s wristwatch. He and Ashley were on their way to meet their friends, and the car ride was filled with a strange sense of repetition that clung to James¡¯s thoughts. Everything that happened before their journey felt eerily expected, almost as if he had lived through it all before¡ªthough the details were vague. Ashley had asked how she looked, and James had responded exactly as he had thought he would even the news report about two black holes colliding, deepened the unsettling d¨¦j¨¤ vu that gripped him. As they arrived at the bar, the same strange feeling lingered. Keith, Gary, and Rita were already seated, waiting for them. The dim lights and modest d¨¦cor of the bar felt oddly familiar¡ªtoo familiar. James¡¯s gaze flickered around nervously as they approached the table. Every word, every casual laugh shared between his peers seemed like an echo from a past he couldn¡¯t quite place. Even the conversation between Rita and Ashley, as they discussed about Ashley job interview, played out exactly as James had predicted, as if time had folded in on itself. James tried to keep himself calm, but the tension gnawed at him. The sensation of d¨¦j¨¤ vu grew stronger with each passing minute, making it hard to concentrate on anything else. He feared that if his memory was correct, then tonight would unfold like a grim rerun of a moment he desperately wanted to avoid. The distant, haunting memory of headlights blazing through the darkness and Ashley¡¯s terrified scream echoed inside his mind, tightening his chest. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the night would end the way his vision¡ªor dream, or whatever it was¡ªhad ended. His heart pounded at the thought of what might happen when they drove back. He kept glancing at Ashley, the thought of her in danger tearing at him. The idea of losing her¡ªof that awful moment becoming real¡ªwas unbearable. James just couldn¡¯t let it happen, but he also couldn¡¯t shake the gnawing thought that something was beyond his control, lurking just out of reach, waiting for them on the road back home. A revelation struck James, like a light cutting through the fog that had clouded his thoughts. He remembered now¡ªthe reason they had left early last time was because of his terrible headache. But now, the headache was gone, completely vanished. Maybe this time things would work out differently. His eyes darted to Ashley, who was smiling and chatting with Rita, unaware of the storm of thoughts raging inside his mind. James felt a surge of hope rising in his chest. He was sure he could change things. He replayed the sequence in his head¡ªthe drive back home, the clock ticking closer to 11:30 p.m., and that split second when everything had gone dark. That¡¯s when it had happened. What if they simply avoided that time? What if they left later, after 11:30 p.m.? Maybe by altering their timing, the chain of events wouldn¡¯t align. James clung to this thought, his heart steadying. He was sure¡ªif they delayed their drive home, even by a little, the accident wouldn¡¯t happen. A wave of assurance and relief washed over him, quieting the anxious pulse in his veins. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes lingering on Ashley as she laughed with their friends. He felt a renewed sense of control. Tonight, he would make sure things were different. Nothing bad was going to happen. Not this time. ...... Digital clock on James¡¯ nightstand read 7:45 a.m. as he slowly woke up, blinking against the soft morning light. Reaching for his smartphone, he saw the date¡ªit was Sunday. James put down his smartphone and lay still, his gaze drifting up to the ceiling. A sense of relief washed over him as he replayed the events of the previous night in his head. He and Ashley had driven home safely¡ªno incident, no accident, just a quiet return from their evening with friends. James sat up, feeling a bit more grounded, and reached for his wristwatch on the nightstand. He studied it for a while, watching the second-hand tick forward with every passing moment. As he observed the steady rhythm, a dull, familiar ache began to form in the back of his head. But this time, something felt different. The pain was there, but it was like he could control it¡ªfocus it. His mind latched onto the sensation, almost as if he could project it out of his body. He did this without really thinking, letting the pain manifest like an unseen force. His eyes fixed on the second hand of his watch, following it intently. Tick, tick, tick¡ª30 seconds, 31 seconds, and then... it stopped. James blinked, his focus sharpening, and before he knew it, the second hand began to move in reverse. 31, 30, 29, 28... His mind snapped back, the focus broken. The second hand returned to its normal forward ticking, resuming its regular pace as if nothing had happened. James stared at his watch, a jolt of shock rippling through him. ¡°Did I...¡± he muttered, trailing off as the idea crossed his mind. For a brief moment, he considered the impossible, but quickly dismissed it. He shook his head, trying to shrug off the thought. Still, the question lingered, unsettling him in a way that wouldn¡¯t quite leave. ...... James sat at his usual spot in the local coffee shop, waiting for Ashley. The clock above the cashier read 8:50 AM. His mind, however, wasn¡¯t in the present. His thoughts kept circling back to the strange experience from this morning¡ªhad he really reversed time, or was his wristwatch simply malfunctioning? He tried to brush it off, telling himself it was all in his head. As he took in his surroundings, his gaze landed on the same elderly man who was always there, sitting opposite him and reading the morning paper. It wasn¡¯t unusual¡ªafter all, the man was a regular. But something caught James¡¯s eye. The headline on the newspaper was different today. It read, ¡°Anomaly at CERN Particle Accelerator.¡± A chill ran down his spine. His thoughts flickered back to his earlier encounter with the watch. ¡°What if I could change the headline?¡± The absurdity of the thought made him chuckle, but the faint pain in the back of his head returned, the same sensation he had felt earlier. James sat up straighter, trying to shrug it off, but he couldn¡¯t let go of the thought. ¡°Let¡¯s humor myself,¡± he decided, focusing his mind on the headline. He stared at the bold print, his sight narrowing in as the letters started to blur. His surroundings became oddly quiet, the background hum of coffee shop chatter and clinking dishes faded into a hazy silence. James felt a sharp, piercing sensation at the back of his head¡ªjust like before, like something shooting out from within his skull and latching onto the headline. For a brief second, his vision went dark, as if the world itself blinked. Then, as suddenly as it had come, the pain subsided, and his surroundings snapped back into clarity. The blur lifted, but sitting right in front of him was Ashley, her voice cutting through his daze. ¡°How¡¯s the headache? Any better?¡± she asked, her voice sounding concerned. ¡°What¡­?¡± James mumbled, barely comprehending her words. His mind was in complete disarray. When did Ashley sit down? His heart raced as he stared at her, wide-eyed. A second ago, she wasn¡¯t there¡ªhe was sure of it. The spot across from him had been empty, and now, she sat there like she had always been. His pulse quickened, a cold sweat creeping down his back. It was impossible. Ashley hadn¡¯t walked in, hadn¡¯t sat down¡ªshe had appeared. The shock was so overwhelming that for a moment, James couldn¡¯t even find his voice. His eyes darted back to the newspaper, and his heart nearly stopped. The headline had changed. It now read: ¡°Scientific Discovery of the Decade.¡± ¡°James? Are you okay?¡± Ashley asked, her voice breaking through his stunned silence, but he couldn¡¯t answer. His mind raced, trying to make sense of the impossible. ¡°Did I just travel back in time?¡± James muttered.