Infinite Timelines

Fate: Part Two

Axel's favorite smell in the world is cinnamon. Unfortunately the candle store is out of cinnamon candles somehow and Axel is reluctant to drive out of city in search of one. Or two. Or five. Axel is in love with cinnamon's wonderful scent more than anything. He hates the taste though. The taste is so horrendously bad, after tasting some once, Axel couldn't even light his candles anymore for a month as all he thought of was that horrid taste.

"Sorry, Sir, we're all out. A customer came in and bought our last one about 10 minutes before you came in. We have many other scents if you're interested. Such as, Island Breeze, Citrus Jungle, Perfect Pear, Dewy Meadow, and more," the store clerk explains.

"I don't care about dewy meadows I only want cinnamon. Who was it that bought the last cinnamon candle?! Who?!" Axel shouts over the counter.

"Please don't yell, Sir. You'll scare off the customers. I do not recall who it was that bought the last candle nor do we keep records of our customers names. Are you sure you that you're not interested in our other scents?"

"I'm absolutely sure. Have a good one," Axel storms off.

"I can't wait 'till I get my hands on whoever bought the last cinnamon candle," Axel mutters.

Ding-dong. The store bell runs as a tall man walks into the door.

"Hey, I decided to come back and buy another candle, this cinnamon one seems promising," the man speaks across the store to the store clerk.

Axel walks smack into the tall man and looks up to see him carrying a plastic bag containing the coveted cinnamon candle.

"Uh, excuse me," the man bellows down to the much shorter and frailer Axel.

"Uh, is that a cinnamon candle you got there?" Axel asks already knowing that it is.

"Yep, sure is. Looks promisin' to me. I love putting these candles around the house. Like on top of my television, on top of the fridge; shucks don't forget about on top of the cabinets," he speaks.

"He doesn't know anything about candle placement. You don't put candles in high places or else the smell isn't captured perfectly. He's an idiot! Idiots don't deserve cinnamon candles! I do!" Axel thinks loudly.

"You mind letting me have it?" Axel asks while face palming himself in his mind.

"Of course he's not going to give you the candle, Axel. You have to fight for it," Axel thinks.

"Wasn't thinkin' 'bout it. What would I get out of giving you my candle I payed my hard earned cash for?" the man asks.

"Because if you don't, I'll do this!" Axel thrusts is arm forward, reaching for the plastic bag containing the candle.

The man pulls the bag back behind him and Axel falls to the ground.

"Hey, kid. Get up."

Axel doesn't move.

"Kid. Kid. Kid. Alrighty."

The man lifts up Axel's head and bends down to talk to him.

"Stealin' ain't good. Ain't ya parents teach ya better than that?"

"I just want the cinnamon candle," Axel mumbles.

"Well you ain't gettin' it now, kid. Hey, clerk," the man shouts to the clerk.

"Yes, Sir."

"I'll be alright with just this candle. Have a good day."

"You too, sir. Thank you."

"Why couldn't I get here before him? Then I would've gotten the candle," Axel thinks.

"Man, imagine it. Just thinking about getting that cinnamon candle, ah. But alas, I Axel, have failed," Axel thinks to himself.

Axel closes his eyes and lay there, disappointed in himself. When he opens his eyes he's in the store standing upright facing the shelf where the cinnamon candles he wanted weren't. Only this time, there was one.

"Huh?! Where am I?! I was on the floor. What's going on?!"

"Please be quiet, Sir. You'll scare off customers."

Axel checks his watch and the time is 3:00 pm. Twenty minutes before his ordeal with the man with the cinnamon candle.

"This isn't happening. This doesn't make any sense. I guess I'll buy the candle."

"Hey, I'd like to purchase this cinnamon candle," Axel states to the store clerk after walking to the counter.

"Sure thing, sir. That'll be $7.56."

"Alright. Just let me get my wallet."

Axel reaches into his pocket. Then his other pocket. Then his back pockets.

"Oh no. I forgot my wallet at home. Can you hold this for me?"

"Sorry, sir. We don't reserve products."

"Of course you don't. Guess I'll be putting this back."

After Axel puts the candle back and goes to cut the door the man who previously bought the candle walks into the store. Axel waits and watches what he does.

"Howdy, I reckon I'll be buyin' this cinnamon candle. I hear they got a mighty bold smell, but I'm a mighty bold man and I'll take it," the man shouts to the clerk before grabbing the candle and walking over to him.

"Yes, sir. That'll be $7.56." 

"Alrighty," the man takes out his wallet and hands the clerk a five dollar bill and three one dollar bills.

"Keep the change, partner," the man brushes past Axel who has his jaw dropped.

"Close ya mouth, kid. You'll catch flies."

"I traveled back in time to buy the candles, but alas, I have failed again," Axel thinks to himself and sighs out loud.