Our Temporary Existence

The old Timeline

(A/N: I tried implementing some early modern-day English in this chapter but gave up half way so ignore that lmao)

          We strolled through endless streets, admiring the buildings around us. The same ones in which we both hath grew up around – nevertheless, the beauty in their architecture never ceased to make me smile. Though the roads we walked upon had a sense of emptiness and desertion in which this town didn't usually portray. Alice and I continued walking in the midst of this bright afternoon, taking pleasure in this day together.

          "James?" her voice was that somewhat of a flute – she was always soothing and softly spoken. Sweet like honey, hearing her talk was simply enough to make me melt, no matter my mood.

          "Aye, Alice?"

          "It's so..." she glanced around, building to building, and looked back at me, "bare this present day." I nodded but then smiled.

          "Well, that just means more time for the both of us to be alone," as I spoke I tucked a lock of Alice's shimmering blonde hair behind her ear. She wore a ponytail, but some of her golden curls would stay loose on the sides, I always adored how perfectly casual this girl was. She tilted her head and smiled back at me.

          "I guess you're right," she held my hand, hers looking much smaller in mine. Mine were rough and calloused from my labour in the mines, though I knew she didn't care; she just wanted to hold them, as I with her. We continued our walk down the streets, but not much later the expression on her face grew to one of concern.

          "What's wrong, mine lief?" Her face was fixed in a small frown,

          "I still haven't seen a single person since this morning. You'd bethink we would've at least seen someone near the market, where is everybody?" I glanced around once again, the emptiness now giving more of a sinister vibe with her insistent curiosity.

          "I don't know, would you like to walk home?"

          "No," her tone was gentle, but as her crystal blue eyes stared into mine I could tell she was alarmed. "I was just a little worried, is all. I'm glad we went on a walk." She held my hand with a tighter grip, and continued walking – I followed along, not given much choice but I wouldn't argue either way. After a while of walking, the moon followed behind us as the sky dimmed and the sun went out of view. It was awfully early, but I chose to ignore it as Alice was already paranoid enough. Despite my disregard for the premature evening, Alice piped up, "It's very early for the sun to go down... I thought we had a few more hours, we probably should go home." I was about to agree, but I find I couldn't get the words out, unable to speak or move. "James?"

Then my vision turned to black.

         When I woke up, I found I couldn't comprehend much. I could see walls. Soot-black surroundings, I couldn't tell how far away they were. My eyes couldn't focus, I could barely think. My mind in an irritating daze, after a few breaths I find I could finally utter out a sentence.

          "Why am I here?" I heard the wind echo my words, whistling back my fear, reminding me of this incredible unknown. I stood there for what could have been a minute, but felt like an eternity. There was nothing to do in this moment, unnerving stillness surrounding my presence.

          "It's the end of your timeline, as a new one will begin," it was as if the wind spoke, hoarse and quiet; containing a powerful calmness in its words. "This is how it has been since the beginning, what happened before your time is happening to you right now."

          "What?" I was confused, but not alarmed. Panic hadn't struck, the voice I heard made me feel oddly accepting of the situation.

          "In a moment, you will cease to exist. Your memories gone, your soul faded away; trust that you won't fear. You will be okay." All I could do was nod at that point, unsure if it could even see me either way, not really caring.

          "But why am I here?" I wasn't sure where I was getting at, where my mind was leading me to with that question. Nevertheless, I continued. "Why is this where I was taken? Why did I..."

          "Why did you leave your lover? Is that what you were going to ask?" I nodded, I didn't question how he knew that. "Listen, the end waits for no one, especially for others to catch up with it. This timeline is simply done. Don't feel sad over such simple sorrows, though. Alice knew you loved her, as you knew she loved you. Isn't that all you could've asked for? Your last moments were ones of affection, together, and I think that's what love is all about." My mind faded, reality dimmed – along with I. Everything transformed into what it originally was – nothing. There's beauty in nonexistence, as well as comfort in new beginnings – that was the end for me.