The Next Day
Kevin woke up and went to the washroom. After freshening up, he walked toward the living room where breakfast was already prepared. Carter was seated at the table.
Carter looked at Kevin and gestured for him to come and eat.
Kevin walked over and sat down. He looked at the food, then at Carter, then back at the food before starting to eat.
"Kevin," Carter said calmly.
Kevin nodded.
"Can you tell me what happened? From the beginning until now."
Kevin swallowed his food before answering.
"Everything was normal, just like any other day. Then suddenly, explosions started happening and the world turned upside down. I was running for my life. Then I spotted a man. He was running too, but to me it looked like he was pretending to run."
"Do you know that man?" Carter asked.
"No. But I remember he was wearing a doctor's uniform. His name was written on the top right," Kevin said.
"What was his name?" Carter asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I think it was Thomas."
Carter's eyes widened.
Thomas? What is he up to now? Carter thought.
"He told me about the Black Sea. He said it was the way to escape," Kevin continued.
"That doctor?" Carter asked.
Kevin nodded.
Carter looked down. "I knew that man was bad news."
Suddenly, Carter's phone rang.
It was Ron.
Carter picked up the call, and Ron's voice came from the other end.
"Carter, my boy, how's Kevin?"
"He's doing okay," Carter replied.
"Did you ask him about what happened in his timeline?" Ron asked.
Carter glanced at Kevin, who was still eating. Carter stood up and walked into another room. Kevin didn't seem to mind.
"Yes, he told me. He also mentioned the guy who told him about the Black Sea," Carter said after closing the door.
"Who was it?" Ron asked.
"Thomas. That evil man," Carter replied.
Ron's eyes widened.
"He'll pay for everything he did," Carter said.
Ron paused for a moment before speaking again.
"Carter, there's something you need to know. Meet me at Future Lia's company."
"What is it? If it's important, tell me now," Carter said.
"It is important… because it's related to Lia."
Carter's eyes widened.
"Okay. We'll meet there," Carter said.
"Take Kevin to my house. Ava will look after him," Ron said.
"Alright. I'm on my way."
The call ended.
Ron was standing outside a company building. About twenty minutes later, Carter arrived on his bike.
They shook hands.
"Let's go," Ron said.
Carter nodded.
Ron walked inside, and Carter followed. A woman at the reception desk greeted them.
"Welcome, sir. How can I help you?"
"Can I meet fut— I mean, Emma?" Ron said.
Carter glanced at Ron.
"Sir, do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked.
"No," Ron replied.
The receptionist gave him a strange look.
"I'm her relative. I need to talk to her. It's urgent," Carter said.
The receptionist nodded in understanding.
"I'll inform her."
She dialed a number.
"Miss Emma, there is someone here to meet you."
"I have no appointments today," a voice replied from the other end.
"He says he's your relative and that he has an important matter to discuss."
"What is his name?"
The receptionist looked at them.
"Ron and Carter," Carter said.
The receptionist repeated into the phone, "Ron and Carter."
"Oh! Okay, send them up," Emma said.
The call ended. The receptionist placed the phone back and looked at Ron.
"Sir, please take the lift to the fifth floor. Then turn right. The second door on the right leads to her office."
Ron and Carter nodded and headed toward the elevator.
They reached the fifth floor and turned right. Soon, they found the room.
Emma was written on the door.
Carter knocked.
The door opened.
Future Lia stood there.
"Come in," she said.
Ron and Carter walked inside. Future Lia gestured toward the sofas.
The three of them sat opposite each other.
Future Lia looked at them.
"Is everything alright?"
Carter glanced at Ron.
Ron nodded.
"Miss Lia, I think there's something you need to tell us."
Future Lia looked down.
"I really wanted to tell you both… but I couldn't bring myself to do it."
Carter and Ron exchanged glances.
Tears began to fall from her eyes.
Carter stood up and knelt beside her.
He gently wiped her tears.
"You can tell us. No one will judge you."
Ron took a deep breath.
"That woman… is not Future Lia."
Carter turned to Ron.
"What do you mean?"
Ron looked at her.
"Miss Future Lia… or whoever you are. Tell us. Maybe we can help."
She nodded slowly.
"Yes… that's true."
She took a deep breath.
"I am not Future Lia."