My feet pounded on slick gravel; my eyes fixed on the tower shining brightly ahead. The river current had carried me further downstream than I had aimed for, but it wasn't a big deal. I had crossed the river. This was the last stretch of my journey. Or so I thought.

A soft beep rang out and I glanced down just in time to see my watch announced 12:00. I froze, heart pounding in my chest. It was the moment of truth. Had I broken free from the time loop?

In the blink of an eye, the world shifted. A moment of weightlessness that stretched for an eternity, then I was falling forward. I caught myself on the pavement, the sudden brightness piercing my eyes. One moment I was running in the rain and dark, and the next I was falling in bright sunlight. I knew what this meant. It was 11:00 again. The arms holding me up lost strength and I flopped onto the sidewalk.

My chest felt tight, and I couldn't breathe. I curled up, letting out heart-wrenching sobs. It was too much. I was mistaken, after all. Crossing the river didn't break me free from the time loop. It was all for nothing.

Time might have reversed, but the decision to abandon the boy couldn't be reversed as easily. Even if no one in the world knew, and it hadn't happened yet chronologically, I would know. I would live with that decision for the rest of my life.

I curled up into a ball on the pavement.

I didn't know how long I spent crying on the sidewalk. I could check my watch and find out, but I didn't. A crippling numbness had bloomed in my heart, extinguishing the fires of motivation.

I'm tired. I don't know what to do now.

I rolled over to my back and stared at the clouds above. For once in my life, I didn't feel any urgency. What was the point? I was stuck here. Nothing I did would matter. In fact, everything I've done had only made things worse. I got run over, burned to death, and made a painful decision. Wouldn't it have been better to just stay still like this? I won’t get hurt or hurt anybody else. I should just stay here.

Forever?

A spark of dread and anger rose in me. What have I done to deserve this?

Memories of my decisions crossed my mind, and the spark fizzled out. I do deserve this. Maybe this is hell and I'm facing my punishment.

I laid lifelessly on the sidewalk as the minutes slipped by.

Why is it so damn bright though?

That reminded me of the weird weather on this street. As I ran towards the river, it abruptly changed from sunny to overcast to light rain. By the time I crossed the river, it was raining heavily. It followed my location instead of the time. What kind of weather acts like that? Along with the time loop, it only made me more certain this place was abnormal.

A flicker of something akin to curiosity lit up inside me. I clutched onto it desperately. Anything was better than the apathy smothering me.

I recalled thinking the weather might provide clues to the time loop in one of the earlier runs.

Why not check it out? Each time loop was the same except for my actions, the weather, the black car, and the school bus. The weather and the black sports car reacted to my actions, as if they were unaffected by the time loop; so maybe there's a clue to break the time loop there?

An ember of hope ignited. I guarded it meticulously, warding away doubt and pessimism.

It's too soon to give up. Not before I exhausted every clue at least.

Slowly, tentatively, I stood up. I left my briefcase where it was and staggered up the street. Although I had learned to adjust for the briefcase messing up my balance when I jog, I didn't feel like carrying it with me anymore. There was no point.

Soon enough, I saw a bloodstain on the street and abandoned balloons with blood splatters above me. My heart trembled a little at the sight, but I was already prepared for it. I even felt a bit relieved to see no signs of the boy. I didn't know if I could handle seeing him again after I've decided to abandon him last run.

I sighed, then moved on. As I shambled up the street, the weather gradually turned overcast. When the sky was fully covered by clouds, I paused, then retraced my steps. The clouds gradually dispersed and turned sunny again.

This confirms my position really dictated the weather. Sunny section until a little further than where the boy was, followed by an overcast section that continued until after the demolition site. The rain began abruptly just before the crossroads at the end of the street and gradually got heavier the further you go.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

I strolled up the street, lost in thought. Although I've confirmed that the weather depended on my movements, what does that even mean? I was no closer to figuring out the time loop. Discouragement pressed down heavily on me, and for a moment I considered sitting down right there on the sidewalk and never getting back up. Then I remembered the other abnormality.

I nonchalantly stepped onto the street and looked back with a blank expression. Within seconds, a black sports car came hurtling towards me from a distance. The corners of my lips twitched in satisfaction even as the black car ran over me.

Pain. A burst of pain that reminded me that I was alive. Then it faded, and the world faded with it.

A moment of weightlessness that stretched for an eternity, then I was falling forward. I caught myself and stood up. Behind me, the bus doors closed with a hiss.

Indeed. The black car will come for me anytime I step on the streets. I don't get it though, what exactly is it? All the cars on this street seemed off now that I think about it.

I turned and watched as the bus rumbled away into the distance.

A thought struck me.

The bus that got me here. Would it also take me out of the time loop if I manage to get back inside?

A deep regret rose in me. Why couldn't the time loop start a bit earlier? How do I get back on? By the time I finish falling, the bus door would've closed.

I decided to try it anyway. To do that, I needed a fresh start. I stepped onto the streets and waited for the black car to run me over.

A niggling sense of unease rose in me. What's wrong now? Whatever, it can wait until the next run.

The black car came and ran me over. The world faded and I fell forward onto the sidewalk. I twisted my body desperately and reached out for the bus, but it was in vain. I fell heavily, my breath knocked out of my lungs. I watched helplessly as the bus trundled away.

Determination burned inside me. Next time.

I stood up and moved to the middle of the streets, bracing myself for the pain. A burst of pain. I died.

I twisted around and reached for the bus. I stepped onto the street. A burst of pain. Died.

Twisted. Reached. Pain... Died...

Twisted... Pain. Died.

Pain. Died.

Died...

I stepped onto the street, grinning maniacally as I waited expectantly for the black car to kill me.

Wait. I felt a chill run down my spine. This is madness. What am I doing? Since when did I consider my life so lightly?

... How long has it been?

I shuddered, my heart pounding in my chest. This is dangerous. My life might not be in danger because of the time loop, but my mind...

Before I could do anything, the black sports car loomed in front of me.

A burst of pain, then I died, and found myself falling towards the sidewalk once again.

Instinctively, I took a step forward and pivoted. I slid slightly on the sidewalk to kill the momentum, then pounced for the closing bus doors.

I didn't make it. Like always. Usually at this point, I would step onto the street and wait for my death. But I didn't this time.

Cold sweat trickled down my neck. I didn't even spare the rapidly disappearing bus a glance, even though it was allegedly my reason for suicide. I was just looking for a way to die.

What could've happened if I didn't snap out of it last run?

A nervous chuckle leaked out. I'm depressed and suicidal. Damn. Who would've thought.

What should I do? This is really dangerous. Why should I do anything though? So what if I'm suicidal?

No. Don't give up yet. I can still break out.

I can...

I'm tired.

Should I just rest?

I need to allow my mind to relax. I need a... vacation?

Vacation. The word seemed almost foreign to me. When was the last time I had one? I couldn't remember.

Fine. I'm taking a vacation. I have all the time in the world, after all.

I looked around at the bright street and gave a tentative smile. Not because I was genuinely happy, but because I thought it was expected of me. People who got vacations and promotions were always happy, weren't they? Shouldn't I be happy too, now?

Even if I don't deserve it?

I quieted the intrusive thought. I was on vacation and depressive thoughts weren't allowed. What do people do with their vacations anyway?

I plumbed the depths of my memories for inspiration and came up empty. Times before the time loop felt like a lifetime ago now, but it seemed... it seemed like none of my coworkers ever had time for vacations either?

I was vaguely aware of what vacations were about, of course. Vacations are about rest and relaxation. That sounds nice. I want to relax. How? Do I just... do nothing?

A vague memory bubbled up from the recesses of my mind. I had gone on a vacation after all. That one time I desperately begged my boss for a vacation after pulling a series of all-nighters. I was only granted one day and spent it all sleeping. So, do I just...sleep?

Now that I thought about it, when was the last time I've slept? The time loop always restored me to the condition I was in when I was thrown off the bus, so I haven't felt the urge to sleep before. Deciding to give it a try, I leaned against the closest wall and sat on the sidewalk. I closed my eyes.

Minutes ticked by.

It wasn't working. The sun was too bright, and I was too keyed up to sleep. I peeled my outer suit off and covered my head to block out the sun. I tried again.

It still wasn't working. From what I remember, I was usually too tired and worn out after work. I've never had trouble falling asleep before, despite being plagued with nightmares daily.

I fidgeted uncomfortably.

Sighing explosively, I gave up. Next idea. What do people do on their vacation?

I cast my mind for something fun to do but came up blank. Am I that boring of a person? What do I usually do in my free time? The depressing answer came to mind instantly—I had no free time.

My lips twitched. I sighed again and stood up.

Some people choose to travel on their vacations, right?

Where could I even go? I'm trapped.

My mood soured at the reminder. I sighed.

Then an idea struck me. I've always headed for the river before. What would happen if I headed in the opposite direction instead?

I peered down the street. It was where all the cars came from too.

In the grips of curiosity, I made my way down the street, hoping this decision won't get me killed.