The insistent chirping of his alarm clock ripped Samuel Grain from a restless sleep. He groaned and swatted at the annoying device, sending it clattering to the floor with a satisfying thud. Silence, blessed silence, finally descended upon the cramped apartment.
"January goddamn first of another year," he grumbled, his voice thick with sleep and frustration. "Another new year of hell. 2049 is gonna be just the damn same." He briefly contemplated skipping the day, calling in sick, but the thought of facing his landlord's wrath over another missed rent payment quickly dispelled that notion.
Another day. Another shift at Experimental Zone 6.
He swung his legs out of bed, the worn mattress protesting with a symphony of creaks and groans. Samuel felt the familiar ache in his lower back, a constant reminder of the cheap mattress and the long hours spent standing guard.
The apartment was barely large enough to contain his meager existence: a bed, a small kitchenette, and a bathroom that smelled perpetually of mildew. The air hung heavy with the stench of stale piss and burnt olives, a testament to his recent culinary misadventures.
He knew the instant ramen, 'olive flavor' wouldn't taste good, but it was all he had. It was a depressing reminder of his financial situation, his life as a low-paid security guard in a city that seemed to chew up and spit out dreamers like him.
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A soft and melodic chime signaled the end of his hibernation cycle. Samuel 2349's eyes flickered open, adjusting to the dim lighting of cryo-pod-639. The year was 2349. Another rotation. Another shift at Planetary Experimental Lab 6.
He initiated the pod's awakening sequence. A tingling sensation spread through his body as the nanites in his bloodstream flushed out the cryo-preservation fluids. The sleek, metallic pod hissed open, revealing the sterile white walls of his personal quarters aboard the orbital lab.
Samuel stepped onto the bio-scanner. A full-body health check initiated. The holographic display projected his vitals. His physical and mental functions were within optimal parameters. He ran a hand through his thick, dark hair. He was full of youthful good looks extended by centuries of advanced medical technology.
Samuel squeezed a dollop of toothpaste onto his worn toothbrush, the tube crinkling in protest as he wrestled it back into its holder. He grimaced at the state of the bristles, frayed and discolored from years of use.
The minty taste of the toothpaste, though fleeting, was a small comfort in his otherwise bleak morning routine. It was a reminder that even in his cramped and depressing apartment, there were still tiny moments of sensory pleasure to be found.
He spat into the chipped sink, the water running a rusty brown for a moment before clearing. Then after a quick shuffle through his clean laundry- and with regret noting that was another expense he had to make soon, he pulled on his security uniform.
The dark blue fabric was worn and faded, the seams threatening to give way with every movement. It smelled faintly of bleach, a sterile scent that did little to mask the underlying aroma of despair that seemed to cling to every garment he owned like a stubborn stain.
He checked his equipment: baton, sidearm, communicator. Each item, though showing signs of wear and tear, was meticulously cleaned and in its designated place. It was a small ritual he knew was necessary- but also a way of maintaining order in a life that was chaotic and unpredictable.
He hoped that no one would start shit at the lab, again, today.
'Fat chance,' he thought, those damned protestors are gonna kill us all eventually.
He fastened his belt, the heavy buckle digging into his hip, and adjusted the holster for his sidearm. He was ready for another day at Experimental Zone 6, ready to face whatever bizarre or mundane threats the sprawling research complex might throw at him.
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He selected a sterile uniform from the dispenser, the automated system whirring softly as it dispensed a pristine white garment. The sleek, synthetic fabric, cool to the touch, molded seamlessly to his physique, offering a comfortable and unobtrusive fit.
He attached his security badge to the designated slot on his chest, the holographic display flickering to life. His name, Samuel Grain, and his security clearance level were projected in crisp blue light.
He then equipped his neural interface, a sleek black band that wrapped around his forehead. The band hummed softly as it activated, connecting him to the lab's vast network of sensors and security systems. He could now access real-time data feeds, monitor surveillance cameras, and communicate with other security personnel with a thought.
He was a seamless part of the lab's security infrastructure, his body and mind enhanced by centuries of technological advancements. He was ready for another rotation at Planetary Experimental Lab 6, prepared to protect the facility and its personnel from any potential threats.
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Samuel stepped out of his apartment building, the heavy steel door clanging shut behind him. The cool morning air washed over him, at least it was different from the stale and oppressive atmosphere of his cramped living space. He took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the crisp, slightly metallic scent of the city.
He joined the throng of commuters heading towards the metro station, their faces grim, their footsteps hurried. A sea of dark coats and weary expressions, all moving in unison, like ants marching towards their assigned task, all ignoring the anthills they stepped over.
He watched as he passed another homeless man he couldn't help even if he wanted to.
He actually really did want to, but it was either feeding him or feeding himself, so he tried to not feel shame at society as he passed right by him and walked forward with a stone-cold expression he didn't actually feel.
It was a daily ritual he knew all too well, a reminder of the endless grind of city life.
One that eventually ground everyone else down around it.
He pulled his threadbare scarf tighter around his neck, hoping to ward off the morning chill. He felt a familiar pang of envy as he watched a group of well-dressed businessmen climb into a sleek, self-driving car. He yearned for a life of comfort and ease, a life where he didn't have to worry about making rent or eating instant ramen for every meal.
But for now, he was just Samuel Grain, a broke security guard on his way to underpaying work.
He hated it, but there was nothing else to do.
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Samuel stepped out of his quarters, his footsteps silent on the polished metal floor. He merged seamlessly into the flow of scientists and technicians heading towards the hypershuttle bay.
The corridors of the orbital lab hummed with activity, a symphony of whirring machinery, hushed conversations, and the rhythmic beeping of diagnostic equipment. A holographic display flickered to life as he passed, showcasing the latest research data and progress reports.
The air was clean and sterile, filtered and recycled to maintain optimal conditions for the sensitive experiments conducted within the lab. The low thrum of advanced machinery, a constant presence throughout the facility, provided a reassuring backdrop to the daily routine.
It was a world of precision and efficiency, a testament to humanity's technological advancements. Samuel, a vital part of the lab's security infrastructure, moved through this world with a sense of purpose and belonging.
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Samuel pushed his way through the crowd and boarded the metro train, the doors hissing shut behind him. He scanned the car, his eyes settling on an empty seat near the back, away from the chattering crowds and the flickering advertisements that lined the walls.
He sank into the worn plastic seat, the familiar rumble of the train a soothing, if somewhat monotonous, rhythm. He leaned against the window, watching the city lights blur past in a kaleidoscope of colors. The rain-slicked streets reflected the neon signs, creating an almost hypnotic effect.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
The train sped towards Experimental Zone 6, a sprawling complex on the outskirts of the city. The familiar routine, the same route, the same faces - it was all starting to feel mind-numbingly repetitive. He wished he could afford something more luxurious but that was a pipe dream for a guy like him.
He closed his eyes, trying to block out the noise and the flickering lights. Just another day, another shift, another paycheck. He just hoped nothing too crazy happened today. He just wanted to get through his shift without any major incidents, collect his paycheck, and maybe grab a beer on the way home.
He opened his eyes and he goddamn saw something impossible.
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He boarded the hypershuttle, his footsteps silent on the plush carpeting. The interior of the vessel was spacious and elegantly appointed, designed for the comfort of the scientists and researchers who traveled between Earth and the orbital lab. He found an empty seat near the viewport, a large, curved window that offered a panoramic view of the cosmos.
He gazed out at the vast expanse of space, its inky blackness dotted with the twinkling lights of distant stars. The Earth, a distant blue marble against the backdrop of the infinite, shrunk rapidly behind them.
Dominating the view was the time-tear, a massive, swirling vortex of colors that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Its unnatural light cast an eerie glow over the shuttle's interior, a constant reminder of the strange and dangerous forces being harnessed within the lab.
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And then, the world shattered.
A wave of dizziness washed over Samuel, a strange disorientation that made the world around him tilt and sway. He gripped the edge of the seat, his knuckles turning white. His vision blurred, then split. In one eye, he saw the familiar interior of the metro car, the passengers oblivious to his distress. In the other eye, he saw the hypershuttle's interior, the Earth shrinking below, the time-tear dominating the viewport.
Panic clawed at his throat. What was happening? Was he going insane? This had to be some kind of hallucination, a side effect of stress, of too many late nights and too much cheap coffee. But the images were so vivid, so real. He could feel the rumble of the metro beneath him and the gentle hum of the hypershuttle's engines at the same time.
And the time-tear- it was getting bigger.
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Samuel 2349 clutched his head, his thoughts becoming a chaotic jumble of fragmented memories and inexplicable sensations. A sharp pain lanced through his skull, and he cried out, his voice barely audible over the hum of the hypershuttle's engines.
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Samuel stumbled out of the metro car, his legs shaky beneath him. "What the fuck is that?" he muttered, his voice a shaky whisper. The train car, the other passengers, the entire goddamn world seemed to be tilting on its axis. His gut churned with a mix of nausea and terror, the remnants of whatever the hell had just happened to him still swirling in his mind.
He needed to get away from the crowds, from the goddamn people who were acting like everything was normal. He needed to breathe, to think, to try and make sense of the fragmented reality that was assaulting his senses.
His gaze, unfocused and wide with a fear that he couldn't contain, fell upon the shimmering tear in the fabric of space-time. It pulsed with a chaotic, multi-colored light, a gaping wound in the sky that no one else could goddamn see. The edges of the tear intersected with the side of Building 10, a shimmering curtain of oblivion draped against the mundane brick facade.
And then he saw it.
A scientist, drawn like a moth to a flame, was walking towards the tear, his eyes glazed over with a hypnotic fascination.
"Hey! Don't!" Samuel wanted to scream, to lunge forward and grab the man, to pull him back from the brink. But his voice died in his throat, a strangled gasp lost in the noise of the bustling complex. His feet felt like they were encased in concrete, his body refusing to obey his panicked commands.
The scientist crossed the invisible threshold, and Samuel's stomach lurched as he saw the man's body explode in a spray of blood and gore. A wave of nausea washed over him, the metallic scent of blood filling his nostrils.
Screams erupted around him, but they were abruptly cut short, the sound swallowed by the anomaly before him.
Time stuttered, like some asshole had hit a macro on a video set to a full minute. The blood, the gore, the screams - it all vanished, rewinding in a way as if a video had skipped backwards- as if it had never happened. And so did the scientist.
Samuel's heart hammered against his ribs, his mind struggling to process the impossible. He looked around, his eyes wide with disbelief. Nobody. Fucking. Noticed.
It was as if the scientist had never existed.
Then, another scientist, drawn by the same morbid curiosity, approached the tear. The same horrifying scene played out, the same gruesome death, the same erasure, like a nightmarish film on repeat.
Gore, no scientist. No scientist, no gore.
Repeat, goddamn it, repeat again and forever.
Samuel felt a chill crawl down his spine, an icy dread gripping his heart. He had to get a hold of himself. Was he hallucinating? Was this some kind of stress-induced breakdown?
He turned to a nearby technician, his voice a shaky rasp. "Where did that scientist go? Didn't you see what just happened?!"
The technician stared at him blankly. "Dunno, man. Nobody went that way."
Samuel's blood ran colder as a frozen and dead chill of ice lanced up his spine at the thought of this unnatural insanity.
He felt like he was trapped in a nightmare, a reality where people were being violently erased from existence, and nobody seemed to notice for long.
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Medical personnel rushed Samuel off the hypershuttle on a tec-stretcher, his body convulsing uncontrollably, foam bubbling at the corners of his mouth. Doctors exchanged worried glances, muttering about unexplained brain swelling and neurological anomalies.
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Samuel's eyes glazed over, his gaze fixated on the pulsating light of the time tear. A strange compulsion, a hypnotic pull, drew him towards the shimmering vortex. He felt himself moving, his feet carrying him forward as if guided by an unseen force.
He crossed an invisible threshold, a point of no return, and the world around him shifted. The chaotic colors of the time tear faded, replaced by a strange, blue-tinged reality. He blinked, trying to clear his vision, but the blue tinge persisted, casting an eerie glow over everything.
He found himself in the main lab, a familiar space transformed by the unnatural light. Scientists and technicians moved about their tasks, their forms shimmering with a faint blue aura. They spoke, they gestured, they interacted with each other, but their voices were slightly distorted, their movements repeating in a one-minute loop.
He moved towards a technician he recognized. Her name was Beth, and she was one of the few people in the lab he actually enjoyed talking to. He reached out and tapped her on the shoulder.
She turned around, a puzzled look on her face. "Security Officer Sam, what are you doing down here? Last time I checked, your shift was over. It's 2 AM."
"Beth, I need to see the guy in charge of the time-thing," Samuel lied, his voice a low, urgent whisper. "There's been a threat, and I need to handle it quietly, get him out of the building and somewhere safe. Keep it quiet, though."
She nodded, a flicker of concern crossing her features. "Follow me," she said, leading him halfway down the hall before abruptly disappearing.
Samuel froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He turned around, and to his horror, saw Beth entering the hall again, her brow furrowed as she spotted ‘him’. "Security Officer Sam, what are you doing down here? Last time I checked your shift was over. It's 2 AM."
A small pause
“Follow me.”
Her words were cut short as she turned down the hall, her actions repeating exactly as they had moments before with Samuel absent. She hadn't noticed his presence, hadn't even registered the strangeness of the situation.
A cold dread washed over Samuel. He was trapped in a loop, an observer in a world that was constantly resetting itself. He was invisible, unheard, a phantom trapped in a repeating nightmare that he could only interact with for a short time.
"Fuck." he muttered under his breath. He needed to find a way to break the loop, to escape this temporal prison, before he was stuck here forever.
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Samuel Grain's body convulsed violently on the tec-stretcher, foam bubbling at the corners of his mouth. His eyes, wild and unfocused, suddenly snapped into sharp clarity.
He saw him.
Standing in the blue-tinged lab, his form shimmering and distorted, like a reflection in a broken mirror, was Samuel Grain.
"What...what is that?" he gasped, his voice barely a whisper, strained and hoarse. "How is that possible? Such primitive technology- such a crude understanding of temporal mechanics! It's barbaric!"
He tried to sit up, to point, to warn the doctors about the unfolding disaster, but his body refused to obey. He was trapped, a prisoner in his own failing body, his mind screaming in frustration and terror as he watched the Samuel Grain that wasn’t him venture deeper into the heart of the temporal anomaly.
The doctors, their faces a mask of concern, continued to work on him, their voices a meaningless drone to his ears. They were blind to the true danger, the unfolding catastrophe that threatened to unravel the fabric of reality itself.
They couldn't see what he saw, the terrifying glimpse of a future gone wrong and a past set aflame, a future where time itself had become a weapon and a past where everything just stopped.
Then, with a final, agonizing spasm, his vision went dark. His body went limp, the frantic efforts of the medical team a futile symphony of beeping machines and desperate commands.
Samuel Grain, the man who lived in the year 2349, the man who still had a family to care about- was gone.
His mind was overloaded, and his body unable to cope with the strain of existing in two, and now three, timelines at once. He was a casualty of time, a victim of forces he could barely comprehend.
This was not his story.