A GIFT OF TIME

Episode 5

I let out a loud yawn feeling very tired as I really haven't had enough sleep, all because I spent time looking for Tony Thompson and also because, I had the same dream three times with no new observation. Packing a backpack with my essential needs for the day I walked downstairs. Mom and Dad had left for work so I was left with Charlie.

"Charlie" I called my brother who seems pretty concentrated on the movie he was watching in the sitting room.

"Hey, Claire" he timidly greeted back eyes still fixed on the TV.

"Mind if I use your car?" I asked and I could tell he was not listening because he just hummed a yes.

"Where are your car keys?" I asked taking advantage of his distraction.

"On the dining table," he answered still distracted.

"Okay" I replied moving to the dining table. I retrieved the car keys and made my way out, straight to the garage. I knew Charlie was likely to scream when he realized I was out with his car. I moved down Hansford hills which was the address I got gotten from Tony Thompson f******k profile. His number was not on it but fortunately, I got his address. I compose myself reciting the lines I had study to tell him just in case I get to meet him. Tony and I weren't really close when we were in the camp. He just acted like I'm just any other survivor. If we had any questions or complaints he was ready to help. But despite we weren't close there were things we shared. I enjoyed his company with Brian because he was the funny type of guy. He and Brian joke with the slightest things, it tends to be annoying sometimes but without them survivors' camp would be just a building full of a bunch of stubborn people who refused to die.

Nicholas and Tony are the main coordinators of the camp. Both still used to joke about how they met. They were worse than enemies and attended the same community college except Tony was an IT guy while Nicholas was an engineering student. They've had the debate of which department was better for the millionth time in the camp and right before they become friends. I heaved a heavy sigh of relief as I parked Charlie's car before stepping down and making my way to the house with a paper which I had scrabbled the house number on before setting out. I subconsciously go through my lines again before getting to the house which the number was boldly written on. I inhaled deeply before finally knocking.

"Tony go get the door" I heard someone yelled from the inside and in no time I heard hastened footsteps moving closer to the door. The doorknob rolled open and I came face to face with Tony who opened the door ajar leaving behind half his body. I refrained myself from hugging him because I was glad he was alive. Of course he was alive he was not dead in this year.

"Um, can I help you?" younger Tony asked and I realized his hair was not braided in this year but he had them tied to the back with a rubber ring.

"Um sorry, I was looking for you Tony-

"Do I know you?" he asked his lips curled in a rather silly way at the question.

"No, you don't but you would. Do you mind.. if I come in?" I asked and he seem to deliberate on the question for some seconds before replying.

"No, do come in" he said opening the door wide for me to make my entrance.

"Tony for f***s sake why don't ya ever listen to me, I clearly ask ya to wash the dishes" an older lady raved from upstairs and Tony rolled his eyes.

"Um, why don't you come just just right here for whatever business you have with me" Tony suggested before he had me strolling down a dark hallway that lead right to the back of the house.

"Sorry my older sis trouble, she ain't gonna listen to me before getting my a*s down the kitchen to do what she ask, so what's up? Who are you by the way? How do you even know my name. I'm not sure I've seen you before" Tony queried studying me suspiciously.

"I'm Claire and we were friends. It's a bit complicated to explain-" I was saying when he decided to gesture me to a long bench not very far from us.

"Thanks" I muttered in appreciation because I knew it was a terrible idea explaining things for him while standing. It was, really.

"Look Tony, you are a very special friend of mine in the future" that got him arching a brow.

"This might sound really crazy but it's the truth" I started and he folded his arms as if expecting me to start explaining things to him and I did just that. I explained everything right from the very beginning to the very moment we were. All at the moment his eyes never left mine studying me and listening to me.

"She's telling the truth" the same voice of the woman whom Tony had ran from came again.

"Arhg" Tony let out a groan as his sister show more of her appearance as some of her was behind the door that lead to the backyard porch where Tony and I were sitting.

"Um, Claire.. this is is my older sister Tanya, but we call are Anya. Most of the time. She study linguistics and body language. As crazy as it may sound" Tony introduced rolling his eyes at intervals and Tanya shot him a haughty look.

"I'm Claire, nice to meet you" I said standing to gesture an handshake which she took warmly.

"I wanted this to stay, you know...secret-

"I doubt it can but I believe ya. Every actions of yours shows you're telling the truth. But, how in the world is that gonna happen?" Tanya asked frowning as if disgusted at the imagination

"Okay sis, she came for me and as you can see you ain't really part of the story so can you-

"It's not something you were happy about Tony" I said and he froze.

"Excuse me?" he queried obviously confused by my comment.

"Her not being part of the story wasn't something you were happy about, you talked about her all the time, you had that necklace of hers" I pointed to Tanya's neck which African like pendant lies.

"On your neck everyday and when you talked about her, tears laced your eyes. Because you missed her. We never truly know the worth of something until we lose it. Whenever we were in the dining at camp. You'd tell us stories that your grandmother used to tell you, then tell us Tanya's view on it. You said her view was always funny and you always grunt at it though when you get to your room and remember, you'll laugh because you'll finally figure out how funny it was. You cherished her but you didn't know that. You always thought she was a pain in the a*s until she was no more standing next to you. And you said. 'I rather wish she was with me smashing on my head bottles than her gone forever' " I revealed and I saw tears in his eyes. Tanya's eyes was laced too.

"Sounds like something I'll say" Tony voiced expression timid and I nodded.

"When did I die? "Tanya asked not really shaken by the question or the thought of her dying anytime.

"Tony told us you died by the second wave. The toxin killed you " I relayed sadly and I saw her face paled.

"Are you sure we can stop this thing? "Tony asked eyes beaming of hope and strong willingness.

"I'm not sure. But I do want us to survive it" I said quite confidently and Tanya smiled.

"You're a nice lady. You sure deserved it. Thank you for bringing us the news. We'll do what we can-

"Look, I want this to stay as hidden as it could. I realized we could actually be sent to an asylum spreading this news of alien invasion in a year and some month to come-

"I was gonna do that " Tanya's eyes lit. I figured she had the same eye color with her brother, her hair was wavy and heavy, deep black. She had a pink bandanna tied to the front but leaving some obvious. I would have compared her to Dora the explorer with that style but she was a black wearing tank top and sweatpants.

"I'll have to convince you not to. It's completely sound crazy without prove. You knew I was telling the truth because you studied my body language. Not everyone studied body language and Tony believed me because I know part of his history...I don't know everyone's history Tanya. Until we gather enough prove that this is real we can't let this get out. And besides some people are likely to go crazy with the idea of dying by next year. We can't have that happening. I understand you want to help Tanya but you'll be doing a great deal if... You keep this a secret" I explained and she nodded in understanding.

"Here's my number Tony. We still have so much to talk about but before we figure out what to do but until we do, I'll try to gather us together. Just like the survivors" I smiled giving him a piece of paper where I had written my number.

"That name sounded like something I'll pick" Tony snickered and I nodded.

"it's true, you and Brian picked it." I chuckled.

"Okay, I was gonna ask about that... I mean it's completely insane I got along with Nick. We've never actually said anything nice to each other. That's the only part I don't wanna believe". Tony snorted.

"It's completely true Tony. You actually said you never thought you could get along but you saved her sister's life...despite your differences and together, you saved hundreds. more people. You just have to give each other a chance" I convinced and he sighed.

"If anyone ever told me someone was gonna showed up in my front door and was gonna tell me this alien nonsense and I'll believe, I'll clearly call the person crazy" Tony grumbled a little bit disturbed about the whole thing. I mean it was too much to let in. Too much digest. Too much to stomach.

"I totally understand, even my own brother took time believing me, I totally understand. In fact so far. You are the person who didn't take much time believing me and I believe it as because of your extraordinary intelligence. And I'm thinking right now you are gonna spent the night researching on everything I just told you-

"How did you-" Tony wondered and I smiled at his speechlessness.

"I think it's a typical thing of you Tony. It's something you'll do." his sister scoffed.

"I told you I know you Tony. You should believe that now. Take your time and stomach it. We have so much to accomplish together Tony" I smiled and he heaved out a heavy sigh before leading me out.

"Who is your friend?" an elderly black lady asked on getting to the sitting room.

"She's just a friend grandma" Tony chirped loudly before making our way out.

"Did I by any chance told you what happened to my grandma?" Tony nervously asked as I made my way to the car.

"You didn't really talk much about It" I was interrupted by memory flashes of Tony telling us about his family in the dining. I suddenly checked my wristwatch. 12.30pm August 15. I repeated as if to be sure I wasn't wrong on my memories.

"your grandma" my heart suddenly cringed and I felt myself hyperventilating as I tried to relay the news to him.

"Go" that was all I managed to say. My view was getting blurry and everything was slowing down. Then it stopped and I saw Tony giving me a worried look. I was squeezing my chest hard because everything started with a sharp pain from there.

"Tony call the ambulance" I said making my way back into the house.

"what!?-

"I said call the ambulance! "I practically yelled and I saw him digging his hand into his pockets for his phone. I ran into the house to see his grandma sprawled on the floor.

"Tanya" I yelled trying to revive their grandma who had suddenly had an heart attack. Gracious does this have to happen now. I questioned my subconsciousness before Tony made his way in. He rushed to my side in haste completely shocked at the sight in front him. Tanya also came rushing down.

"Have you called the ambulance?" I questioned and he nodded.

"Is she gonna die?" Tony asked and I sighed.

"I don't know Tony but I hope not" I replied before we heard ambulance sirens from afar and slowly it got closer. They barged in with medics and tried reviving the old woman. After the third shock her eyes flustered open and slowly she was carried into the ambulance. I sighed in relief watching them carry the older woman into the ambulance with their stretcher.

"Thank you" Tony said in gratitude before joining her sister in the ambulance. I nodded at him before he closed the ambulance door. I watched in contempt as the ambulance van left. It felt ridiculously good to save a life. The feeling was euphoric.

⏰⏰⏰

"I can't believe you'll leave with my car!" Charlie boomed immediately I walked into the house.

"But you asked me to take it" I defended and he frowned.

"But-

"But what Charlie? you told me where the car keys was yourself. why so mad?" I asked calmly and I saw him relax before he wore a scorn grab his car keys from me and leave.

"Was he watching TV?" I heard my mom's asked from the sitting room.

"Mom? you're home early again? " I asked moving to sit next to her in the sitting room.

"Yeah, not feeling very well. And besides, I wanted to help your dad pack for his journey. He's going with a research team to Korea.

"Oh I know about that" I commented regretting doing so almost immediately I said it.

"Know about what?" my mom asked and I blinked furiously to rid myself of the shock.

"Nothing" I finally let out.

"Have your dad called you Claire?" my mom asked brows furrowed and I wore a fake smile.

"No he hasn't" I replied frankly and she frowned.

"But how-" my phone interrupted whatever she has to say and I must admit. I was really glad for it. Or maybe not when I realized my caller was Nick.

"Hi Nick" I called into the phone after

"Hi Claire, you think we can meet?" his voice came now. Brittle and sad.

"Yeah sure. I'll just have lunch and head straight out " I replied trying not to feel too affected by the way he sounded. I couldn't help but worry for him.

"Okay, but why don't you you have lunch with me. Annie burgers?" he requested and I groaned.

"I would love to but-

"Please. Don't try to get back at me Claire. I feel like s**t right now and I need to talk to you before I lose it " he croaked and I could tell he was frustrated, probably devastated.

"Okay, I'll head straight out" I promised. I gave a loud exasperated sigh when I realized Charlie was out with his car. Could things get any worse? I thought before recalling my mom was back home and I could use her car.

"Mom" I called hastening inside to ask her.

"Mom" I called trying to hide my anxiousness as I was too eager to drive out already.

"What is it?" my mom asked briefly turning to me.

"I was hoping... If I could use your car, I urgently need to see a friend" I requested hoping she wouldn't turn me down and she nodded gesturing me to the key which was just in the middle of the table.

"Thanks mom" I squealed running out with my grumbling stomach. I was starving but I was more worried about Nick. I hoped everything was okay with him. I zoomed down to the location hurrying to see him seated dejectedly. He had heavy eye bags big enough to make a pillow. Exaggeration yeah but those high bags were huge. What was wrong with him? His hair was sticking out in strands like he'd run his hands through it countless times and he was looking quite frustrated. It took me a while before I noticed Brian seated right next to him. I sighed and walked up to both of them completely ready for whatever they had to say and completely prepared to go through another explanation. I was pretty sure I was good at narrating now because I had done it couple of times and I was completely used to the lines now.

"Hi" I greeted casually before taking a seat right in front of both guys.

"This is the girl from the future-

"Keep your voice down" I cautioned Brian whose brows was furrowed in a questioning glance.

"Alright I would " Brian snickered.

"I'll take it as you've told him" I turned to Nick somehow relieved I won't have to explain again.

"yeah I have. I was going crazy and I couldn't take it. I needed to tell him-

"I understand that, he's your best friend after all "I interrupted.

"Why are you so hard on yourself? " I asked Nick and he scoffed.

"You pulled a s**t prank on me that's why" he retorted calmly.

"It's not a prank Nick. It's not...I thought you would believe me after all I told you. Nick I have nothing to gain by lying to you-

"Neither do you have anything to lose" Brian shot in and I froze.

"Why do you you call me here then?" I asked Nick suddenly feeling my anger setting in.

"Did...did my aunt died?" he asked and his expression changed, sullen and worried.

"I don't know what to think after what you told me but-

"Everyone seem to have the same question. I saw Tony today. I told his grandma was gonna have an heart attack today. He asked me the same question. I have no control over life and death Nick. All these information that I gave you, was what I learned from you. Since your aunt diagnosed early. I guess she should be able to make it. But I don't know Nick. " I explained and he sighed.

"But what can we do? " Nick asked and I gave him a soothing smile.

"Survive, if we can't stop it. Then we survive " I stated and I study his expression closely. Eyes moving from him to Brian and from Brian to him.

"Okay, I'll fit into this plan of yours. But I can't have my sister in this. I have to protect her" he declared and I gave a smile before my view blurred and the sudden attack I had earlier came again. But this time worse. I slumped to the ground softly. I do heard my name being called but I was thrown into unconsciousness.

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