COUNTING DOWN THE YEARS

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I feel so nervous about today's mission. Maybe deep down I hope to not find the machine so that I tell myself that I've had such a vivid dream. That would be cool, wouldn't it? Then maybe I could go back to my life. But I know I've lived another life and this one is a consequence of it somehow. 

I'm not sure which one to call my life exactly just like I'm not sure which one I prefer. Lemme just find the machine then I will cross the bridges after that. I hope no one got to it first. We wouldn't want the cops and then government all over this now would we? They are part the reason I'm in this mess to begin with. That damned Chief of police and her two side kicks! 

But it is a huge thing how could anyone hide it from the locals? Let's not forget it's future tech therefore can't be seen by anyone. Hopefully the snow from the mountains has been covering it for years. Peter said, I don't remember when that he prefers mountain area because not many residents like to go there. A perfect spot to hide such a thing. So my hypothesis is right and it's where it would be. Maybe I should pass by the stores and buy some tools in case I need to climb some cliffs or dig out the TM 2.0 .I would need energy too so food is definitely on the list. 

After grabbing everything I think I need, my heavy jacket on my back, I make my way to the mountains. Not that hard to find even with the snow there is a clear pathway. Maybe some people live there. I wouldn't know why but rest my case with, 'To each their own '.

Now I start to think maybe I won't find what I traveled all the way out here to look for. And that sucks. I don't want to ask the locals. I don't want to come across as creepy or nosy or even give away that I'm looking for future tech. These people don't know me and there is no way of telling they will be kind to the newcomer. Small towns like this in movies tend to now give the warmest welcome. 

I've already seen the long stares and whispers as I pass the early risers by. I wonder if I would be that rude if it was me in their shoes. No matter, I'll be done and gone before they know it. I can't wait to get back home because I'm homesick already. I've never been very big on bag packing. 

I keep tugging at my mittens and hood as breeze from the mountains hit me every now and then. That is so cold! Why does it have to be so cold? I know it's the mountains but this is not the freaking North Pole! 

As I pant small clouds of my warm breath are formed in front of me. So secretly, I like to do that like a freak. I hope I brought a lot of water because I would be very dehydrated after this. And I hope I could find it quickly to get back and get some warmth. I knew no heavy jacket, pants or boots could keep this cold at bay. I hope I don't suffer hypothermia because that's another story. 

I keep going regardless. I'm no quitter so no way I'm going back without completing the mission. From which I have a bigger mission to accomplish. I won't let Peter's hard work go to waste because I couldn't stop bots apocalypse. It's up to me and I'll make sure to avoid it and save and educate people. I'm a professor now? 

Suddenly, I feel a presence behind me. I freeze. People who creep up on me drive me insane. Why would you do that? I wonder whom it might be. What will I say I'm looking for here? There is nothing for a while. I keep walking but as soon as I do I feel someone behind me. So I quickly turn around to explain myself. Complete with a plastic fat grin on my face. I frown when I see who it is. 

"You again? Don't you have kids your own age to bother! Go back home I'm busy. Not today. "I tell him quietly but looking at him sternly. 

I hoped to not bump into him anytime soon but looks like luck is never on my side when it comes to people like Peter! 

"You are the only new person around here and I see you buying a lot of supplies to come here! What are you looking for? "

"None of your business. I said go home. "

"I don't think so, now tell me or I'll call my friends and there will be many of us you'll have to deal with. "

"Or call them so that you kids go play out there like the babies you are. "

"Wrong move lady. " He waves his phone around. 

"It's something personal. Now leave. "

"You sit on a bus for eight hours for something all out here? Tell me, are you with the government or a private mercenary of a kind, though you don't look like a fighter to me. " 

I narrow my eyes at him. We were both in the bus. I roll my eyes and start walking. He is beside me within a few seconds. 

"I have always been a sucker for treasure hunt so tell me what we're looking for and I'll help. " He offers excitedly.

Now that is a Peter I knew or know. Honestly I don't know! But I can't forget for a second that he's different now. 

"Why would you want to help me? You hate me! " I ask suspiciously almost gulping at the end. 

"Hate you? I don't know you, how would I hate you? You are just easy to pick on that's it. Now tell me what we're looking for dammit! "

Just like that! 

"If you want to stay close to me I suggest you practice being quiet for a second. I thought girls are supposed to talk so much. "

"Please ,girls never shut up. Especially girlfriends! You can't just compare me. "

"I know someone else who won't shut up. " I comment with an eye roll. 

Wow! So in this life line he actually has a girlfriend? Things have changed massively. 

"Look kid you should just go back home. None of this concerns you so why don't you go to something fun. Don't you like to have fun? "

He rolls his eyes and passes by me like he's seen the end of the tunnel ahead. Then we hear a yelp. I'm alarmed. No no-no! There can't be any other person here. I didn't think through my plans. How in the hell did I expect to carry tonnes of the TM 2.0 out of here? And no one else is supposed to see it. But now no-one else is filled by two people. I hope the other that Peter is running towards is not a teenager too. But that yelp sounded deep so likely a male. I'm with two males I barely know here. What could possibly go wrong? 

I follow after Peter to see him standing and talking to another guy whose face I couldn't see. So there are really was, is a person. I get closer. 

"...looking aeroplane up ahead. But it looks nothing like the others. I couldn't get inside but I looked through it's glass it has many dead computers inside. The computers are not like the hunched once we have at that cyber place... Just come and see for yourself. "

I would know what they are talking about. But I need to get them out of here. 

"Hey boys, what are you talking about? " I ask just as they are about to leave. 

They both turn to me. Drew! 

"Drew here found a weird aeroplane he's going to show me. "

They know each other? How do they know each other? They didn't before! 

"Yes. We do. " Drew says same time as Peter says, 

"Of course. "

Oh kill me now! I'm better dead than dealing with these two as teens ,who are friends. 

"What happened to you? Why did you scream? " I ask Drew .

He looks at Peter confused. 

"Who's your friend Pete? "

Pete? He hated being called that! I always remembered to be careful with that one. 

"Funny story, we board the same bus yesterday and this morning I see her coming here so I followed her. "

They exchange glances I don't like very much then Drew slaps Peter on the back. Boys are so stupid! And I hate when they slap each other like that. 

"You want to see it too? " Drew asks me. 

See what? 

"Let's go. " Peter hollers already going. 

What's with all the charisma. I guess some things can't change across bounds of time. And so Drew leads us to TM 2.0 . It's as magnificent as I remember. Even when it looks rusted and covered in snow. Brings back memories. The turquoise blue is still hot. Just fell in love with it again. 

Peter whistles seeing it. I could tell he is in awe because when the rest of us move closer and take it in, he stays a few steps behind. Quietly for once. A tiny lone tear escapes my eye. I can't believe my eyes. I traveled here in this! I changed history. Nobody knows that, yet, but it's okay. 

"Hey, hey !No crying. Maybe the passengers survived. This thing looks like it's been here for a while. " Drew says. 

Always the gentleman, huh! 

"It's beautiful. "

Glad to see someone accepted reality. 

 "Yeah. " I say. 

"It is, isn't it? "Drew asks rhetorically. 

I hope. I don't want to talk to him unless I have to. Right now I don't have to. And this is not me being mean. 

"Whomever invented this must be a genius. I wish I was that smart, man. " Peter still isn't over a creation that is in fact his. 

I smile to myself thinking about this paradox. 

"In your dreams loser. You will never. " Drew says with a chuckle , "Stick to being a ladies man because you are good at it. "

I look at Peter and he looks at me too before looking away embarrassed. He slaps Drew on the back. Drew laughs harder. Boys !

"Let's open it and check out the  inside. " Peter suggests. 

Drew and I talk at the same time. 

"Already done that. It won't barge . "

"I don't think that's a good idea. "

Both boys look at me like I'm a party popper. I know how I sounded but I desperately need them to exit. Then realize I actually pooped at this party. 

"Grow a backbone grandma. If the owner didn't want us peeking they shouldn't have left it here. Let's go Drew "

Yeah, and the jerk ass is back ladies and gentlemen. I stand there and watch their backs walking away. I feel like making snow balls and hitting their heads with. They try opening the thing but it doesn't work. They try many ways but all don't work. I just stand there arms crossed watching them. At some point I laugh behind my palm when they topple over one another then simultaneously look at me embarrassed. I hope they don't think I would help at some point. 

"You are really liking this, huh? "Drew questions with a sneer. 

I laugh out loud and nod. I won't hide that I find entertainment in their misery . And they don't like that but I don't care. I motion for them to continue making a fool of themselves. They are actually panting from all their futile attempts.

"Maybe we should call others. Make this easier. "Drew suggests and Peter quickly fishes his phone from his pockets. 

I don't think so. I quickly make a snow ball and aim at that phone. That gets their attention. 

"Hey? That is my phone and you hurt my palm. " Peter hisses. 

I try very hard to roll my eyes. Looks like I avenged myself. I didn't even plan it but sweet revenge feels so sweet. He's been nothing but a pain in my butt. I won't apologize. 

"You can't call anyone here. You two need to leave and you can't tell anyone about this ." I point at it. 

They look at me like I'm weird and like they are unfazed by my words. 

"Who are you? "Drew enquires. 

"Whom do you work for? No matter, we are not leaving and we'll talk to whoever we want. So you deal with that. " Peter dismisses me. 

"Guys let's not fight about this. It's for your own good that you leave now and don't speak any of this to anyone. " I tell them slowly and gravely. 

"She's threatening us. We can't be threatened lady. " Drew says but I know he is a little bit scared of the unknown. 

I smile inside when Peter nods to show solidarity with Drew but he hesitated so... 

"Don't say I didn't warn you boys. Go home when you still have that window to. I'll not mention your presence here. " I sound mysterious purposely to make them sweat. 

And they sweat quietly for a while before they look at each other and next I know they both pounce on me. The forces throws me off my feet and they have me trapped beneath them. Looks like I underestimated the stupidity of two teenage boys. 

"Tell us who you work with or for before we let you go. " Peter says terrified .

Who are these boys? 

"Yeah, why are you in our town? " Drew asks swallowing hard. 

Way it's so cold couldn't they not be such boys now. I have to get me out of this before things escalate too quickly. 

"Listen... " I start but Peter crushing my windpipe stops me. I'm shocked he would harm me in this way. 

"Pete what are you doing? She's choking. " Drew almost cries in horror. 

"Relax I'll be a second. You! Answer my questions or I'll... "Peter trails off squeezing harder. 

I feel tears pricking my eyes and I decide to do the one thing I will regret. Tell the truth. There is nothing there worth dying for. So I tap his hands furiously. 

"Okay fine, I'll tell you both everything. " I manage amid gasping for air. 

Now this is a terrifying brush with death moment. He finally let's me go and I cough my pain and tears away. I look at Drew and have a feeling he s**t his pants or something. Peter is trying to act like he's not terrified but I can feel him shaking close to me. 

"So spill! " He orders trying but failing to mask the fear underneath because he is still shaking slightly. 

Things got heated up too quickly. We need to breathe. That was very intense. Whoa, I can't believe all that happened. This is not how I thought my day would go by.