The Watch – Part 107:

Travelling through the Space-Time Vortex with someone by your side is a bit different to travelling through on your own. The same feeling is the same, but you are aware of someone being attached to your arm, adding to the experience and changing it ever so slightly. Because we were only travelling back in time only by a couple of hours, including teleporting from my home to where Tom’s parents work, the effects weren’t eventful at all. In fact, due to my many trips through time, I felt nothing, but when we came out of the other end, Amy was buzzing with excitement and had a massive grin of her face. She was a little unbalanced, but that quickly went away and she was able to stand up straight without constantly leaning to one side every now and again.

‘That was amazing in every way possible,’ Amy said before realising that I wasn’t in the mood to share her experience with her and quickly said, ‘sorry.’

‘Honestly, it doesn’t matter,’ I said, my mouth breaking into a minor grin, ‘I felt the same way the first time I travelled through time. I must admit, though, I was expecting your effects to be a bit more considering you aren’t the one wearing the watch, but I guess that was just my worry talking.’

‘So where are we?’ Amy asked wanting to get into the task that we came here for without wasting any time.

‘We’re at Tom’s parents’ work place,’ I said. In front of us was a large tower block complete with many windows that half had blinds that were shut and half that were open, allowing us to see the desks inside. Of course, the further up you looked, the more the sun got in the way of your vision and prevented you from seeing anything except a large building bathed in bright sunlight. Inside that building, Tom’s parents work, and if I can help it, will continue to work there.

‘Are you alright?’ Amy asked me. She grabbed my arm softly, wanting me to vent my feelings so they don’t try and burst out later on.

‘It’s just,’ I said struggling to straighten my thoughts out… I couldn’t get the words out, but Amy knew what I wanted to say and said calmly.

‘I know it’ll be difficult, but I’ll be with you every step of the way. You can do this.’

I took a deep breath and exhaled softly, feeling the tension leave my system for now

‘Ready?’ Amy asked.

‘I don’t know if I’ll ever be, but let’s just do this.’

We started forward, walking towards the tower block. As we neared, a couple of people wearing fancy suits that must have cost a packet came out of the building, carrying a briefcase in one of their hands, looking rather tired after pulling a shift that must have been many, many hours long. Their faces looked to be so relieved at the same time now that they’re finally going home. They didn’t even notice us walking towards them as they turned to the right and moved away, heading home.

I do want to get this over and done with as quickly as I possibly can, but there are going to be obstacles in the way, and one of them might be certain people who object with us being there. But when we do eventually get to talk to them, what do I say. I can’t just explain the situation because they wouldn’t believe me. All I can do is try and divert them off course somehow. Maybe strike up a conversation about something, anything. I don’t know what to talk about, which means I will have to make it up as I go along. That’s going to be difficult considering the particular situation I’m in, and my mind isn’t strictly capable of keeping things straight at the moment.

Another thing that stands out considerably is that Amy has taken to time travel better than I thought she would. I’m not saying that she isn’t open-minded, but I was expecting some kind of disbelief or something, not immediate acceptance. I mean, travelling through time doesn’t happen to everyone, but… It just feels as if…

We entered the office block and the sudden transition between the atmosphere on the outside and the one inside stopped any further thoughts on anything other than the reason why we’re here.

Inside the reception area, many people were walking around, either talking on phones or ear pieces, to other people, or heading to somewhere else in the building on their own, carrying briefcases, bundles of papers, folders, even bits of stationary. The amount of busyness that is happen made us appear invisible.

‘I guess we go and have a word with the receptionist,’ Amy said, pointing to the front desk where a smartly dressed woman who was talking to another woman who sat behind it. As we were about to take our first step, we were nearly knocked over by someone who was running, obviously late for something. He didn’t even look back to say sorry or who he nearly hit. I don’t think he even noticed us standing there. It really was a strange experience. Everyone in here was going about their business, acting like robots.

As we were walking towards the receptionist’s desk, I noticed two people who were walking in a straight line, looking down at their phones, but amazingly missed each other without even looking up to see if they were about to bump into anyone. It could have been dumb luck, but the way this place is working, there’s a chance that it is purely because they have done this so many times that just know.

It really would be amazing to see Tom’s parents in work mode. Their personalities when they are at home and here will be incredible different from one another. This also got me thinking about my mum and dad, wondering what their work modes are like, but I couldn’t think about it too much for we arrived at the reception desk. The woman sitting behind the desk noticed us standing opposite her and said.

‘Hello, there,’ she had a sweet, relaxed voice about her, ‘and what can I do for you two today?’

TO BE CONTINUED…

Thanks for reading

Antony Hudson

(TonyHadNouns)