Different Timeline — New York
I opened my eyes to find myself in a completely unfamiliar place.
"Holy shit—" I whispered. Is this some kind of dream that feels way too real?
Suddenly, a man's deep, sinister laugh echoed through the air—like a villain straight out of a cheesy romance drama. A moment later, a softer voice—sweet and feminine, like someone my age—cut through the stillness.
"I was waiting for someone to come… someone who would cross all the borders," a heavy voice said, followed again by that eerie laugh.
I was freaking out.
I ran—any direction I could find—but every path led me right back to the same spot. Back to square one.
"Do you seriously think, you naive child, that you can run from the clutches of your destiny?" a woman's voice asked, her tone cold and cruel.
I stood still, paralyzed by fear, unable to figure out how to escape.
"I will drain your energy. Strip your soul. But not before you suffer—suffer the pain that I endured," the voice thundered with rage.
A dark soul-like structure began forming before me, sucking energy from the air around. Slowly, it took on shape—taller, denser… human.
And then, I recognized it.
"Mr. Rodulf Rodriguez," I said, with a mix of shock and certainty.
"Yes… my child," he replied, his voice filled with sadness—his eyes glistening as if holding back tears.
Suddenly, my brain felt like it was splitting apart. The migraine hit hard, and just then—I was dragged into a flashback.
---
FLASHBACK 1:
Rodulf was in his study, speaking to his assistant Juwel and his wife Agnes.
"I've completed it! This is going to be the greatest discovery of all time," Rodulf exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with pride.
"Yes, sir—you did it!" young Juwel cried joyfully, tears running down her face.
"Congratulations, honey," Agnes said softly, kissing him on the cheek.
Later that night, under a cloak and the cover of darkness, Agnes crept out of the house and knocked on someone's door.
It opened with a creak.
"Ah, my beautiful Agnes," said a man with a mocking grin. "You at this hour? Everything okay, or were you just missing me?"
It was Betard De Albuquerque—another legendary mathematician, known not only for his brilliance but for his long-standing rivalry with Rodulf. And Agnes… his greatest competitor.
Without hesitation, Agnes leaned in and kissed him.
"Betard, there's a problem," she said.
"Let me guess… Rodulf made another discovery, and the world is going to worship him all over again?" Betard sneered.
"No, love. It's bigger than we thought. We need to stop him—no matter what."
---
And just like that—I was yanked back to the present, the memory fading like mist.
Rodulf had discovered the theory of complex mathematics. Not Betard. And his wife… Agnes—she betrayed him. She stole his love, his work, and his peace.
I wasn't even a math geek, but everyone knew the name behind that theory. And now I knew… the truth had been buried with the man who deserved all the glory.
Then, the migraine pulsed again.
---
FLASHBACK 2:
"Juwel was killed instead of Rodulf—what the hell were you doing?!" Agnes screamed furiously.
"That stupid girl got in the way," Betard hissed. "Rodulf should've been dead by now. This was the fourth attempt."
Agnes paced like a predator.
"Enough. This time, I take over. And I swear to you, Betard—Rodulf will beg for death before I'm through with him."
Betard narrowed his eyes. "What are you planning?"
Agnes didn't answer.
She just smiled—the cruelest, most terrifying smile I'd ever seen.