I stared at my ceiling, processing everything that I had just seen. I got up from my soft, blue bed to take my bath, still in deep thought about whatever I just saw in my sleep. I glanced at the mirror, my frail body and pale face reflected in it, "Ugh, I still look ugly. Well, it's not like I'm going to try hitting on anyone…"
After a boiling hot bath—which I think gave me a few burns—and a nice, quick breakfast, I headed towards my room to work on my novel.
However, while I walked around, my eyes were sore, which was a first, because they hadn't hurt since I was three. I took off my telescopic glasses, my vision felt different, almost… sharper?!
'Is this happening because of what I saw in my sleep? Nah, probably not, I'm thinking too much. I'm being way too delusional. A walk outside should cool down my brain.'
I picked up my watch from my bedside drawer, then strapped it around my wrist.
As I walked through the bustling crowds, a stranger bumped into me, almost causing me to fall. My stupid brain forgot to tighten the watch's strap, which caused the watch to slip off and fall into a gutter. 'Oh great. Now I need a new watch?! Could this day get any tougher?' I searched my pockets for cash. 'Oh great, I don't even have cash on me… Ugh, I don't want to go back home yet…'
After deciding against myself, I ran back to my apartment and shoved some cash into my pocket.
As I headed into the store, I spotted a crowd of people surrounding an old man right beside the store.
The old man screamed, "WHOEVER WINS THIS WILL GET TO KEEP THIS WATCH FOR FREE!".
I pondered for a moment. 'Welp, I guess I could try my luck; nothing beats free things.' I pushed myself through the crowd.
"Ah! Boy! Are you interested in this watch?" asked the old man, "Uhm, yes, but what should I do to win it?"
"The watch is under one of these cups! I will move these cups around, and if you select the right one, you'll win the watch!"
Shit, the only way I could win it would be by pure luck, my memory sucks, it's horrible—The man moved around the cups.
"Now, which cup shall this boy choose?" he dared. I pointed towards the cup on the right, "I choose this one!" My heart beat faster and harder as the old man lifted the cup. "WE HAVE A WINNER!"
"HELL YES. THANK GOD!" I shouted in excitement as the old man handed the watch over to me. The crowd shot a few glares, while a few praised me for choosing—well, not choosing, rather guessing—correctly.
As I took the watch and crammed it into my pocket full of cash, a strong sensation of sorts went throughout my body.
"Ugh, I feel dizzy all of a sudden…" My eyes drooped, and I lost my consciousness.
My eyes snapped open from the unbearable heat. I looked around. No bed. Just rock-hard ground beneath me. I would love to keep sleeping, especially if my day is going to be this mind-boggling, but I doubt anyone could sleep on rock-hard ground and boiling air. You might think that waking up in the Wild West during the 1800s is cool and all, but trust me—it's not worth it in this temperature. Unless, of course, you want to melt into a pool of blood. (Not recommended.)
There was no one in sight—the furnished buildings made of bricks were the only things that made the barren landscape so unique. I took a good look at the buildings, not a person in sight. Realisation hit me—this place was Laramie, but in the past, thank god for History…Curious, I headed into the most iconic place from those movies: the tavern. The wooden door gates creaked open as I stepped inside. It's the most deserted place I've ever seen. Bottles lie open on the floor, booze soaked into the wooden boards. Not a single soul in sight. It feels more like an actual desert than a town.
I took my new watch out of the depths of my pocket, strapping it around my wrist.
The watch was ticking fast. Too fast.
'Wait…' I squinted. 'Isn't the watch digital?! It's not digital right now, though!'
'SOMETHING IS WRONG. VERY WRONG.'
I blinked.
Suddenly, I returned to the present. Back on the streets, my body on its back. The crowd huddled over me. 'Huh? What just happened?' I got up, which gave a big jump scare to the group.
I ran back home as fast as I could.
Reaching the door, and searched my pockets for the door key.
I pushed in the key, still confused about my whole day so far. 'Just how mind-boggling would my day get?!'
I took my shoes off and sprinted into my bedroom. The watch was digital again, just as it was before. I took it off, examining it from every angle—no sign of anything that could have been a part of a mechanical watch. Out of curiosity (and a bit of dumb bravery), I clicked random buttons.
Pro tip: Don't do that. Especially if your watch can transform like a Transformer.
Eventually, I reached the final button on the left. My finger hovered above it. Should I press it? What if it took me back to the Wild West… or worse?
I clicked it.
The display changed. A new time mode appeared—something I've never seen before. It scanned my face, and then a date and time setting popped up… in a holographic display.
After a few solid minutes of thinking. I figured out how to use my time-travelling watch and set a date in the future, and clicked the "Confirm" button. As the seconds tick away, my heart beats harder and faster.
Then—BOOM.
No, I'm just messing with you.
I get sucked into the watch. Or, to put it more accurately: I GOT EATEN BY THE WATCH.
I shot through a wormhole—or whatever people call it—and landed face-first on wet grass. I sat up, dazed, just in time to see a hovering car zoom past.
Yeah. A flying car.
At first, I was in total awe. Then, weirdly, the feeling disappeared as quickly as it came. I glanced down at my human-eating watch. It's in mechanical mode again. Ticking fast.
In the distance, a glowing metropolis floats above the land. It's beautiful. Futuristic. Unbelievable.
I realised what just happened.
I'm in the year 2099.
Don't be jealous—I never meant to time-travel. I just messed around with my somehow-a-watch.
Before I could explore more, the watch began to tick violently again. It swallowed me in. Spitted me back out. And here I was, on my grey, fluffy carpet.
I ripped the thing off and shoved it into my bedside drawer. I'm done with that shit.