Marcus POV
We're running through campus like criminals, and I can hear security shouting behind us.
"Stop! Campus security!"
Aria's hand is tight in mine. She's breathing hard but keeping pace.
"Where are we going?" she gasps.
My phone buzzes. Unknown number: "Old maintenance building behind gym. Door code 4792. 90 seconds."
"Behind the gym!" I yell.
We sprint around the building. I punch in the code. The door clicks open. We throw ourselves inside and slam it shut. Security guards run past the dirty window.
Safe. For now.
Aria collapses against the wall. "What is happening? This is insane!"
"I know."
"No, you don't!" She's nearly shouting. "My laptop's destroyed. Someone tried to frame you. We're hiding from security. And we're both getting future-predicting texts! Explain. Now!"
I stare at her. She deserves the truth.
"You'll think I'm crazy," I say quietly.
"I already think you're crazy!"
I take a deep breath. "Rebecca destroyed me in another life. Trapped me for twenty-four years. I died at forty-five. Then I woke up here, twenty-four years in the past. I came back to fix everything."
Silence.
"You... time traveled," Aria says slowly.
"Yes."
"And I'm supposed to believe this."
"I wouldn't believe it either. But it's true. Whoever's texting us knows about it. They're helping me change things."
Aria pulls out her phone, staring at the messages. "These texts knew about the napkin. Knew Rebecca was coming. Knew the door code." She looks up. "If you're crazy, so is the person texting us. And crazy people don't predict the future."
"You believe me?"
"I don't know. But Rebecca tried to destroy my future for no reason. So even if you're insane, we have the same enemy." Her eyes harden. "That makes us allies."
Both phones buzz simultaneously.
"Rebecca's mother is calling police. Reporting Marcus as dangerous. They planted drugs in his dorm. Police arrive in 15 minutes. Leave campus now."
My blood freezes. "They planted drugs?"
"We need help! A lawyer—"
"I have no money. And this would kill my mother." I show her the next text.
"247 Oak Street, Apartment 3B. Unlocked. Safe tonight. Tell Aria everything. She deserves truth."
Aria reads it, face pale. "We're supposed to trust this?"
"They've been right about everything. And we're out of options."
"So we're fugitives now." She laughs hysterically. "Worst Saturday ever."
Sirens. Getting closer.
Another text: "Maintenance tunnel behind boiler. Leads to subway. Police at gates in 12 minutes."
Behind the old boiler, we find a hidden metal door. Dark stairs descend into blackness.
"You first," Aria says. "If there are rats, you meet them."
Despite everything, I laugh. So does she.
Then sirens get louder.
"Go!" She pushes me.
We descend using phone flashlights. The tunnel is narrow, damp, endless.
"Marcus?" Aria's voice is small. "In your first life... what happened to me?"
I stop. Turn. "You became everything I should have been. Billionaire CEO. Successful. Powerful."
"But?"
"But alone. Because I broke your heart. I chose wrong."
Silence.
"Why help me now?" she whispers. "Guilt? Or you want something?"
"Both," I admit. "I feel guilty. And I want a chance to earn your trust. If that's possible."
"It might not be."
"I know."
"But," she continues, "you saved me today. So maybe we start there. Saving each other."
Hope blooms in my chest.
We reach the subway station. Exit onto the street. It's dark now.
247 Oak Street. Third floor. Apartment 3B.
The door is unlocked.
Inside is a small studio apartment. Clean. Basic.
And on the table—a brand new laptop.
With a note: "For Aria. Your essay is recovered. All 50 pages. Password is your birthday. Submit tomorrow. You'll win."
Aria rushes over. Opens it. Types her password.
Her essay. Every word. Perfect.
"How?" she breathes. "This is impossible."
Another note: "Nothing's impossible when you know the future. Check the closet."
I open it.
Clothes in our sizes. Toiletries. Everything we need.
And a folder.
Inside—legal papers. Bank statements.
An account in my name. Five hundred thousand dollars.
A note: "Your investment fund. Use it wisely. Buy the right stocks. Build your empire. Protect Aria. Marcus—Rebecca knows you're different. Tomorrow at 8 AM, she'll try something worse. Be ready."
I show Aria. Her face goes white.
"Someone gave you half a million dollars," she whispers. "Who are they? What do they want?"
"I don't know."
Both phones buzz.
"Sleep well. Tomorrow, the real game begins. Rebecca's planning something at 8 AM that destroys both your reputations forever. Be smarter, faster, braver. P.S. - There are two bedrooms. Don't make this weird."
A door opens by itself.
Two small bedrooms revealed.
Aria and I stare at each other.
"We're really doing this?" she asks. "Trusting a stranger? Running? Hiding together?"
"Do we have a choice?"
"There's always a choice."
"Then I choose to fight," I say firmly. "Rebecca destroyed my first life. She's not getting my second. Are you with me?"
Aria extends her hand.
"Partners. Until we figure out what's happening."
I shake it. "Partners."
We don't know who's helping us.
We don't know Rebecca's plan.
We don't know if police will find us.
But for the first time in two lifetimes, I'm not alone.
Neither is Aria.