"Look who is on time today, is the world coming to an end or something?" Mike said as the cup in my hand froze halfway to my lips.
The same tone... The same grin. Even the way he tilted his head slightly to the left.
My stomach dropped so hard it felt like I'd missed a step on the stairs.
"Stop it, Mike," I said, trying to repeat the same words as I did yesterday, but my voice came out tight instead of annoyed.
He didn't notice... Of course he didn't.
We walked toward the cafeteria because there was still time before the shift started. The smell of coffee beans and toasted bread filled the air. People were chatting softly. Chairs scraped against the floor. Everything looked normal.
But I knew what was about to happen.
"Hey, I'm serious, is the world gonna end today or something?" Mike said with a laugh as we grabbed our coffee and headed toward the same empty bench near the glass window.
Last time, I didn't laugh at his joke.
This time, I couldn't even breathe properly.
"Good morning, guys," Sarah said as she approached us, smiling the exact same way she had before.
Same ponytail. Same blue folder in her hand.
"Hey, morning," I replied, my lips dry.
Don't react. Don't panic. Just confirm it.
Mike leaned back on the bench, stretching his arms behind his head. "You know, even the weather feels weird today."
Sarah frowned slightly. "Weird how?"
My fingers tightened around the cup.
Here it comes.
"Haven't you guys seen the news?" Mike shrugged. "They say it's snowing in Africa, penguins walking to a certain death and no one knows why. Even New York, it's too calm. They said on live television that everyone sensed something is gonna happen soon."
Every word were exactly the same, my heart started racing so fast that it hurts.
Last time, I paused mid-sip.
Last time, I choked.
Last time- I spat out coffee and collapsed.
And after that, everything spiraled toward chaos.
Sarah laughed it off again. "You're being dramatic."
Mike smirked. "I'm telling you, first he shows up early, now the world is upside down." He paused, grinning. "A weird day really."
This is the moment.
I slowly lowered the cup from my mouth.
I am not choking this time.
I am not repeating this like a puppet.
My throat felt tight anyway, like my body remembered what was supposed to happen. My lungs felt heavy, like invisible fingers were already wrapping around my neck.
No.
Not again.
I suddenly stood up so abruptly that both of them looked at me.
"Adrian?" Sarah blinked. "You okay?"
I couldn't answer immediately. My ears were ringing. The cafeteria felt smaller, suffocating. I scanned the room, counting faces, exits, windows.
The TV mounted on the wall in the corner... The mechanic fixing the AC, everything.
"Adrian, you're pale," Mike said, sitting forward now. "What's wrong with you?"
I grabbed his wrist.
Hard.
"Mike," I said, my voice shaking despite trying to steady it. "What time is it?"
He frowned as he checked his watch. "Uh… 8:47? Why?"
8:47.
Eight forty-seven.
"I see... Got it." I said and closed my eyes.
In the first timeline, I ignored the signs. I laughed it off. I went to the meeting. I followed everyone down that corridor.
And I died.
This time, I'm not waiting.
The TV screen flickered.
My head snapped toward it instantly.
There.
The news anchor's calm face shifted into confusion as something off-screen caused chaos in the studio.
Gasps echoed across the cafeteria.
Sarah turned toward the screen.
Mike muttered, "What the hell…"
It started.
Exactly like before.
My pulse pounded violently.
But this time, instead of freezing in disbelief... I felt raw, sharp terror mixed with something else.
I was the only one aware of what's happening... I know what happens next.
But that was it... There was nothing I could do even then as I passed out from pain... Again.
.
.
.
"Adrian! Adrian! Adrian, wake up!"
Suddenly, my eyes snapped open.
The first thing I felt was air in my lungs and he second was the hard floor beneath me.
The third- it was my memory. Memory of how I died, the corridor, what Mr. Carter did... Everything.
And now—
"It did happened?" I whispered, pushing myself upright too quickly. My head spun for half a second, but I didn't panic this time but I didn't scream.
Because I already knew what I was going to see.
Sarah was kneeling in front of me.
Except she wasn't the Sarah I had known my whole life.
Her mouth was gone. In its place was a smooth, sharp beak that curved slightly at the tip. White feathers covered her arms- they were not arms anymore.
Wings... Large, layered wings folded tightly at her sides. Her eyes, though… her eyes were the same. Brown in colour, far so familiar to the Sarah I know of... Full of worry for me.
Last time, I screamed, calling her a monster.
This time, it's just my heart still beats out of my chest... but not from shock though, but from confirmation.
It happened again... I thought to myself.
"You're awake," she said, relief flooding her voice. "You were the last one. I thought something was wrong."
I stared at her quietly for a second. Not because I was confused but because I was comparing.
Matching everything from my memory to reality.
Same tone. Same words. Same worried expression.
"You're going to say we need to move somewhere safe," I said slowly, my voice steadier than I felt as she blinked.
"How did you-" She paused, shaking her head. "Yes. We need to go. Mike and the others already found a spot."
Yea, exactly the same as I remember.
I pushed myself to my feet and there it was again.
That strange lightness.
My body didn't feel like it used to. It felt… optimized. My muscles were tighter, coiled with strength I didn't remember earning. The heaviness of gravity felt reduced, like the world had lowered its pull on me.
I could hear things more clearly too.
Even those distant footsteps. Something scraping metal a floor below.
Animal voices, too many different ones to count or judge. Last time, all this overwhelmed me but this time, I forced myself to focus.
You've done this before, you know what happens next... YOU can do this... I said to myself.
"Let's go," I said as Sarah nods, grabbing my hands which were still human as she started pulling me with her... Just like last time.
[Name:- Adrian Elijah
Species:- High Human
Grade:- F (No further upgrade potential)
Mutation:- None
Characteristics:- None
Abilities:- Telepathy, Telekinesis
Authority:- Level 9
Artifact:- 1]
[Telepathy
Grade:- F
Level:- 1
Description:- Able to connect mind and communicate with them in 100 meter range.
Limit:- 0 / 3.]
[Telekinesis
Grade:- F
Level:- 1
Description:- Able to use the power of mind to affect the physical world, through very weakly.]