A GIFT OF TIME

Episode 6

I found myself in my dream again but this time everything had frozen. That freaking leopard and lion working together to tear my brother to pieces was frozen in place. I was able to move and I was free, I could think. What was going on? I asked myself and I found that glinting eyes making it's way out of the dark. It's appearance was terrifying. What the f**k is this?. How can I possibly describe this hideous looking creature. It's definitely not from this planet. Realizing what my conclusion on the creature was I moved back and realizing I was at the edge of the cliff, it stopped moving with me.

The creature was green in color. It had little tusk shooting out the corner of it's mouth then have about six tentacles on it's head three at each side of the huge head. It's way bigger than a human head but not bigger for his own cloak covered body. It's tentacles where moving freely in air, coiling and uncoiling like they have a mind of their own. If I and seen those tentacles from afar I would be convinced the creature had it's hair braided into six. The creature doesn't seem to have a neck and it looked like its head was completely fixed into his body. How does it turn? I subconsciously asked myself. It hard large puppy eyeballs and his iris was completely green, glinting light green at intervals. And I figured his head was glowing green as well. Just perfect I thought. Except from his tiny little hands with talons protruding out of its neatly knitted fine cloak, the rest of its body was completely veiled. It was making out a sound that I definitely do not understand. All it sounded was little whimpers in my ears.

"Um, do you speak English?" I asked what seem like a funny question to me. It was sounding as if it wanted to warn me of something. What was it saying? No matter how much I ask it made no sense to me.

"I don't understand" I yelled at the thing and I could guess he was frowning because all his head tentacles was coiled up in a knot and the glints in his eyes was completely gone. He was no more whimpering but groaning.

Oops it's mad. I thought and I fell. f**k I was not even at the end of the cliff. I screamed out from my sleep and I saw the room I was in was full of people.

"Claire, you okay?" my brother's voice had my brain registering my surrounding. My mom was at my side with my brother while Nicholas, Brian and Tony was at the end of the room. Tanya was at the door with a notepad furiously jotting down something. My eyes met with Danny too. He was right by my left side wearing a concerned look.

"She's awake?" Nicholas asked moving closer with the rest of the boys.

"What happened?" I found myself asking. I guess it was the most appropriate question to ask when you found yourself in an hospital gown with a room full of people and completely unaware how you got there.

"you passed out-

"Your heart stopped-" my mom and Danny said almost the same time before exchanging looks.

"My heart stopped? "I asked frowning at the answer like I don't quite understand the meaning.

"It's nothing sweetie. You just passed out " my mom said trying to mask the worry and fear in her voice.

"I'll go see the doctor. Don't stress her out, she just recovered. Please give me a minute" my mom said instructing my brother before heading out.

"Have this happened to you before?" my brother questioned and I got what he meant.

"No, not that I remember of" I answered completely shocked at the occurrence.

"How are you now?" Danny asked and I smiled before turning to my brother in question giving him a look that says 'what is Danny doing here?' he knew the look too well and he turned to me with an explanation.

"Saw me when I was rushing off when Nick-" my brother met Nick's eyes before completing his statement.

"Called me that you were in the hospital" he added.

"Danny, could you excuse us for a minute" I smiled at Danny and he seem confused because I had solely asked him and not any of the others.

"Okay" he replied hesitantly and reluctantly walked out.

"What really happened to me Charlie?" I questioned eying my hospital gown with disdain.

"Your heart stopped for some minutes Claire. Doctors said you're alive by some stupid kind of miracle because they announced that you were dead-

"He did make quite a scene trying to prove they were wrong though" Brian added but my brother ignored him.

"I knew you couldn't be dead. At least you'll live until 2years" my brother sighed and I could tell he was very worried seeing me laying down.

"It hasn't happened to me before. I'm thinking it was because I was reincarnated and also, I met something very strange" I frowned at the memory.

"I met this crazy Alien?-

"Alien?" they chorused their question.

"Yeah, but before that, Tony, Tanya...how did you get here? "I asked completely confused by their presence.

"Guess I could inform you now you're my grandma's neighbor. Her room's two rooms away from yours. We saw you been rushed in " Tony answered and I sighed.

"Okay, about the Alien-" Tanya asked curious and anxious. She seem eager than most I expect to be.

"I found myself at the same scene I dreamt of every night but this time, it was different. There was this crazy alien that was sputtering nonsense to me. I didn't know how to tell him I don't speak Alien. When I tried telling him. I think he got mad and I found myself awake" I knew my words made no sense. Not even to me myself. Everyone seem to be in a state of confusion. Mass confusion maybe. Okay, I was the mad one and it was annoying.

"Does what the Alien say sounds like this?" Tanya said gesturing to me the note she had been scribbling on. All that was there, was gibberish but pronouncing it, I realized it sounded the same as what the little Alien had told me.

"How did you-" I wondered getting confused myself and I saw others eyes lit up as well.

"You were muttering this while you were asleep. Everyone else thought it was nonsense but you muttered it thrice and I realize it might be a language we don't understand, more importantly a message" Tanya explained. Maybe having a linguist amongst us wasn't really a bad idea.

"So an Alien talked to you?" Brian scoffed as if still finding it hard to believe.

"Yeah, and that's the first time. It's like it's trying to tell me something but the interesting part is. If that Alien was an unknown. Why would he approach me. I mean all the other unknowns never showed themselves till the waves almost killed us all" I complained completely confused myself.

"Maybe that particular one was responsible for you coming back?" Tony filled in and I frowned.

"that might be true, I mean I kept going to that scene and seeing his glinting eyes every time. But why would it do that, does he have any other purpose? Urgggh" I groaned in frustration because my head felt like it was going through a difficult exam at the moment. There was so many blank gaps to all of this. First, I died and woke up because_________, and I alone could remember because_________, I had an heart attack because______, I totally feel like crap at the moment.

"I also think that particular alien was responsible for you dying because I mean right now you died, your heart stopped and all of a sudden you woke up. It sounded totally unbelievable to everyone except few of us" Charlie added to my already filled brain.

"Is this some sort of crazy sect?" Brian asked and I could tell he didn't believe me.

"Brian, you and Nicholas with the help of Tony built a machine called proton electromagnetic repulser. That Machine completely helped us to power the camp despite the whole world was in darkness. You said you got the prototype from one stupid Honda engineering company who gave out scholarship to students with their exceptional work. You watch their program 3pm every Saturday" I revealed and Brian turned to Nick.

"Seriously dude" he said to him annoyance obvious in his voice. At that moment I could tell he thought Nick told me. Nick must have known about it.

"I didn't tell her Brian. I swear to God" Nick quickly defended.

"He didn't tell me Brian. You did, in the future. I know this is hard for you to believe but I believe with all the things happening right now all of you should understand this is real. I mean don't you see, I save your grandma Tony, because you told me the exact date and time in the future. I saved your aunt Nick. Isn't all this revelations enough and now. I f*****g died. There's more to this s**t. Aren't you curious? "I queried and most let out a sigh.

"I don't want to lose my love ones again this time, that's why I'm giving effort to this" I relayed my expression sullen and timid and my voice despondent.

"I thought you said it's in two years, what's the rush?" Brian asked with a snicker.

"We might need some time to get all these done. It's obviously gonna take more than two years to figure it out-" I was interrupted by the sudden cringe of the door. It made me instantly stop in my track. My mom made her way in with the doctor right behind her.

"I'm just gonna do some quick examination" the doctor informed moving closer to me while Charlie moved back to give more space to her.

The doctor shined into my eyes some stupid led eyes after drawing down my lids a little. Then she checked my pulse and my heartbeat.

"wow, you're perfectly good to go. It's a miracle nothing was wrong with you. You seem to be in a perfect shape. Mrs Chadwick you can take her home anytime you like" The doctor finally turned to my mom who gave a faint smile at the announcement.

"I was so scared for you honey. Guess what, your test results out. Goodness you had a perfect score. You can definitely go to college this year, and I'm certain you can study any course of your choice honey. I'm so proud of you" my mom said bringing me into her embrace. I saw Tony and Tanya leaving at the corner of my eyes and I could tell they were trying to give us some family privacy.

"What about dad mom?" I asked hoping my old man was fine.

"Told you he was heading out with a research team to Korea. He had something to finish up-

"But I thought he wasn't leaving until tomorrow" I cut in and my mom scoffed.

"You've been here for two days Claire" my mom informed and I blinked furiously at the realization.

"What!?" I asked in awe.

"Yeah Claire, we almost thought you were dead. I'm so glad you're okay now" my mom gladly let out but the worry was still evident in her face and the concern still laced her tone. I couldn't blame her. I would do just that in her shoes.

"I'll get your your clothes. Let's get you home" my mom declared making her way out. Then Danny walked in.

"Can... I come in?" he asked trying not to be rude.

"Yeah, yeah of course" I consented and he immediately made his way to my side.

"How are you doing now Claire?" Danny asked studying me closely.

"I guess I'm fine now. At least I could go home" I replied and he gave me his doting eyes again.

"Get well soon Claire" he said briefly squeezing my hands linked into each other on my lap" he pulled away and I could swore there were tears in his eyes but I couldn't really tell because he was heading out and his heavy eyeglasses didn't make it very conspicuous.

"Was he crying?" Charlie asked in observation.

"I have no idea" I answered watching the door close behind Danny. There was something about him that's making me unsettled and I couldn't tell what. Packing and leaving the hospital didn't take much time. I waved my goodbyes to my group and told them they could visit.

Straightening my neck I pulled out my reading chair seating right on it. I jotted down another strange occurrence to me. Then I move online to apply for colleges. Just like my previous life. I applied for three colleges. And just like last year. I didn't get any feedback from two except Stanford and one other. I was doing a pretty good job at preparing for college I mean I had been preparing since last year. Done lots of community stuff, school activities just because I wanted to add them to my resume how futile.

We were having dinner when this strange thunder rumbles loudly. It was similar to the silly thunder that was rumbling to loudly before the alien ship appeared right on top of our head back in my previous life. But I wasn't freaked at the sudden thunder or the frenzy rain that started until Tanya called me.

"Hello" I said into the phone but I could sense Tanya's nervousness as she sputter all what I couldn't make out.

"Tanya you need to slow down so I can understand you. I don't understand a thing" I told her standing from the dining table and walking into the sitting room.

"I finally figured the message Claire" she informed and I nodded because that sounded like a good thing.

"It's a bad thing for us Claire" she informed and I sense my heart beat racing out all of a sudden.

"Claire, the message reads. 'They already found out, they are coming earlier. You have to be fast. He will come for you. He will.. I don't know if it 'takes or kill' but it did fit in the gap and the last word was you" Tanya relayed. And I frowned. As much as I wish the gap there was 'take' the only thing that fitted perfectly was kill. Like seriously what the f**k is going on?.

"Who is coming? Who found out? What should we be fast about?" I knew it was silly asking Tanya those questions because only I knew it perfectly.

"I have no idea Claire but it got me and my brother freaking out. We spent two weeks on this nonsense and the result was really terrifying" I heard Tanya cursed under her breath and I sighed, disconnected the phone and raced upstairs. Moving to my laptop I clicked on Google icon and to check out the weather.

"Stormy" it reads. I moved downstairs and I saw mom watching TV. It was the news and they were relaying how many ship sank as a result of the sudden frenzy weather and I could feel myself going frenzy as well I screamed squeezing my heart chest as memory flashes appeared right into my view.

My dad had watched the news with the same headline 5days before we went for the picnic and 7days before everything went dark. I screamed louder as more pain enveloped me. This time I was slipping out of consciousness but I wasn't completely gone. I saw the same Alien muttering something I couldn't understand but I relaxed and urged him to continue talking. I screamed myself into consciousness and I saw my mom and Charlie bend over me in worry. My mom was crying and I wondered why.

"I can't lose you honey. I can't" she muttered hugging me tight. I was lead upstairs by mom and Charlie because I was too weak. After I was laid down by my mom. Charlie helped adjust my blankets and helped with the pillow too. I was going through a lot, it was the hardest phase of my life and Charlie couldn't help but wear that pity look on his face.

"The doctor told me something" my mom started instantly gaining my attention.

"She told me you have an irregular pulsation. And you'll go through attack often. It'll be painful and you'll blank out most of the time but with every attack. Your heart muscle weakens and someday" my mom stopped finding it hard to complete her statement. My eyes met with Charlie for a brief second before turning my face back to mom who was sobbing now.

"Does she tell you how long I have left?" I asked trying not to break down right in front of my family. I mean I've died once, dying again wasn't something I was looking forward to.

"6 months" my mom cried and instantly shot to her feet unable to face me ran downstairs to cry.

"I guess that was the price I had to pay" I mumbled loud enough for Charlie to hear.

"No Claire. Nothing is going to happen to you. you'll-

"We don't have much time left until the waves hit Charlie. Tanya was able to decipher the information. The alien was trying to inform me they'll arrive earlier. I don't know who this alien was but I'm very grateful to it. Charlie a week before the wave hit. Dad watched some news with the same headlines as the one mom was watching downstairs. Charlie. I feel this s**t is gonna happen in a week" I relayed and my brother gulped.

"No, no, no... You're wrong" Charlie disagreed unable to digest the news.

"No Claire!" Charlie yelled.

"This can't be happening" He finally concluded.

"I don't believe this and I don't believe you" that was my brother's last statement before stomping away. I spent the night crying and when I finally did fall asleep. I saw the same alien again muttering the same thing to me again. Thankfully my phone recorder was on because I knew it was gonna happen and if I had mutter his information when I was in the hospital I might as well mutter this and if I do. Maybe Tanya could translate what it was saying.

I found it hard waking up but fortunately I did woke up. Like I predicted my phone had picked the same muttering as the aliens. But it was me saying it this time. I moved into my bathroom to have a quick shower. Picking the purple blouse my mom had picked for me. I completed it with black pants and sandals. I brushed my hair to the back and headed downstairs for breakfast.

"Just in time honey" my mom said trying hard to act casual. Like everything was fine. I smiled in gratitude at her effort and pulled a seat next to my brother as my mom dished us dinner.

"Here, have some meats" mom offered garnishing my rice with fried chicken. Mouth watering I thought as I was already salivating. I ate like I haven't witnessed an apocalypse happened.

"For someone who was going to die soon you have quite a appetite" my brother mumbled loud for me to hear but not loud enough for my mom to make out.

"What was that?" my mom asked and Charlie shrugged.

"Nothing" he answered and picked on his food.

"Trust me Charlie, you'd wish you had ate that food sooner when you had the chance. By the time the third wave hit...you'll be grateful if you find half rotten apple to eat" I whispered to Charlie and I felt him quaver at the revelation.

"I'm heading out to Tanya, I need to tell her something. You mind if you drop me off at her place Charlie?" I asked sounding as casual as I could.

"Who's Tanya?" my mom asked and I smiled at her question.

"She's a new friend. You might not have noticed but she came by to see me at the hospital" I replied and she made a face as of she was trying to recall.

"oh... The black girl with large wavy hair?" my mom pouted.

"Yeah, she's Tony's sister and Tony is a very good friend of mine" I added and my mom nodded.

"So Charlie, you think you can drop me by?" I asked turning to Charlie who seem completely lost in thoughts.

"No, I don't mind at all. I lost my appetite anyway" he said standing and together we made our way outside after grabbing my phone.

"Claire" I heard someone call and I turn to face a nervous Danny.

"Hey hi Danny" I greeted as I made my way down the porch stairs.

"I'll just go get the car" Charlie offered.

"Yeah sure" I answered and next he was moving along the way of the garage.

"Claire, I don't know if you have a moment to spare. I need to tell you something" Danny requested and I heaved a sigh.

"I don't know Danny, we're heading out to see a friend. Maybe when we come back" I suggested but he had an anxious look on his face and he sounded like he couldn't wait.

"Claire I really need to tell you right now-

"I have to go now Danny" I interrupted as Charlie pulled over in front of the house.

"I promise we'll talk when I get back. Okay?" I assured and he nodded watching as I moved over to slump into the front seat before Charlie zoom off. I wonder what this message is again.

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