BEYOND THE STARS AND BACK
Chapter 2: The past, future's present
In 2046, my life was forever shattered. My parents were murdered by a serial killer who struck fear into the hearts of everyone on the planet. He was known as the Time Reaper, a monstrous figure who seemed to be able to manipulate time itself.
Many fell victim to his brutal attacks. Children, women, men - no one was spared. The authorities were baffled, unable to bring him to justice due to his strange ability to leap through time. It was as if he could erase his tracks, leaving behind only a trail of blood and terror.
The Time Reaper's identity, origin, and motives remained a mystery. He was a ghost, a phantom who haunt the streets and alleys, preying on the innocent. The world was gripped with fear, and I was left alone with my little sister, scarred by the loss of our parents.
The memories of that fateful day still haunts me. The pain, the fear, the feeling of helplessness. It's a wound that may never fully heal. But I'm left to pick up the pieces, to try and make sense of a world that seems to have lost its sense of safety and security.
The Time Reaper remains at large, a monster without a face or a motive. His legend has become a dark shadow that looms over our city, a reminder of the horrors that we may never fully understand.
"Don't move, Lisa, he'll hear us." I whispered, my voice trembling with fear. My little sister's eyes were wide with terror as we hid in the closet, watching in horror as the Time Reaper slaughtered our parents.
Tears rolled down my face as I saw my mom's eyes lock onto ours, her gaze pleading for us to stay hidden. I covered Lisa's eyes, trying to shield her from the gruesome scene unfolding before us. But I couldn't look away. I was frozen in fear, unable to move or act.
The Time Reaper's blade flashed in the dim light, and my parents' bodies crumpled to the ground. Mom's eyes never left mine, even as she took her last breath. I felt a scream building in my throat, but it was trapped, unable to escape.
I was paralyzed with fear, too weak to protect my sister, too scared to move. All I could do was watch as our world was torn apart. The Time Reaper's presence seemed to fill the room, his malevolent energy suffocating us.
As the silence stretched out, I slowly turned Lisa's face towards me, her eyes welling up with tears. "It's okay, Lisa," I whispered, trying to comfort her, but my voice was shaking. I knew nothing would ever be okay again.
"Vector! Vector! Wake up. It's almost time." Lisa's voice pierced through my sleep-deprived haze. I groggily opened my eyes, rubbing the fatigue from them. It had been 10 years since our parents' brutal murder at the hands of the Time Reaper.
After their death, our lives took a drastic turn. We were taken in by Dr. Zulu Emmanh, a mad scientist working for a secret government branch known as "The Phoenix Initiative." Their mission was to train children who had been traumatized by the Time Reaper's attacks, using our anger and hatred to fuel our determination to kill him.
Lisa and I were just seven years old when we were inducted into the program. For the past decade, we've been trained in combat, tactics, and survival skills. Our every waking moment was consumed by the singular goal of avenging our parents' deaths.
Now, at seventeen, we were ready. The day of our mission was finally approaching. I sat up, my heart racing with anticipation and nerves. Lisa's eyes sparkled with determination as she handed me my gear. "Today's the day, Vector. Today, we make him pay."
"All trainees go to the briefing room." The intercom's announcement echoed through the corridors. Lisa and I exchanged a look, and we headed towards the briefing room. It had been a long journey since we joined the Phoenix Initiative, and I couldn't help but think about the others who didn't make it.
When we first started, there were many of us - children driven by anger and a desire for revenge against the Time Reaper. But over the years, many had fallen, their bodies and minds broken by the intense training and the weight of their mission. Now, we were down to less than ten.
As we entered the briefing room, our comrades were already seated, their eyes fixed on us. Jim, a tall and lean trainee, grinned at us. "Yo, Vector! Lisa, what's up with you? You took long getting over here."
I shot him a look. "Yeah, I know, but I never asked you to wait." Our banter was familiar, but beneath the surface, there was a hint of tension.
Him chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Stubborn as ever, I see." The air seemed to vibrate with malice, and I felt my instincts kick in.
Just as it seemed like things might escalate, our instructor intervened. "Alright, you two, that's enough." The authority in his voice was unmistakable.
Jim smirked at me. "You lucked out, Vector." I gave him a look, but before I could respond, Lisa's calm voice intervened. "Hey, brother, don't cause any more trouble."
Her words were a gentle reminder that we were all in this together, and that our mission was too important to be derailed by petty squabbles. I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm wash over me.
"Alright, everyone, first, I would like to greet everyone," Dr. Zulu Emmanh said, his voice firm and resolute. His gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of each trainee. "Since the Phoenix Initiative was started until now, we have lost a lot of people." His words hung in the air, a somber reminder of the sacrifices we'd made.
The doctor's expression turned determined. "But the few remaining survivors will carry out the mission they have been brutally and intensively trained for. Ten days from now, the final mission will be initiated. Plan X will be launched, and through this plan, the Time Reaper will be destroyed."
The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins as I gazed at my fellow trainees. We'd been training for this moment for years, and finally, the day of reckoning was within reach.
I glanced at Lisa, and she met my gaze, her eyes burning with determination. We'd come too far to turn back now. Plan X was our last hope, our final chance to avenge our parents and bring the Time Reaper to justice.
The doctor's voice cut through the silence again. "You all know the risks, but I want to emphasize that this mission will be the most challenging one yet. You'll be facing an enemy who can manipulate time itself.
Later that day, I approached Lisa, my concern evident on my face. "Hey, Lisa, do you think Plan X will work?" I asked, my voice laced with doubt.
Lisa's expression was resolute. "I don't know, but Dr. Emmanh was really confident about it working. So, I believe it will." Her words were firm, but I could sense the underlying uncertainty.
I shook my head. "The doctor never gave us the exact details of the plan. I don't know if I can trust it." My frustration was palpable.
Lisa's eyes locked onto mine. "The doctor has his reasons for keeping it secret. I'm sure he'll reveal everything when the time is right." Her words were meant to reassure me, but I could see the doubt lurking behind her eyes.
I took a step closer to her, my emotions raw. "I want him to pay for what he did to our parents," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. "If it wasn't for him, we would have been a complete family, but he took that away. I want that monster to suffer more than anything."
Lisa's expression softened, and she forced a smile. But behind her smile, I could see the pool of trauma, pain, and brokenness that was drowning her. "Brother, I feel the same," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "
But just before she could express herself, the intercom crackled to life. "Vector. Lisa. You are required to report to the briefing room." The voice was firm and commanding.
"Let's go, we'll talk later," I told Lisa, my voice tight with anticipation.
"Alright, brother, let's go," she replied, her eyes still locked on mine.
As we made our way to the briefing room, Lisa asked, "Do you know why we're being summoned?"
I shook my head. "I don't know." But deep down, I had a feeling it was something connected to Plan X. My anxiety rose with every step, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.
As we approached the briefing room, a sense of foreboding washed over me. I felt a fear that I had never felt before, a sense of uncertainty that made my stomach twist with knots.
And then, we entered the briefing room. The doors behind us closed with a metallic clang, and I felt a surge of panic. In front of us stood a group of scientists, instructors, and the managing board of the Phoenix Initiative. My anxiety went through the roof as I gazed at the stern faces before us.
But as I looked at Lisa, I saw a different story. She was calm and collected, her eyes burning with a fierce determination. I could see the rage and drive in her eyes, a sense of purpose that seemed to fuel her very being.
I took a deep breath, trying to draw strength from her composure. Whatever was about to happen, I knew that Lisa and I would face it together.
"Is this all we have to work with?" one of the board members asked, his tone dripping with disappointment. He looked us up and down, his expression a mixture of disdain and skepticism. "They seem weak and useless."
Dr. Zulu Emmanh stepped forward, his voice confident and assertive. "I assure you, sir, these two are the best of the best. They have managed to come out on top of each test given. I would put my life in their hands. I have full confidence that they are more than capable for the mission."
The board members exchanged glances, seemingly moved by Dr. Emmanh's words. As he spoke, I felt a surge of confidence and boldness return to me. I stood a little taller, my shoulders squaring as I met the gaze of the board members.
The lead board member nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Alright, the meeting may begin," he said, his voice a little more measured.
We all took our seats, the room falling silent as the board members began to outline the details of the mission. I felt a sense of focus wash over me, my mind sharpening as I listened to the discussion. Lisa sat beside me, her eyes fixed intently on the board members, her expression a mask of determination.
As the meeting began, I knew that this was it – this was our chance to prove ourselves, to show the board that we were capable of taking down the Time Reaper. I was ready. Bring it on.
"Lisa, Vector, you have been selected as the ones to carry out Plan X," Dr. Zulu Emmanh said, his voice filled with conviction. "The ten days before the launch, you will be trained and prepared to carry out the mission. You will be equipped with using some devices that you may have never seen. Taught some languages and many other things."
Dr. Emmanh outlined all that we would be prepared in, his words painting a picture of an intense and comprehensive training program. I listened intently, my mind racing with excitement and anticipation.
"Sir, if I may ask," I said, my voice firm but respectful. All the board members locked their eyes on me, their gaze filled with irritation.
"What is Plan X?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. "we have been talking about, but you haven't given specific details on what the plan is all about"
My eyes burned with a fierce determination, and I could feel Lisa's gaze on me, her expression a mixture of curiosity and caution.
One of the board members cleared his throat, his expression stern. "Plan X is confidential, boy. You will be let in on it at a later time." His tone was dismissive, but I could sense a hint of unease behind his words.
"You are dismissed," he said. "Your training begins tomorrow." The board members' tone was final, and I knew from his voice that he was avoiding further questions.
I got upset, my frustration simmering just below the surface. But just before I could say a word, Lisa stopped me, her hand on my arm a gentle restraint.
"Alright, sir, thank you," she said, her voice calm and composed.
"Brother, let's go," She said, her tone a little softer as I followed her lead. We walked out of the briefing room, the doors closing behind us.
As we walked away, I could hear the board members discussing something, but it was all a blur. I was too caught up in my own thoughts, my mind racing with questions and doubts.
Just as we were heading to our sleeping pods, Jim appeared out of nowhere, a smirk on his face. "Vector, Vector," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"What is it?" I asked, my tone annoyed. '' You know am the one supposed to carry out Plan X, to kill the Time Leaper," He said.
"You know what he did to my family," Jim said, his voice laced with venom. "It's not my fault the higher-ups never chose you. I guess they didn't find you better suited for this, considering the fact that you're an idiot."
My instincts kicked in, and I was ready to engage in a fistfight with him. But Lisa intervened, her voice filled with disappointment. "Grow up, you two," she said, her words a stern rebuke.
I felt a surge of anger, but Lisa's grip on my hand tightened. "Let's go," she said, her voice firm. We walked away from Jim, leaving him standing alone in the corridor.
It's been six days since Lisa and I were informed that we would be the ones to carry out Plan X. In this time, we've been trained in different areas, and I have to admit, I was expecting the training to be physically challenging, considering the task we need to complete.
But instead, we've been taught to operate a device called a cell phone, which seems to be a crucial tool in our mission. We've also been learning to speak and write languages we're not familiar with, which has been a challenge in itself.
As the training began, the tension between me and Jim started to simmer just below the surface. I could sense the hatred emanating from him, a palpable force that seemed to grow thicker with each passing day. But I didn't blame him. He'd always dreamed of killing the Time Reaper, of avenging his family's brutal murder. But that chance had been given to me instead.
I remembered the day Jim and his younger brother joined the Phoenix Initiative, a month after Lisa and I had enrolled. Jim's story was one of unimaginable pain and loss. His brother had been consumed by the trauma of their family's slaughter, unable to bear the weight of his grief, he decided to end himself. And Jim was left all alone. I'd seen the emptiness and loneliness in Jim's eyes, a deep sadness that seemed to haunt him every waking moment.
I'd decided to reach out to him, to be a friend in a time of need. We bonded over our shared pain, our desire for revenge against the Time Reaper. Jim was one of the first true friends I'd made, and for a while, things were good between us.
But that all changed when we were fourteen. Jim tried to force himself on Lisa, and everything shifted. The tension between us began, a rift that seemed impossible to bridge. The higher-ups did nothing to punish him, citing his value as an asset, a tool to be used in their mission.
I felt a pang of anger and disgust every time I thought about it. How could they justify ignoring Jim's actions, sweeping it under the rug like it meant nothing? Lisa was more than just a sister to me; she was my everything. And Jim's attempt to hurt her had broken something fundamental in our relationship.
Now, as we stood on the cusp of launching Plan X, the tension between us was almost unbearable. I could see the resentment in Jim's eyes, the anger and frustration that seemed to burn within him. I knew he blamed me for getting the chance to kill the Time Reaper, for being chosen over him.
The preparation for the mission was going smoothly, but one day, everything went sour. It was like everything we worked for, the sacrifice, the blood, sweat, and tears – it was all for nothing. The Time Leaper's attack on the Phoenix Initiative facilities brought it all crashing down.
"Brother, brother, wake up!" Lisa's voice pierced through the darkness, her hands shaking me awake. I groggily opened my eyes, the sleeplessness and fatigue etched on my face. But as I came to my senses, the chaos outside our pod snapped me into alertness.
The entire building was in terror. Alarms blared in the hallway, their ear-piercing wail echoing through the corridors. Soldiers rushed towards the Time Reaper, unaware of the fate that awaited them. The sound of their boots pounding the floor, the shouts and screams, it was a cacophony of chaos.
"Let's go!" I grabbed Lisa's hand, pulling her with force. "It's our chance to kill him, let's take it!" My voice was laced with adrenaline, my heart racing with anticipation.
As I kicked down the door to our pod, Dr. Zulu Emmanh stood in the hallway, his face set in a determined expression. "Where are you two going? Let's get you where you're supposed to be." His voice was calm, but his eyes betrayed a sense of urgency.
The scene was unfolding like a nightmare. Soldiers fell to the ground, their bodies broken and twisted. The Time Reaper's presence was like a dark storm cloud, casting a shadow over the entire facility. I could feel the fear and panic emanating from the people around me.
But I wasn't afraid. I was driven by a singular focus – to kill the Time Reaper. To avenge our parents, to make him pay for what he'd done. I pulled Lisa along, my grip on her hand tight. We had to get out of there, had to find a way to stop him. The fate of the entire facility hung in the balance, and we were the only ones who could save it.
"Don't be stupid, Vector, you won't be able to take him down," Dr. Zulu Emmanh said, his voice firm but laced with concern. "Follow me."
I glared at him, my anger and frustration boiling over. "Can't trust you and your plan, you told us nothing about it. How do you expect us to gladly follow you?" I spat, my voice filled with rage and brokenness. "The person who killed our parents is right there, right there! And you expect us to let go of that chance?"
Dr. Emmanh's expression softened, and he took a step closer to me. "I know you're upset, but trust me on this. The fate of everyone depends on the decision you make. Either everyone who ever loved you remains dead, or gets to live – it depends on you."
I laughed, the sound bitter and mocking. "What do you mean, the people I love get to live? They're already dead, damn it! They gone and not coming back..."
Dr. Emmanh's words cut me off, his voice gentle but firm. "Plan X isn't about killing the Time Reaper after he's already killed anyone. Vector, you two will go back in time and kill the Time Reaper before he discovers his ability."
My eyes widened, and I felt a lump form in my throat. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I processed the weight of his words. If this mission was complete... my parents would live again.
I turned to Lisa, and our eyes met. Hers were filled with tears, her face etched with a mix of hope and desperation. I saw my own emotions reflected back at me, and I knew we were both thinking the same thing.
"Brother, let's go with Dr. Zulu Emmanh," Lisa said, her voice barely above a whisper. Her words were a plea, a prayer that this chance wouldn't slip away.
I nodded, my mind made up. We would follow Dr. Emmanuel, no matter what it took. The possibility of bringing our parents back to life was too great to ignore. I took a deep breath, the weight of our decision settling heavy on my shoulders.
"Let's do it," I said, my voice firm. "We'll go back in time, and we'll kill the Time Reaper. We'll bring our parents back."
Dr. Emmanh nodded, a small smile on his face. "I'll get you to the time machine. We'll make this happen."
As we followed him, I felt a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in years. Maybe, just maybe, we could change the course of our lives. Maybe we could bring back what was lost. The thought was almost too much to bear, but I held onto it, letting it fuel my determination. We would make this happen, no matter what it took.
As we made our way to the time machine, something unexpected happened. The Time Reaper appeared behind us, his malevolent smile sending a chill down my spine. I looked back, and my eyes locked onto his, filled with an unspeakable evil.
And then it hit me – everyone. I mean everyone in the facility had been brutally murdered by him. Anger and frustration filled my eyes, and I shouted with every fiber of my being. "Time Reaper, you bastard! You killed them all, you killed them!"
Tears streamed down my face, and my entire soul moaned in anguish. Dr. Zulu Emmanh and Lisa looked at me, their eyes filled with tears as well. We were all consumed by the weight of our loss.
The Time Reaper charged towards us, ready to cut us down. But just before he could reach us, Jim jumped in the way, in front of the Time Reaper's blade. The blade pierced through him, and blood dripped everywhere.
With the tiny life left in him, Jim's voice was barely audible. "Vector... Lisa... I'm sorry for what I wanted to do to Lisa. I'm sorry for everything that I did that hurt you. For betraying your trust in me... Live. Live."
He held the Time Reaper, restricting him from moving. "Go. Go!" he shouted, his voice weakening.
"Let's go!" Dr. Zulu Emmanh said, holding my hand and Lisa's as we ran to the time machine.
As we ran, I only heard one sound – the sound of flesh being cut to pieces. Jim's sacrifice would not be in vain. I burst out in tears, my heart shattered into a million pieces.
The pain and grief were overwhelming, but I knew we had to keep moving. We had to complete the mission, for Jim's sake, for everyone's sake. I looked at Lisa, and she met my gaze, her eyes red-rimmed from crying.
We reached the time machine, and Dr. Zulu Emmanh pushed us inside. As the doors closed behind us, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. We were one step closer to changing the course of our lives, to bringing back what was lost.
"Dr. Zulu Emmanh, aren't you coming with us?" I asked, my voice breaking and a lump building in my throat. But he just smiled and said, "Complete the mission, regardless of what. No matter what state, no matter what age you find the Time Reaper is. Kill him. No matter how kind or good he may be. Kill him, for that's the only way of saving everyone."
As he said these words, tears rolled down his face, and I felt a pang of sorrow. He pressed a button, and a blade passed through his back to his chest, his body crumpling to the ground.
Rage built up inside me, but before I could say anything, my eyes met the Time Reaper's. I saw everything in them that I had never seen before – a sense of familiarity, like I had known him from somewhere. In that very moment, time froze.
Tears rolled down my eyes, but not for all the death and loss. Not for the pain and the suffering. But for the things that came with his gaze. The familiarity, the connection, the sense of knowing him. It was as if I had seen a ghost from my past, someone I had forgotten but couldn't quite remember.
The moment was cut short as we were dragged through time to the year 2023. I felt a jolt, and everything around me became a blur. When I opened my eyes, I was in a different world, a different time.
"Brother, wake up! It's time for school, you'll be late," a voice said, shaking me awake. I looked around, disoriented, and saw a familiar face – my sister, Lisa.