Chapter 2 Back to the past

The tunnel is dimly lit. As the cart moves further away from the field, the sound of the crowd becomes a distant hum. Rodgers is grimacing, trying to come to terms with what just happened.SUDDENLY, everything goes silent. The cart stops. Rodgers looks around, confused.

I look to my left and see Garret Wilson crying, "Im sorry kid, I wish I could've been there to do it with you". Suddenly everything around me freezes. What the hell is going on? Out of the darkness, a FIGURE emerges. It's an older man, dressed in a sleek, futuristic suit. His eyes glint with an unnatural light, "who the hell are you and why is time stopped"? The man responded with, "Aaron you could say I'm... an opportunity. I've been watching you, Aaron. Your career, your choices, your triumphs... and your regrets." I sighed, "Listen, I don't know what kind of joke this is, but I need to get to the locker room. I need to—". He interrupted me , "What if I told you that you don't have to go back there? What if I told you that you could go back to the beginning? Start your career all over again." My heart froze, what does he mean he can send me back? isn't that impossible? "What are you talking about?" The figure gestures, and suddenly the tunnel around them transforms. The walls become a swirling vortex of light and color, showing images of Rodgers' past: his first NFL game, his Super Bowl win, his many victories and losses. "You see, Aaron, time is not as rigid as you think. It's malleable, bendable. I can take you back to the start of your career. You can change everything. Make different choices. Relive your glory days, or even greater ones." I cant believe it, "Why would you offer me this? What's in it for you?" The figure smirks. " Let's just say I have an interest in seeing great stories play out in their most perfect form. And you, Aaron... you're a great story. One that deserves a second chance. All I ask is that you trust me." I looked down at my foot in pain, I started to think back to all the memories of the past, joy, pain, everything became so surreal. There were moments I loved throughout my career and moments I wished with all my soul I could change. "But... what if I make the same mistakes again? What if I just end up right back here?" The figure began to step closer to me, "That's the beauty of it, Aaron. You have the knowledge you didn't have before. You know the game, you know yourself. Think of what you could accomplish with a fresh start and all the wisdom of your years." I stared into the void around me constantly playing moments throughout my career, I thought of many things that went bad, I had no kids to carry on my legacy, I had some of the best stats with only 1 Superbowl Ring to show for it. I knew it and everybody else knew it, I should have won more than I ever did... I was the greatest talent to have ever touched the game of football. I took a deep breath "And if I say no?" The vortex faded, and the tunnel returned to its dimly lit, cold reality. The pain in my leg throbbed again, reminding me of my current predicament. "Then you continue as you are. Aging, hurting, watching the game move on without you. It's your choice, Aaron. Do you want to live in the past, or rewrite it?" A small smile crept its way up on my face "I've always believed in second chances". I looked up and the figure met my eyes with an even bigger smile than my own, almost too wide. "Then take mine, Aaron. All you have to do... is say yes." I hesitated for a second and looked around then decided, "alright ill take your damn yes". The vortex opens up again, brighter this time, engulfing Rodgers and the figure. The light becomes blinding. My vision went white and as soon as I could see again I blinked and looked around. I was standing in the middle of a college campus, dressed in my old California Golden Bears gear. my face, my body—young and strong. I grinned, realizing where I am. "Im... back" I whispered.