A Journey Through Time

-

Anna waited and waited but Roman never texted her back. It was nearly midnight so she decided to go to sleep.

"That guy… why did he drop out?"

Anna couldn't help but worry about Roman. He's been acting differently ever since the new VR game came out.

"Actually, Clem told me that he was acting differently the day before the game came out."

Closing her eyes, she decided to not think about it. Roman wouldn't hide anything from her.

-

"Hello?"

Anna woke up but it was completely dark. She thought she was experiencing sleep paralysis so she tried to stay calm.

"I guess I can just wait."

She laid down still, unable to move at all. All she could do was wait. That was when she saw it.

A dark figure loomed over her, she couldn't make out the figure's face since the figure had long hair that covered it's face.

Anna tried to scream but nothing came out. The figure pointed a finger at her, all she could do was lay there like a vulnerable prey as the finger came closer and closer to touching her forehead.

The moment the finger touched her forehead, she heard a voice, a voice she was familiar with.

'Finally, after drifting for all these years. I've finally found one. Don't worry, I will share everything with you.'

Before Anna could say anything she was suddenly standing in the hallway of her home.

"What's going on?"

Anna was confused, wasn't she just asleep?

"Anna, are you okay? Didn't you want to play games with us?"

Anna's heart skipped a beat. She turned around and saw a young baby Roman. He was at least 6 to 7 years old.

'Why? Why did my heart just skip a beat?'

"Come on Anna! You said you wanted to play right? I'll ask your brother!"

Right as he was reaching out to grab her hand, the scene suddenly changed. Anna was now sitting in a car that was going down the road. She was confused at first but then she felt as if she had a strong connection with this car. She was sitting in the passenger's seat so she looked to the left to see who was driving.

Once again, her heart skipped a beat. Roman was driving the car but this time he looked way older. While she looked at the older Roman, more memories came flooding in.

The two were in the "talking" phase for a little over 6 months. They both knew they liked each other, it was just that Anna wanted Roman to ask her out first. This night was that night. Roman had an entire romantic date planned and the night ended with him kissing her and asking her out.

Anna could feel her face turn red. The memories shown to her, left her flustered.

'Why am I seeing this? Why does it feel like it's actually me? But that isn't possible… I've never dated Roman.'

'Not in this timeline.'

Anna suddenly heard someone answer her. Her surroundings changed once more before she could call out to the mysterious voice.

She was now laying on the ground. She couldn't see anything, it would seem that she had lost her vision. Loud noises and explosions could be heard around her. She tried moving but she couldn't.

'I… I can't feel anything?!'

While she was wondering what this new memory was trying to show her, she suddenly heard a heart-wrenching scream.

"ANNA! ANNNA!!"

Anna's body called out by itself. She couldn't control what she was saying.

"Roman… is that… you? Why… why can't I see you?"

"It's me!! It's me!! Don't worry. That fucken bastard must have hit your head… I'm sure your vision will come back."

Anna couldn't remember what happened but she felt an overwhelming sense of safety and security when she felt Roman wrap his arms around her.

Anna smiled and tried to look at him.

"Thank you Roman… you came back. Where… are the others?"

Anna felt weak, she could feel her body getting more and more tired. She remembered that Dante, Jared and Roman had all gone to save Clem. Roman seemed to hesitate for a moment before answering her.

"They're fine! Everyone is just resting back at the base. You weren't around so I went out to find you."

"Oh, that's good. Everyone made it back safely… Roman… I'm so tired. I think I'll sleep for a little bit."

Roman was mumbling so she couldn't make out what he was saying. She suddenly felt wet droplets falling onto her face.

"Oh? It's… about to rain? It really is a good time to take a nap."

Anna could hear the smile from Roman. He answered her in a shaky voice.

"Yeah… it's about to rain. You can sleep first. I'll wake you up later."

"Ah. You've always been so good to me Roman… I will sleep for a little bit then. Please wake me up later."

Anna's consciousness began to fade away. While she slowly drifted off into an eternal slumber, she could hear Roman.

"I'm sorry Anna… I couldn't save anyone… now I couldn't even save you… I'm so pathetic…"

Anna wanted to comfort him but nothing came out of her mouth. Before the darkness completely took over, she heard another male voice.

"It will take 1,000 years but you can reunite with him again. Anna, will you take a journey through time to meet him once more?"

-

That was the last thing Anna heard before her blurry vision changed. She was now standing alone in an empty white room.

"Where am I now? Is this another memory?"

While she looked around, she suddenly felt a tap on her shoulders. She quickly turn around out of fright. What she saw caused her to slowly back away.

"You? You're?… me?"

Standing before Anna was Anna. This Anna was a bit transparent, she looked tired. She looked defeated. She looked lost. The ghost Anna just smiles.

"I am you. You are me. No matter what timeline we are on, we all want one thing."

Anna didn't say anything and let the ghost Anna speak.

"We all wish for Roman's happiness. You saw my memories and I saw yours."

"Wait wait wait!! None of this make sense!! Wasn't I only dreaming?!"

Anna was confused by the ghost. This all felt less and less like a dream now and more like real life.

The ghost sighs.

"Let me explain what will happen."

Apparently, the memories she saw belonged to the ghost Anna from another timeline. This Anna lived her life the way she wanted. She harbored a crush on Roman for years, eventually they got together. They even talked about marriage but then the world changed. This part spooked out Anna the most.

The same game that changed the ghost's world was just released in her world. Anna tried staying calm.

"What will happen to us then? To me? You said that we will merge together right? Will I be in control or will you be in control?"

This thought terrified her. She didn't want to be a prisoner in her own body. The ghost just smiles.

"Both of us will be in control. We are one in the same. Our minds will combine together to become one."

Anna was reassured that nothing would happen. She was surprised by how calm and accepting she was of everything. It would seem that after going through the ghost Anna's entire life, she had quickly accepted everything.

The ghost Anna gestures for Anna to sit down. The two sat down together and began exchanging memories. The two laughed as they continued sharing with one another.

Before they knew it, Anna began waking up. The ghost Anna hugs Anna and says one last thing.

"I've been alone for so many years. My anger grew thinking that I would never find peace. Thank you for allowing me to merge with you."

The two continued hugging each other as a bright light swallowed the two girls.

-

Anna woke up to the sound of her phone ringing. She didn't even look at her phone, she quickly ran to her mirror to look at herself. She carefully checked her body out.

"Everything is the same… I made it… I actually made it!!!"

She couldn't help but jump in joy. The two Anna's had successfully merged once she woke up.

"I can see him!!! I can see him again!!!"

She was so excited that she forgot that her phone was still ringing. She swiftly moved to her phone and looked to see who was calling.

"Roman!"

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